Prospect Info: 2018 NHL Draft

[Reddwit]

As little as I want them to draft a winger I can't say I'd be mad at Zadina or Svech, they're just so damn talented. If we draft around 7-9 and draft Whalstrom I won't be mad. But I'm really hoping to get a Dahlin or Boqvist.

Yeah, I’m not going to cry about Zadina, Svech, Tkachuk, or Wahlstrom. All good choices. Wouldn’t even cry over Farabee.

I hope we move on from Green for a 1st and score a couple 2nds for Nyquist with retention. I want as many options to move around on draft day as possible.

 

[Frk It]

It's interesting because there are some defenseman we could get that are very talented, but they're just small. The wingers available might be a better mix of size and talent. But it's a hard call, IMO. I couldn't tell you the last time there was a draft that had defenseman with the stickhandling ability of Dahlin, Boqvist, and Hughes. Those guys legitimately handle the puck as good as or better than the forwards in this draft.

Yes, drafting and developing defenseman is more erratic than forwards. But you still have better odds picking them at the top of the draft. We are currently completely banking on prospects taken outside of the top 15 to be our future top 4 on defense.... I like them, but probably not the best plan in the world.

 

[jkutswings]

It's interesting because there are some defenseman we could get that are very talented, but they're just small. The wingers available might be a better mix of size and talent. But it's a hard call, IMO. I couldn't tell you the last time there was a draft that had defenseman with the stickhandling ability of Dahlin, Boqvist, and Hughes. Those guys legitimately handle the puck as good as or better than the forwards in this draft.

Yes, drafting and developing defenseman is more erratic than forwards. But you still have better odds picking them at the top of the draft. We are currently completely banking on prospects taken outside of the top 15 to be our future top 4 on defense.... I like them, but probably not the best plan in the world.

And it's all the more reason to sell Green (for a 1st rounder, if in any way possible).

While some fans might prefer two of one or the other, I doubt there would be many of us that would object to Detroit coming away with both a highly rated defenseman and a highly rated winger in the first round of the draft.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

And it's all the more reason to sell Green (for a 1st rounder, if in any way possible).

While some fans might prefer two of one or the other, I doubt there would be many of us that would object to Detroit coming away with both a highly rated defenseman and a highly rated winger in the first round of the draft.

I want to trade Green more than anyone and I also want to trade Nyquist (though this won't happen until we: (a) have a new GM, or (b) Kenny signs a new contract). If we do, however, trade Green for a first we are not going to be walking away with two highly rated players. We will be walking away with a highly rated player and a good prospect with some upside. I don't want to diminish late-first/early-second picks because I think you can find a lot of good value there. Not all first round picks, however, are created equal. A late first is not the same as an early first.

 

[jkutswings]

I want to trade Green more than anyone and I also want to trade Nyquist (though this won't happen until we: (a) have a new GM, or (b) Kenny signs a new contract). If we do, however, trade Green for a first we are not going to be walking away with two highly rated players. We will be walking away with a highly rated player and a good prospect with some upside. I don't want to diminish late-first/early-second picks because I think you can find a lot of good value there. Not all first round picks, however, are created equal. A late first is not the same as an early first.

Fair enough.

On another note, I have a question for either the mods, or the board at large:

I'd like to begin a discussion on what each person's (semi-realistic) dream scenario would be for the first round, not counting Dahlin. Does that deserve it's own thread, or should that discussion be kept here?

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

I think my nightmare scenario is if:

(1) the Wings overachieve before the deadline, putting themselves in that 10-12 spot. Holland refuses to sell because they could theoretically still make the playoffs (and probably because ownership will take any chance to redeem the season, no matter how small, and playoff revenue would be a good way to do that).
(2) the Wings end up drafting around 12-14.
(3) With all the sure things and skilled defensemen gone, Holland and friends decide they aren't in a position to draft for skill in the first round.
(4) Holland and friends look at their depth chart, see that between Cholowski, Hronek, Saarijarvi, Hicketts, etc., they don't have a LD with plus size and toughness.
(5) the Detroit Red Wings are proud to select, from the United States National Development Program,... Mattias Samuelsson.

