Mock Draft: Who Will the Detroit Red Wings take at #6?

The Detroit Red Wings have the sixth and 22nd picks in the NHL Draft and as many have already written about, this draft is anything but certain after the first choice. While Owen Power has seemingly been the unanimous choice on many mock drafts, it really varies beyond that. Matthew Beniers, William Eklund, Luke Hughes, Jesper Wallstedt and even Mason McTavish are many of the names sprinkled through the top six–albeit in different orders.

We’re going to try our hand as a staff at first determining the top five selections, and then each giving our reason for why Yzerman would take who he does at #6. We’re also going to look at some other factors that could come into play during the draft. We will be doing a full mock draft in the coming weeks.

As a staff, we unanimously all had Owen Power going first to Buffalo, a safe choice for the Sabres as they embark on what might be a franchise altering offseason seeing many stars leave via trade like Jack Eichel.

From there, as you’ll see, there are some that sync up and some that don’t. But the interesting part is that all three of us have the Red Wings taking a different player at six.

Chris’s First Five

• 1. Buffalo – Owen Power
• 2. Seattle – Matthew Beniers
• 3. Anaheim – Brandt Clarke
• 4. New Jersey – Simon Edvinsson
• 5. Columbus – Kent Johnson

Who will Yzerman take at #6?

The Detroit Red Wings will take the best player available that is not a goaltender.  My pick at six is Luke Hughes.  Assuming that Power, Beniers, Edvinsson and Johnson are gone, Hughes makes perfect sense for Detroit.  He is a left shot defense prospect who would fit nicely into the top 4 on defense with Filip Hronek, Moritz Seider and Albert Johansson.

The Detroit Red Wings select defenseman Luke Hughes with the sixth overall pick

Alex’s First Five

1. Buffalo – Owen Power
2. Seattle – Matthew Beniers
3. Anaheim – Simon Edvinsson
4. New Jersey – Luke Hughes
5. Columbus – Kent Johnson

Who will Yzerman take at #6?

It’s the most basic answer, but William Eklund should be Detroit’s pick here. It just makes too much sense. Yes, Detroit needs more than a little help at center, but considering the lack of elite talent in the pipeline and the fact that they’re picking 6th overall, best player available needs to be the philosophy. Eklund has loads of skill and a very, very high ceiling. Go for talent and snag the Swede.

The Detroit Red Wings select forward William Eklund with the sixth overall pick

Of the scenarios that could play out, many wonder if Eichel will be dealt closer to the draft or even on draft day itself. But outside of that, could Yzerman end up making a draft day deal as players inevitably slide or veterans like Eichel are available?

Chris:

Steve Yzerman will be tempted to trade the sixth pick.  He may trade up with Buffalo in order to draft Power.  This trade will probably also have to include one of Detroit’s second round picks or a defense prospect like Donovan Sebrango.  Yzerman could also trade down so that he can obtain a prospect from another team and then draft goalie Jesper Wallstedt at a pick between 10-12.

Alex: 

I’m cautious about a potential Eichel super trade. I’d rather the organization focus on building through the draft and intelligent signings rather than taking a massive risk on a superstar with some lingering injuries. But If Yzerman doesn’t think the prospects in the top ten fit into the Yzerplan (Or he has his eyes set on a goaltender), it makes sense to utilize a premier asset to gain some elusive superstar talent.

Nate: 

Yzerman wants as many spins at the draft wheel as he can get so I think he trades down a few spots if he can acquire more picks or a prospect he’s had an eye on. With this draft being more unpredictable, a trade expert like Yzerman could have a field day maneuvering around and getting more assets.  Like Chris, if he’s wanting to grab Wallstedt, I see him making that deal to go and get him while adding other resources.

Yzerman did field calls at number six two years ago, but rebuffed them believing that Seider wouldn’t be available once they got to him.

As for Eichel, unless he’s blown away, I can’t see him yielding both picks (which is at least what Buffalo would seek) to go after Eichel unless he’s absolutely convinced that this portion of the rebuild is over. From his interviews this season, it doesn’t seem likely.

While we looked at just the sixth overall pick, we’ll be diving into the rest of the draft as things get closer. Knowing that the expansion draft could obviously alter things for teams in an unpredictable draft like this one, this is obviously just making choices based on what we know at this current moment.

One final thought: It wouldn’t be entirely shocking to see Wallstedt be Yzerman’s selection at #6. I know there’s considerable debate about taking goalies that high and while Detroit will need goaltending, it’s ultimately a slot for a skilled skater.

At the end of the day, Yzerman has been bold when drafting (as seen in 2019) and to buck what analysts think wouldn’t be at all surprising.

But I think this draft, as we’re seeing across the board, has the chance to be one with the most surprises in recent memory.