ESPN’s Chris Peters compiled a list of 5 2020-draft eligible prospects and 5 previously-drafted prospects for whom he tends to “root for” (as much as he’s able to do so), and he listed one Red Wings prospect in a story for ESPN+…
Moritz Seider, D, Detroit Red Wings: When evaluating Seider for his draft season, I saw him only on film. He still popped but not in a way that made me believe he’d be the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft. Then I got to see him live at the World Juniors and again in the AHL, and it was revelatory. His performance at the World Juniors on a shallow German team where he had to play seemingly every other shift was dominant. He had only a few even-strength goals against the entire tournament and could change the dynamic of the game when he was on the ice. It was one of the more impressive showings I’ve seen from a young prospect in all the years I’ve followed the World Juniors.
But even beyond his excellent playing ability, how can you not like him as a person? Seider showed up to the combine in a polo shirt, fashionable jeans and what he termed as “really nice” tennis shoes, despite the fact most players wear suits to the event. He didn’t know any better, and I don’t even think he cared. He’s so comfortable with himself, and that’s true on the ice, too. That will carry him far.
And Peters is also a fan of a prospect often linked to the Red Wings at this fall’s upcoming draft:
Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw (OHL)
My current rank: No. 5
There’s a good chance Perfetti is going in the top five of this draft, so he’s no sleeper. This just comes down to the enjoyment I get watching him play. His creativity and vision are off the charts, and he processes the game at such a high level, especially offensively. There are definitely concerns about pace and skating, but I’m not as concerned due to his elite hockey sense.
Perfetti is a legitimate shot-pass threat in the offensive zone, which forces teams to respect both, making him more difficult to defend. He takes the plays that are given to him, which I think is an especially assuring trait in his game. He’s not always looking to pass, and he’s not always looking to shoot. There are some players who can’t get past that problem, and Perfetti has no issue there.
He was ninth in the OHL with 244 shots on goal, and I think he could have even shot more, but he made everyone around him better by just making the right plays instead of the plays he preferred. That — plus a high-end release and some exceptional puckhandling ability — makes him a really fun player to watch.
Continued (paywall)…