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I think my nightmare scenario is if:

(1) the Wings overachieve before the deadline, putting themselves in that 10-12 spot. Holland refuses to sell because they could theoretically still make the playoffs (and probably because ownership will take any chance to redeem the season, no matter how small, and playoff revenue would be a good way to do that).
(2) the Wings end up drafting around 12-14.
(3) With all the sure things and skilled defensemen gone, Holland and friends decide they aren't in a position to draft for skill in the first round.
(4) Holland and friends look at their depth chart, see that between Cholowski, Hronek, Saarijarvi, Hicketts, etc., they don't have a LD with plus size and toughness.
(5) the Detroit Red Wings are proud to select, from the United States National Development Program,... Mattias Samuelsson.

I think 1-3 is a real possibility. I am not worried about (4) or (5).

 

[newfy]

I have watched Zadina play and he is going to be a good player sure. However who is going to pass him the puck up the ice, who is going to help prevent goals from going in our net and who is going to QB the powerplay...answer no one cause we have no stud defense prospects.

We aren't going to make the playoffs and win cups with no defense.

As for Tkachuk it is Middlestat and Bellows that make that team go not him. I would never draft him with the talent that is going to be available on defense.

Who passes Patrick Kane the puck? Does it help to have a play making center? Obviously, but if one isnt available you dont force it with a top 5 pick. Same with dmen, if the wings dont get Dahlin its starting to look like a winger could be the best option, especially after watching these WJCs and getting a chance to see a lot of these players in action. A pick shouldnt be forced just because it looks like the wings need a number 1 dman, if there isnt a guy available who can be that player. I'm not sold on the D in this draft that are projected after Dahlin to become elite as I am on a few of the wingers. Your analysis of Tkachuk sounds an awful lot like what people said about his brother before the draft playing with Dvorak and Marner in London but hes a borderline eleite winger in the NHL that looks like he willl be in a couple years

The wings arent going to make the playoffs and win cups with shitty wingers either, and if a Svechnikov or Zadina can be an elite winger than Larkin or Rasmussen might be a good enough 1-2 ounch down the middle if the wingers on either side are studs.

I obviously know the wings need D, everyone knows it. But they really need talent first and foremost and elite talent at that. If thats not available on defense where the wings pick they need to take the winger.

Looking back at the 2014 draft,would you have been OK if the wings took Hayen Fleury at 7th overall and passed up on Nylander/Ehlers because they were wingers? Who do you think is going to help a team win more in the long run or be worth more in a trade package? Worst case you can trade young talented players once you add them for positions of need.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Who passes Patrick Kane the puck? Does it help to have a play making center? Obviously, but if one isnt available you dont force it with a top 5 pick. Same with dmen, if the wings dont get Dahlin its starting to look like a winger could be the best option, especially after watching these WJCs and getting a chance to see a lot of these players in action. A pick shouldnt be forced just because it looks like the wings need a number 1 dman, if there isnt a guy available who can be that player. I'm not sold on the D in this draft that are projected after Dahlin to become elite as I am on a few of the wingers. Your analysis of Tkachuk sounds an awful lot like what people said about his brother before the draft playing with Dvorak and Marner in London but hes a borderline eleite winger in the NHL that looks like he willl be in a couple years

The wings arent going to make the playoffs and win cups with ****ty wingers either, and if a Svechnikov or Zadina can be an elite winger than Larkin or Rasmussen might be a good enough 1-2 ounch down the middle if the wingers on either side are studs.

I obviously know the wings need D, everyone knows it. But they really need talent first and foremost and elite talent at that. If thats not available on defense where the wings pick they need to take the winger.

Looking back at the 2014 draft,would you have been OK if the wings took Hayen Fleury at 7th overall and passed up on Nylander/Ehlers because they were wingers? Who do you think is going to help a team win more in the long run or be worth more in a trade package? Worst case you can trade young talented players once you add them for positions of need.

