The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan wraps up his coverage of the 2025 NHL Draft by noting what Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman and assistant GM/director of amateur scouting Kris Draper had to say about the team’s draft philosophy:
After acquiring [goaltender John] Gibson, Yzerman and his scouting staff completed the draft Saturday. The Wings plucked forward Carter Bear in Friday’s first-round and added seven players Saturday.
“We are able to address some needs as far as depth in the prospect pool,” Yzerman said. “We’ll try to do our best and to be patient and develop them and help them along the way to become professional players and hopefully play for the Red Wings.”
Bear and second-round selection Eddie Genborg are similar players. Both enjoy the physical part of the game, enjoy getting to the hard areas of the ice, and play the type of game Kris Draper, the Wings’ director of amateur scouting, liked watching in the playoffs.
“The one thing that really sticks out is how hard it is to play, the compete,” said Draper of playoff hockey. “You look at the teams that were successful and able to go on a run, they had guys that could skate, guys that were hard to play against, responsible hockey players.”
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The Wings host their annual development camp beginning Monday. It’s the first step toward acclimating them to the Wings’ organization.
“We know we have to be patient,” Draper said. “We want these young players to be chomping at the bit, doing everything they can to make a push for the Detroit Red Wings.”
