DobberProspects reviews the Red Wings’ 2023 NHL Draft class

DobberHockey’s Evan Sabourin discusses the Red Wings’ 2023 NHL Draft haul for a “32 in 32” article for DobberProspects.com this morning:

Draft Review: After missing out on the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season — an eternity for Red Wings fans after qualifying for the 25 previous ones — General Manager Steve Yzerman showed up to the 2023 draft in Nashville armed to the teeth with 11 picks. That included five picks in the top 43. Many analysts predicted that the Wings would try to upgrade the current team by dealing some of those picks for a productive goal scorer but that didn’t materialize during the draft. Yzerman left Nashville with 11 new prospects as the team’s rebuild continues.

Detroit has now picked in the top ten for seven consecutive years after not having a pick that high since they drafted Martin Lapointe at number ten in 1991. Their playoff drought is the longest in team history since the 1970’s and the second longest active streak in the NHL today behind only the Buffalo Sabres. But cheer up Wings fans, “The Captain” is cooking. He continues to build through the draft while setting up the Wings future for the long haul. Two weeks after the draft, Yzerman landed former 40-goal scorer Alex DeBrincat in a trade with the Ottawa Senators and then signed the Michigan native to a four-year, team-friendly extension. This was the bold move that the team desperately needed after finishing 24th in scoring last season. 

The Wings wasted no time in going off the board early with the ninth-overall pick, center Nate Danielson. Not many analysts projected Danielson going that early. The 6-2 center from the Brandon Wheat Kings is a jack-of-all-trades type of player. Size and strength were key attributes that Detroit has been looking for, and the team feels they got that with the 18-year-old. After the pick, Yzerman talked to ESPN about the selection: “We’re still in a rebuilding phase, we’re still in a collecting assets through the draft…we’re still there…. we’re not at a point where we feel like, hey we can really go for it so to speak. We’re progressing and I hope to be there sooner than later.” On Day Two of the draft, Yzerman swung a deal with his old friend — Edmonton Oilers GM Ken Holland — and acquired forwards Kailer Yamamoto and Klim Kostin for future considerations. Yamamoto was subsequently bought out of his contract, while Kostin signed a two-year deal with the club. More on that coming up.

Continued (at length)

HSJ in the morning: DeBrincat’s ready for the pressure that comes with his contract

The Free Press posted Helene St. James’ customary morning article a couple of minutes ago. This morning, St. James discusses Alex DeBrincat’s belief that he can meaningfully add to the Red Wings’ attempts to return to playoff form:

DeBrincat’s new four-year contract, with a $7.875 million annual average value that is behind only Dylan Larkin’s $8.7 million, is indicative of how much the Wings expect of DeBrincat. It is pressure he relishes.

“I’m definitely confident in my ability,” DeBrincat said. “I think this team is a good fit for me. Hopefully we can get back into the playoffs, that is everyone’s goal, and hopefully it’s sooner than later. We just have to keep growing as a team and keep putting in the work to get back there.”

Since the number DeBrincat has worn in the NHL, 12, hangs from the rafters at Little Caesars Arena in honor of Sid Abel, DeBrincat said he plans to wear No. 93 because it’s what he wore in juniors and is the year his brother was born. (The only other player to wear that in Wings history is Johan Franzen.) Whatever the 5-foot-8, 178-pound forward wears on his back, DeBrincat’s attitude is to play with an indomitable front.

“I try not to back down from anyone,” DeBrincat said. “Being a smaller forward in the league, sometimes people try to bully you around, but that’s something I try to not let get taken too out of hand. I think I can hold my own, and it keeps me engaged in the game.”

…

“Earlier in my career [the Red Wings] were deep in a rebuild,” DeBrincat said. “You can see the compete level has been higher. You see a team that’s maybe frustrated with being in a rebuild and wants to get out. I’m excited to join that and hopefully be part of the solution to get out of that. I definitely see the potential in this group.”

Continued (no paywall as of 6:13 AM)

MLive’s Khan revises the Red Wings’ depth chart

Both The Athletic’s Max Bultman and MLive’s Ansar Khan discuss the Red Wings’ revised depth chart after the team acquired Alex DeBrincat from Ottawa on Sunday night:

First line: David Perron-Dylan Larkin-Alex DeBrincat

A Larkin-DeBrincat combination could be mutually beneficial. Larkin, coming off a career-high 79 points, could top 80. And this would put DeBrincat in the best position to return to his 41-goal form. Who to put on the other wing? Some might suggest Lucas Raymond, but Perron would provide some size, abrasiveness and a net-front presence. Pairing two right-shooting wingers might not be optimal, however.

Second line: Michael Rasmussen-Andrew Copp-Lucas Raymond

The 6-6 left-shooting Rasmussen might be a good fit with Larkin and DeBrincat because of his forechecking ability and net presence. But he had good chemistry with Copp before suffering a season-ending knee injury in late February. Lalonde might want to keep that combination intact and add Raymond, a shooter, to the line.

Continued

The Athletic’s Bultman revises the Red Wings’ depth chart

The Athletic’s Max Bultman examines the Red Wings’ depth chart after the team added Alex DeBrincat in a Sunday-night trade. Up front, things have changed:

Right off the top, there’s an interesting decision to make between DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond for the top line.

I’m sure there will be some fans wanting to see both flanking Dylan Larkin, and hey, you can never say never. Certainly it would make for the most offensively skilled line the Red Wings could roll out. But it would ask quite a bit of Larkin in terms of forechecking, on top of the defensive responsibilities of center, and even on top of that Detroit may want to spread out the offense — after all, getting scoring up and down the lineup seems to be a big part of their plan.

