Detroit — There are definite dates for the NHL Entry Draft — Oct. 6 and 7 — and the anticipation is beginning to grow.
With the Stanley Cup Final in full gear — culminating a successful NHL Return to Play — there’s increased chatter about the draft.
There was more than chatter among Red Wings fans when the organization dropped from No. 1 to No. 4 in the Draft Lottery.
But in a deep draft, the Wings are likely to get a bonafide prospect at No. 4 who should be in the NHL fairly quickly.
There’s still plenty of time for trades (and there will likely be many of them), and teams might prefer someone else as they get closer to Oct. 6.
But this is how The Detroit News sees the first round unfolding in our mock draft 1.0.
1. New York Rangers: Alexis Lafreniere, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL). What a perfect situation for the potential game-changer. Lafreniere goes to a stable organization where all the pressure isn’t on him.
2. Los Angeles Kings: Quinton Byfield, C, Sudbury (OHL). Byfield joins a deep Kings’ prospect pool and could someday replace Kings’ star center Anze Kopitar.
3. Ottawa Senators: Tim Stutzle, LW, Mannheim (Germany). Stutzle could arguably be ready for the NHL quicker, and some scouts like him better than Byfield.
4. Detroit Red Wings: Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie (OHL). The Wings need help everywhere — literally every position. With a puck-moving defenseman so important these days, Drysdale can’t be passed on.
5. Ottawa Senators: Marco Rossi, C, Ottawa (OHL). He’s not big (5-foot-9, 179 pounds) but Rossi plays at such an electric pace, and he will excite the hometown Senators.
6. Anaheim Ducks: Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw (OHL). The Wings like Perfetti, too, but if he doesn’t go in the top five the Ducks can’t pass on him, even with defensive needs.
7. New Jersey Devils: Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda (Sweden). Some scouts are nervous about the explosive speed, but Raymond can score and could form a great combo with Jack Hughes.
8. Buffalo Sabres: Alexander Holtz, RW, Djurgardens (Sweden). His stock has fallen a bit in recent months, but Holtz slots nicely with the Sabres, who need scoring on the wings.
9. Minnesota Wild: Anton Lundell, C, HIFK-Liiga (Finland). With Mikko Koivu likely to retire, the Wild take another Finnish center who has already produced offense playing against men.
10. Winnipeg Jets: Jake Sanderson, D, USNTDP. The Jets need more depth in the organization on defense and Sanderson, who could sneak higher, would be a welcome addition.
11. Nashville Predators: Kaiden Guhle, D, Prince Albert (WHL). Guhle’s offensive game needs work, but Nashville needs depth in the organization.
12. Florida Panthers: Seth Jarvis, C, Portland (WHL). Jarvis isn’t big (5-10, 170) but he’s been productive at every level and grades well on the defensive end.
13. Carolina Hurricanes: Yaroslav Askarov, goaltender, SKA (Russia). Teams generally don’t like to draft goalies this high, but Askarov is so good and the Hurricanes have a need.
14. Edmonton Oilers: Jack Quinn, RW, Ottawa (OHL). There are concerns about his skating, but Quinn has been a goal-scorer and he’s improving rapidly.
15. Toronto Maple Leafs: Dawson Mercer, RW/C, Ottawa (OHL). A heady centerman who plays a real smart all-around game, Mercer would be a nice fit with the Leafs.
16. Montreal Canadiens: Dylan Holloway, C, Wisconsin. Holloway would also fit well with the Leafs. But if the sturdy center drops to Montreal, they’d love to have him.
17. Chicago Blackhawks: Braden Schneider, D, Brandon (WHL). The Blackhawks could use some more depth on defense and Schneider has intriguing potential.
18. New Jersey Devils: Jacob Perreault, RW, Sarnia (OHL). The Devils have the centers but they need depth on the flanks. Perreault might have the hardest shot in the draft class.
19. Calgary Flames: Hendrix Lapierre, C, Chicoutimi (QMJHL). The Flames could nab a sleeper here considering Lapierre was bothered with injuries last season, which hurt his stock.
20. New Jersey Devils: Connor Zary, C, Kamloops (WHL). With their third pick, the Devils continue to strengthen themselves offensively. Zary is a top-15 pick on some mock drafts.
21. Columbus Blue Jackets: William Wallinder, D, MODO-Allsvenskan (Sweden). Just in case negotiations with Seth Jones and Zach Werenski go badly next few seasons, Wallinder provides insurance.
22. New York Rangers: Ridly Greig, C, Brandon (WHL). The Rangers might trade this pick. But if they stay and the underrated Greig is available, he’d pair nicely with Lafreniere in the future.
23. Philadelphia Flyers: Lukas Reichel, LW, Berlin (Germany). Reichel has played well against men and could be a steal this late in the draft.
24. Colorado Avalanche: Thomas Bordeleau, C, USNTDP. The Avalanche don’t have many holes, so they can slightly gamble on a dynamic offensive player.
25. Washington Capitals: Rodion Amirov, LW, Ufa (Russia). The Capitals have had plenty of success with Russians in the draft and Amirov could be the latest.
26. St. Louis Blues: Sam Colangelo, RW, Chicago (USHL). The Blues will need depth after potential salary cap losses and Colangelo has major upside.
27. Anaheim Ducks: Justin Barron, D, Halifax (QMJHL). The Ducks are able to fill their need for defense in the organization on an efficient two-way defenseman.
28. Ottawa Senators: Jan Mysak, C, Hamilton, (OHL). The Senators continue rebuilding their organization with a steady, two-way center.
29. Vegas Golden Knights: Mavrik Bourque, C, Shawinigan (QMJHL). The Golden Knights have age and salary cap issues, so they need a safe prospect. Some scouts speak highly of Bourque.
30. Dallas Stars: Noel Gunler, RW, Lulea (Sweden). GM Jim Nill has done well with Swedish players and Gunler appears to be a safe pick.
31. San Jose Sharks: Ty Smilanic, C, USNTDP. Smilanic has versatility and could be switched to wing to utilize a powerful shot.
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan