Octopus Thrower
Fansided

An early look at the Red Wings biggest needs for the 2024 NHL Draft

With another lottery pick, the Detroit Red Wings should have zero issues addressing team needs early in the 2024 NHL Draft, but which one is the biggest?

By Todd Matthews

Washington Capitals v Detroit Red Wings
Washington Capitals v Detroit Red Wings / Nic Antaya/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next

Goaltending may be a tough find, but the Red Wings need one more

Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine should be future Red Wings, thanks to their incredible performances in their respective leagues. Cossa took the next step this past season in Grand Rapids and looked phenomenal, and it’s realistic to believe he will make his NHL debut perhaps as early as next season. 

Augustine crushed it with the NTDP, so the question was whether he would enjoy the same results with the Michigan State Spartans. After one season, things appear to be in smooth sailing, as Augustine posted three shutouts, a 23-9-2 record, a 0.915 save percentage, and a 2.96 GAA. Those numbers will get better as Augustine gains experience, and he will ultimately make a smooth transition to Grand Rapids after another two seasons in college if not three. 

Since Cossa isn’t far off from seeing regular time with the big club either at some point in 2024-25 or, at the absolute latest, 2025-26, Steve Yzerman should at least look to the middle rounds for a sound goaltender in the upcoming draft. 

Eemil Vinni is one name to watch out for, and the projected third-rounder saw 37 games in Finland’s Mestis league this season, posting a 2.72 GAA and an 0.892 save percentage along with two shutouts. 

Home/Draft