Red Wings land one of the fastest-rising forwards in NHL Mock Draft 3.0

47th Overall: Cole Hutson, D/Boston University 

I often joke that we should just chalk up Cole Hutson as another forward because he is a defenseman who plays like one. That said, I hesitate to call Hutson an “offensive defenseman” because he also has sound capabilities, even when the puck isn’t in his team’s possession. 

Overall, if Hutson were a few inches taller or at least 15 to 20 pounds heavier, he’s a surefire first-round pick, and I have a hard time believing he will drop this far. Throughout all levels of competition in 2023-24, Hutson played in 77 contests, scoring 22 goals and 76 points. Players like that, especially defensemen who play a two-way game, don’t often fall this far. 

80th Overall: Elliott Groenewold, D/Quinnipiac University

Unlike Cole Hutson, Elliott Groenewold brings a 6 '2, 201-pound frame, so he’s more than ready to withstand the demands of professional hockey. Also, unlike Hutson, Groenewold’s scoring and points-producing are secondary to his play-killing style, something that involves a physical game and a hockey IQ that allows him to play with anticipation, where he can retake puck possession and set up sequences for his team at will. 

126th Overall: Yegor Graf, C/SKA-1946 St. Petersburg

Still just 17 years old, Yegor Graf will also be in Russia until at least 2025-26 before he decides on where to go next. He needs to pack on some size, and Graf also would do well to gain more consistency. He produced 38 points and 13 goals in 39 MHL contests during the regular season, but that productivity dipped to just one point in 11 games in the postseason.