DETROIT – With the 29th pick in the first round of the NHL’s Entry Draft, which begins Friday night, one might assume that the Detroit Red Wings options for the first round are limited. Not so. There are a number of ranked players still available in our mock draft who show a considerable amount of promise. The Red Wings are most likely evaluating each prospect based on what went wrong in the Stanley Cup finals. After quickly dominating the Penguins early in the series, the Red Wings backed off, got over-confident or didn’t use the right combination of players in the last three games of the series. Perhaps all three reasons contributed to their demise. Because the earlier games of the final series were dominated by Detroit, most teams would have stuck with the combinations that worked. Pulling rookies Justin Abdelkader (two goals, one assist and 32 hits) and Ville Leino (two assists), both up from the Grand Rapids Griffins, when the seasoned vets came off the DL may have been what cost the Red Wings the Stanley Cup. Those returning to the ice following injuries may not yet have been back in playoff stride. The injuries, combined with the age of many of Detroit’s best players, is why the first issue the Wings should review is the youthfulness and aggressiveness of their current offensive and defensive corps, combined with evaluating which players are eligible for free agency in the foreseeable future. Many of the hits attempted throughout the playoffs were either not fully executed or were missed altogether, thereby hitting the boards without the desired result of slowing down the opponent and eliminating the threat posed by the hit’s intended recipient. Detroit’s defensive line is set for next season. While there may be a need to eventually bring a younger, more aggressive attitude to their defense, a number of future Red Wings already within their system are ready to move on a moment’s notice. Goalie Ty Conklin is eligible for free agency this year, but Jimmy Howard is waiting for the opportunity and has the experience and ability to confidently back Chris Osgood up based on his short stints from previous years as a Red Wings goalie. Along with the knowledge that this year’s goalie prospects are not stellar, Detroit is not expected to pick a goalie in the first round. Since there are a number of players on offense who are eligible, or soon to be eligible, for free agency, this is where the Red Wings will focus their efforts. Marion Hossa is an unrestricted free agent, and many commentators have indicated that Detroit may pass on him to make room in their salary cap to be in a position to attract other players. Some draft possibilities include centers Kyle Palmieri and Chris Brown, both involved with the US National Development Program’s Under-18 Team. If Jacob Josefson, already taken by Carolina in our mock draft, is available, Detroit may wish to pick him up. The Red Wings have done well with their Swedish acquisitions, and may be interested in continuing with what has worked for them. Forward Kyle Palmieri is rated among the top skaters and is expected to be picked in the first round of the entry draft. According to recent reports, he was released from the USNDP team due to an apparent team rule violation. Palmieri, from Montvale, New Jersey, will play at Notre Dame as a freshman this fall and will be one to watch in the future.
Center Chris Brown (photo courtesy of the NHL)
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