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Fansided

2015 NHL Mock Draft: Detroit Red Wings First Round Pick

By Gwen De Young

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With the 19th overall selection in the 2015 NHL Mock Draft, the Detroit Red Wings select; Ryan Pilon from the Brandon Wheat Kings.

This pick may upset some, others it may baffle, maybe some of you understand me fully and get this pick. Yet, which ever group you fall into let me explain this pick of a defenseman at the number 19 spot for the Red Wings. Trust me, it is only for the good of this team.

The defenseman I wanted, Pilon’s teammate Ivan Provorov, was taken by the time the Red Wings got on to the clock, so, I went with the next best choice in Pilon. These two were a force to be reckoned with while playing with the Wheat Kings this season. You can check out a hybrid highlight package of Pilon here.

Player bio

View image | gettyimages.com

Name: Ryan Pilon
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 206 lbs
Age: 18
Shoots: Left
Hometown: Prince Albert, Saskatchewan

I picked a defensman at 19 for the Red Wings because this team needs to become more physical. This kid is the definition of physical and that is a good thing. Another reason I picked this kid is due in part to his ability to fight and to really push players around. He can fight, but isn’t really a goon like players such as Paul Bissonette or Colton Orr.

I liked his teammate Provorov for the same reason, but Pilon is a bit bigger in height and weight. Pilon is a some what hidden gem that could fall into the Red Wings lap like so many picks before him have. While he may only look to be a fighter he can do so much more and that only makes him a even better pick at 19.

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    • This season in Brandon, Pilon made a name for himself. He netted a total of 52 points on 11 goals and 41 assists while being a positive 36 player in 68 games this regular season. In the Western Hockey League playoffs, he only continued to be a force until the Wheat Kings were knocked out. In the playoffs Pilon played in 19 games. There he registered 11 assist and one goal and was a minus 8 player.

    This young kid is not only physical but can also help out when he needs to. He probably won’t put up big bright numbers for you, but he is a big body that you can put in front of the net and get that late second deflection you need. He can be a pest to opposing goaltenders and can help every single teammate around him.

    "A workhorse defender for the WheatKings with edgy physicality and some offensive creativity. Has an excelllent one-timer and a deceptive no-look wrister. – Bill Placzek"

    Watching the WHL this season I adopted the Brandon Wheat Kings as my team. I’ve watched Pilon play a lot of hockey. Watching the Wheat Kings play so much was the reason I was high on his teammate, but I was high on Pilon as well seeing him play so much.

    The Red Wings need to become a more physical team and they can do that through the draft and/or free agency, but drafting I think is the best way to do that. Getting young legs that can run guys over can do nothing but good for your team. This entire season I watched the Red Wings get run over by teams from the Western Conference and Eastern Conference.

    While Pilon isn’t a fancy name like McDavid or Eichel, he is the fancy player the that the Red Wings need in their future. This kid will do nothing but succeed throughout the Red Wings system and can be ready to play in the NHL sooner than most.

    The rest of the Fansided 2015 NHL Mock Draft:

    1. Edmonton Oilers (Oil on Whyte) – Connor McDavid
    2. Buffalo Sabres (Sabre Noise) – Jack Eichel
    3. Phoenix Coyotes (Howlin’ Hockey) – Dylan Strome
    4. Toronto Maple Leafs (Editor in Leaf) – Mitch Marner
    5. Carolina Hurricanes (Cardiac Cane) – Noah Hanifan
    6. New Jersey Devils (Pucks and Pitchforks) – Mathew Barzal
    7. Philadelphia Flyers (Broad Street Buzz) – Lawson Crouse
    8. Columbus Blue Jackets (Union and Blue) – Zach Werenski
    9. San Jose Sharks (Blades of Teal) – Pavel Zacha
    10. Colorado Avalanche (Mile High Sticking) – Mikko Rantanen
    11. Florida Panthers (The Rat Trick) – Ivan Provorov
    12. Dallas Stars (Blackout Dallas) – Jeremy Roy
    13. L.A. Kings (Rink Royalty) – Paul Bittner
    14. Boston Bruins (Causeway Crowd) – Travis Koneony
    15. Calgary Flames (Flame for Thought) – Jakub Zboril
    16. Edmonton Oilers (Oil on Whyte) – Evgeni Svechnihov
    17. Winnipeg Jets (Hockey at the Forks) – Nick Merkeley
    18. Ottawa Senators (Senshot) – Kyle Connor

    You’re on the clock next Minnesota Wild, have fun Gone Puck Wild!

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