So, who do you put up top? DeBrincat is the high-end triggerman the Red Wings have been coveting, so it certainly makes sense to put him on their top-scoring line right from the jump, but it’s every bit as important for Detroit that Raymond have an offensive breakout season, too. It’s not an easy question, and you could see multiple looks throughout the year.

Let’s go with the DeBrincat avenue for now, though, which would bump Raymond onto a line with Andrew Copp and Michael Rasmussen. He adds some high-end skill and sense to that line, and with two heavy linemates, he should be able to work himself into space while benefiting from two quietly impressive playmakers. Plus, Raymond has the competitive makeup to handle the matchups a Copp-Rasmussen line would take. So that fit makes sense.

Meanwhile David Perron slots in opposite DeBrincat, with his blend of hockey IQ and wall play complementing Detroit’s potential top-two scorers. Maybe you flip the sides from how I have them listed here, to get DeBrincat on his one-timer side, but we don’t need to get that specific on July 11.

Continued (at length, behind a paywall, including PP and PK units)

Duff: Red Wings have added power play specialists in Gostisbehere, DeBrincat

Detroit Hockey Now’s Bob Duff believes that the Red Wings’ player personnel changes may finally improve the team’s moribund power play:

By bringing in defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere as a free agent and trading for Alex DeBrincat, the Detroit Red Wings are creating the potential to ice a very potent power play during the 2023[24 NHL season.

“I think so,” Detroit GM Steve Yzerman said. “But potential being the key word.”

Detroit’s power play was 17th in the NHL last season. The Red Wings were clicking at 21.1%.

While Yzerman is wisely couching his optimism, the fact of the matter is that both players are displaying a proven track record as producers when their teams are enjoying the man advantage.

Gostisbehere has accounted for 31% of his goals (27 of 87) and 35.3% of his assists (79 of 224) while his team was on the power play.

“Gostisbehere can really shoot the puck,” Yzerman said. “He has been on good power plays. He can score from back there, so it gives the coaching staff another option and a left-shot option on the top. With Mo Seider and potentially Jake Walman playing a little bit on the power play and Shayne, I think on the back end it gives you different looks, righties and lefties. And then Alex, he’s normally playing off the hash marks on the left wing. I expect him to play there.”

Continued; it would be nice to see the Red Wings’ power play connect with some sort of relative consistency.

A late-night profile of Red Wings prospect Nate Danielson

NHL.com’s Dave Hogg posted a profile of Red Wings 2023 1st round pick Nate Danielson, who was in Detroit for the Red Wings’ annual Summer Development Camp last week at LCA:

The 18-year-old isn’t expected to make the Red Wings’ opening night roster and is not eligible to play in the American Hockey League, so is likely to remain in the WHL this season. Still, he got his first taste of the NHL at Detroit’s development camp last week.

“It’s been a whirlwind going to Nashville for the draft and then coming here to meet everyone,” he said. “But it’s been awesome — I’m having a ton of fun.”

Danielson said he was impressed by the Red Wings facilities and with the level of instruction he received at the five-day camp.

“The rink is unreal, and so are the amenities we have here,” he said. “But there are a ton of great people. They’re teaching us about nutrition, strength and mobility training, and then when we get on the ice, they’re showing us skating skills.”

Danielson isn’t expected to make the NHL roster, and because he’s not eligible to play in the AHL, he’ll get another season with Brandon. He’ll return to Detroit later this summer for the Red Wings’ annual prospect tournament, followed by training camp, but in the meantime will work on the plan the Detroit staff gave him.

“I know I need to get bigger and stronger as well as, just being quicker and more explosive,” he said. “So … I’m going to go home (to Edmonton), get in the gym and start working on those things.

“I have an NHL team now, but I still have to earn an NHL roster spot.”

Continued, with commentary from Red Wings assistant GM/director of amateur scouting Kris Draper…

DHN’s Allen on DeBrincat’s hometown ties

Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen reviews the comments made by Steve Yzerman and Alex DeBrincat to the media this morning, discussing DeBrincat’s Michigan ties:

“It’s super exciting obviously,” said DeBrincat. “Growing up here and rooting for the Red Wings when I was younger, it’s definitely a dream come true. I do have to say I don’t think anyone’s happier than my parents. It’s the whole family. Everyone’s happy. It’s a good spot for me. ”

DeBrincat grew up in Farmington Hills and that’s where he started playing youth hockey.

“I played for the Farmington Hills Fire for quite a few years at Farmington Hills Ice Arena, so that rink is pretty special,” DeBrincat said. “Then I moved on to play for Victory Honda, which I’ve trained at for the past couple of years, too. Going to that gym and skating there. Those rinks are obviously special to me. I’ve had a lot of good memories there. It’s just nice to be back here and enjoy this.”

Among DeBrincat’s favorite childhood memories was watching his favorite player Pavel Datsyuk and rooting for the Red Wings when they won the Stanley Cup in 2008. He was 11 then.

His Red Wings fandom also included the latter stages of Steve Yzerman’s career. That’s why it was special when Yzerman called him yesterday after the negotiations with the agent had been completed.

“It was awesome,” DeBrincat said. “Obviously we found out everything was going to be done. He called me a little later last night and we just chatted for a couple of minutes. I just told him I’m really excited to be here. I’m excited for the opportunity that this team is giving me. He just kind of went through what would kind of be our team, what it’s like. It was a good chat.”

Continued