Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings: 54.3% Chance of Drafting No. 8 and 6% Shot at No. 1

Published

2 years ago

May 2, 2022

The Red Wings draft fate will be decided at the NHL lottery on May 10

The Detroit Red Wings’ season was frustrating to the point that even their final victory of the season had a negative consequence.

The 4-3 win over the New Jersey Devils left the Red Wings in the No. 8 draft position. Had the Red Wings lost that game, they would have been in the No. 7 draft pick slot. The Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators helped the Detroit Red Wings by playing impressively in the closing weeks. The Sabres were 6-4 in their last 10, while the Senators were 7-2-1. While that was happening, the Red Wings were 4-6 in their last 10.

Of course, these positions can be altered by the draft lottery, which be held Tuesday, May 10.

The NHL released the odds this week and the Red Wings have a six percent chance of winning the lottery.
The Montreal Canadiens have the best chance at 18.5%. Under new lottery rules this season, a team can only move up 10 places in the draft. Hence, only the 11 worst teams have a shot at No. 1.

Plus, only two teams are going to move up in the draft, which means only two teams can fall in the draft. The worst the Red Wings can draft is 10th.

Jonathan Lekkerimaki has certainly put a circle around his name at this years U18 tournament. Now leads the tournament in scoring.

Another quality option who could be available for the Sens. pic.twitter.com/ummddMRygL

— Derek Lee (@DLee075) May 1, 2022

Red Wings Have 6.4% Shot at No. 2

According to tankathon, the Red Wings have a 6.4% chance of picking second, a 54.4% of picking eighth, a 30% chances of picking ninth and 3.2% of picking 10th. Since Yzerman took over, the Red Wings have drafted No. 4 (Lucas Raymond) once and No. 6 twice (Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinssson).

Among the players expected to be available at No. 8 include USA winger Jimmy Snuggerrud, USA center Frank Nazar, Swedish forward Jonathan Lekkerimaki, Czech defenseman David Jiricek, Finnish center Brad Lambert and Canadian center Conor Geekie.

The Red Wings certainly have a history of drafting Swedish players. Having vice president Nicklas Lidstrom and team adviser Niklas Kronwall located in Sweden helps the Red Wings keep in touch with their European prospects.

Lekkerimaki is projected to be drafted where the Red Wings will be drafting, unless they win the lottery. Lekkermaki is coming off a strong performance at the World Under-18 tournament where he helped the Swedes win the gold medal. Lekkermaki has five goals and 10 assists for 15 points in six games.

But the Red Wings will be looking at several different options and Lekkerimaki is just one of them.