Your least favorite Red Wings draft picks

[HoweFan]

I usually embrace whoever the Wings pick so I don’t have many I didn’t like. Two I didn’t care for were Abdelkader and goalie Joran Van P. Years ago I was a little upset with the pick of a small defenseman named Kronvall. That taught me to be quiet and trust the Wings

 

[Retire91]

The Cholo pick because of everything that it represented during those late stage Holland strive for sustained mediocrity years. The picks we didn't have because of Legwand Quincey.

 

[Retire91]

The Jagr pick used to bug me but then word came out that he wasn't going to play anywhere except the Penguins. He allegedly told the top 4 teams he wanted to lpay with Mario.

It was rigged from the getgo.

I had not heard about that and it actually I feel like I like the guy a lot less now. That would mean the wings got robbed of both Bure and Jagr over odd technicalities. I kinda get when a player of that caliber says I will 'not' play for team X for whatever reason but saying you will 'only' play for team X is kinda BS when you are draft eligible. I thought they just missed on Jagr I didn't realize Jagr pulled that.

 

[Filppula]

Reading through this thread, I still think Smith’s talent is vastly overrated. Some flashes sure, but it’s as though some people think he was better coaching/properly utilised away from being a star. Defensive train wreck and no hockey IQ.

 

[Tetsuo]

The McCollum pick has always rubbed me the wrong way, because Josi was picked not long after. That would have been an absolute coup and would have set the team up for a much easier rebuild. The Landon Ferraro pick a year later was also really bad in hindsight, the 2009 second round had some real gems.

More recently, I was not high on the Rasmussen pick, as I was a huge fan of Necas, Vilardi and to a lesser extent Suzuki that year. I know that that it was a pretty weak draft but his one-dimensional scoring in his draft year felt like it was too much of a luxury pick. I'm still a believer in Ras, he could be a special teams weapon down the road, but I have significant doubts he will be more than a complimentary player in the show.

That said, for as much as a bust as the 2015 draft was for us, I can't really fault the Svechnikov pick. No one could have predicted the injuries to have hampered him as severally as they have, so even if he only turns out to be a borderline replacement level player it would still be a victory in my book.

 

[PelagicJoe]

The award needs to be named after Riley Sheahan.
Brendan Smith
Jakub Kindl

Pretty much every defenseman not named Hronek.

 

[Winger98]

I am usually okay with the picks, it is a complicated process. But I can remember who I was debating during the last bunch of them.

2015: Svech - I was okay with this, I was very high on Carlo, that would have been seen as a reach by a lot of people, but he was a player that I really wanted in this draft in our slot.

2016: Cholo - was okay with the logic of going with him, Rubstov or Tage Thompson were probably the guy's I was highest on left on the board, I was pretty indifferent on this pick, was happy to move the Datsyuk contract and get a second rounder, wanted Fabbro if we stayed in our #16 slot at that point. But I don't really remember this one that well. In both 2015 and 2016 the players I really liked a lot didn't fall and the players I had up my board could be seen as reaches, so I got it, just a weird spot to be. I was absolutely in love with McAvoy and he didn't fall.

2017: Ras - I had Necas as my pick at that point in terms of my board. I actually liked what the Rasmussen pick represented though. It was a real swing for the fences pick when I talked to people I knew about the thought process, which I did dig. Was hoping Pettersson or Mittelstadt would fall they did not. I did really like that Necas was a right-hander and a lot of his game. Hopefully the Wings can weaponize Rasmussen the right way, he has a ton to be excited about he needs to stay healthy now and take a big step this year, but I still think he offers a ton.

2018: Zadina - Quinn Hughes and this was the one I was most personally upset about, but I get it. That was just my board where I had him #3, I was praying Tkachuk would fall as I heard he was two on our board in that draft and I had him at #4 on my board. Was also cool with Dobson as my #5 on my board. But I was on the Quinn Hughes hype train from day 1, loved his game and thought he would translate to the NHL despite his doubters. I let out an expletive when we picked Zadina. I know most of Red Wings nation was happy, I was pretty disappointed. But I really hope Zadina can be what so many hoped for, he has a lot of talent, I just was a massive Quinn Hughes guy and it wasn't hindsight like a lot of people like to say when you say it now. I begged for him all year and was going crazy when the TSN desk made it seem like we were going to pick him. Was glad that they didn't draft Bouchard another name you were hearing a lot.

2019: Seider - Broberg was the guy on my board, would have also been good with Cozens. I liked the Seider pick though, much of what I liked about Broberg applied to Seider, so I dug what they were doing.

Yeah, wasn't happy with Ras but I like the thinking of swinging for the fences on it. I think Zadina is the same way. Dobson was my guy, and I still think he's a safer prospect, but if Zadina hits his projections... . I was also high on Broberg but dug the Seider pick. There are almost always guys I prefer in the draft to who we pick, but I can respect trusting the staff and going for someone.

