Five Draft Targets For The Red Wings
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
With the NHL draft set to begin on Friday night, speculation is running rampant on how the first round will shake out. In many ways, the lead-up to the draft – and everything that it entails – is secretly what we all love the most: analyzing prospects, appraising team needs and erroneously predicting who will land where.
The Red Wings hold the 16th pick in the first round, so gazing into their draft future is pretty much futile. And with Ken Holland saying the team will take the best player available without concern for position, the crop of potential picks grows wider still. Still, the Wings have been connected to a few players more frequently than others, so let's take a run through these youngsters and see how they might fit within the organization.
German Rubtsov, 17, C, Russia U-18 (MHL)
NHL Central Scouting: 5th European Skater
Out of all the players who've been linked to the Wings in the past few days, Rubtsov's name has popped up the most. The scouting report isn't as thorough on him as most North American prospects, but Rubtsov has proven himself to be a strong two-way center based on his play in Russia's junior ranks. At 6'2, 178 pounds, he is a big player who's only going to get bigger, which would address a serious team need for the Wings, especially at the center position. GM Ken Holland has a well-documented history of investing in young Russian stars, and Rubtsov may be the next in line.
Jake Bean, 18, D, Calgary (WHL)
NHL Central Scouting: 15th North American Skater
With the Wings in dire need of a young, puck-moving defenseman, Bean would be quite a coup at 16 overall. He is coming off a terrific season for the Hitmen, putting up 24 goals and 64 points in 68 games. Bean is most noticeable for his speed and poise with the puck, enabling him to both trigger breakouts and move the play up ice by himself. And for all his offensive ability, he's hardly a liability in his own end. This feels like a slam-dunk for the Wings.
Kieffer Bellows, 18, LW/C, USA U-18 (USHL)
NHL Central Scouting:10th North American Skater
Son of former number-two overall pick Brian Bellows, Kieffer certainly has hockey pedigree. But the hype surrounding the bruising American forward has more to do with his combination of size and high-end talent. At 6'1, 194 pounds, he can either stickhandle through opponents or skate through them. On top of that, he has an NHL-level shot, one that helped him score 50 goals in 62 games for the US National Team Development Program last season. If the Wings are keen on adding some size up front, Bellows would be a terrific player to start with.
Charlie McAvoy, 18, D, Boston University (NCAA)
NHL Central Scouting: 6th North American Skater
McAvoy might not be as flashy a defenseman as Bean, but he's just as sturdy in all facets of the game. He had a very strong showing for Team USA at the U-20 World Championships and impressed in his freshman season at BU, posting 25 points in 37 games. McAvoy is a terrific passer with a heavy shot to boot. And as much as he loves to join the rush, his superb skating ability allows him to recover quickly on defense. Along with Bean, another great fit for the Wings.
Julien Gauthier, 18, RW, Val-D'or (QMJHL)
NHL Central Scouting: 12th North American Skater
A player who has drawn frequent comparisons to Rick Nash, Gauthier is an uber-talented forward with an NHL frame. He racked up 41 goals and 57 points in 53 games in the Q last season, dazzling with his slick hands and tremendous speed. Gauthier isn't one to be intimidated, either, and is more than willing to play a physical game. There is still work to be done in his own zone, but Gauthier's offensive skill set is as impressive as any.