Picking better players in Rounds 2 through 7 should be a must for Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman when he gears up for the NHL Draft.
And no, it doesn’t mean I want to see more success stories for the Wings for players taken in Rounds 2 through 7. I mean, with an NHL lineup of 23 players, a very, very small number will end up wearing the winged wheel regularly. And it’s one reason I wouldn’t mind seeing the draft cut down to about five rounds if you want my honest take.
But, this is also where trade bait comes in for contenders, and why the Wings need a few more ringers here than they’ve snagged in recent memory. But I also wouldn’t mind seeing a few of them pan out, and if Steve Yzerman took Theo Stockselius in Round 2, I’d be more than okay with that.
What would make Theo Stockselius so exciting if the Red Wings drafted him?
For one, he’s younger, and he doesn’t turn 18 until July 24th. This could allow the Wings to more than take their time with his development. And if he keeps playing a good game in J20, and eventually, for Djurgardens’ big club, he’ll be a prospect to watch should he end up in Detroit’s system.
In 2024-25, Stockselius played in J20 Nationell, and he ended up putting up 51 points and 22 goals in 40 games. Producing at over a point-per-game pace in 2025-26 will more than give him a look to play for and stick around with the big club in Sweden, and his overall versatility helps in that regard.
Oh, and his size is another major plus since Stockselius stands at about 6’3, and clocks in at 196 lbs. Yeah, he can add some muscle, but if he reaches the 210-215-lb range, he’ll be more than primed to withstand the pro, and North American game’s, demands.
What would Theo Stockselius’ path to the NHL look like?
Since Stockselius is most likely a Round 2 pick at the earliest, he could be a player you won’t see enter North America for a while. But, for a prospect drafted in Round 2 or later, teams could and should wait on their overall development.
Still, with Stockselius’ size, skillset, versatility, and productivity, he’s that ‘high-upside,’ ‘high-reward’ type of player. Exactly the one you want in your prospect pool; not only in Round 2, but all the way until Round 7.
And it doesn’t matter if we don’t see a player in Stockselius’ mold debut in the NHL until they’re 24. The Wings have a dynamic core, and it’s one they’ll be adding to this season. All of that said, I’d be in no hurry to see a player like Stockselius grace North American ice.
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