The Athletic’s Corey Pronman has penned a “Mock Draft 2.0,” and as he believes that Evan Bouchard will go to Ottawa 4th overall, Pronman and Craig Custance suggest that the Red Wings will draft Michigan native Quinn Hughes at #6:
No 6 Detroit: Quinn Hughes, D, Michigan-Big 10 What does the team typically value in players? The Red Wings ideal during their rebuild would be to build a team with skill and size. Even as the league is trending smaller, they value size along with character players they believe will put in the work to develop. That said, they understand the organizational need for high-end skill so they may be more willing to take on risk with their stockpile of draft picks.
Is there any major area of need? The Red Wings focus at the top of the draft will be on defense and at center.
Rationale? If the draft plays out like this, expect the Red Wings to look to trade down, although they won’t go outside the top 10. They might prefer Noah Dobson in this spot because of his size and his right-handed shot, but it’s hard to pass up Hughes’ skating and playmaking.— Craig Custance
Pronman’s comments: The Wings pick out of their backyard to get the defenseman with the second highest pure upside in the class, and the best pure skater in the class. He immediately becomes the organization’s top prospect and the most talented young defense prospect they’ve had in decades.
Continued (paywall), and I’d be surprised if Bouchard doesn’t slide down to 6th, but that’s my take.
I’m going in assuming we’re picking Hughes. He’s always listed in this top batch of players and he’s a Michigan boy, and Kenny loves his locals.
If you call Quinn Hughes a Michigan boy, Due to the fact he attends the University of Michigan, Then you’re correct if you’re calling him a Michigan boy in as a native of Michigan then that’s not correct as Quinn Hughes was born here in Florida namely in Orlando.
The Wings have plenty of undersized offensively gifted d-men see Cholowski 6-1 200,
Hronek 6-0 178,
Hicketts 5-8 180,
Saarijarvi 5-10 165
If they have the option they are going for size.
I consider “undersized” to be sub-6′ under 200lbs
And I’m betting Hronek adds 10lbs this off-season…
Cholowski is closer to 6-2 200 that’s hardly undersized.
I was incorrect. Cholowski was officially measured at 6’0″ and 195
source:
https://www.nhl.com/player/dennis-cholowski-8479395
and I don’t consider skinny players to have size esp if they are 6’1″ or under or 215 lbs or under in today’s game.
Quinn Hughes isn’t a Michigan native he was born in Orlando, Florida he just attends the University of Michigan.