Spelling Out Red Wings’ Options After NHL Draft Lottery

The worst team in the league will be receiving the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft for only the third time since 2010.

It appears that the league’s attempts to reduce the number of teams eligible for the highly sought-after spot have proven successful. Only one team, the expansion Seattle Kraken, managed to secure a top-two position, despite entering with the third-best odds. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Sabres retained their position at number one, granting them their second valuable pick in four years.

Was there any clarity on which players those teams might choose? Not really. However, there is a certain predictability when it comes to bad teams having high draft picks. Hence, let’s explore a few different scenarios to determine who could potentially be available for the Detroit Red Wings at the 6th position.

Before we proceed, let’s first delve into the Wings’ prospect situation and the opinions surrounding the talent of this year’s draft class.

Before we begin …

In recent years, the Red Wings have successfully developed their defense prospects, transforming it into a formidable asset. Their future looks promising with the arrival of two talented Swedish wingers set to make their debut in North America next season. Lucas Raymond, selected as the No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft, and Jonatan Berggren, a second-round pick in 2018, have both showcased their skills in the Swedish Hockey League, with Berggren impressively averaging a point per game this season.

In a perfect scenario, the Red Wings would be fortunate enough to secure a top-tier No. 1 center through the draft in their next two attempts. However, the challenge lies in the fact that this particular draft class is widely recognized as one of the weakest in recent years. Fortunately, the following two drafts are expected to be rich in talent, particularly at the center position. Consequently, the chances of fulfilling this requirement in the current draft are not very promising. Nevertheless, Red Wings’ general manager Steve Yzerman doesn’t prioritize drafting based solely on immediate needs.

In conclusion, it is important to approach the projected strength of the draft class with caution. An example of this is seen in the 2017 class, which was heavily criticized but ended up producing exceptional talents like Cale Makar, a Norris Trophy hopeful at the age of 22, selected at No. 4, and Elias Pettersson, a point-per-game player in his age-20 NHL season, chosen at No. 5.

Michigan prospects lead the way

In the majority of mock drafts, it is commonly predicted that Owen Power and Matt Beniers, both hailing from Michigan, will be selected as the first and second picks, although the order may vary. It is highly improbable for either of them to fall to the sixth pick, which belongs to Detroit. However, if this unlikely scenario were to occur, it is most probable that either Power or Beniers would become a member of the Red Wings.

Power is a defenseman who stands at 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 214 pounds. He is considered a highly skilled prospect in various aspects of the game. However, there are concerns about his overall potential due to the absence of any standout elite skills. On the other hand, Beniers possesses a similar playing style to Patrice Bergeron, excelling in both offensive and defensive aspects. This makes him one of the most prepared prospects for the NHL. He showcased his abilities by contributing to Team USA’s Gold medal win at the World Juniors in January. Additionally, he had an impressive season at Michigan, accumulating 24 points in 24 games, which earned him a spot on the American men’s World Championship team.

What the chalk says …

Bob McKenzie, a well-established NHL reporter, has a remarkably impressive history of accurate draft rankings. His rankings hold a similar weight to those conducted by NHL scouts, and Power has consistently held the top spot on McKenzie’s lists. Following Power are Dylan Guenther, a winger from the Western Hockey League (Canada), Simon Edvinsson, a defenseman from the SHL, followed by Beniers and Luke Hughes, defenseman from the United States Development Program (USDP).

If the draft proceeds as expected, the Red Wings will have only one choice left to secure a top-tier defenseman, and that is the talented Canadian Brandt Clarke. Standing at 6-foot-2, Clarke possesses exceptional skating skills and has the potential to be the standout defenseman in his own right. His defensive abilities are already more advanced than many of his peers, making him a strong contender for the title of the best defenseman in the draft.

There is a wide selection available at the forward position, and the remaining options in this scenario have many appealing qualities. Swedish center/winger, William Eklund, showcases exceptional skills at both ends of the ice, providing the Wings with a potential solution to their current gap.

At sixth place, Mason McTavish, a Canadian center, perfectly fits the bill. Not only does he possess exceptional physicality and defensive skills, but he also boasts a lethal shot and impressive playmaking abilities. McTavish has the potential to be one of the most NHL-ready players in this draft.

Additionally, we have two standout forwards, Fabian Lysell and Kent Johnson, who bring their own unique skills to the team. Lysell, although slightly shorter at 5-foot-10, compensates with exceptional defensive abilities that perfectly complement his top-tier offensive skills and incredible speed. On the other hand, Johnson, who also plays for the Wolverines, may require some development due to initial turnover challenges at Michigan. However, he possesses remarkable creativity and is primed for a remarkable second year.

Chaz Lucius and Cole Sillinger, two American centers, are often ranked in the early teens on most draft boards. However, it’s worth noting that Yzerman has previously selected a player projected in the teens with the sixth-overall pick. Both Lucius and Sillinger possess exceptional finishing skills, although there are some concerns about their skating abilities. Nevertheless, the Red Wings are considering them as potential draft picks.

… But if the chalk’s wrong?

Alright, let’s assume McKenzie’s assessment is incorrect. While we’ve discussed Beniers and Power, what about the remaining players? It’s plausible that Guenther, Edvinsson, and Hughes could be available for the Red Wings.

Guenther is a great choice to strengthen the winger pipeline, as he has impressive finishing skills with his right-hand shot. On the other hand, Edvinsson is a 6-foot-5, 207-pound defenseman who poses a threat with his excellent combination of size and skating ability. Both players show great potential, making them valuable prospects to consider in the draft.

When it comes to potential, let’s not forget that the Wings previously passed on selecting a Hughes brother at No. 6 in the draft, and Quinn went on to impress as a rookie, finishing as a runner-up for rookie of the year. Luke Hughes possesses all the necessary offensive skills to potentially bring about similar feelings of regret. Although he could use some improvement in his defensive game, it’s worth noting that Hughes is only 17 years old and already excels in leading an attack within the offensive zone. Furthermore, his exceptional skating ability is a force to be reckoned with during transitions.

Jesper Wallstedt: Probably not to Detroit?

At the conclusion of his draft-lottery press conference on Wednesday night, Yzerman hinted that the Red Wings’ draft board comprises players from various positions within the top 10. However, he promptly rectified his statement.

“Well, maybe not goaltender.”

The fan club of Swedish goaltender Jesper Wallstedt suffered a crushing blow, but it’s also possible that it was a deliberate diversion tactic by Stevie-Y. In recent years, goalies have been increasingly considered valuable enough to be selected within the top 10 picks. The impressive performance of Spencer Knight, who was drafted in the first round by Florida in 2019, during this year’s playoffs has only further intensified the interest in this possibility.

Wallstedt is ranked higher than Knight and 2020’s 11th-overall Yaroslav Askarov. Despite the general bias against goalies, he is ranked No. 4 by Dobber Prospects and No. 6 by Elite Prospects. There is a legitimate possibility that Wallstedt could become the top goaltender in the league, and the Detroit Red Wings’ goaltending pipeline is lacking in talent. It would be an exciting choice, at the very least.