NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale filed an article discussing the draft needs of each and every one of the NHL’s Atlantic Division teams this morning. Here’s what Morreale has to say about the Red Wings’ needs, which are many:
DETROIT RED WINGS
Top priority: Top-end talent
First pick: No. 4
The situation: The Red Wings have 10 selections in the draft, including six in the opening three rounds, so they’ll look to load up on potential top-six forwards and top-four defensemen. Detroit has failed to qualify for the playoffs the past four seasons after appearances in 25 straight. The last time it had the No. 4 pick, it chose Steve Yzerman in the 1983 NHL Draft. The Red Wings had the best odds (18.5 percent) to win the No. 1 pick in the First Phase of the NHL Draft Lottery on June 26 but fell to No. 4. Detroit has three picks in the second round, and likely will use one of those selections on a goalie.
Possible fits: Lucas Raymond, LW, Frolunda (SWE); Cole Perfetti, C, Saginaw (OHL); Jamie Drysdale, D, Erie (OHL)
Continued; the Red Wings do indeed need as much high-end talent as they can possibly add to the mix. This team has good secondary and tertiary players, but it needs more stars and players who can carry the mail themselves.
