Detroit Red Wings 2009 NHL Entry Draft Review

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