The Detroit Red Wings selected eight players during two days of the NHL Entry Draft that concluded Saturday afternoon. The draft was held via video conference call for the second year in a row due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. This year, Detroit selected three defensemen, four forwards and one goalie. Two of the draft picks were from Sweden, three from USA and three from Canada. Only time will tell how good the draft was for the Red Wings, but early indications suggest once again that General Manager Steve Yzerman made some shrewd selections.
Here is a look at the eight players selected by Detroit.
Simon Edvinsson
Round 1, #6 Overall
Position: LD
2021 Team: Frolunda J20 Nationell
GP: 14
G: 1
A: 5
PTS: 6
Analysis
Detroit looked towards Sweden once again for their first of two first round selections. Simon Edvinsson was the first European selected in the draft. Edvinsson began the year playing for Frolunda in Sweden’s top junior league. When the season was cancelled due to the pandemic, he moved up to play for Frolunda in the SHL. Playing an average of just over five minutes a game, Edvinsson recorded one assist in 10 games.
Edvinsson was then loaned to Vasteras (HockeyAllsvenskan) where he played more minutes and accumulated five assists in 14 games. Edvinsson also represented Sweden at the World U18 Championships where he scored four points in seven games. Look for Edvinsson to move up and play full-time with Frolunda (SHL) next year. Edvinsson should also have an important role on Sweden’s World Junior Championship team at Christmas.
Unsigned, ETA 2023
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Sebastian Cossa
Round 1, #15 Overall
Position: G
2021 Team: Edmonton (WHL)
GP: 19
Record: 17-1-1
GAA: 1.57
SV%: .941
Analysis
General Manager Steve Yzerman traded the 23rd, 48th and 138th picks in this year’s draft to select Sebastian Cossa at pick #15. Cossa was the #1 ranked North American goaltender in this draft. He is an enormous (6’6″) goalie with excellent athletic ability. His statistics playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings over the last two years have been outstanding. Cossa will turn 19 years of age in November and will play his final year of junior eligibility for the Oil Kings. Cossa should also play for Canada at the World Junior Championships to be held in his home province and his hometown city in Edmonton, Alberta.
Unsigned, ETA 2024
Shai Buium
Round 2, #36 Overall
Position: LD
2021 Team: Sioux City (USHL)
GP: 50
G: 4
A: 22
PTS: 26
Analysis
General Manager Steve Yzerman moved up two spots in this draft to once again draft a NCAA recruit on defense. Yzerman traded the 38th and 128th picks in order to draft Shai Buium. Buium was ranked as the 20th best North American skater prior to the draft. Buium also played 17 games of prep hockey playing for Shattuck St. Mary’s collecting 13 points. The San Diego, CA native is already 6’3″ and 214 lbs. He will play one more year in the USHL and then move to play with fellow draftee, Carter Mazur at the University of Denver (NCAA) in 2022-23.
Unsigned, ETA 2025
Carter Mazur
Round 3, #70 Overall
Position: LW
2021 Team: Tri-City (USHL)
GP: 47
G: 20
A: 24
PTS: 44
Analysis
After being passed over in his first year of draft eligibility, Steve Yzerman drafted Detroit native Carter Mazur in the third round. NHL Central Scouting had Mazur ranked #67 for all North American skaters. Mazur was the captain of Tri-City (USHL) last year. The rugged forward can play either wing and will graduate to play at the University of Denver (NCAA) next year.
Unsigned, ETA 2025
Red Savage
Round 4, #114 Overall
Position: C/LW
2021 Team: US National U18 (USDP)
GP: 46
G: 18
A: 24
PTS: 42
Analysis
Detroit selected penalty killing specialist Red Savage with their only selection in the 4th round. He is the son of 12 year NHL player Brian Savage. Savage was ranked as the 54th best North American skater prior to the draft. He was the captain of team USA at the World U18 Championships where he scored one goal in five games. Savage will graduate to play for Miami-Ohio (NCAA) next year.
Unsigned, ETA 2025
Liam Dower Nilsson
Round 5, #134 Overall
Position: C
2021 Team: Frolunda J20 Nationell
GP: 16
G: 5
A: 12
PTS: 17
Analysis
Detroit went to Sweden again in the 5th round and drafted Liam Dower Nilsson. NHL Central Scouting ranked Dower Nilsson as the 27th best European skater prior to the draft. Playing with first round selection Simon Edvinsson, Dower Nilsson played on five teams last year. He played for Frolunda J18 where he scored four goals in two games. He played five games for Forlunda (SHL). He was loaned to Hanhals (HockeyEttan) where he collected 14 points in 14 games. Dower Nilsson represented Sweden at the World U18 Championships where he was the captain and scored four points in seven games. Next year he will continue to play for Frolunda in Sweden’s top junior league. He has an outside chance of playing at the World Junior Championships in either 2022 or 2023.
Unsigned, ETA 2025
Oscar Plandowski
Round 5, #155 Overall
Position: RD
2021 Team: Charlottetown (QMJHL)
GP: 39
G: 5
A: 12
PTS: 17
Analysis
General Manager Steve Yzerman added yet another defenseman to the Detroit pipeline. Oscar Plandowski was the 94th ranked North American skater prior to the draft. Last year, Plandowski played for Canada White in the World U17 Championships where he collected four assists in six games. Plandowski has two years of junior eligibility remaining in the QMJHL.
Unsigned, ETA 2026
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Pasquale Zito
Round 6, #166 Overall
Position: C
2020 Team: Windsor (OHL)
GP: 46
G: 3
A: 10
PTS: 13
Analysis
Steve Yzerman rolled the dice when he went with familiarity for his final selection and added Windsor, ON player Pasquale Zito. Zito did not play in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but he did play a full season in 2020 after being selected in the 2nd round of the OHL Priority Selection. NHL Central Scouting ranked Zito 135th in the North American rankings. Expect Zito to play two more years in the OHL before turning pro.
Unsigned, ETA 2026
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