Detroit — The Red Wings began the second day of the NHL Entry Draft on Friday by selecting a pair of forwards, Dylan James and Dmitri Buchelnikov, in the second round.
A 6-foot, 181-pound left wing, James was the rookie of the year in the United States Hockey League and was taken with the No. 40 overall pick.
James had 28 goals and 33 assists for 61 points in 62 games. He’s described as a competitive player who has skill but likes to play a physical game, and is viewed as a leader on his teams. He is effective along the boards, likes to go the net and projects to be more of a bottom-six, gritty type of player.
Buchelnikov, a Russian who played junior hockey in St. Petersburg (MHL), was drafted 12 spots later with the No. 52 pick.
There was speculation heading into the draft that many teams would be leery about drafting Russians, not knowing about the availability of players because of the current political climate.
But general manager Steve Yzerman and his staff couldn’t resist with Buchelnikov, a 5-10, 168-pound winger who scored 41 goals in 56 games last season.
Scouts love Buchelnikov’s skating and hands — some even view it as first-round caliber — but he needs to get physically stronger.
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