Stop me if you've heard this one before: the Detroit Red Wings select a center from the University of Michigan who goes on to make a major impact for the team.
Adam Valentini has a rare opportunity in this upcoming draft to join the likes of U of M alumni like Dylan Larkin, J.T. Compher, Andrew Copp and Carter Mazur as Michigan-forged talent to take the ice for the Detroit Red Wings.
It seems like a match made in heaven.
Valentini, an 18-year-old two-way center, fits the protoypical mold of everything general manager Steve Yzerman loves in a player. He's relentless on the forecheck, always in the right position and comes with plenty of offensive upside.
Best of all, he's already excited at the prospect of joining the Red Wings.
"It would definitely be cool," said Valentini at the hockey combine. "Yeah, I think just a player that plays 200 feet of the ice really hard, and I feel like I play each inch of the ice really hard, and I compete, and my hockey IQ I feel like sets me apart from other players."
If the Red Wings can land the U of M product in the second round, they'll have themselves a gem.
What Adam Valentini can bring to the Red Wings
Adam Valentini, by all accounts, could be the spiritual successor to Dylan Larkin. While it's unlikely he tops out as a first line center, he's the exact kind of middle-six guy that a long-term contender could use (or trade down the line).
The reason he's projected around the second round range has less to do with his talent and more to do with his size. Valentini, listed at 5'10", is seen as someone that will need a bit of time to build up some muscle to compete at the NHL level. Recent years show that high-end talent can make up for a diminutive stature.
After all, Detroit's scoring leader, Alex DeBrincat, is just 5'8".
He, too, fell in the draft due to his short stature. Now, he's one of the top goal-scoring threats in the NHL.
Valentini is a player that excels under pressure. He performed at a higher level than ever before, putting up five points in just as many games for Team Canada in the World Junior Championships this year. In 40 games with U of M, he put up 27 points on the team's third line, quickly ascending throughout the team's dominant season.
When the Red Wings can expect Valentini
That said, as a second round talent, it might be a bit of time before Valentini dons the Winged Wheel. At this current juncture, it seems prudent to let Valentini take another year at U of M to round out his game and face tougher competition. With a year under his belt, he'll be given more ice time and more responsibilities (and a greater chance to prove himself).
If the Red Wings manage to luck into Valentini (and keep him), they'll have a diamond in the rough on their hands.
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