Ten possibilities for Red Wings with 15th pick in draft
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman likely will take the highest player on the team’s draft board with the 15th pick, whether he’s a center, winger or defenseman.
Ideally, he’ll be a winger who can put the puck in the net. That’s the biggest organizational need.
The Red Wings used their past two first-round picks on two-way centers, Marco Kasper is 2022 and Nate Danielson in 2023. They have a decent stable of young defensemen: Moritz Seider is well-established, Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson will be on the roster at the start of next season and Axel Sandin-Pellikka might not be far behind. Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine are their goaltenders of the future.
They need goal-scorers.
The draft is top-heavy with defensemen. As many as six might be selected in the top 10. That could leave more scoring options for the Red Wings in the middle of the first round. Here is a look at some who might be available at No. 15 during the first day of the draft June 28 at the Sphere in Las Vegas:
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, 6-1, 198, RW, Mora (Allsvenskan, Sweden): The top Norwegian prospect of all-time, his game has been progressing nicely in the Swedish leagues. The Sporting News says, “The right winger is incredibly well-rounded with few holes in his game. He does a lot of things well, including scoring from range and handling the puck.”
Berkly Catton, 5-11, 163, C/W, Spokane (WHL): He probably won’t be available at 15, but if he is he’ll be hard to bypass after finishing third in the WHL in goals (54) and fourth in points (116). Thehockeywriters.com says Catton “excels in all facets of the game, with no glaring weaknesses whatsoever besides his lack of size.”
Trevor Connelly, 6-1, 161, Tri-City (USHL): Immensely talented offensive player was second in the league in points (78) and tied for seventh in goals (31). Thehockeywriters.com said of Connelly: “There isn’t any question about Connelly’s skill. He’s extremely confident when attacking defenders head on and powering through them with his skating and puck skills.” Off-ice controversy could cause him to drop.
Cole Eiserman, 6-0, 195, LW, USNTDP: It seems unlikely he’ll be around when the Red Wings pick, but if he is, he could be a steal at that spot after scoring 25 goals in 24 games. Capfriendly.com wrote: “He’s arguably the most elite pure shooter in the draft class. Hungers for the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. Shoot first approach.”
