Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Red Wings Thinking Benson at No. 9?; Blackhawk Like Datsyuk?

Published

11 months ago

June 12, 2023

With the NHL scouting combine now completed, draft speculation is a bit more focused. NHL.com released its Mock Draft and the outlet’s analysts diagreed about who the Detroit Red Wings would select in the first round.

Adam Kimelman has the Red Wings drafting center/ left wing Zach Benson (Winnipeg, Western Hockey League) with the ninth pick in the draft and Mike Morreale projects GM Steve Yzerman selecting speedy center Oliver Moore out of the U.S. National Team Development program. Kimelman projection is that Moore will go at the seventh pick by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Benson put up 98 points in 2022-23 on 36 goals and 62 assists. Benson is 5-foot-10 with a slender build. Connor Bedard was the only draft eligible player in the WHL to out-score Benson.

Kimelman has Detroit grabbing left wing Colby Barlow at No. 17, while Morreale predicts the Red Wings will take big Russian defenseman Dmitri Simashev of Yaroslavl. He’s a 6-foot-4, 200-pound physical player.

Barlow (Owen Sound, OHL) netted 46 goals in 59 games this season. He has 76 goals over the past two seasons.

Winnipeg forward Zach Benson at media availability.

Talking about what it means for him to be at the top of the special group from the WHL, and next steps to work on this offseason. #2023NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/nbJx2JnkFZ

— Joely Stockl (@joely_stockl04) June 10, 2023

Red Wings Offseason

Elite NHL draft prospect Leo Carlsson of Sweden said fellow countrymen Lucas Raymond schooled him on what to expect when he arrives in the NHL. Raymond imparted some knowledge when they played together at the World Championships. “Oh yeah. Gave me some small tips on living over there the first year, the first month. And then on guys…it’s fast and skilled. So yeah, he taught me a lot.” The Red Wings would have loved to have been in position to draft Carlsson. He will go at No. 3 to Columbus.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Bob Duff takes a look at goalie Ville Husso‘s future with the Red Wings.
Even after all of these years, Henrik Zetterberg still can hardly believe he ended up with the Red Wings.
Tim Robinson breaks down the offseason goalie market. The Red Wings are looking for a goalie to pair with Husso.
Steve Yzerman will do most of his summer shopping in the free agent market because he doesn’t have to give up assets. But the trade market does include some players that will interest the Detroit GM.