The Detroit Red Wings will be choosing once again at the sixth spot. Recently, Daniella Bruce interviewed Steve Yzerman on what exactly he’ll be looking to draft at that spot:
Asked Steve Yzerman about the upcoming NHL Draft during a @DetroitRedWings Winged Wheeled Nation exclusive Q&A: Here is what he thinks about this year's prospect pool: #LGRW #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/rND1q4ewrp
— Daniella Bruce (@daniellabruce_) July 21, 2021
"We could go several different directions. There are several players that we all feel are the same level of prospect. Different countries, different leagues, different positions. So there’s a lot of different ways to go."
So that really doesn’t clear things up. And as Bruce said after speaking with TSN’s Bob McKenzie, there’s just no way to really give a concrete selection on 2-10. Heck, I’ll be honest, who knows if Owen Power will go first overall at this point.
Regardless, there’s a very diverse pool of prospects available at the number six spot. I’ve made my picks (with the help of Chris and Alex as well) in terms of who I believe will be available after the first five selections. I then look at the potential eight players Yzerman might consider at number six.
Of the nine names I provide, I provide a reason why he takes them at six over the other eight names, and then a reason why someone else would be chosen instead of them at six.
Let’s start with the first five selections.
Mock Drafting the first Five Picks
1. Buffalo – Owen Power
2. Seattle – William Eklund
3. Anaheim – Matty Beniers
4. New Jersey – Luke Hughes
5. Columbus – Dylan Guenther
I see Eklund going much higher while Anaheim opts to take Beniers to really strengthen down the middle. Hughes goes with his brother and Guenther gives Columbus some scoring punch down the road, maybe enticing Patrik Laine to stick around a bit longer.
Now onto the Wings. At this spot, Yzerman will have a surplus of players to choose from. For each selection, I will give a brief synopsis of the player and then provide reasoning as to why Yzerman would take that player over the others. Of the players available at six, these are the ones I’m focusing on:
- Mason McTavish
- Kent Johnson
- Chaz Lucius
- Fabian Lysell
- Brandt Clarke
- Simon Edvinsson
- Sebastian Cossa
- Jesper Wallstedt
- Cole Sillinger