Detroit Red Wings 2009 NHL Entry Draft Review
by Christy on Jun 29, 2009 1:43 AM CDT
2 comments
So we've had a couple days to look over the Detroit Red Wings picks in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. While we won't know the results of these picks for quite a few years, it doesn't hurt to review what went down over the weekend.
Here's a list of our posts on each of Detroit's seven draft picks to learn more in detail about each of Detroit's selections this weekend:
Landon Ferraro -- 2nd Round (32nd overall)
Tomas Tatar -- 2nd Round (60th overall)
Andrej Nestrasil -- 3rd Round (75th overall)
Gleason Fournier -- 3rd Round (90th overall)
Nick Jensen -- 5th Round (120th overall)
Mitchell Callahan -- 6th Round (150th overall)
Adam Almqvist -- 7th Round (210th overall)
Overall, the Red Wings had a slightly different draft strategy than what we saw last year. In 2009, the Wings drafted just one Swede (shocking, I know) and avoided goaltenders altogether (going with four forwards and three defensemen instead). Even more surprising is that they took a chance on an instigator-type named Mitchell Callahan. Scouts and team management hope to grab one, maybe two NHLers, each year at the draft. The Wings are especially pleased with their top three selections and it's easy to see why.
- Ferraro may not have been selected in the first round, but he's a first-round quality player. Don't let the smaller frame fool you, he's a tenacious player who isn't afraid to go to the front of the net or aggressively forecheck. Plus, we know the Wings love guys who can skate and he was named the fastest skater at the Top Prospects Game.
- Tatar was a stud during the World Junior Championships this past winter, scoring seven goals and notching four assists in just seven games. I think his stock fell at the draft because teams weren't sure if it was a one-time fluke or if he could play consistently well like that. Detroit's scouting staff followed him after the WJC and felt confident in his skill level so they were excited to be able to still snag him late in the second round. He has been compared to Jiri Hudler. It also doesn't hurt that he grew up a Wings' fan!
- Nestrasil is a good-sized right winger (6-2, 200 lbs) who knows how to use his big body to protect the puck. Assistant GM Jim Nill says that he does well in the corners and "is bigger than Tomas Kopecky was at that age."
For more reactions to the Red Wings' draft picks, you can view an assortment of press (and blog) clippings after the jump.
Overall Wings' Draft Clippings:
The Macomb Daily Blogs: Red Wings Corner: Nill's thoughts on the 2009 draft
Detroit Draft Review ‘09 " Babcock's Death Stare
Detroit Red Wings 2009 Draft Review | Bleacher Report
Landon Ferraro Clippings:
Wait tough on father, son - Edmonton Journa
Wings' top pick Landon Ferraro feisty like dad | detnews.com | The Detroit News
Red Wings pick Landon Ferraro on NHL draft nerves - NHL - Yahoo! Sports
NHL.com - NHL Entry Draft: Ex-NHL stars thrilled to see their sons drafted
Red Wings take a chance on offensive-minded forward Landon Ferraro | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
Ray Ferraro shares his experience at son Landon's draft
TSN’s Ferraro forced to play the waiting game - The Globe and Mail
NHL Draft Notes: Ferraro, Landon - C - Red Deer WHL
Prospect Landon Ferraro Player Profile - Hockey's Future
Devils at the 2009 NHL Draft: A Landon Ferraro Overview - In Lou We Trust
NHL.com - NHL Entry Draft: Ferraro has no shortage of career advisers
NHL.com - NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profiles: Ferraro, Landon
2009 NHL Entry Draft Prospects: Landon Ferraro - Stanley Cup of Chowder
Red Wings take Ferraro with first 2nd-round pick
Speedster Landon Ferraro makes own name on ice
Like father, like son for prospects Ferraro, Barrie
Burnaby NewsLeader - Ferraro finally ready for NHL draft
Tomas Tatar Clippings:
NHL.com - NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profiles: Tatar, Tomas
The Macomb Daily Blogs: Red Wings Corner: Red Wings take Tatar with second 2nd-rounder
Prospect Tomas Tatar Player Profile - Hockey's Future
Nick Jensen Clippings:
McKeen's Hockey Prospects - USHL: Q&A with Nick Jensen
NHL Draft Prospect: Nick Jensen - Western College Hockey Blog
Nick Jensen - The official site of the Green Bay Gamblers Hockey Team
Gleason Fournier Clipping: NHL.com - NHL Entry Draft Prospect Profiles: Fournier, Gleason
Mitchell Callahan Clipping: Nice Surprises For Rockets At NHL Draft | AM 1150 Kelowna - News Talk Sports for the Okanagan
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Don't know about the rest of the draft..
..but Landon Ferraro was a steal of gargatuan proportions. He developed in the Vancouver minor hockey system at the same time as Evander Kane, and Landon was superior in every regard coming out of the midget ranks. Faster, smarter, more skilled, and much more coachable. Landon was the second player taken in the WHL Bantam Draft behind Jared Cowen, who was already nearly the size he is now at the time. Kane wasn’t picked until near the end of the first round, around 20th overall I think. But as a consequence Landon had to play junior hockey for a rebuilding team in Red Deer while Kane landed with the powerhouse Vancouver Giants. Reverse that situation and you reverse their NHL draft rankings and position. Easily. Ferraro is still faster, smarter, more skilled and coachable than the #4 pick in this year’s draft and always will be. He just hasn’t been in a position to put up the numbers that Kane did. Or Matt Duchene. Landon is nearly a year younger than Duchene. His numbers in Red Deer last season (on a team that averaged only 2.2 GPG) were better than Duchene managed a year earlier (but at the same age) in the wide open WHL playing for a team that averaged 4.2 goals per game. If he doesn’t turn out to be a better NHL player than both of those guys, along with most of the other first rounders I’ll eat my hat. Landon is Henrik Zetterberg V 2. Same skills, similar size, similar personality. Like Zetterberg it will take him a couple of years to really emerge, but when he does he will be one of the best players out of this draft no question.
by robert ethan on Jun 29, 2009 7:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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