The Daily: Slumping Red Wings Flirt With Top 10 Pick; Devils Seek KHLer

As poorly as the Detroit Red Wings are performing of late, they are still only two points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the second wildcard position in the Eastern Conference.

Considering Detroit has put up two seven-game winning streaks under coach Todd McLellan, it’s not unthinkable that the team could push itself back into contention.

That’s the half-full position.

But if you venture to tankathon.com, it’s easy to see the half empty position is that the Red Wings project this morning to pick 12th in the 2025 draft in website’s pre-lottery mock draft order. They have a 2.5% chance of winning the draft lottery.

Here’s the hard-to-believe aspect of Detroit’s draft outlook: They are only four points ahead (66 to 62 points) of the Philadelphia Flyers who have the No. 7 draft pick.

In other words, Detroit is in contention for both a playoff spot and a desirable draft pick.

Tankathon.com has Swedish center Anton Frondell landing at the No. 7 spot. TSN’s Bob McKenzie has Frondell ranked at No. 5.

There’s another center Jake O’Brien (Brampton, OHL) is ranked in the No. 9 to No. 12 range. Swedish forward Victor Eklund could be in that draft range as well. Currently, tankathon.com has Detroit looking at 6-foot-6 Czechia defenseman Radim Mrtka at No. 12. Bob McKenzie’s list also has Mrtka at No. 6.

Anton Frondell and Victor Eklund magic! 2025 #NHLDraft
Sauce…Shot…Scoreboard! #HockeyTwitter pic.twitter.com/l8wagcRWGQ

— NHL Draft Prospects (@NHLDraftPros) February 22, 2025

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Detroit 2023 first rounder Axel Sandin Pellikka sets new SHL record for goals in a season by a teen-age defenseman.

Some Red Wings games in the playoff chase will be televised by Fox 2.

Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman believes fighting in the NHL could be making a comeback.

Red Wings Extra

Detroit squares off against Ottawa Monday (7 p.m., Fox 2, FanDuel Sports Network) in a game that feels like a must-win for coach Todd McLellan’s team. The two teams are going in opposite directions. The Red Wings have lost five in a row and Ottawa owns a modest two-game winning streak. The Senators beat the New York Rangers 4-3 in overtime with Brady Tkachuk netting the game-winner. Newcomer Dylan Cozens had an assist in the game.

Hockey Now Network

Boston: After trading away veterans, the Bruins shut out Tampa Bay. How do you explain that? Boston Bruins.

Chicago: Arvid Soderblom, Elmer’s brother, helps Chicago push points streak to five games. Chicago Blackhawks.

Colorado: Don’t underestimate how Erik Johnson’s return can help the Colorado Avalanche.  

Florida: Newcomers Vitek Vancek and Nico Sturm impressive as Panthers win sixth in a row. Florida Panthers.

New Jersey: Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald is trying to sign a top KHL forward. New Jersey Devils. 

Pittsburgh: Why GM Kyle Dubas elected not to trade Rickard Rakell and Matt Grzelcyk. Pittsburgh Penguins.