With the 2025 National Hockey League (NHL) Draft just over two weeks away, outlets across the league have weighed in on who the Detroit Red Wings will select at the 13th pick.
Detroit may still look to trade out of the first round to get more NHL-ready talent, but if they choose to make a selection, here is who the Wings may take, according to the experts.
Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com and NHL Staff at The Athletic - Victor Eklund, RW, Djurgarden (SWE- 2)
At 5’11’’ and 161 pounds, Eklund is a smaller forward out of Sweden. He matches the Steve Yzerman archetype with a physical edge, a high competitive level, and great speed.
Offensively, Eklund rocks an impressive shot that would be a welcome addition to a Detroit system in need of it. He led all under-20 players in his league with 31 points and 19 goals. He also shone at the World Juniors, posting two goals and six points for Sweden.
Eklund will spend another season with Djurgarden, and it will be interesting to see how the team’s promotion to the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) impacts his performance.
The winger is projected to go in the top ten picks in some mocks, so Detroit would get a steal if he falls to them at 13.
Adam Kimelman of NHL.com and Rachel Doerrie of ESPN - Carter Bear, LW, Everett Slivertips (WHL)
Bear is a very intriguing prospect projected to go between picks 10 and 20. Not only is Bear a smart player with a strong shot, but he is highly physical and stout on the defensive end. His work ethic would fit into the Detroit system seamlessly.
Bear scored 40 goals in 56 games in the WHL this season, while also having a fierce net-front presence and setting up for his teammates with 42 assists. The offense he brings would immediately shoot him up the Detroit prospect rankings.
The reason Bear has slid down the mocks is due to an Achilles injury he suffered in March. However, he is expected to be fully healthy by training camp and the Red Wings should not hesitate to select him if interested.
Tab Bamford of Bleacher Nation - Braeden Cootes, C, Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)*
*Trades between the Red Wings, Calgary Flames, and Tampa Bay Lightning. The Red Wings trade the 13th pick for the 18th pick and Isaac Howard
Bamford was creative with his mock draft, orchestrating multiple trades that ultimately gave the Red Wings Lightning prospect Howard and Cootes with the 18th pick.
Beginning with Howard, the Michigan State University forward became the first Spartan to win the Hobey Baker Award since 2001 this past season. He had 26 goals and 26 assists in 37 games, boasting one of the strongest offensive profiles of any prospect.
Cap constraints and Howard’s commitment to MSU have prevented Tampa from signing Howard since they selected him 31st overall in 2022. As a result, Howard is now due to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason, and the Lightning are looking to move him for a younger, more controlled asset.
If the Red Wings are able to pull this move off, then they would add a high-level prospect that is more NHL-ready than anyone they select at the 13th pick.
Cootes is another all-around forward who would mesh well with the Red Wings. He spends time on the power play and penalty kill, displaying a physical two-way style of play. He had 26 goals and 37 assists with Seattle this season. Cootes has the potential to eventually be a top-line center for an NHL team.
Jordan Orth of The Hockey Writers - Jackson Smith, D, Tri-City Americans (WHL)
The lone defenseman on this list, Smith’s selection by the Red Wings would improve their defensive depth. His left-handedness could eventually pair nicely with Moritz Seider or Axel Sandin-Pellikka on Detroit’s top pairings.
Smith has a solid offensive profile, putting up 11 goals and 54 points in 68 games this season. He has shown great promise in running a power play and facilitating his team in transition.
Defensively, Smith is also strong on the penalty kill and, at 6’3’’ and 195 pounds, has a physical presence on the ice.
Assuming the Wings stay at 13th overall and aim to pick defense, they cannot do much better than Smith.
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