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Wings Draft: Three (More) Prospects for Detroit in the Second round

By Alex Faber

SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: Signage is seen on location prior to the start of the first round of the 2020 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 06: Signage is seen on location prior to the start of the first round of the 2020 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft at the NHL Network Studio on October 06, 2020 in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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Red Savage – C

BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 6: Josh Norris #14 of the U.S. National Under-18 Team celebrates his goal against the Boston University Terriers during NCAA exhibition hockey at Agganis Arena on October 6, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Terriers won 8-2. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 6: Josh Norris #14 of the U.S. National Under-18 Team celebrates his goal against the Boston University Terriers during NCAA exhibition hockey at Agganis Arena on October 6, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Terriers won 8-2. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) /

Savage could be considered a reach in the second, as many projections rank him as a third rounder. But C.R. Davies of the Hockey Writers said it best in his profile on Savage: “He’s a swiss army knife.”

Savage centered the U.S. Under 18 team for 46 games this season, scoring 18 goals and 24 assists in that time. He also had a bit of playing time in the junior World Championship, where he snagged a goal in five games.

Savage is a two-way player that leans on his defensive skillset. He’s that stereotypical fourth-line grinder that coaches (Like Jeff Blashill) covet; he can keep opposing offenses quiet, win faceoffs, excel on the penalty kill and play safe offensively. If Savage wants to play on an NHL roster, he needs to improve his offensive skillset significantly. He doesn’t posses much raw talent on offense.

If the Red Wings select Savage in the second, it’ll probably be to balance out a few risky picks in the first. Savage is a relatively safe pick, as a lot of his skillset can translate comfortably into the lower lines of an NHL team.

Also, c’mon, the name. It’s too good to pass up.

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