The Detroit Red Wings capped off the 2026 NHL Entry Draft with seven picks: one in each round. This is general manager Steve Yzerman's eighth draft since taking over as general manager back in 2019. In the past, his philosophy centered around responsible, two-way players, a tactic which has yielded mixed results thus far.
This time around, Yzerman pivoted, aiming for higher-skill players rather than safe bets. Here's how he performed in the 2026 Entry Draft:
J.P. Hurlbert - 1st round, 23rd overall
Steve Yzerman got to work after trading Sebastian Cossa, drafting WHL Rookie of the Year J.P. Hurlbert with the 23rd overall pick. Hurlbert, a commit to the University of Michigan, is a high-motor player with an abundance of skill. He'll spend the next year at U of M, but has the potential to make the roster as early as 2027-28.
He's been compared to everyone from Blake Wheeler to Kyle Palmieri and already earned an invitation to the World Junior Summer Showcase. The high-flying forward is the exact kind of player Yzerman needed to take in this draft. If he pans out, he'll be a perfect addition to what will hopefully be a loaded forward core in the future.
Grade: B+
Victor Plante - 2nd round, 47th overall
Overshadowed by the Ruck twins was the union of 2/3 of the Plante brothers in Detroit. Victor Plante, brother of Hobey Baker-winning Max Plante, joins the Red Wings with the 47th pick in the draft. Victor plays a similar game to his brother Max, using their high-end hockey IQ to outfox opponents on both ends of the ice.
That said, a lot of mock drafts didn't have Plante anywhere near 47 in their rankings. Still, if the Red Wings see something in him, it must mean he's got potential. He's been compared to Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators, which means he's got, at the very least, a competitive fire brimming in him.
Let's hope that fire manifests into something more than smoke.
Grade: C+
Michal Orsulak - 3rd round, 79th overall
To no one's surprise, the Red Wings selected a goaltender in this draft. This time around, it's Michal Orsulak, the sixth goaltender (and third Michal) to join the prospect pool. Orsulak earned high praise for his mobility and aggressiveness, two traits that the goaltending pool lacked following the departure of Sebastian Cossa.
According to his coaches, Orsulak is one of the most positive players on the roster. If there's one thing the Red Wings need right now (besides even-strength scorers, a top-line center and a good return on Larkin), it's positivity. It will be years before we see Orsulak don the Winged Wheel, but, if things pan out, he could be a nice third round get.
Grade: B
Adam Levac - 4th round, 108th overall
If there's one thing that can be said about Adam Levac, it's that he doesn't back down from confrontation. Last season, he earned himself a suspension for htis move
Speaking of the edge in Adam Levac's game, here's a nasty move in a fight that earned him a hefty suspension.
We *have* been asking for a lunatic for the Red Wings. 🤷♂️ #LGRW pic.twitter.com/5HlxbfRVll
Levac is similar to Carter Mazur in that he's got that competitive edge to his game. In a draft full of non-traditional Yzerman picks, this one's about as close to an Yzerman pick as it gets. Not bad, not jaw-dropping, but perfectly fine for what it is.
Grade: C+
Beckham Edwards - 5th round, 143rd overall
One interesting trend about this draft is the amount of NCAA commits. You've got Hurlbert (U of M), Plante (Minnesota-Duluth), Orsulak (Northeastern) and now Edwards, a commit to Notre Dame. Edwards is an interesting case, playing on an underwhelming team with the Sarnia Sting, only to sign with another underwhelming hockey program in Notre Dame.
What he lacks in on-paper production he makes up for in high-potential talent. He's great at picking up the little details of the game, making adjustments to his play style as he proceeds. Surround him with better teammates and his numbers will almost certainly improve.
Grade: B+
Luka Arkko - 6th round, 175th overall
Luka Arkko, a 6-foot-3 Finish power forward, blends work ethic and physicality with a surprising amount of mobility. He's able to cut across the creases in split seconds, closing the gap between himself and his opponent before they can have a chance.
The biggest question - apart from the team he'll play for next year - is how his skills will translate to North American ice. He won't have as much legroom to prepare for speedier players, but, on the flip side, they won't have much room to run if he plays aggressively.
Grade: B
Myles Brosnan - 7th round, 196th overall
The only defenseman taken by the Red Wings this draft, Myles Brosnan has the potential to be a legitimate sleeper pick. He's been ranked as high as 50 in pre-draft rankings and as low as 132 elsewhere. Getting a player of his potential in the seventh round is the exact kind of thing that helped the Red Wings to land sleeper picks like Elmer Soderblom and Emmitt Finnie.
#PropertyOfTheProcess #NHLDraft Profile: Myles Brosnan
Hometown: Winchester, MA
Height/Weight: 6’0”, 194 lbs
Current Team: Harvard (NCAA)
2025–26 Stats: 7G–44A–51P in 30 GP
Overview:
Elite blue-line playmaker
Heavy shot generator
Sturdy structural defender
Seamless breakout… pic.twitter.com/JjlcXm3lAl
Brosnan is committed to Harvard University next season, making him the fifth of seven picks headed to the NCAA in 2026-27. With late round picks in the draft, the best thing a team can do is swing for the fences on the highest-potential players they can find. Getting a guy ranked as high as 50th in some prospect rankings in the seventh round has the potential for something magnificent.
Grade: A-
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