With the NHL Draft almost here it is a good idea to have a look at the latest mocks from a few of the notable NHL Draft experts. The experts seem to be focusing on defense as the position the Red Wings will select. However while Detroit needs help on the blueline, these defensive prospects are a few years away for getting a shot to make the roster. With that in mind the Red Wings should be open to taking the player they feel is the best regardless of position meaning forward or defense. Taking a goalie in the first round has been ruled out for most of the teams this season, unless it is a late first round pick.
Red Wings Select: German Rubtsov, C, Russia U18 (Russia)
First Notable player picked after 16 they pass on: Kieffer Bellows, LW, US NTDP (USHL)
Who I would trade down for? The Red Wings in Marek’s mock could trade down and select Alex DeBrincat, RW, Erie Otters (OHL) or Max Jones, LW, London Knights (OHL)
Red Wings Select: Charlie McAvoy, D, Boston University (NCAA)
First Notable player picked after 16 they pass on: Julien Gauthier, RW, Val d’Or (QMJHL)
Who I would trade down For? There are multiple players of interest in this mock. Gauthier, DeBrincat, and Jones all catch the eye.
Red Wings Select: Jake Bean, D, Calgary (WHL)
First Notable player picked after 16 they pass on: Max Jones, LW, London Knights (OHL)
Who I would trade down For? Again in this mock there are several players that can develop into good prospects for the Red Wings if they trade down.
Red Wings Select: Dante Fabbro, D, Penticton (BCHL)
First Notable player picked after 16 they pass on: Michael McLeod, C, Mississauga (OHL)
Who I would trade down For? In this mock if you really wanted to get a solid return you could trade down to 28 and select Logan Stanley, D, Windsor (OHL) Cox has him going at #10, while Button has him as a second round pick. A very unlikely scenario for the Red Wings but the other players such as Jones or Riley Tufte, LW, Fargo Force (USHL), who is 6’5, 205 which surely will catch the eyes of Red Wings fans wanting that big forward.
One interesting player that has been falling is Jakob Chychrun a defenseman from the Sarnia Sting. (OHL), In earlier mock drafts just a few weeks ago, Chychrun was projected as a top 10 pick. This could be a player the Red Wings think long and hard to move up to get if he drops close to 16. In Cox’s mock he has Chychrun going 14th to Boston and he describes him as “still blue chip prospect.”
Allen in his mock still has Chychrun going in the top ten at #9 to Montreal, a clear difference in opinion with some of the experts.
As you can see, the way the draft is coming together based on the mocks the Red Wings should be able to trade down and get an extra pick. Remember the Wings 2016 3rd round pick belongs to New Jersey in the Marek Zidlicky trade. General manager Ken Holland may also feel more inclined to trade down knowing he may need an extra asset to include in the Pavel Datsyuk contract trade, which doesn’t have to be down before or during the draft even though it would be ideal if it was.
