Detroit Red Wings
It’s Not If, But When Red Wings Will Draft A Swede (DHN+)
Detroit Has Drafted At Least One Swede Every Year Since 1993
When the weather turns warm, most folks want to plant flower beds or stake tomato plants. The Detroit Red Wings want to start pondering which Swedish prospect to add to their collection.
The Red Wings have drafted at least one Swede for 33 consecutive years. The last time they didn’t draft Swede was 1992 when they drafted nine players from Canadian teams, including Darren McCarty, plus two other from U.S. team. From 1993 through last June’s draft, the Red Wings have drafted 64 players off Swedish teams, including Tomas Holmstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and Nicklas Kronwall.
We expect them to extend that streak to 34 next month at the 2025 draft.
The primary reason why the Red Wings continue to mine Swedish leagues for talent, and that they have struck gold there many times.
Even now, the team’s rebuild is dependent upon the continued development Marco Kasper, an Austrian drafted out of the Swedish Hockey League and two Swedish defensemen Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson. Two more Swedish defensmen Axel Sandin Pellikka and William Wallinder could be in Detroit this season. The list of successful Swedish Red Wings lengthy.
Could Eklund Fall?
The Red Wings believe that the SHL is a quality development league where young players have to learn defensive play to gain playing time.
It also helps that Detroit has been leaning on respected Swedish scout Hakan Andersson for many years.
When it comes to Swedish players, it’s not if the Red Wings will draft one. It’s only a question of when it will happen.
It could happen in the first round if Victor Eklund, younger brother of San Jose Sharks forward, falls to No. 13. That probably won’t happen.
Detroit own pick No. 44 and Theo Stockselius of the Djurgardens Junior team could be there. He is a 6-foot-3 Swedish center who scored 22 goals this season. Another possibility: Eddie Genborg, a 6-foot-2 left wing from Linkoping.
Russ Cohen of draftbuzz.com likes Swedish defenseman Oliwer Sjostrom as a late-round sleeper. He’s smallish, but feisty and fast.
“Can grind out corner play,” Cohen said. “Excellent skater up the ice, good point shot, not an offensive wiz but could be a guy that pays dividends in 3-4 years because he looks like a solid (performer).”
