How Are the Detroit Red Wings Top Five NHL Draft Picks Performing?

DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Filip Zadina poses after being selected sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JUNE 22: Filip Zadina poses after being selected sixth overall by the Detroit Red Wings during the first round of the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center on June 22, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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Detroit Red Wings
(Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)

A continuing trend from the Red Wings 2018 NHL Draft class was another forward… selecting Swedish forward Jonatan Berggren early in the second round again shying away from taking a defenseman still.

The Detroit Red Wings selected Jonatan Berggren in the second round three picks before they finally nabbed a defenseman. Berggren is an 18-year old Swedish prospect who represented Team Sweden in the IIHF tournament this year.

In the 5 games with Team Sweden, he managed only 3 assists and was even in terms of plus/minus. This season he has played only sixteen games in the Swedish Hockey League where he has also only put up three assists.

The 5’10”, 178lb winger has a lot to develop before we see him over here as a part of the Red Wings franchise. Berggren has flown well under the radar in this season most likely due to the lack of production.

He is merely trying to strengthen his game, he is known for his hands and puck control, and he will need to make sure other areas of his game can develop before he gets a shot at the Red Wings organization.

In terms of his future with the Detroit Red Wings, expect Berggren to be a revisited prospect in the coming years, he is still very young and has a lot of raw talent that needs to be shown, needs to be developed, and needs to be perfect.

At 18 years old it could take him some time before the Red Wings feel he is ready for NHL or AHL competition. His smaller build means that he will be required to develop some strength