But Patrick Kane passes the puck because he's a playmaker. Zadina is not a playmaker, he's a goalscorer. Who's going to pass the puck to Zadina? 43 year-old Zetterberg? Certainly not Rasmussen, and I'm still not sold on Larkin as a pure playmaker.

 

[Frk It]

But Patrick Kane passes the puck because he's a playmaker. Zadina is not a playmaker, he's a goalscorer. Who's going to pass the puck to Zadina? 43 year-old Zetterberg? Certainly not Rasmussen, and I'm still not sold on Larkin as a pure playmaker.

Zadina is a good puck possession player, from what I've seen. Wouldn't worry about his offensive versatility. Guy is big and slippery as hell.

Look I also would like a playmaking forward (preferably center) who makes everyone around him better, but I just don't think that's really available at the top of this draft. Maaaaaaaaybe McLeod? If you want a playmaking winger, maybe Farabee? I don't know. We probably will have to look at the '19 draft for that.

I don't think the wingers are 1 dimensional, I'm not worried about that. I just actually like the defenseman crop just as much, and that's something we need far more.

 

[newfy]

But Patrick Kane passes the puck because he's a playmaker. Zadina is not a playmaker, he's a goalscorer. Who's going to pass the puck to Zadina? 43 year-old Zetterberg? Certainly not Rasmussen, and I'm still not sold on Larkin as a pure playmaker.

Hes a versatile player, not just a goal scorer and he creates a tonne of offense regardless of who he plays with. Worry about that after the fact, you take him if hes the most talented player the wings can draft. You dont draft for need that high in the draft. If the wings got Zadina, their contending window would be 5 years from now at least, thats plenty of time to find someone for him to play with. Get a bunch of young, talented players and I'm sure a free agent would sign here, if not, the wings wont be good next year I'm sure so draft one then. Or play him with Larkin who in his 3rd year with no one close to the talent of Zadina is still on pace for 55 assists and 70 points.

In your second year of missing the playoffs after 25 years of 0 high picks, you dont start drafting for need. You draft the best talent available and start building. The fact that the wings already have what looks like a 70 point, 21 year old center on the roster, and a top 10 pick at center on the way from last year is just gravy on top of that.

 

[TheMule93]

Larkins emergence makes me fine with drafting a winger.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

my fear;

we finish outside the playoff race but not in the bottom 7 teams but in the 12-14 range
that KH decides to not sell mike green at the TDL(if we dont sell green I dont care what else he does, it is not selling)
that at the draft we decide to trade back from 12 to 20 to add a pick in the 50ish OA range
that we leave the draft with more wingers then either dmen or centres

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I wouldn't pass on Svech or Zadina. While I don't exactly want the Wings to take Tkachuk, I know I will grow to love him. I usually love big players who play really big.

If we get another 1st round pick and Ottawa doesn't turn it around, we should still be able to pull two reasonably good defensive prospects out of the first two rounds.

 

[Michael Brand Eggs]

Look I also would like a playmaking forward (preferably center) who makes everyone around him better, but I just don't think that's really available at the top of this draft. Maaaaaaaaybe McLeod? If you want a playmaking winger, maybe Farabee? I don't know. We probably will have to look at the '19 draft for that.

I actually think Tkachuk is the closest to that. He definitely prefers to pass from what I've seen of him. I think his offensive upside is being slept on. He's a very good stickhandler with a lot of skill. He just likes to grind it out, too.

But, yeah. Give me a defenseman any day. A LD who can move the puck and play on the PP. I'm looking at Hughes or Smith especially.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Most of these nightmare scenarios people have are about as realistic as thinking the Wings will win the cup this year.

I wouldn't be too upset if we draft more wingers than Cs or Ds though. We've had a huge focus on those positions in the last couple of drafts. Draft a D-man with our 1st and then stock up on skilled forwards (even if they're wingers).

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

Zadina is a good puck possession player, from what I've seen. Wouldn't worry about his offensive versatility. Guy is big and slippery as hell.

