MLive’s Ansar Khan examines the Red Wings’ 2023 NHL Draft haul as it applies to the team’s drafting of defensemen Brady Cleveland, Andrew Gibson, Larry Keenan and Jack Phelan:
After addressing their needs for a two-way center (Nate Danielson) and skilled right-shooting defenseman (Axel Sandin Pellikka) in the first round this year, the Detroit Red Wings used much of their draft capital on big, shutdown-type defensemen.
They selected Andrew Gibson (6-3, 202) and Brady Cleveland (6-5, 210) in the second round, Larry Keenan (6-3, 186) in the fourth and Jack Phelan (6-2, 171) in the fifth.
“It wasn’t necessarily the plan that we need big defensemen, we just happened to like these guys,” general manager Steve Yzerman said. “We like them as prospects. It’s nice that they’re big and if they can play that’ll be ever better.”
That won’t be determined for several years. All of them aren’t likely to reach the NHL. If only one ends up having a productive career in Detroit, the Red Wings will be happy.
