The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted a dual profile of both Jamie Drysdale and Jake Sanderson this morning. The article is a bit jumbled as it bounces back and forth between players, but it also reads well:
Jamie Drysdale and Jake Sanderson are the top-ranked defenders in the 2020 NHL draft, both of them intriguing possibilities for Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, who picks fourth overall during the Oct. 6 virtual event. Yzerman chose a defenseman with his first pick in 2019, and may deem acquiring another blue-chip blue-line prospect to be the Wings’ biggest need — though they need help at every position.
Drysdale is the third-ranked North American skater, and Sanderson is fourth.
Both are excellent skaters and gifted offensively. Drysdale (5-foot-11, 175 pounds, shoots left) ranked 13th among Ontario Hockey League defensemen with nine goals and 38 assists in 49 games with the Erie Otters. Sanderson (6-2, 185, shoots left) led all defensemen in the U.S. U-18 National Team Development Program with seven goals and 22 assists in 47 games.
Each has spoken with the Wings in lieu of the in-person interviews that take place during the combine, which was canceled because of COVID-19.
