Via the Detroit News’s Gregg Krupa comes a reminisce on happier times, via TSN’s Gord Miller:
With the NHL draft coming, here is a common thread with the rosters of almost every Stanley Cup champion: at least one player they picked in the top five, and a large group either drafted after the first round or signed as undrafted free agents. The Lighting are no exception.— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) September 29, 2020
1st rd: Hedman, Stamkos (1st), Vasilevskiy
2nd: Kucherov, Stephens, Volkov
3rd: Cirelli, Killorn, Point
4th: Paquette
7th: Palat
Undrafted FA: Gourde, Johnson
10 players acquired after the first round of the draft.
(Players who dressed for at least one playoff game)— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) September 29, 2020
The last Stanley Cup champion that didn’t have a player they picked in the top 5 of the draft on the roster was Detroit in 2008. The Red Wings more than made up for that with 12 players they either drafted after the first round or signed as undrafted free agents. https://t.co/0e6hJ21Ke8— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) September 29, 2020
1st: Kronwall
2nd: Hudler, McCarty
3rd: Filppula, Franzen, Lidstrom, Osgood
5th: Helm
6th: Datsyuk, Drake
7th: Zetterberg
10th: Holmstrom
Undrafted FA: Lebda— Gord Miller (@GMillerTSN) September 29, 2020
If only the Wings could draft and develop like they did back in the day–even without a Datsyuk or Zetterberg–they’d be much better off.
Over to you, Mr. Yzerman and Mr. Draper…
