The Daily: No Sizzle at NHL Draft; Bear Aboard; Dobson Deal

We were expecting fireworks at the NHL Draft and we got a couple of sparklers and a roll of caps.

No team traded or acquired a rostered player during the NHL Draft. The New York Islanders didn’t package their two first rounders they received in the Noah Dobson swap earlier in the day to move up to No. 4. The Detroit Red Wings didn’t trade for a goalie. The Dallas Stars didn’t deal Jason Robertson. Bowen Byram is still a member of the Buffalo Sabres.

Some of that may still happen this summer, maybe some of it on today’s second day of the NHL Draft, but during Friday’s first round of the draft teams just drafted.

The Red Wings claimed Carter Bear with their No. 13 pick. He’s a high character, hard-driving, physical forward who scored 40 goals last season for Everett in the Western Hockey League. This is a player who had been linked to the Red Wings whose appreciation for his talents is boundless.

“He’s the type of player that when you go watch him play,” Detroit assistant GM Kris Draper said. “Sometimes you walk out of the rink and really appreciate the effort that he gave.”

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

DHN has a scouting video on Carter Bear to show you what the fuss is all about.

Why the Red Wings re-signed Swedish defenseman William Lagesson 

The Sabres drafted defenseman Radim Mrtka. He patterns his game after Detroit’s Moritz Seider. It won’t be long until they are Atlantic Division rivals.

Red Wings Extra

This is the first year that teams didn’t travel to the site of the NHL Draft site (Los Angeles). The Red Wings management group stayed in Detroit.

“I personally like it. I just think it’s easier. We’re in a quieter room,” Detroit GM Steve Yzerman said. “It’s a little bit more relaxes for us. During the pandemic, we did it twice. Those two drafts really dragged on. And judging by the pace (Friday), it’ll probably drag on (Saturday). But I like the format where we are in our offices, in our own confines…It’s not as noisy as being in the big arena. So I am in favor of doing it from. From our home building. I believe football does it that way. I think baseball does it as well. And I think the NBA. I don’t it’s a big deal.”

Hockey Now Network

Boston: After a multitude of rumors about teams trading up to land James Hagens, he fell to the Boston Bruins

Chicago: The Blackhawks traded back into the first round to draft Mason West. CHN explains how and why. Chicago Blackhawks. 

Colorado: After trading Charlie Coyle and Myles Wood, the Avalanche need to concentrate on defense. That comes from Aarif Deen’s opinion piece. Colorado Avalanche. 

Montreal: The Canadiens made a blockbuster deal for the NHL Draft. Marc Dumont explains how the Canadiens landed Noah Dobson. Montreal Canadiens.

Pittsburgh: The Penguins traded up to draft Will Horcoff, the University of Michigan forward and the son of Detroit assistant general manager Shawn Horcoff. Pittsburgh Penguins.

San Jose: Sheng Peng weighs in on the potential of the Sharks’ 2025 first-round selections. Did the Sharks need another young netminder? San Jose Sharks.