Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff discusses the Red Wings’ decision to draft Filip Zadina over a slate of defensive help that could have stabilized the Wings’ blueline in the 2018 draft:
Sunday, as the Vancouver Canucks arrive in town to play the Red Wings, there on the ice will be current Norris Trophy holder Quinn Hughes. Someone who was playing in Detroit’s backyard, all Hughes has done as an NHLer is score 48 goals – seven more than Zadina – and collect 358 points.
Vancouver took Hughes with the seventh overall pick. Still, word within Red Wings circles post draft was that had Zadina not been available, Hughes wouldn’t have been their choice. Detroit GM Ken Holland was said to be leaning toward Evan Bouchard.
Again, not a bad option. Holland ultimately got to see what Bouchard could do after taking over as GM of the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton was making Bouchard the 10th overall selection. His account shows 48 goals as an NHLer. Once again, more than Zadina.
A third stud defender would be chosen 12th overall by the New York Islanders. That was Noah Dobson. While the Red Wings were managing a sweep of the Islanders in three games this season, that wasn’t Dobson’s fault. He’s a presence at both ends of the ice. He’s physically imposing in the defensive zone and possessing offensive acumen. Dobson’s NHL resume shows 41 goals and more than 200 points.
Continued; I have considered this debate many times, and it sure does suck that Tyler Wright and Ken Holland chose to pick Zadina over the defensemen they needed…
But it happened, and all the Red Wings can do about it is draft better in the future.
