In Red Wings Land

Detroit Red Wings NHL mock draft: Dylan Cozens can help rebuild down the road | Freep

Cozens is fearless around the net, has a quick release, and an inner drive to be a go-to guy — “someone who can be out there when you need to hold the lead and out there when you need to regain the lead,” Cozens said at the combine. “I believe I have what it takes to be that guy at some point in my career, and I am going to work as hard as I can to be.”

I’d be happy if Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings selected Dylan Cozens with the 6th overall pick. He’s got good size and skill and you can never have too many good centers. For more on Cozens, check out our NHL Draft profile on the 6’3” kid from the Yukon.

Around the League

NHL Rumour Roundup: Are the Canucks interested in Nikita Zaitsev? | Sportsnet

LOTS OF DRAFT PICKS COULD BE ON THE MOVE

It would be a shock to see either New Jersey or the Rangers trade the first- and second-overall selections. In some order, Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko will go to those teams and then the feeling is the draft really starts at three. At that point, it’s unclear who the best prospect is, whether it’s defenceman Bowen Byram, centre Alex Turcotte, or some other wild card (perhaps Vasily Podkolzin who has two years left on his KHL contract). But also, the Blackhawks appear willing to move the pick.

If Cozens isn’t your cup of tea, would you want to see the Wings move up to #3? It would probably take more than #6 and one (or two) of the 2nd round picks. But if Bowen or Turcotte is the guy, should Yzerman go get the player he really desires?