Round 2: Christian Humphreys, C/USNTP
In this simulation, the Red Wings aren’t just getting a center for the big club; they’re drafting sound prospects who could take over at the position a few years from now. Christian Humphreys is one possibility, though he can also play winger.
He played more than well over the past two seasons with the United States National Development Team, earning 58 points and 23 goals in just 52 contests this past season. He also aced the point-per-game milestone in the 23 USHL games he also appeared in, notching 24 points and seven goals.
Round 3: Gabriel Frasca, C/Kingston Frontenacs
A center who has the length, but not yet the ideal size for his frame, Gabriel Frasca also isn’t a top of the line scorer, as he has just 30 goals in 102 regular season games for the Kingston Frontenacs. But let’s also not forget he spent a good portion of the season injured, so that inevitably made things tougher for the 18-year-old.
Whether it’s the Red Wings or another organization, whoever takes Frasca will get a better sample size next season if he stays healthy. And that could make the ultimate difference from what was a modest season in Kingston into a dominant one.
Round 4: Hugo Lejon, RW/Vasteras
Like Frasca, Hugo Lejon brings good length, even though he has yet to fill out his frame with muscle. But if you want someone who has playmaker potential slated to fall into the middle rounds, Lejon is that ideal prospect.
This is a player who will get some work in the SHL in 2024-25 following a 61-point, 27-goal season in J20 Nationell. He may be a mid-round pick here, but if Lejon can be a playmaker in Sweden’s premier hockey league, don’t be surprised if he eventually takes the North American game by storm.