Detroit Red Wings 2009 NHL Entry Draft Review

by Christy on Jun 29, 2009 1:43 AM CDT Comment 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

Red Wings pick forwards Landon Ferraro, Tomas Tatar, Andrej Nestrasil, four others in draft - MLive.com

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

Poll

What grade would you give the Red Wings' scouts/front office on their 2009 draft selections based on player projections?

A

64 votes

B

66 votes

C

3 votes

D

3 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

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