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Could the Red Wings Select A Wolverine in the 2021 NHL Draft?

By Alex Faber

DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 17: Nick Blankenburg #7 of the Michigan Wolverines as teammates celebrate a victory against the Michigan State Spartans during the annual NCAA hockey game, Duel in the D at Little Caesars Arena on February 17, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wolverines defeated the Spartans 4-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - FEBRUARY 17: Nick Blankenburg #7 of the Michigan Wolverines as teammates celebrate a victory against the Michigan State Spartans during the annual NCAA hockey game, Duel in the D at Little Caesars Arena on February 17, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The Wolverines defeated the Spartans 4-1. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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With a pick likely in the top three in the 2021 NHL draft, the Detroit Red Wings will have a wide range of top talent to select from. Three players near the upper echelon of this years elite talent are currently playing with the Michigan Wolverines, are any of them possible picks for Detroit?

Owen Power

In a draft without a consensus number one overall pick, Wolverines defenseman  Owen Power is certainly making his case.

At 6 foot 5 inches, the towering freshman defenseman’s physicality is one of his greatest strengths. Power’s speed is also quite impressive for a player his size. His agility and physicality combined with his elite hockey IQ don’t just make for an impressive defensive skillset, Power has also shown his ability as an offensive player. He led all defenseman in the USHL with his 40 points during his time with the Chicago Steel last year. Although his scoring as slumped a bit in his Freshman year with the Wolverines (3 goals and 13 assists), he still has over half a point per game.

As a two-way player, Owen Power is exactly the type of defenseman that GMs covet in the NHL.

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So, if Power is still on the board, should Detroit pick him up?

Owen Power would certainly be welcome on any team in the NHL, and the Red Wings are no different. However, Detroit already posses a very solid core of  defensive prospects. Moritz Seider, drafted for his defensive skillset, has developed his offensive ability impressively in the Swedish Hockey League, and looks to be not only Detroit’s best defensive prospect, but one of the best in the league. Albert Johansson has also developed rapidly in the SHL this season, and looks ready to make a move into the main roster within a few years. Even third round pick Donovan Sebrango has impressed with the Griffins so far, signing an entry level contract with the organization. Also, although already on the main roster, Filip Hronek is having a solid year in terms of points (leads the team in both points and assists, with 15) and will likely continue to develop.

To sum it up, Owen Power is a fantastic two way player, and perhaps the best defenseman in this year’s draft, but Detroit’s defensive core is already pretty solid. It certainly presents general manager Steve Yzerman with something else to think about.

Kent Johnson

Kent Johnson is another Wolverine projected at the top end of the 2021 draft. Second on the Wolverines in scoring (8-18-26) and 19th in the NCAA, Johnson is having an impressive year in Ann Arbor. Averaging over a point per game, he’s been a major catalyst for the Michigan offense.

Johnson’s main offensive abilities are his elite puck handling and offensive instinct. While not a sniper or elite goal scorer, Johnson acts as a playmaker for an offense, using his hockey IQ to read plays and trick defenders in ways only some players can. He has also developed his strength and speed nicely in his freshman year with the Wolverines.

So is Kent Johnson on Yzerman’s draft board? Almost certainly.

Although not necessarily the top-of-the-league end talent that Detroit is searching for, Johnson’s natural puck handling talent and offensive IQ would provide an excellent addition to an organization looking to round out its forward prospect core. Johnson’s playmaking ability combined with some of Detroit’s other top forward prospects (Lucas Raymond comes to mind) make him one of the more interesting possible additions for Yzerman’s team.

Matthew Beniers

Another Wolverine projected in the top ten of the draft is forward Matthew Beniers. He is averaging exactly a point-per-game (10 goals and 13 assists) in his first season in Ann Arbor.

While not a massive goal-scorer or flashy player, Benier’s speed and creativity make him a fantastic pro-prospect. With skills likely to translate well to the NHL, Beniers looks like a forward that will add depth to any lineup. He can also play in the top line of any special teams unit. His puck possession makes him a coveted penalty killer, and his speed can create all sorts of chances on the power play.

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Again, Matthew Beniers lacks the elite talent that Detroit needs for its next step in the rebuild; most draft analysts have Beniers slotting into an NHL roster as a great second line forward. Detroit needs someone that will step into a top line spot. However, in a draft lacking any real game breaking talent, Beniers would make a good addition to round out the forward pipeline, and could add some youth and speed to the middle and lower lines of the Red Wings.

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