With the NHL draft less than a month away, information about the Detroit Red Wings’ intentions with the fourth pick continues to trickle in. Beyond the draft, the Red Wings also have the 2020-21 season to plan for, although a lot of variables remain in play. What can fans expect the team to do this offseason? Let’s start with the general manager himself.
Yzerman Q&A
During the Red Wings’ webseries “The Word on Woodward”, general manager Steve Yzerman took some time to answer some questions pertaining to the offseason as well as how the team hopes to prep for next season. You can watch the Q&A session here:
Some interesting things to note:
- The Red Wings, as well as the other non-bubble teams, are hoping to get an early start on next season’s training camp. Considering those non-bubble teams have not played together since the season shut down in March, the NHL needs to do something in order to get these teams some ice-time.
- Notable prospects Yzerman mentioned as having a chance to crack the roster: Gustav Lindstrom, Moritz Seider and Michael Rasmussen.
- Notable prospect not mentioned by Yzerman as having a chance to crack the roster: Evgeny Svechnikov. Svechnikov is no longer waiver-exempt starting next season.
- The AHL’s season is in flux. Thus is life in a pandemic. If there is an AHL season, expect it to have limited fan attendance. That being said, the alternative is not having an AHL season, and many prospects and minor-league players will have to search overseas for opportunities to play. This is a situation that fans should monitor closely.
Perfetti Interviews Again… Again
Our own Mark Scheig reported on Twitter that 2020 draft prospect Cole Perfetti (C/LW, Saginaw Spirit – OHL) is scheduled to interview with the Red Wings for a third time. Read Mark’s full interview with the young forward here.
It has been widely reported that the Red Wings brass really likes Perfetti. Many mock drafts have the team taking him with the fourth pick of the 2020 draft because of this. I profiled the versatile forward here, and fans shouldn’t be surprised if this is the direction the team goes with their draft pick.
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One thing to keep in mind is that just because a player interviews multiple times with a team does not guarantee that the team is going to select that player. However, it seems that the Red Wings are certainly intrigued by Perfetti. Oct. 6 keeps getting closer and closer…
Precedent of 3 Second-Round Picks
The Athletic’s Max Bultman detailed a recent history of teams that had three second-round picks and how those picks turned out. Of course, the Red Wings themselves had three second-round picks in last year’s draft. Bultman writes:
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“And finally, there was Detroit. The Red Wings, as you are likely aware, did not trade any of their three picks last summer. They selected defenseman Antti Tuomisto at No. 35, forward Robert Mastrosimone at No. 54, and defenseman Albert Johansson at No. 60. Pronman has Mastrosimone and Johansson as ‘legit NHL’ prospects, and Tuomisto in his ‘NHL potential’ tier.” (From ‘What history says could come of the Red Wings’ three second-round draft picks’ – The Athletic – 9/17/20)
The Red Wings’ selections in this year’s second round are at picks 32, 45 and 55. Hitting on one of these picks is a must. Hitting on two of them is and should be a realistic goal. Hitting on all three is the ideal scenario and would do wonders for this rebuild.
Timashov Loaned to Sweden
Dmytro Timashov looks to be headed overseas like many of his Red Wing teammates.
Timashov was claimed off of waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Feb. 24. The 23-year-old played five games with the Red Wings, exclusively in a bottom-six role. Hopefully a head-start overseas (as well as some experience with his new teammates) will help him solidify a depth role while the Wings continue to rebuild.
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