Here’s a breakdown of each of the Red Wings’ selections in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft:
Nate Danielson
▶ Pick: No. 9 overall (Round 1)
▶ Position: Center
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds
▶ Last season: Brandon (WHL), 68 games, 33 goals, 45 assists
▶ Scouting report: A good, safe pick, in that Danielson does a lot of things well, and he’s versatile, but maybe doesn’t star in any real aspect. He’s considered to have a good two-way game and has the frame that could translate to the NHL fairly quickly. Some scouts have questions as to how big of a ceiling Danielson has.
Axel Sandin Pellikka
▶ Pick: No. 17 overall (Round 1)
▶ Position: Defenseman
▶ Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 180 pounds
▶ Last season: Skelleftea AIK (Swedish Hockey League), 31 games, 16 goals, 20 assists.
▶ Scouting report: One of the best skaters in this draft class, Sandin Pellikka is one of those new-age defensemen who is an electric puck mover and loves to join the rush. He loves the puck on his stick and knows what to do with it. His size is a concern; he needs to get stronger and work on his defensive game.
Trey Augustine
▶ Pick: No. 41 overall (Round 2)
▶ Position: Goaltender
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 183 pounds
▶ Last season: USNTDP, 33 games, 29-1-2, 2.13 goals-against average, .926 save percentage
▶ Scouting report: Headed to Michigan State. The South Lyon native starred at the United States National Team Development Program, setting team records. Red Wings love the calmness and poise he shows in net, and his athleticism. Has played well in pressure situations.
Andrew Gibson
▶ Pick: No. 42 overall (Round 2)
▶ Position: Defenseman
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 203 pounds
▶ Last season: Soo Greyhounds (OHL), 45 games, 7 goals, 14 assists
▶ Scouting report: Suffered a lacerated kidney early last season but returned and had an impressive season. Rugged right-shot defenseman, which the Wings are looking for, Gibson is mobile and is a tough penalty killer. Has to build his offensive game.
Brady Cleveland
▶ Pick: No. 47 overall (Round 2)
▶ Position: Defenseman
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 211 pounds
▶ Last season: USNDTP, 55 games, 0 goals, 6 assists.
▶ Scouting report: A big, rugged defender, Cleveland has the size and abrasiveness that teams are always searching for. Good penalty killer, likes to play a physical game, and has the grit that could help him become an NHL player. Will play collegiately at Wisconsin.
Noah Dower Nilsson
▶ Pick: No. 73 overall (Round 3)
▶ Position: Left wing
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot-0, 174 pounds
▶ Last season: Frolunda (Sweden), 37 games, 26 goals, 28 assists.
▶ Scouting report: The brother of 2021 Wings draft pick Liam Dower Nilsson. Noah is a playmaker, has an accurate shot and good instincts. The concerns are speed, and Dower Nilsson must get stronger physically.
Larry Keenan
▶ Pick: No. 117 overall (Round 4)
▶ Position: Defenseman
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 185 pounds
▶ Last season: Culver Military Academy (Ind.), 49 games, 11 goals, 36 assists.
▶ Scouting report: Rangy, mobile skater who dominated at the prep level. If Keenan continues to make the steady progress and improvement at the next levels, he could become a solid prospect.
Jack Phelan
▶ Pick: No. 137 overall (Round 5)
▶ Position: Defenseman
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds
▶ Last season: Sioux Falls (USHL), 59 games, 1 goal, 4 assists.
▶ Scouting report: The right-shot defenseman had five points (four assists) with Sioux Falls (USHL) in 59 games and is headed to play collegiately at Wisconsin. Skating and defensive positioning are strengths to Phelan’s game, and he has the raw potential teams like at this point in the draft.
Kevin Bicker
▶ Pick: No. 147 overall (Round 5)
▶ Position: Left wing
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 176 pounds
▶ Last season: Jungadler Mannheim (Germany), 20 games, 10 goals, 11 assists
▶ Scouting report: Wasn’t drafted a year ago but was considered one of the best prospects in Germany. Terrific skater with speed and likes to play a physical style. Raw, but has a lot of physical gifts that intrigue scouts.
Rudy Guimond
▶ Pick: No. 169 overall (Round 6)
▶ Position: Goaltender
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 179 pounds
▶ Last season: Watertown Taft H.S. (Connecticut), 28 games, .940 SVS.
▶ Scouting report: Montreal native will play in the USHL this season and is committed to Yale. Guimond has the size and athletic ability that NHL teams are looking for currently from goaltenders.
Emmitt Finnie
▶ Pick: No. 201 overall (Round 7)
▶ Position: Center/wing
▶ Height/weight: 6-foot, 170 pounds
▶ Last season: Kamloops (WHL), 64 games, 9 goals, 26 assists.
▶ Scouting report: Finnie was 5-foot-3, 110 pounds when drafted by Kamloops, and his performance on the ice has gotten better, and he has filled out physically. Finnie has good hands, good offensive instincts and is worth the gamble this low in the draft.
Twitter: @tkulfan