The 2012 (Lockout) Draft Class: Part 2
By Peter Fish
June 22, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; General view of the stage and draft board order as commissioner Gary Bettman announces the third overall pick in the 2012 NHL Draft at CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Welcome to the Lockout Class of 2012. Let’s see how each player has progressed since being drafted by The Red Wings in June.
Picking up where we left off, in Round 5.
5th Round (140th pick overall) Mike McKee –
The Red Wings moved away from finesse players by selecting McKee. At 6’4” and 232 pounds he was one of the most physical players in the draft. Last season in 59 games with the Lincoln Star of the USHL he put up 19 points (2 goals) and 237 penalty minutes. McKee is very physical and does not shy away from fights. He has a big shot, but doesn’t produce much on offence, but that will be developed. He is a defensive defenceman first and foremost. Next season he will be attending Western Michigan.
This season with the Lincoln Stars of the USHL McKee has produced 10 points, 2 goals in 23 games. He has, also, posted 202 penalty minutes and will surpass his PIMs (237) from last season. McKee does not back down from fights, but next season at Western Michigan he will have to control himself; as fighting will result in ejections and suspensions. McKee has a bright future as a defensive defenceman and will learn from a great coaching staff at Western Michigan.
6th Round (170th pick overall) James De Haas –
In the 6th Round the Red Wings decided to pick another big strong defenceman and a right-handed shot. The Red Wings list De Haas at 6’4” while the NHL on draft day listed him at 6’2”. He as a decent offensive game and last season with the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots in the OJHL he recorded 29 points (10 goals) in 49 games. The Red Wings look at De Haas as becoming a Brad Stuart type player where he will be able to consistently shutdown opposing offences, but will only contribute occasionally on the offensive side on the ice.
De Haas currently plays for the Pentiction Vees of the BCHL where he has contributed 18 points (4 goals) in 34 games. This puts him at a slower pace than last season, but he has been solid defensively. De Haas has been a consistent producer all season and while he does not have to potential to put up large offensive numbers, consistent production will help him reach the NHL. De Haas will be moving to the NCAA next season with Clarkston University.
You can follow James De Haas @JdeHaas27
Rasmus Bodin at The Detroit Red Wings Developmental Camp. Mandatory Credit: Peter Fish
7th Round (200th pick overall) Rasmus Bodin –
The Red Wings continued selecting large players with the selection of Bodin, whom at 6’6” was the tallest player selected in the draft. Bodin is an aggressive player and uses his size to his advantage. He tends to get called for a lot of penalties though. Whether or not the penalties are a result of his size or bad decisions, he will have to cut down on them. Last season he split his time between Ostersunds IK Junior 18 team and their regular team. With the Junior 18 team he posted 26 points (9 goals) and 94 PIMs in 29 games. When he was promoted to their regular team he posted 10 points (3 goals) and 18 PIMs in 20 games. Red Wings director of European scouting Hakan Andersson discovered Bodin and when Andersson hand icks a player it usually means good things for the Detroit Red Wings.
The Red Wings were looking forward to what Bodin could accomplish this season in the Swedish Elite League, but this season has been a disappointment. Bodin has only played 14 games so far this season and it isn’t because of an injury. He played 13 games for HV71 J20 team and only put up 1 assist and has since been loaned out to Tranas AIF in the Division 1 league. In the only game he has played for Tranas he had 2 assists, but he will have to continue to produce before HV71 decide to bring him back. Bodin has not been able to build off of his success from last season nor the work he put in at the Detroit Red Wings Developmental Camp. The good news for Bodin is he still young and the Red Wings knew he would be a project. But he has to start producing on the ice if he wants the Red Wings to continue to pursue him.
You can follow Rasmus Bodin @mrBoda10
Analysis
In the second half of the 2012 Draft the Red Wings abandoned their pursuit of finesse players and drafted three big bodies that can wear down the opposing team. McKee, De Haas, and Bodin, according to the Red Wings, are all over 6’4” and can shutdown an opposing team by sheer strength and size. All three are long term projects for the Red Wings though. McKee and De Haas will both be making the jump to NCAA next season, where the Red Wings will let them play for at least three years; while Bodin will mature in the Swedish Elite League. If they are fortunate enough to make the jump to the AHL or NHL it will not be for another 4-5 years. But if one or all of them make it the Red Wings will have a big, strong guy who will beat up on opposing players.