3 Players the Red Wings Should Target in the First-Round
By Evan Mead
The Detroit Red Wings 2021-22 season is almost over. With only 10 games left to play, and being completly removed from the playoff race, they are looking to finish the season strong. However, I’d argue that they should just tank the rest of the season.
The Detroit Red Wings are currently set to finish with a top 10 pick in this years NHL entry draft. Now, rather they win all 10 games or lose all 10 games, their draft positioning wouldn’t really flucatuate all that much because of the point differental.
The Red Wings next 10 games are:
- Ottawa Senators vs Detroit Red Wings
- Detroit Red Wings vs Carolina Hurricanes
- Detroit Red Wings vs New York Rangers
- Florida Panthers vs Detroit Red Wings
- Detroit Red Wings vs Tampa Bay Lightning
- Detroit Red Wings vs Florida Panthers
- Pittsburgh Penguins vs Detroit Red Wings
- Detroit Red Wings vs New Jersey Devils
- Detroit Red Wings vs Toronto Maple Leafs
- Detroit Red Wings vs New Jersey Devils
As you can see, they have a very difficult schedule coming up. And quite frankly, I don’t expect much from them on this 10 game stretch. Because, let’s say they win all of those games- they would gain 20 points. Those 20 points would put them at 86 which would still have them missing the playoffs. Therefore, the best thing the Red Wings can do, is tank the rest of the season and keep themselves in position for a top 10 pick.
Now, if they can execute that game-plan, then the question arises: Who should the Red Wings target with their pick? Well, let’s take a look at some names we feel they should have on their draft board.