His was a case of quite the fizzling out but I don't remember how exactly. He showed enough promise that I wonder if he just didn't think playing in NA was worth it anymore? I mean, yeah, overall he just wasn't good enough but with his tools you'd think he would have been on an NHL bottom six somewhere.

I remember him getting hurt every time he was up for a significant stretch. The last time I think he blew out his knee? If he had stayed healthy that last time, I think he would have carved out a spot for himself.

Haha. I'd learned to back off a little bit by then. The Lofberg/Ryno/HatTrickDick fizzles grizzled me.
But I still thought (and think) Pulkkinen could be a decent top 9 forward/powerplay guy in the NHL if given the opportunity. (But I still check Mursak's stats and wonder if he could make the NHL)

Man, do I miss his stuff.

I get it that people have different priorities, but HTD really feels like a guy who threw away a big NHL career because he just didn't want to put in the work. And considering he came over with Ryno, and then Ryno followed him back to Sweden, I wonder if he didn't screw up that prospect a bit, too.

 

[RabidBadger]

I had not heard about that and it actually I feel like I like the guy a lot less now. That would mean the wings got robbed of both Bure and Jagr over odd technicalities. I kinda get when a player of that caliber says I will 'not' play for team X for whatever reason but saying you will 'only' play for team X is kinda BS when you are draft eligible. I thought they just missed on Jagr I didn't realize Jagr pulled that.

I have a different take on that situation. Drafting Primeau ultimately led to Shannahan landing here. I think it's real hard to think of the glory years and not picturing Shanny.

Jagr is an all-timer, no doubt, but maybe not the right guy. I couldn't imagine him lasting very long in Bowman's locker room. To paraphrase Herb Brooks, you don't want the best guys, you want the right guys.

On the flip side, it would have been awesome to draft him and bend another team over if they really wanted him, ala, Eric numbnut-no cup Lindros.

 

[RabidBadger]

Reading through this thread, I still think Smith’s talent is vastly overrated. Some flashes sure, but it’s as though some people think he was better coaching/properly utilised away from being a star. Defensive train wreck and no hockey IQ.

That's a real easy take in hindsight. I can't speak for the others, but TZE and I followed him closely through his career at Wisconsin and GR. No doubt he was a project, but there was really good progress during those years.

It was obvious he was never going to be Ryan Suter in his own zone. However, I don't think it's absurd to think someone who was a Hobey candidate in a stacked conference and went on to put up some solid AHL numbers could be a good NHL player.

If you care to repost any comments you made saying he'd be a bust pre-NHL then I'll commend you on your foresight.

 

[Dotter]

I'm still bummed Kenny Holland didn't draft Victor Hedman. I know we didn't have a draft pick to get him, or the assets to trade for that pick... dammit! But still about as logical as these hindsight 20/20 threads.

I see a lot of Vilardi vs RAS comments. But RAS is a much, much, much better skater AND has more NHL goals than Vil.

I think RAS tops out as a 3rd line specialist (think Jordan Staal 2009 PENS type impact). Not a player that takes over and wins games, but a player that helps your team win championships.

If we're building a Stanley Cup Championship Team, and I think that is everyone's goal, then RAS is the type of player you want with your #9 NHL 2017 Entry Draft Pick.

Not every 1st round pick needs to be a flashy ELITE SUPERSTAR potential or BUST. It's okay to sprinkle in some unique depth players that can help win CHAMPIONSHIPS.

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

2013: Hated the Bertuzzi pick at the time, was proven wrong though. Also wanted Buchnevich (soley because other people here talked him up).

2014: Was happy with Larkin but was also looking at Ho-Sang. Once again, I was wrong. Remember really liking Kadeykin given his draft position (and still do even if he didn’t make it over. Most players picked there aren’t as good as him, even if he didn’t make it).

2015: liked Svechnikov at the time but was really hoping we’d trade up to one of Boston’s picks when it looked like they weren’t going to pick Barzal. I distinctly remember saying I’d be happy if they traded all of our picks to move up the few spots needed, as I just really liked his game.

2016: didn’t like Cholowski, but liked Hronek and Smith after reading about them. If this was the Debrincat draft, I remember wanting him.

2017: by far my least liked draft. Didn’t want Rasmussen over Vilardi, Necas, or Suzuki, the latter two we supposedly took out to dinner. Still, I give them a bit of leniency on this draft, as it later came out we had Pettersson #1 or 2, and it could have been worse as we wanted Lias Andersson. Also amazed we took Lindstrom where we did and let a talent like Robertson be picked right after, especially given he was local. I liked what I saw from Lindstrom in his call up and think he can be a decent 6th, but still picked him too early. Again, we may get two useful NHLers so it’s not a total disaster, but the three players I did like instead of Ras and Robinson look better than what we got. Really the only draft picks I liked this draft were Petruzzeli and Zablocki, though I was wrong with that.

