Wednesday, July 15, 2015

2015 Draft Class Signings (July 15)



A signing from Tuesday to note, as the Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Erik Cernak to his 3-year entry-level deal right away. Cernak was the Kings' top pick in the 2015 draft, taken in the 2nd round, 43rd overall.

The Slovak defender has size to spare and the scouts say he uses it quite well.  The scouting reports are suggesting that his skating needs some work, but at his age, he still has a year or two before he's getting considered for a full-time spot in the pros.

The 11th overall pick is now off the board, as forward Lawson Crouse signed his 3-year entry-level deal on Wednesday.  Crouse was in the mix for any of the spots after the top two had been slotted in, but he fell down to the Panthers in the 11th spot, much to their delight, I'm sure.

The big power forward should fit right into their skill set on the wing, given they already have some good skill down the middle, which could potentially compliment his style of play.  The Panthers also have some open spots in their forward ranks, so there is a chance he could at least get his 9-game tryout this season.

The Calgary Flames signed their top draft pick, Swedish defenseman Oliver Kylington, on Wednesday, opting to give him a shot at North American hockey this season. Reports had surfaced that he has a signed deal with a team in the Swedish Elite League, but his NHL contract will allow him to play in North America, if the Flames will have him full-time, otherwise, he'll head across the pond and play back at home.

Kylington is thought to be an offensive catalyst, drawing some comparisons to some of the current Swedish NHL blueliners, but with a stacked blueline like the Flames have at the moment, it would be awfully tough for him to crack the team out of camp at age 18.

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