BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Winnipeg Jets loaded up on some young defence on Day 2 of the NHL draft Saturday.
The Jets selected Saint John defenceman Luke Green (third round, No. 79) and Swedish defenceman Jacob Cederholm (fourth round, No. 97) as well as Calgary centre Jordan Stallard (fourth round, No. 127) and Russian goalie Mikhail Berdin (sixth round, No. 157).
On Friday, the Jets added scoring and size in the form of Finnish winger Patrik Laine, taken second overall, and six-foot-seven defenceman Logan Stanley of the Windsor Spitfires 18th.
Despite the blue-line help for the future, Winnipeg’s draft coup was landing a sniper in Laine.
“There was great excitement obviously in Winnipeg (at the pick) and well-deserved. But probably the greater excitement was at our (draft) table and maybe even a month ago when it was the (draft) lottery,” said GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.
“Again big steps from the foundation standpoint and (we) look to continue to grow.”
Green, the first overall selection in the 2014 QMJHL entry draft, had 10 goals and 25 assists in 61 games for the Sea Dogs.
“He’s a great skater,” said Cheveldayoff.
Luke and twin brother Matthew have played together through their careers, including two seasons with the Sea Dogs.
Cheveldayoff pointed to Cederholm’s leadership qualities and size.
“He’s been captain of his teams all the way through … and someone that has a real pro body already,” he said. “He’s going to continue to develop more but a big body that can move and do a lot of good things, make a good first pass. Maybe not going to be the flashiest guy but has a lot of pro-ready aspects.”
Cederholm said he was overcome by emotion when his name was called.
“I can’t describe the feeling right now, (I’m) just trying to soak it in now but it’s hard. I got a little emotional there with my family here as well. I’m so excited for this opportunity.”
The Swede described himself as a stay-at-home defenceman who can skate, play physical and deliver a “great first pass.”
Cederholm’s brother Anton was taken 145th overall by Vancouver in the 2013 draft.
Stallard is a local boy from Brandon, “extremely excited to be drafted by the Jets,” according to the GM.
“A player that we’re going to look to continue to develop. Good size, good speed, rangy-type kid,” he added.
Berdin, the Russian goalie, had passionate supporters in the Jets organization – “certainly at the position that we got him,” said Cheveldayoff.
“It’s an exciting thing because I do think we got a good value pick there.”
Cheveldayoff said getting the six-foot-four 206-pound Laine on Friday a “very special moment for us.”
“You watch him play and he does some special things,” he said of Laine.
“He’s not just a goal-scorer, he’s not just a shooter … And the bigger the stage, the better he played,” he added.
Cheveldayoff expects the 18-year-old Laine, who excelled last season in the Finnish Elite League, to contribute immediately. “He should be ready to play,” he said.
Laine gives the Jets star quality as well as proven scoring ability.
“He’s got charisma that matches his skill,” said Cheveldayoff.
At six foot seven and 224 pounds, Stanley is a load. The Jets traded up four places to make sure they got the 18-year-old from Waterloo, Ont.
“He’s big, he can skate, he can shoot,” Cheveldayoff said of the blue-liner with a left-handed shot.
“He’s someone we really believe is just scratching the surface of where he can go,” he added.
Winnipeg traded its seventh-round pick, No. 187, to the Canadiens for Montreal’s seventh-round pick in 2017.
