Jake Oettinger, is one of the top ranked goalies in the draft out of Boston University. Most experts have him ranked as the top rated goalie. Nearly all the mock drafts have Oettinger going in the early second round within a few picks of the Red Wings. The reason we are taking a look at Oettinger is because of the lack of depth in the system in goal for the Red Wings, which is listed as a weakness in Hockey’s Future evaluation of the Wings’ system.
The Red Wings would have to move up a few spots in the second round and with a lack of prospect depth in net and the chance to draft a very good goalie, it’s a move worth making. He is slotted to go in one of the four picks before Detroit picks at 38 overall. At some point a highly touted goalie is needed in the system to be developed.
Petr Mrazek is 25 and assuming he will be here for the long haul, Oettinger could be his backup when he is 22 or 23 with the right development. Mrazek would by that time be in his 30’s or close to it depending on how the timing works out. This would give Oettinger several years as an NHL backup before he takes over as the next Red Wings starting goalie.
Unfortunately, there is no clear cut answer to who is the next goalie in the system to play on the Red Wings on a regular basis after Mrazek and Jimmy Howard. While Jared Coreau is playing well for Grand Rapids in the AHL Playoffs, he struggled at times while with Detroit this past season and like Mrazek is 25, which doesn’t solve the issue of young and up and coming goalie in the system. Jake Paterson is currently in Toledo has only played in two games for Grand Rapids in the AHL and would have to show he can play in the AHL before being seriously considered for a spot in Detroit. Oettinger quickly helps to solve those issues.
Player vitals
Name: Jake Oettinger
Position: Goalie
Date of birth: December 18, 1998
Birthplace: Lakeville, MN
Height: 6’4
Weight: 205 pounds
Rankings
ISS Hockey: #2 (Goalies overall)
Future Considerations: #28 (Overall Prospect)
NHL CSS: #1 (North American goalies)
Highlights
Bottom Line
At some point the Detroit Red Wings will need to draft a goalie and one that has a legitimate chance of developing into a starter. Now this is not a need that has to be addressed in this years draft, but they have the extra draft picks to move up if Oettinger is within striking distance of the 38th overall pick. It’s an opportunity, (trading up a few spots to get the top ranked goalie in the draft) that is usually not available to the Red Wings.
If you think that Oettinger can be a future starter then why not take your shot and draft him? If the Wings return to playoff form next season as general manager Ken Holland has made no secret that it’s the goal, then this could be the best and only shot to draft the best goalie in the draft and make him a Red Wing.
Kyle’s Take
Before this season, I wasn’t all too interested in goaltending. I though the Red Wings’ future in net was locked up in Petr Mrazek, but his underwhelming performance has raised some concerns for me. I’m not giving up on Mrazek, but drafting a goalie like Oettinger or even DiPietro could add some relief for the future. What matters most is where they take a goalie. I don’t think any goalie goes in the 1st round this year, but will likely start coming off the list late in the 2nd round.
Problem is the Red Wings have more pressing issues — center and defense to be more specific. They have a couple of good goalie prospects in Joren van Pottelberghe (110th overall, 2015) and Filip Larsson (167th overall, 2016). Larsson is set to join the USHL next season with the Tri-City Storm after an impressive stint in SuperElit, and JvP is getting consistent starts in Switzerland’s top-tier league.
My opinion? You’ve drafted three goalies in the last three years. Take a year off, see where you’re at next season before entering contract negotiations with Petr Mrazek.
