Red Wings: Predicting the future of the organization’s defensemen

The Detroit Red Wings could be slated to take Jamie Drysdale at four, what about the current health of the defense core.

While outcry from the Detroit Red Wings fanbase continues regarding the organization falling to fourth overall in the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery. Now, the way things are lined up, the Red Wings could be looking at a situation where they select defenseman, Jamie Drysdale, at fourth overall.

Given the fact that the draft pool is top-heavy, there will be a great talent available, not ELITE like Alexis Lafrenière, but the league can answer for that one. This leaves General Manager (GM), Steve Yzerman, to decide whether to take a coveted forward or the best-ranking defenseman in the draft.

Keep in mind that the Red Wings selected defenseman Moritz Seider with the sixth overall selection last season, which was shocking to some. The organization does have a growing set of defense prospects; it may be time to start padding the offensive side of things.

That being said, take a look at some of the Red Wings defensemen who are currently working their way into/through the organization to get to the National Hockey League (NHL) level. Along with each player’s little blurb of information is a prediction as to where they could end up.

These predictions are completely speculatory, but they are the “best-case scenario” unless specified otherwise. For each, I tried to look at the bright side of what these players could become during their time in the NHL, that is if they get that far.

Tier 1: Detroit Red Wings defense prospects with future top-pairing upside

Tier one of the Red Wings defensive prospects should be looked at as players who have a lot of upside and future value. The way I see it, these are guys who are future top-pairing players that will lead the defense core in terms of their skillset.

Filip Hronek

The way things seem right now as it is, the Red Wings have Filip Hronek penciled in to be a future anchor on the top pairing. He is sort of “that guy” now when it comes to the defense core, and is being groomed to use his offensive skills to make a career on the Red Wings blue line.

Hronek may be more of an offensive defenseman, but his skill set makes him more than serviceable for the Red Wings future. He is known more for his contributions offensively, but as a veteran, he could come into his own a bit more in the defensive zone.

If things turn out well for Hronek, he could very well be the future supplement to a number one defenseman. He will be an excellent offensive asset for the Red Wings from the blueline with a number-one captain of the blue line playing alongside him.

Moritz Seider

In an ideal world, the 2019 sixth overall selection of the Red Wings will be that “number one” guy mentioned above. Moritz Seider may not be as offensively inclined, whereas Hronek is not as defensive. But Seider’s leadership and development so early in his career should leave Red Wings fans excited.

It has been incredible to watch Seider develop for the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League. He may not be an offensive star like Cale Makar with the Colorado Avalanche, but he has a bright future ahead. His defensive skills will make him a great player in the future.

If everything lands where it should, he could be that future number one the Red Wings need, using his abilities to flourish in the NHL. Being a more defensive defenseman, he could be a Ryan McDonagh for this organization, possibly a Victor Hedman if the scoring picks up.