Projecting the Red Wing’s Final Six Picks in the 2021 NHL Draft

Steve Yzerman. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Steve Yzerman. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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6th Round Pick – Brett Brochu, Goaltender

Yes, another goaltender. Yes, another one from the OHL. If you’re a Red Wings fan that is anti-goaltender in the draft this year, you’re in for a sad few draft days. The pipeline needs more talent in the crease, and if Yzerman doesn’t pick up a goaltender early, he’ll almost certainly take swings late.

2021 is Brochu’s second eligible year as a NHL draft prospect. After becoming the winningest rookie goalie in OHL history and putting up fantastic numbers with the London Knights in 2020, it was a bit of a surprise that he didn’t hear his name called during last year’s draft. Brochu didn’t get much of a chance to illustrate his abilities in 2021 after the OHL season was cancelled; he played a single game with the Scranton Penguins in the AHL. It doesn’t really help his draft stock that the game was a bit rough, as he let in five goals and had a save percentage of .861.

After teams passed on him on 2020, there’s a good chance that it’ll happen again this year with the lack of new data. However, late round picks are for taking swings, not aiming for safety. Brochu has already showed that he can play more-than competent hockey in non-junior leagues; Yzerman could end up snatching him up late as a last-ditch effort to improve the goaltending pool of prospects in Detroit.