I’m a little hesitant to write the final word regarding the drafting record of Tyler Wright and his amateur scouting staff, which was in charge of the Detroit Red Wings’ drafting between 2014 and 2019, as the players from many of Wright’s drafts are still developing, but The Athletic’s Max Bultman gave it an educated stab, and his article is superb:
In hindsight, the final public comments of Tyler Wright’s tenure as the Detroit Red Wings’ amateur scouting director were fitting.
With the 2019 draft over and Wright speaking along the back wall of the draft floor in Vancouver, he was asked about the team’s development camp that would begin in a matter of days. He spoke about its value for the team’s new draftees in terms of learning and testing, but he eventually ended on a thought that sums up both the draft process and what comes next.
“You’ve gotta be able to draft right,” he said, “you’ve gotta be able to develop (and) you’ve gotta sit there and cross your fingers and hope the players turn out.”
Wright’s job, of course, was the first step. Drafting is the lifeblood of a healthy NHL organization, and for the last six years, he has overseen it for the Red Wings. When Wright selected Michael Rasmussen ninth overall in 2017, it was Detroit’s first top-10 pick since 1991. Then the Red Wings picked sixth overall each of the last two years.
Continued (paywall), and if you want me to weigh in with a way-premature assessment of the Wright administration’s work, please let me know.
George, I would love to hear your view on the track record of the Red Wings drafting and development.
Well given the extreme optimism George has about our prospects I’m almost certain he’ll say Wright made some great picks, some bad ones, and a whole bunch that are too early to judge. But if you go back George also raved about Givani Smith and Zablocki and Gallant and a long list of other Wright busts. I called the 2017 draft a total bust the day it happened…But then endured 2 years of the media telling us how promising these guys were. No thanks. Make up your own mind.