2018: loved Zadina and Veleno, felt they were no brainlets, wanted Akil Thomas instead of Berggren (didn’t hate it though, just didn’t know about him) liked McIssac and Regula picks a lot.

2019: was confused at Seider pick, and deff wanted Zegras, but he looks to be a stud, and I much prefer him to say a Cozens. Hated Tuomisto where we got him, wanted Lavoie from purely stat watching, but people who watch him seem to like him so I’ll withhold judgement. Also was into Hoglander. Loved the Soderbloom and Kirill T picks due to the boom bust potential, and was happy we picked Grewe as I saw him in several mock drafts top 31. Really liked Albert J and Mastrosimone after reading about them, especially since many on here said they were good picks (hadn’t known of either).


Overall it seems the reaches we made during the time period proved me for the most part wrong (and hope the same for Tuomisto), in terms of being good players for their draft position, but there were still better players available that I wanted. I really only follow top 20 or so, so I honestly just stat watch and read other people’s opinions. I don’t hate Rasmussen and think he could be a good player, but this team would be in a ton better shape if we had Necas and Robertson (and possibly still get Lindstrom later), and would make me a lot less conflicted on Lafrienrre, as we’d have another good top 6 center in Necas. As it stands I almost hope we get two simply because I think Byfield or Stutezele (butchered the spelling), fits our team need more. We have good wingers, what we lack is high upside center depth. Imo we look a lot more dangerous in two years if we take Necas and Robertson over Ras and Lindstrom, and probably shave a year off the rebuild.


Lafriennere-Larkin-Mantha
Robertson-Necas-Zadina
Bertuzzi-Veleno-Fabbri

 

[Hatter of the Beach]

I'm still bummed Kenny Holland didn't draft Victor Hedman. I know we didn't have a draft pick to get him, or the assets to trade for that pick... dammit! But still about as logical as these hindsight 20/20 threads.

I see a lot of Vilardi vs RAS comments. But RAS is a much, much, much better skater AND has more NHL goals than Vil.

I think RAS tops out as a 3rd line specialist (think Jordan Staal 2009 PENS type impact). Not a player that takes over and wins games, but a player that helps your team win championships.

If we're building a Stanley Cup Championship Team, and I think that is everyone's goal, then RAS is the type of player you want with your #9 NHL 2017 Entry Draft Pick.

Not every 1st round pick needs to be a flashy ELITE SUPERSTAR potential or BUST. It's okay to sprinkle in some unique depth players that can help win CHAMPIONSHIPS.

I always likened Smith’s game to a prime Trevor Daley with a bit more physicality. Very smooth skating player who could create offense due to physical tools, but didn’t have the toolbox/iq to become elite. Still, I think the fact he did not become a decent second pairing guy is on our development.

 

[RabidBadger]

I'm still bummed Kenny Holland didn't draft Victor Hedman. I know we didn't have a draft pick to get him, or the assets to trade for that pick... dammit! But still about as logical as these hindsight 20/20 threads.

Righteous diss bro. The bolded text really drove the point home. I now see the error of my line of thought that Smith could have been good.

And yes, your non-sequitor supposition of drafting a player that had ZERO chance of occurring is every bit as logical as our assertations. Thanks for steering me straight with your logic

 

[Dotter]

Righteous diss bro. The bolded text really drove the point home. I now see the error of my line of thought that Smith could have been good.

And yes, your non-sequitor supposition of drafting a player that had ZERO chance of occurring is every bit as logical as our assertations. Thanks for steering me straight with your logic

Always here to help, bro. M-S 24.7.

I watched Smith play for the Griffs often and he always S.U.C.K.E.D. But Smith is just a 27th overall, not that big of deal... and the only D player drafted in the 2nd who carved out a better career after him was P.K Subban.

 

[RabidBadger]

Always here to help, bro. M-S 24.7.

I watched Smith play for the Griffs often and he always S.U.C.K.E.D. But Smith is just a 27th overall, not that big of deal... and the only D player drafted in the 2nd who carved out a better career after him was P.K Subban.

Thanks hermano. I'm sure you were lobbying hard to pick Subban instead of Smitty that year since felt the need to bring it up. Otherwise it's a little out of the blue.

I'm willing to expand on that tangential reference to Subban and include Alec Martinez in the 4th round of that year. Baseless comparisons are so much fun!

P.s. I guess it was a down year in the AHL when Smitty was named to the all rookie team. NO reason to think he'd amount to anything.

 

[Dotter]

Thanks hermano. I'm sure you were lobbying hard to pick Subban instead of Smitty that year since felt the need to bring it up. Otherwise it's a little out of the blue.

