Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News provides a capsule look at the Detroit Red Wings’ nine draft picks.
Marco Kasper
► Pick: No. 8 overall (Round 1)
► Position: Center
► Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 183 pounds
► Last season: Rogle (SHL), 46 games, seven goals, four assists; Rogle Jr. (SHL), 12 games, six goals, seven assists
► Scouting report: Kasper is described as a terrific competitor, is an elite skater and is responsible defensively. Plays with grit and goes into the high areas. Played his best hockey in the playoffs. Some scouts worry about his ceiling offensively, but Wings feel there is more offense in Kasper’s future.
Dylan James
► Pick: No. 40 overall (Round 2)
► Position: Left wing
► Height/weight: 6-foot, 181 pounds
► Last season: Sioux City (USHL), 62 games, 28 goals, 33 assists
► Scouting report: Rookie of the year in the USHL. James plays a gritty, physical brand. Gets most of his offense battling in front of the net, getting tips and rebounds. Is effective along the boards. Most scouts see him as someone who projects to be a good bottom-six forward who plays hard at both ends of the ice. Will play at University of North Dakota next season.
Dmitri Buchelnikov
► Pick: No. 52 overall (Round 2)
► Position: Left wing
► Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 168 pounds
► Last season: St. Petersburg (Russia, MHL), 56 games, 41 goals, 34 assists
► Scouting report: Some scouts view Buchelnikov with first-round caliber talent in terms of skating and his hands. He went undrafted last season. Buchelnikov has scored goals throughout his junior career, and has a dangerous shot. Concerns are mainly his lack of size, as Buchelnikov has a real thin frame and needs to add significant strength. There’s also the uncertain political situation, which makes it uncertain as to when, or if, Buchelnikov will arrive in North America.
Anton Johansson
► Pick: No. 105 overall (Round 4)
► Position: Defenseman
► Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 179 pounds
► Last season: Leksands (Sweden), 49 games, 13 goals, 19 assists
► Scouting report: Kris Draper, Detroit’s director of amateur scouting, said the Wings liked the path Johansson has been on in the SHL, and are excited about Johansson’s size and ability to move the puck. He probably needs another couple of years of development physically before thinking about playing in North America.
Amadeus Lombardi
► Pick: No. 113 overall (Round 4)
► Position: Center
► Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 165 pounds
► Last season: Flint (OHL), 67 games, 18 goals, 41 assists
► Scouting report: Was ranked 94th among North American skaters for NHL Central Scouting. A playmaker, Lombardi is a good puck-handler and distributor who had an impressive rookie OHL season as an over-age player. Needs to get stronger, but Lombardi has intriguing offensive potential. He’s a real good skater and the Wings like his competitiveness.
Maximilian Kilpinen
► Pick: No. 129 overall (Round 4)
► Position: Left wing
► Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 174 pounds
► Last season: Orebro (Sweden), 38 games, 21 goals, 22 assists
► Scouting report: Another center to fill a position the Wings didn’t have much depth at going into the draft. Kilpinen has shown the ability to put up points. He was hurt the first half of the season but rebounded well, and the Wings like his skating and hockey sense.
Tnias Mathurin
► Pick: No. 137 overall (Round 5)
► Position: Defenseman
► Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
► Last season: North Bay (OHL), 44 games, three goals, 12 assists
► Scouting report: He’s a big defenseman who is further ahead defensively right now, but some scouts feel he has untapped offensive potential. Mathurin is strong on the penalty kill, and can play a physical game. Some scouting services had Mathurin a bit higher.
Owen Mehlenbacher
► Pick: No. 201 overall (Round 7)
► Position: Center/wing
► Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds
► Last season: Muskegon (USHL), 56 games, 17 goals, 25 assists
► Scouting report: Headed to play at University of Wisconsin. Had a slow start to the season with a shoulder injury and sinus infection, but got hot the last two months playing his best hockey. A power forward who goes into the corners and wins puck battles, Mehlenbacher is a project but certainly worth a gamble this late in the draft.
Brennan Ali
► Pick: No. 212 overall (Round 7)
► Position: Center
► Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 201 pounds
► Last season: Avon Farms (USHS)/Lincoln (USHL), 36 games, 15 goals, 21 assists
► Scouting report: Headed to play at Notre Dame. Not flashy but plays a determined, attacking game. He’s physical and usually outworks opponents. Ali has good size and combines that with decent speed. With the type of determination Ali plays with, this is a good pick this late in the draft.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan