Red Wings: Draft capital works in Steve Yzerman’s favor in 2020

The Detroit Red Wings need to ensure a strong 2020 NHL Entry Draft, having so much draft capital is only going to work in Steve Yzerman’s favor.

While the 2019-20 Stanley Cup Playoffs continue, the Detroit Red Wings are continuing to focus on the tough offseason that is about to unfold in a short time. That being said, the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has to be on General Manager (GM) Steve Yzerman‘s radar.

Even though the team fell to fourth in the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery (which is rigged, but that’s beside the point), they need to come away with another strong draft class, and that should hypothetically be much easier to do.

Looking at some figures from a Sportsnet piece about which NHL teams hold the most draft capital, the Red Wings are sitting pretty in that regard. Draft capital is going to be the name of the game in 2020, especially after a long time off for some of these players, “the more, the merrier” will be the motto.

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In terms of overall draft picks, the Detroit Red Wings have ten total, which slots them in with the New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs for fourth-most picks.

Only the Montreal Canadiens (14), Ottawa Senators (13), and Los Angeles Kings (11) have more picks.

However, the quality of these picks gives the Red Wings an edge as well, slotting them in with two other teams tied for second on a list of teams ranked based on picks in the first three rounds.

The Red Wings will make six of their ten selections during the first three rounds of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Only the Senators (9) will have more, and the Canadiens and Kings will each respectively have six, tying the Red Wings.

The excess draft capital means that Steve Yzerman can work with the Detroit Red Wings front office and piece together a draft class with less pressure.

Stating all of these stats is great, makes it seem like there’s no way the Red Wings do not walk away with top talents, and that is not entirely false. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some players to have to stop their 2019-20 seasons early and have to find new ways to practice and stay in shape.

That being said, it is toughed to scout players’ CURRENT value when some of them are unable to play or have been off the ice for quite some time. It is tougher to be drafting when some of the most recent reports may need to be changed or updated based on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on a player’s development.

The break has affected and will affect everyone differently, some players like projected first overall pick Alexis Lafrenière have opted to sit out any leagues like the QMJHL and prepare for the draft.

This draft will be an interesting one, but at the end of the day, the Red Wings still need to come out with a draft class that gets excellent reviews. Having ten picks with six in the first three rounds gives the Red Wings an even better shot for a well-built draft class.

If Yzerman and his crew can get down to business and find the best players for this organization, then things are going to work out just fine. Yzerman’s excellence in drafting will come in handy now more than ever, at least that’s what the hope is going to be.

The 2020 NHL Entry Draft is going to be interesting, but capitalizing on the Detroit Red Wings surplus of draft capital should allow for a well-orchestrated draft class courtesy of Steve Yzerman.