I'm willing to expand on that tangential reference to Subban and include Alec Martinez in the 4th round of that year. Baseless comparisons are so much fun!

P.s. I guess it was a down year in the AHL when Smitty was named to the all rookie team. NO reason to think he'd amount to anything.

Lol. Nope. Wrong.....again. But you're on a roll, hoss. Thanks for the Sunday entertainmento

 

[RabidBadger]

Lol. Nope. Wrong.....again. But you're on a roll, hoss. Thanks for the Sunday entertainmento

Lol, the part you bolded is known as sarcasm.

Yeah, I'm just going to move on from this one because I have the need to make sense. We're clearly not going to jibe.

I do look forward to your inciteful commentary on players that out-performed our picks a decade after the fact. Keep up the good work, hoss.

 

[ricky0034]

I'm still bummed Kenny Holland didn't draft Victor Hedman. I know we didn't have a draft pick to get him, or the assets to trade for that pick... dammit! But still about as logical as these hindsight 20/20 threads.

I see a lot of Vilardi vs RAS comments. But RAS is a much, much, much better skater AND has more NHL goals than Vil.

I think RAS tops out as a 3rd line specialist (think Jordan Staal 2009 PENS type impact). Not a player that takes over and wins games, but a player that helps your team win championships.

If we're building a Stanley Cup Championship Team, and I think that is everyone's goal, then RAS is the type of player you want with your #9 NHL 2017 Entry Draft Pick.

Not every 1st round pick needs to be a flashy ELITE SUPERSTAR potential or BUST. It's okay to sprinkle in some unique depth players that can help win CHAMPIONSHIPS.

good point

if there's one team that doesn't need elite talent it's the Red Wings

I bet they'd have won the cup this year if the season hadn't been stopped

 

[Mlotek]

Meh, Smith choose to go the college route and if I remember right has gone back during his summers and completed his sociology degree from the University of Wisconsin. While he might be the kind of typical right down to his look and talking to the media of the jock you didn't like, I don't think he is a dumb guy at all. Not your cup of tea I get it, but I have found plenty of people from all walks of life to be surprisingly intelligent or frankly stupid with no real cross cutting explanation one way or the other.

A degree is not a sign of intelligence.

 

[Bench]

A degree is not a sign of intelligence.

It is a sign he worked to become more educated when he had nearly no incentive to do so other than the intrinsic value he placed on said degree. That's not typically the situation if we're talking about the dumb hockey jock stereotype. All the hockey meatheads I knew couldn't wait to get away from the puffball marketing classes they were required to take, let alone voluntarily going back for summers to study sociology.

 

[Dotter]

good point

if there's one team that doesn't need elite talent it's the Red Wings

I bet they'd have won the cup this year if the season hadn't been stopped

Yes because Vilardi guarantees them 12 straight cups. If you think Vilardi is that almighty one-of-a-kind elite talent, then you might need to raise the bar....just a weee little bit.

Using your logic, Oilers should have won the cup the past 5 years straight. I mean, with elite talent, you don't need any depth... because that's how you think it works, right?

 

[Gniwder]

I was just thinking...

Wouldn't a list of picks we liked be much shorter and easier to list?

 

[FabricDetails]

I was just thinking...

Wouldn't a list of picks we liked be much shorter and easier to list?

Where's the fun in that though? Hehe.

In fairness, everyone has their own degree of complaining catharsis that they're willing to tolerate from others and or themselves.

 

[ChrisReevesLegs]

Generally I like what I perceive to be "thoughtful picks" and dislike picks that seemingly just fell into our lap. I think Holland was doing a lot of the later towards the end of his career...

Examples of a thoughtful pick: Seider or Bertuzzi. Both taken higher than expected, both show Holland's/Yzerman's willingness to buck popular perception and go with the player they like.

Picks I didn't like:

1. Zadina: Sure seemed like he just fell into Holland's lap and he couldn't resist.
2. Veleno: Same as Zadina.
3. Jurco: Similar to Zadina and Veleno, felt like Holland just opted to take the kid with the cool youtube dangle vidoes becuase he had no one better in mind. Consider that we had 3 second round picks that year. We came out of that second round with Jurco, XO, and Sproul... We passed on Boone Jenner, Victor Rask, Brandon Saad, Markus Granlund, Joel Edmundson, Matt Nieto, William Karlsson, and Nikita Kucherov in that round for those three. Holy lerd how were we not able to identify one decent player with any one of those 3 picks? There were plenty there. These are the kind of things that set your franchise way back. Whiffing on three swings in the second round. Imagine if Karlsson, Saad, and Edmundson were on our roster right now.... let alone Kucherov...

 

[Sadekuuro]

Keith Primeau