The Detroit Red Wings are selecting sixth, the highest position they’ve held since they selected Keith Primeau third overall in 1990 (two picks ahead of Jaromir Jagr).
All indications point to the Wings selecting a defenseman to help bolster a struggling blue line. NHL.com has released their first mock draft, post lottery. The first top 5 picks, according to Adam Kimelman:
- Buffalo Sabres – Rasmus Dahlin – D
- Carolina Hurricanes – Andrei Svechnikov – RW
- Montreal Canadiens – Brady Tkachuk – LW
- Ottawa Senators – Filip Zadina – RW
- Arizona Coyotes – Evan Bouchard – D
Mike Morreale had a different outlook for the top 5:
- Buffalo Sabres – Rasmus Dahlin – D
- Carolina Hurricanes – Andrei Svechnikov – RW
- Montreal Canadiens – Filip Zadina – RW
- Ottawa Senators – Brady Tkachuk – LW
- Arizona Coyotes – Noah Dobson – D
Guillaume Lepage agreed with the first overall, but he heads in a different direction:
- Buffalo Sabres – Rasmus Dahlin – D
- Carolina Hurricanes – Filip Zadina – RW
- Montreal Canadiens – Brady Tkachuk – LW
- Ottawa Senators – Noah Dobson – D
- Arizona Coyotes – Andrei Svechnikov – RW
While the top five consisted of by and large the same five players in different order, when it came time to choose where the Red Wings would go, all 3 gave different answers:
Adam Kimelman – Quintin Hughes – D
Mike Morreale – Adam Boqvist – D
Guillaume Lepage – Evan Bouchard – D
Quintin Hughes – D – University of Michigan (B1G)
KIMELMAN – “His ability to control the game far exceeds any questions about his size (5-9, 170). He’s a dazzling skater and puck-handler with a hard, accurate shot from the point. The Red Wings should be able to stay in-state to fill a major need.”
Adam Boqvist – D – Brynas Jr. (Sweden)
MORREALE – “A skilled right-shot defenseman with excellent vision and on-ice awareness with a very good understanding of the game. He is a finesse-type player, but at times has shown a willingness to play a bigger game. He has a tremendous shot and a big upside with proper development.”
Evan Bouchard – D – London (Ontario Hockey League)
LEPAGE – “The right-shot defenseman showed this season that he can be a leader on a young London team. The Red Wings won’t pass on the opportunity to select a defenseman this talented.”
The NHL Entry Draft is scheduled for June 22 and 23 in Dallas. Stay tuned to Jackson ESPN 101.5fm for more information.