The script for the top of the 2020 NHL draft seems straightforward.
One of the eight teams to lose in the playoff qualifying round will win the second phase of the lottery and select Alexis Lafreniere, practically the best projected selection for all.
The Los Angeles Kings will then select center Quinton Byfield or winger Tim Stuetzle at No. 2. The Ottawa Senators at No. 3 will take who is available between Byfield and Stuetzle.
The Detroit Red Wings select at number 4. This is where the guesswork begins, but defender Jamie Drysdale makes the most sense.
Scripts have a way of changing. We saw that in 2019 when Steve Yzerman, in his first draft as Red Wings general manager, surprised by taking Germany defender Moritz Seider at n. 6, ahead of centers Dylan Cozens and Trevor Zegras, one of which many anticipated that Detroit would. choose.
It is still very early in the evaluation process, but a year later it seems to have been a wise decision.
Seider is a great mobile and mobile defender (6-4, 207) who had an excellent rookie season at AHL Grand Rapids at 18 and a strong World Youth Championship with Germany. He is the main prospect for the Red Wings, one who could be ready for the NHL next season.
The Red Wings have a good core of NHL strikers 25 and under at Dylan Larkin, Anthony Mantha, Tyler Bertuzzi and Robby Fabbri and some promising prospects up front.
His best team of 2018, Filip Zadina has played just 37 games, but is getting closer to establishing himself in the league. Evgeny Svechnikov, his top pick of 2015, will have a chance to prove himself from the start of next season. Michael Rasmussen, his best pick of 2017, could return to the NHL next season after a year of development with the Griffins.
Joe Veleno, Detroit’s second first-round pick in 2018 (30 overall), has a year of AHL experience. Jonatan Berggren, taken three places later, has shown tremendous skills in Sweden despite two injury-ridden seasons.
The Red Wings defense prospect pool is not that strong.
This high on draft teams generally selects the best player on their board, striker or defense. That’s what Yzerman said he would do.
Advancement options will likely include Cole Perfetti centers in Saginaw (OHL) and Marco Rossi in Ottawa (OHL) and wingers Lucas Raymond (Frolunda, Sweden), Alexander Holtz (Djurgardens, Sweden) and Jack Quinn (Ottawa, OHL).
But unless the Red Wings feel that one of those players is clearly superior to Drysdale, Erie (OHL) defender seems to be the best option.
Drysdale (5-11, 175) is described by analysts as a good combination of disc movement skills and defensive acumen. He skates well and is aggressive for his size.
“His intelligence with the puck and excellent footwork and club placement help him against bigger players,” said Red Line Report. “Hard to win the offensive zone on his side of the ice – he keeps his shoulders tight to the disc carriers and closes the gaps perfectly. Extremely dangerous when he has the disc. The calculated pin distributes wealth to all areas in the offensive zone. He uses precise, accurate snapshots from afar, targeting areas where teammates can get detours. The excellent skater unites world-class movements in all four directions. “
Red Line Report said Drysdale’s style compares to Cale Makar, the fourth overall pick of 2017 who has had a strong rookie season with the Colorado avalanche.
Drysdale in two or three years would join a young defense corps that includes Filip Hronek, who settled in the NHL this season, and Seider, who seems confident he will be with the Red Wings sometime next season, if not at the beginning. Dennis Cholowski, his best team of 2016, could be part of the mix if he improves on defense. Gustav Lindstrom could be a capable third pair defender in the future.
Prospects even in high school, college, or Europe include Jared McIsaac, Seth Barton, Kasper Kotkansalo, Albert Johansson, and Antti Tuomisto.
There is some depth of perspective on the blue line, but the Red Wings need another defense with high-end potential. That could be Drysdale.
Plus: Steve Yzerman says Red Wings will have ‘great prospect’ with fourth pick
