Draft Day Two Rundown | BLOG

The New Jersey Devils did not draft on day one but it was far from a quiet day -- or quiet week -- for the team:

• Monday (June 26), the team saw three awards finalists finish second for their respective awards. Watch our behind the scenes video from before the event. The team also made a minor trade, moving Reilly Walsh to Boston for Shane Bowers.
• Tuesday (June 27), the Devils made a big trade, dealing Yegor Sharangovich and a third-round pick to Calgary for Toffoli . We had Three Things article on Toffoli followed by a feature article. Toffoli then met with the media to talk about his excitement joining Jersey. Mackenzie Blackwood was also traded to San Jose for a sixth-round pick on Tuesday.
• On Wednesday, the Devils signed Meier to an eight-year contract. Meier had a media availability on Thursday morning. We also wrote a feature article on him.
• We spoke with Tom Fitzgerald about Meier and other news of the week later on Wednesday. He also met with the media for 20 minutes.

After the draft, Devils Chief Amateur Scout Mark Dennehy spoke with the media about his thoughts on each selection.

Devils EVP/GM Tom Fitzgerald also met with NHL Network:

Here's a rundown on the five players chosen:

ROUND 2, 58TH OVERALL - LENNI HAMEENAHO, F

The Elite Prospects 2023 NHL Draft Guide talks about Hameenaho being a very intelligent player who plays well both offensively and defensively. He finds quiet ice and pockets of space in the offensive zone, popping in and out of the slot, anticipating opportunities.

At 6'1" 185 lbs he has some size to him and is one of the older players in this draft, being born in November 2004. He played last season in Finland's top men's league, scoring nine goals and 21 points in 51 games.

"It feels amazing. I was a little bit nervous wating for my name but so happy New Jersey picked me," said Hameenaho. "I'm a smart player, best with the puck in the offensive zone. I like to give scoring chances to myself and my linemates."

ROUND 4, 122ND OVERALL - CAM SQUIRES, RW

Cam Squires had 30 goals and 64 points for the Cape Breton Eagles of the QMJHL. The Charlottetown, PEI native jumped 58 spots from the NHL Central Scouting midterm rankings to the final report, landing at 56 overall. Much like Hameenaho, Squires has great hockey sense and intelligence. He has good touch around the net and down low.

"You work your whole life for stuff like this," said Squires. "It's a pretty special moment for me and I'm grateful."

Squires described his style of play.

"I'm a smart, skilled forward. I like to score goals and I'm a playmaker as well. I get things going in the offensive zone. My 200-foot game has come a long way and I've turned into a three-zone player. I'm an exciting player to watch."

ROUND 5, 154TH OVERALL - CHASE CHESLOCK, D

Cheslock is an offensive defenseman with some size. At 6'3" 205 pounds he went to Rogers High School in Minnesota and scored 31 points (four goals) in 28 games last season. He is committed to the University of St. Thomas for 2024-25 and is expected to play next season with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL.

ROUND 6, 164TH OVERALL - COLE BROWN, RW

Cole Brown is a left-shooting forward who primarily played right wing last season for the Hamilton Bulldogs of the OHL. He had 17 goals and 42 points in 60 games this past season for the Bulldogs.

ROUND 6, 186TH OVERALL - DANIIL KARPOVICH, D

The 6'3" 209 pound defender from Belarus had 35 points in 47 games last season for Avto Yekatarinburg of the MHL (Russian's second professional league).

ROUND 7, 218TH OVERALL - TRADED

In a very moving moment, the Devils traded their seventh-round pick for this year to Nashville for their seventh-round pick next year. The trade marked the final trade in the long career of Predators GM David Poile who was Nashville's general manager for 26 years. Fittingly, the trade was made with Tom Fitzgerald who was the first captain in Predators history.

• RELATED: Video: Mark Dennehy | NHL DRAFT RAW