MLive’s Ansar Khan posted an article tonight in which Red Wings director of amateur scouting Kris Draper discusses each and every one of the Red Wings’ 12 2020 draft picks. First, Khan notes that Draper’s first draft as the director of amateur scouting was a “learning experience”:
“I’ve been a part of a lot of drafts. Things happen. When you make a pick and wait for the next one, players come off the board and you have to adjust on the fly, but I thought our staff did a nice job and in the end when we look back at this, we’re proud of our work. The passion we have for the Detroit Red Wings means a lot to all of us.”
The Red Wings made their highest pick in 30 years Tuesday with Swedish winger Lucas Raymond (fourth overall) and added a mix of forwards and defensemen, and one goaltender, on Wednesday in their largest draft class since 1993.
It was Steve Yzerman’s second draft as Red Wings general manager. It will take a few years to evaluate how successful it is, like with all draft classes.
“You watch prospects and get attached to certain prospects,” Draper said. “You know what you like, you know what you want a Red Wing to be. You’re passionate about that. You want to bring that type of player into our organization. Sometimes you don’t have the opportunity to get them. That’s probably the one thing I found was the toughest.
“As you’re sitting there getting ready to make your picks there’s no guarantee that the next name on the board is going to be there. You just have to relax, you have to trust the process, you have to trust your list, you have to trust the work you put in and the scouting staff put in and I do. These guys did a fantastic job. We travel all over the world to get ready for these two days.”
