In another subscriber-only article, the Detroit News’s Mark Falkner reports that Saginaw Spirit forward and top 2020 draft prospect Cole Perfetti is hoping that his “local team,” the Detroit Red Wings, call his name when the Wings pick 4th overall in this fall’s NHL Draft:
Perfetti said he wants to be “selected as high as possible” after finishing in second place in league scoring with 37 goals, 74 assists and 111 points this year, but knows there’s a chance he could be Draper’s first pick in his new job of running Detroit’s draft.
“At the end of the day, I hope what I did throughout the year on the ice and off the ice speaks for itself and makes it a no-brainer for them,” Perfetti said. “There would be no hard feelings if they don’t draft me because it’s a business and they have to do what’s right for them. If it was the Red Wings, it would be amazing and a dream come true.”
Saginaw general manager Dave Drinkill said [Red Wings director of amateur scouting Kris] Draper “probably knows more about Cole than any other NHL scout.” The team’s ownership partners also include Red Wings senior adviser Jimmy Devellano and former Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood.
“Cole has been a big-time point producer, a go-to player, ultra-competitive and our team has taken off since he came on board,” said Drinkill, who selected Perfetti fifth overall after Byfield and Drysdale were taken in the 2019 OHL draft. “Kris will remove that relationship aspect and do his job. That’s what he’s paid to do and the Red Wings are in good hands. If they do take Cole, they’ll be getting a heck of a player.”
Continued (paywall)…
