The NHL draft is a few days away, bringing to the forefront what the Detroit Red Wings can do to improve their fortune.
A slew of trades over the past couple years by general manager Steve Yzerman has yielded a draft capital that has the Wings holding five picks in the first two rounds: At Nos. 9, 17, 41, 42 and 43; they also have picks in later rounds at Nos. 73, 117, 137, 169 and 201. The first round is on Wednesday; Rounds 2-7 on Thursday. The event is being held at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
It’s deeply unfortunate that the Wings yet again lacked draft lottery luck, because there are three projected superstar centers floating atop the prospect pool in Connor Bedard (the consensus No. 1; lucky Chicago Blackhawks), Michigan’s Adam Fantilli and Leo Carlsson. The rebuilding Anaheim Ducks need their No. 2 pick, but it would be worth reaching out on Yzerman’s part to see if he can persuade the Columbus Blue Jackets to relinquish the No. 3 pick. It’s unlikely, but it deserves exploration. Other prospects who aren’t likely to be on the board by ninth include Will Smith, one of multiple USA Hockey National Team Development Program products projected to be high picks.
MAKE IT WORK: How Steve Yzerman can use 2023 NHL draft to push Red Wings towards playoffs
Speaking a week out from the draft, Yzerman explained his plan: “I’m trying to build a core that starts around Dylan Larkin and with all the players coming in every year and players of that age group that would fit in and be a part of it for a long time. So if we are going to move our picks or any of our prospects, it’s got to be for a player that we are comfortable with and with what it is going to cost to acquire him and the contract as well and how long is he going to be a part of things.”
The rebuild to some degree depends on what Yzerman and his team of advisors and scouts accomplish while at the draft. With the likelihood that the Wings select where slotted, here are nine options for the No. 9 pick:
F Matthew Wood
Details: 6 foot 4, 197 pounds, shoots right.
Buzz: Wood has a booming shot and makes fancy plays, displaying high-end hockey IQ. He’s the type of player who draws defenders as he finds an open teammate. Considered one of the best in his draft class at playing down low in the offensive zone. He has drawn comparisons to Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson, a 40-goal scorer. Wood led UConn with 34 points in 35 games, including being tied for third on the team with 11 goals. Internationally, he posted 13 points in the Under-18 World Junior Championships.
F Matvei Michkov
Details: 5-10, 172, shoots left.
Buzz: He is rated second among European skaters, and mentioned in the same sentence as Bedard. But teams might be wary because the war in Ukraine has limited scouting Russian players (normally a top-10 pick would also be seen in person by the general manager), and Michkov has a KHL contract through 2025-26, which means he would be almost 22 by the time he’s eligible to jump to the NHL. He’s so gifted, though, it may be worth the gamble.
F Ryan Leonard
Details: 6-0, 190, shoots right.
Buzz: Delivered a standout performance for the U.S. at the U-18 World Championship with eight goals in seven games, including the overtime winner in the gold-medal game. Plays a gritty, feisty game that lends itself to sparking teammates when needed, and has a big shot. Posted 94 points in 57 games with the NTDP.
F Oliver Moore
Details: 5-11, 195, shoots left.
Buzz: The fastest skater in his draft class, Moore can separate from defenders before they realize what has happened. Likes to play with the puck, and good at finishing plays. That he is already a solid two-way center will give him a head start on an NHL career. Has a top-level shot.
F Gabe Perreault
Details: 5-11, 163, shoots left.
Buzz: Has a magician’s touch with the puck, demonstrated in his standout, 132-point performance in 63 games with the NTDP that eclipsed the marks set by 2016 No. 1 pick Auston Matthews (117 points in 60 games in 2014-15), and 2019 No. 1 pick Jack Hughes (116 points in 60 games in 2017-18). Quick and clever, and while not as smooth a skater as others in the draft class, Perreault has made strides in his mobility.
F Nate Danielson
Details: 6-2, 186, shoots right.
Buzz: Highly skilled center with outstanding vision and the patience to wait until it’s the right moment to make the play. Led Brandon Wheat Kings (Western Hockey League) with 78 points in 68 games. Versatile to the point he can play power play, penalty kill and be used in the last minute of tight games.
D David Reinbacher
Details: 6-2, 194, shoots right.
Buzz: Considered the best defense prospect in the class, the Austrian had 22 points in 46 games playing in the top professional league in Switzerland. Yzerman has shown a penchant for using his first picks on Europeans he has seen compete in men’s leagues, starting with Moritz Seider in 2019 and continuing with Lucas Raymond in 2020, Simon Edvinsson in 2021 and Marco Kasper in 2022. The Wings have a bigger need to add depth at center to their farm system, but if Reinbacher is on the board at nine, he may be too appealing to pass on.
F Colby Barlow
Details: 6-0, 190, shoots left.
Buzz: Has a knack for getting himself into position to score — and finishing — which should appeal to a team that had that in Tyler Bertuzzi until he was traded last season. Led Owen Sound (Ontario Hockey League) with 46 goals, 79 points and 13 power play goals in 59 games.
F Zach Benson
Details: 5-10, 170, shoots left.
Buzz: An elite skater with a solid two-way game and high-end hockey smarts. Goes to the tough areas and battles every shift, noticeable for how hard he forechecks. Led Winnipeg Ice (WHL) with 98 points in 60 games, and came through with 17 points in 15 playoff games.
Honorable mentions
Axel Sandin Pellikka (5-11, 180) could make sense because he’s a right-handed shot and considered one of the top offensive-minded defenseman available. Dalibor Dvorsky (6-1, 200, shoots left), is a high hockey-IQ center with wily moves, and he has a good shot that he can unleash from anywhere, on short notice. Brayden Yager (5-11, 166) is another center who could draw the Wings’ interest; he’s a good playmaker with a powerful shot and a solid two-way player.
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.
Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her latest book, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.
Feeling a draft?
What: 2023 NHL draft.
When/where: Round 1 — 7 p.m. Wednesday, Rounds 2-7 — Noon Thursday; Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee.
TV: Round 1 — ESPN; Rounds 2-7 — NHL Network.
Red Wings’ picks (with overall picks in parentheses): Round 1 — No. 9 (9), No. 17 (17); Round 2 — No. 8 (41), No. 9 (42), No. 10 (43); Round 3 — No. 9 (73); Round 4 — No. 22 (118); Round 5 — No. 9 (137); Round 6 — No. 9 (169); Round 7 — No. 9 (201).