Detroit Red Wings: Top of the 2021 draft class is a mystery
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Red Wings have the sixth overall pick in the upcoming 2021 NHL Entry Draft. That being said, there is not a sure-fire name for who they will be picking. They have options, as do all of the top teams in a draft that is going to be interesting. It seems like the safest option at first overall, is going to be Michigan Wolverines defenseman Owen Power.
But, some mock drafts and rankings have Power being taken later, but the consensus seems to have Power being first overall. That is the thing with this draft class is that there is a lot of talent at the top, but it is a lot of very similar players.
Teams may not have even the slightest clue which direction they are going because the top couple picks will be a mystery. In prior years there have been several occurrences where the top few picks are known before they even happen.
With years where it was Jack Hughes and Kaapo Kakko at the top, it was known who would go first and second; even after that, Alex Turcotte and Bowen Byram were expected to be taken early too.
The first few picks leading up to the Detroit Red Wings in 2021 will be a mystery.
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In prior years, the fanbase has been able to prep for a couple of players or a specific result. In past years, it was narrowed down quite well; in 2021, the top ten prospects are all very similar.
While someone ranked tenth on most lists is not going to jump all the way up to first overall, there are a lot of interchangeable names.
A great example of this is none other than Michigan Wolverines forward Matty Beniers. In some mock drafts, you might find Beniers rivaling Power for the top selection or slotting in at second; in others, he is much lower, like fifth or sixth.
He’s a great talent and is going to be a wonderful talent in the NHL someday; taking him first overall may not be all that crazy given the flexibility in these rankings.
However, there are some things to think about that might help clear up this mystery at least a little bit. The first overall pick belongs to Buffalo, who needs to do something to hopefully entice Jack Eichel to want to stay.
Their current captain seemingly wants out and wants nothing to do with the Sabres, so they will likely be drafting to either a) show they are trying to build around Eichel or b) draft to move on from Eichel.
The newly initiated Seattle Kraken will likely be taking the best player available who can get to the NHL level as quickly as possible. They will be looking for someone who can come in and develop alongside the team they put together from the expansion draft; whoever they draft will be a Kraken player from day one, different from the others.
Other than that, it is going to be a crapshoot. The Ducks are going to be looking to build off of some strong drafts in recent years, with Trevor Zegras looking to be the real deal. The New Jersey Devils are back in the top grouping two years after adding Jack Hughes at first overall.
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The top grouping of picks will be a draft-day decision and will not be known in advance like some seasons. The talent pool is eerily similar throughout the top ten or so. One thing is certain; the Detroit Red Wings are in good hands with Steve Yzerman calling the shots up top.