NHL Draft: Detroit Red Wings Third Round Picks
By Daniel Garza
The Detroit Red Wings had a busy third round of the National Hockey League Draft with a total of four picks.
Four of the Red Wings 11 picks came in the third round. Here are the players they selected.
Kasper Kotkansalo
Kotkansalo hails from Helsinki, Finland but played for Sioux Falls Stampede in the United States Hockey League this past season. The 18-year-old defenseman had 12 points in 47 appearances with one goal and 11 assists.
Future Considerations had this to say about Kotkansalo
"“A two-way, reliable defender with some offensive upside…has the skating ability and hockey sense to close gaps extremely well…backwards skating and balance are both very strong…gets involved on both sides of the puck…handles and controls the puck well…displays high-end vision…his first pass is on target…moves the puck efficiently and quickly in his passing game.”"
He is committed to play at Boston University next season.
Lane Zablocki
The Canadian forward is a great pickup for the Red Wings. In the 2016-17 season, he spent time with both the Regina Pats and the Red Deer Rebels in the Western Hockey League. He was traded to the Rebels in a deadline trade deal.
Zablocki had a combined 54 points this past season with 28 goals and 26 assists.
In an interview with the DubNetwork, he talked about his game and consistency.
"“That is one thing that I’ve tried to improve since first year of junior. Points mean you’re doing something right. I still need to work on being consistent in every area of my game, not just on offence.”“The other thing I’m working on is my board work and net-front play with tips and stuff. That is a big part of my game, working hard in and around the net.”"
Zach Gallant
Gallant is another center with lots of potential as he progresses in his career. He played for the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League for the past two seasons. In the 2016-17 campaign, Gallant had an impressive 47 points in 60 appearances, with 21 goals and 26 assists.
The Peterborough Examiner talked about his recent success at the draft combine.
"“Gallant performed well at the recent NHL combine physical testing finishing among the top 10, of 103 participants, in six of the tests including second overall in pull ups. He also ranked 19th in a seventh event. He was also interviewed by 21 of the 31 teams.”"
Keith Petruzzelli
The only goalie taken by the Red Wings in the draft was Petruzzelli. He played for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the USHL producing a 2.40 goals against average and a .918 save percentage.
According to NHL Central Scouting, Petruzzelli was the second-ranked North American goaltender in the draft.
Al Jensen of NHL scouting talked about the young goaltender.
"“He has shown steady improvement since the beginning of the season and has turned into an excellent NHL goalie prospect,” Jensen of Central Scouting said. “His style resembles the way [Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender] Matt Murray plays. He’s good on his angles, is square to the shots. He’s tough to beat low as he seals the ice and five-hole with his leg extensions. He has good rebound control with the soft pads and he absorbs the higher shots well into his body.”"
Petruzzelli is committed to play at Quinnipiac University. He will definitely be a player to keep an eye on as he develops his game at the collegiate level.