San Jose Sharks stay busy on second day of NHL Draft

LAS VEGAS – The San Jose Sharks began a busy second day of the NHL Draft on Saturday by selecting Russian-born winger Igor Chernyshov.

The Sharks, so far Saturday, have selected three defensemen, two wingers, a goalie.

The 18-year-old Chernyshov, listed at 6 feet 2 inches and 196 pounds, was ranked ninth among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting.

Chernyshov said he models his game after Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon, who just won the Hart Trophy. To that end, eliteprospects.com described Chernyshov as a “powerful skater and a high-end handler” who “excels at anticipating openings and exploiting them.”

Chernyshov, through an interpreter, said he’s “a team guy, a leader, very hungry for the puck,” adding that he’s very confident that “in two to three years, I’ll be ready to play in the NHL” and do “everything possible to make that happen.”

Chernyshov’s next step is unknown. He said he’ll go to camp in San Jose, “but ultimately it’s up to my agent to decide and that’s a conversation we’ll have down

The Sharks then selected Leo Sahlin Wallenius at No. 53 overall, the pick they received from the Detroit Red Wings earlier this week in the trade that also brought defenseman Jake Walman to San Jose.

Sahlin Wallenius was ranked seventh among international skaters by NHL Central Scouting (Chernyshov was No. 9). Is 6-0, 183 lbs. Skating is thought to be his best attribute.

Sahlin Wallenius is familiar with Sharks prospects Filip Bystedt and David Edstrom, and is good friends with William Eklund’s younger brother Victor.

The Sharks, after a trade with the New Jersey Devils, selected winger Carson Wetsch of the Calgary Hitmen at No. 82 overall. In the deal, the Devils traded No. 82 to the Sharks for No. 85 this year and San Jose’s sixth-rounder in 2025.

The Sharks also took Swiss-born goalie Christian Kirsch in the fourth round, and WHL defensemen Colton Roberts (Vancouver) and Nate Misskey (Victoria) in the fifth round at 131st and 143rd overall, respectively.

The Sharks also hold the 194th overall pick in the seventh round.

The Sharks began the draft on Friday by selecting Boston University center Macklin Celebrini No. 1 overall and defenseman Sam Dickinson of the London Knights at No. 11.

Sharks general manager Mike Grier said Friday night that he anticipated getting calls from other teams on the 33rd overall selection and would be open to moving it if the right package came along.

“We’ll be open to everything,” Grier said. “Looking at our board, I think there’s some players there that we really like, but as it goes when teams kind of settle in and get back to the hotels, I’m sure we’ll get some calls on 33. We’ll listen if it makes sense for us to get more assets and then continue to build this thing.

“But if not, there’s some players available there that we’ll be really happy to select.”

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