Look I also would like a playmaking forward (preferably center) who makes everyone around him better, but I just don't think that's really available at the top of this draft. Maaaaaaaaybe McLeod? If you want a playmaking winger, maybe Farabee? I don't know. We probably will have to look at the '19 draft for that.

I don't think the wingers are 1 dimensional, I'm not worried about that. I just actually like the defenseman crop just as much, and that's something we need far more.

I have no problem calling Farabee the best playmaking forward in this draft class after Svech. He is criminally underrated in my opinion from a pure skill standpoint. I wouldn't take him in the top five or six but if you are after a playmaker he is your guy.

Playmaking centers are really nice, but their only real benefit vs. wings of a similar mind and skillset is their ability to distribute the puck through the neutral zone (which is admittedly very important). Inside the offensive zone there is no tangible difference at the end of the day.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

Most of these nightmare scenarios people have are about as realistic as thinking the Wings will win the cup this year.

I wouldn't be too upset if we draft more wingers than Cs or Ds though. We've had a huge focus on those positions in the last couple of drafts. Draft a D-man with our 1st and then stock up on skilled forwards (even if they're wingers).

Any slight edge in skill a winger has on draft day over a simmilar ranked centre or dmen is easily erased a few years doen the line in terms of trade value

 

[Reddwit]

My fear is we draft a winger who complements our offense so well that he combined with Larkin, AA, and Mantha progressing makes us a 14-16 type team for the future preventing us from have the best shot at getting more talent.

 

[WingedWheel1987]

My fear is we draft a winger who compliments our offense so well that he combined with Larkin, AA, and Mantha progressing makes us a 14-16 type team for the future preventing us from have the best shot at getting more talent.

Uhhhhh i have some really bad news for you. That's exactly what Holland is trying to build. Create a mediocre roster and expect to find elite talent in a timely manner with mid teen draft picks.

 

[Claypool]

Uhhhhh i have some really bad news for you. That's exactly what Holland is trying to build. Create a mediocre roster and expect to find elite talent in a timely manner with mid teen draft picks.

I have some really bad news for you. Detroit currently has a lot of great, young talent already. You should try watching the games sometime.

 

[WingedWheel1987]

I have some really bad news for you. Detroit currently has a lot of great, young talent already. You should try watching the games sometime.

Sure they do...

 

[jkutswings]

I have some really bad news for you. Detroit currently has a lot of great, young talent already. You should try watching the games sometime.

That's a bit strong, if we look at the entire season. Larkin definitely makes the grade thus far, and there have absolutely been encouraging moments and/or stretches from players like AA and Mantha, but, "a lot of great, young talent"? Not yet.

Adding a couple of quality pieces in this draft, and seeing continued progress from the Hroneks and Rasmussens of the world will put the Wings in a good spot. But let's not get the cart before the horse in throwing out the accolades.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Any slight edge in skill a winger has on draft day over a simmilar ranked centre or dmen is easily erased a few years doen the line in terms of trade value

Perhaps, but a team still needs wingers and many of the best pure offense type forwards you'll find beyond round 1 are wingers. We've only drafted 5 wingers in the last 4 drafts, compared to 10 centers and 12 D-men. Even if you account for some of those centers obviously turning into wingers, I think it's about time we started to fill the pipeline with some skilled forwards again. If we have ~10 picks, I'd use our 1st on a d-man, then split the remaining 9 on something like 5W, 2C, 2D.

 

[lilidk]

Zadina is a good puck possession player, from what I've seen. Wouldn't worry about his offensive versatility. Guy is big and slippery as hell.

Look I also would like a playmaking forward (preferably center) who makes everyone around him better, but I just don't think that's really available at the top of this draft. Maaaaaaaaybe McLeod? If you want a playmaking winger, maybe Farabee? I don't know. We probably will have to look at the '19 draft for that.

I don't think the wingers are 1 dimensional, I'm not worried about that. I just actually like the defenseman crop just as much, and that's something we need far more.

Nyquist is a very good puck possession player too , what difference doesn't make if this team is no longer playing this hockey stile any more .