The 2023 NHL Draft is complete, Steve Yzerman & Kris Draper have made their picks for Hockeytown, and we have a new Detroit Red Wings draft class - and with it, another MASSIVE podcast mega-episode!
Tune in as we begin by recapping the 1st round of the draft (results below) (5:35), leading up to the Detroit Red Wings selecting Nate Danielson 9th overall. We discuss how he compares to Dvorsky, Moore, & others available, whether the pick fits Detroit's rebuild needs, how he slots in with Larkin & Kasper, pick reactions, & more analysis (16:40).
Moving through the 1st round, we reach the Red Wings' second top pick: Axel Sandin Pellikka 17th overall. We discuss how he "replaces" Filip Hronek, addresses a positional need, how he slots in compared to Seider, Edvinsson, & other defensemen, his style of game (Letang type?), pick reactions, value, 1st round grades, & plenty more (29:30).
We move on to the 2nd round, where we go over Yzerman's 3 picks (& a trade back), first, goaltender Trey Augustine out of the USNTDP (40:55), big, right-handed defenseman Andrew Gibson (47:55), and an even bigger, hard-hitting left-handed defenseman in Brady Cleveland, which leads to a passionate discussion on draft strategy, upside, & Detroit's lack of scoring talent (54:55).
After that, Detroit drafts brother of Liam Dower Nilsson (2021 Red Wings pick), Noah Dower Nilsson, to start the 3rd round, adding scoring talent (1:04:55). In the 4th round, left-handed defenseman Larry Keenan (1:09:20), and in the 5th round RHD Jack Phelan (1:11:40) and intriguing German forward Kevin Bicker (1:13:20). Another "Cossa insurance" goaltender in Rudy Guimond in the 6th round (1:15:20) before wrapping up with center Emmitt Finnie in the 7th round (1:16:05).
To wrap up the initial draft recap, we give our overall Red Wings/Yzerman & Draper draft grades, vibes, and general thoughts (1:17:40) - with plenty more on these players to come!
Finally, we discuss the trade in which Yzerman acquired Klim Kostin & Kyler Yamamoto for "Future Considerations" from Ken Holland & the Edmonton Oilers, where both players could fit into the lineup, and if Yamamoto will even stay with the Red Wings (1:23:45).
To wrap up, we discuss the Alex DeBrincat trade that never materialized on the draft floor, why Pierre Dorion hasn't pulled the trigger, other trades that never happened, free agency notes, Al Murray news, & lots more (1:31:55) before we take your question during Overtime (1:42:10) - enjoy this massive episode!
Head over to wingedwheelpodcast.com to find all the ways to listen, how to support the show, and so much more.
Red Wings Draft Class:
9) Nate Danielson, C
17) Axel Sandin Pellikka, D
41) Trey Augustine, G
42) Andrew Gibson, D
47) Brady Cleveland, D
73) Noah Dower Nilsson, W
117) Larry Keenan, D
137) Jack Phelan, D
147) Kevin Bicker, W
169) Rudy Guimond, G
201) Emmitt Finnie, C
NHL 1st Round Draft Results:
1) Connor Bedard
2) Leo Carlsson
3) Adam Fantilli
4) Will Smith
5) David Reinbacher
6) Dmitri Simashev
7) Matvei Michkov
8) Ryan Leonard
9) Nate Danielson
10) Dalibor Dvorsky
11) Tom Willander
12) Daniil But
13) Zach Benson
14) Brayden Yager
15) Matthew Wood
16) Samuel Honzek
17) Axel Sandin Pellikka
18) Colby Barlow
19) Oliver Moore
20) Eduard Sale
21) Charlie Stramel
22) Oliver Bonk
23) Gabe Perrault
24) Tanner Molendyk
25) Otto Stenberg
26) Quentin Musty
27) Calum Ritchie
28) Easton Cowan
29) Theo Lindstein
30) Bradley Nadeau
31) Mikhail Gulyayev
32) David Edstrom
Max's article: https://theathletic.com/4653541/2023/06/29/red-wings-2023-nhl-draft-picks-trades/
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