After the Senators pick the team that will be not only moving divisions but conferences prior to 2013-14 play will step to the podium.
#17 DETROIT RED WINGS
May 12, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard (35) celebrates the 3-2 victory against the Anaheim Ducks following game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
TEAM STRENGTHS: Winning tradition, strong farm system (the Grand Rapids Griffins just won the Calder Cup)
TEAM WEAKNESSES: Aging leadership group, size on the wings
HOCKEY’S FUTURE ORGANIZATIONAL PROSPECT RANK: 11th of 30 teams
UNDER CONSIDERATION: Alexander Wennburg, Josh Morrissey, Nicholas Petan, Samuel Morin
FANSIDED MOCK DRAFT PICK: Octopus Thrower selected Frederik Gauthier.
SENSHOT’S CHOICE: Alexander Wennburg from Djurgardens in the SEL. In Wennburg the Red Wings would get a solid forward prospect from the usually reliable Swedish system. He might be a couple of years or more away, but that is fine because the Detroit system is built on not rushing prospects to the NHL. He will learn in the Wings’ system and will be ready when called upon. He has some filling out to do on his 6’1″ frame, but that can come in time.
SENSHOT’S MOCK DRAFT TO DATE (click on team to view the selection):
PICK | TEAM | PICK |
1 | COLORADO | Seth Jones, Portland (WHL) |
2 | FLORIDA | Jonathan Drouin, Halifax (QMJHL) |
3 | TAMPA | Nathan MacKinnon, Halifax (QMJHL) |
4 | NASHVILLE | Valeri Nichushkin, Chelijabinsk 2 (KHL) |
5 | CAROLINA | Darnell Nurse, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) |
6 | CALGARY | Sean Monahan, Ottawa (OHL) |
7 | EDMONTON | Nikita Zadorov, London (OHL) |
8 | BUFFALO | Max Domi, London (OHL) |
9 | NEW JERSEY | Alexsander Barkov, Tappera (FIN) |
10 | DALLAS | Hunter Shinkaruk, Medicine Hat (WHL) |
11 | PHILADELPHIA | Zachary Furcale, Halifax (QMJHL) |
12 | PHOENIX | Anthony Mantha, Val D’Or (QMJHL) |
13 | WINNIPEG | Elias Lindholm, Brynas (SEL) |
14 | COLUMBUS | Bo Horvat, London (OHL) |
15 | NYI | Adam Erne, Quebec (QMJHL) |
16 | BUFFALO | Frederik Gauthier, Rimouski (QMJHL) |
17 | OTTAWA | Robert Hagg, Modo (SEL) |
18 | DETROIT | Alexander Wennburg, Djurgardens (SEL) |