VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – JUNE 21: Steve Yzerman of the Detroit Red Wings attends the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft at Rogers Arena on June 21, 2019 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
The Detroit Red Wings will once again pick 6th in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. This is the third time in the last four years that the Red Wings will select in this position. In 2018, Detroit selected Filip Zadina with the 6th pick. In 2019, Moritz Seider was also picked with this selection. Both players are very important prospects in Detroit’s rebuild. At number six, another excellent prospect will be available to General Manager Steve Yzerman.
Detroit Needs Defense
The strength of Detroit’s defense is on the right side. Filip Hronek and Moritz Seider will make up the right side of the top four defense for years to come. If Yzerman selects a defenseman, there are several left defense prospects available to compliment this pair. According to NHL Central Scounting, University of Michigan recruit Luke Hughes (USDP) is the #4 ranked North American skater. The NHL Central Scouting also lists left defense prospect Simon Edvinsson, Frolunda (SHL) as the #2 ranked European skater. One or both of these prospects should be available at number
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six.
Detroit Needs a Center
Strength down the middle helped propel Detroit to 25 consecutive years in the playoffs. Unlike the next couple of drafts, this year will not see a franchise type player at center. If Detroit selects a center, there are five top players who could fit into the Red Wings prospect pool. The top player from Europe is NHL Central Scouting top European skater William Eklund from Djurgardens (SHL). The #3 European skater is Aatu Raty from Karpat (Liiga). The top centers from North America are #2 Mason McTavish from Peterborough (OHL), and #3 Kent Johnson and #6 Matthew Beniers both from the University of Michigan (NCAA). Any one of these players would be an excellent selection if Yzerman decides to go with a center.
Guessing The First 15 Picks
Here is a look at the possible selections of the top 15 prospects:
- Buffalo: Owen Power, LD, University of Michigan, NCAA
- Seattle: Matthew Beniers, C, University of Michigan, NCAA
- Anaheim: Brandt Clarke, RD, Barrie, OHL
- New Jersey: Simon Edvinsson, LD, Frolunda, SHL
- Columbus: Kent Johnson, C, University of Michigan, NCAA
- Detroit: Luke Hughes, LD, US National U18 Team, USDP
- San Jose: Dylan Guenther, RW, Edmonton, WHL
- Los Angeles: Mason McTavish, C, Peterborough, OHL
- Vancouver: William Eklund, C/W, Djurgardens, SHL
- Ottawa: Nikita Chibrikov, LW/RW, St. Petersburg, KHL
- Arizona: Forfeited
- Chicago: Aatu Raty, C, Karpat, Liiga
- Calgary: Cole Sillinger, C, Medicine Hat, WHL
- Philadelphia: Francesco Pinelli, C, Kitchener, OHL
- Dallas: Chaz Lucius, US National U18 Team, USDP
- New York Rangers: Fydor Svechkov, F, Ladia Togliatti, MHL
Final Thoughts
Without a generational type player in this draft, teams will be looking to add to the weaknesses in their respective prospect pools. The Red Wings are no exception as they are particularly weak at center and left defense. Yzerman and his scouting team will have a number of important decisions to make as they hold 12 picks in the 2021 Entry Draft in July.