Red Wings Pick No. 13 Tonight; Also, Trawling for Goalie in Trade Market

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is focused as much on the now as the future heading into tonight’s NHL draft (7 p.m., ESPN).

Reports say Yzerman is shopping for a goalie in the trade market, although there is no indication of which goalies he is pursuing.  Trading for a goalie is his best option because the UFA market doesn’t offer much in the way of goaltending.

The possible targets for Detroit would probably include Anaheim’s John Gibson, Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko and St. Louis’ Joel Hofer. Possible wildcards: hockey analyst Nick Kypreos believes the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade one of their two goalies (Joseph Woll or Anthony Stolarz).

Friedman, “I think Detroit is looking at the goalie market. I think Steve Yzerman would like to see if there is a goalie out there that for him that can help solve his problems.”

#LGRW pic.twitter.com/9tFmLVWaWx

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) June 27, 2025

Feeling pressure to end a nine-year playoff drought, the Red Wings went into this offseason believing they need to upgrade their offense, add a veteran defenseman and improve their goaltending if they have the opportunity. If they don’t make a trade, the Red Wings will likely start the 2025-26 season with Cam Talbot and Petr Mrazek as their top two goalies.

Detroit owns the No. 13 draft pick. However, Yzerman is on record as saying he is willing to move that pick in the right deal. He also said he is willing to move some of the club’s prospects to improve the team today.

Another Swede in Detroit?

If the Red Wings use the pick, DHN sees Swedish right wing Victor Eklund as a strong possibility at No. 13.  He is the brother of San Jose Sharks William Eklund. DHN’s Tim Robinson looked at the collection of mock drafts and tabulated that left wing Carter Bear (Everett, WHL) or two-way defenseman Jackson Smith (Tri-City, WHL) are the consensus possibilities for No. 13.

The Red Wings reportedly were trying to pry defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, but Friday afternoon reports said Dobson is being traded to the Montreal Canadiens.

Yzerman has more than $21 million in cap space to use in signing free agents. The question is whether any will want to join a team that is far from a lock to make the playoffs next season. The free agent signing period starts July 1.

Detroit also has until Sunday at 5 p.m. to buyout a player or players.

On Friday, the Red Wings did re-sign dependable defenseman William Lagesson to a two-year deal that will give him $750,000 in the NHL and $500,000 if he plays in Grand Rapids. He played briefly for the Red Wings last season. This an insurance policy/help for Grand Rapids signing.