Detroit Red Wings: 4 options for Seattle Kraken in NHL Expansion Draft
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Red Wings chose to leave Evgeny Svechnikov exposed.
There is not one single prospect that has frustrated me more than Russian winger Evgeny Svechnikov.
I recall how excited I was when Red Wings GM Ken Holland selected Svechnikov with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NHL Entry Level Draft. I was very optimistic reading the scouting reports. After seeing Svechnikov excel in the American Hockey League as a rookie totaling 20 goals and 51 points in 74 contests, I couldn’t help but be excited about what the future may bring.
It’s been nothing but an uphill battle for Svechnikov at both the AHL and NHL levels. Svechnikov followed that stellar AHL rookie campaign with a far less than desirable effort the next season, recording just seven goals and 23 points in 57 games. After starting the season with the Red Wings but only totaling two goals and four points in 14 games.
The 24-year old winger has battled injuries, mostly a knee injury that cost him the entire 2018-19 season. Svechnikov returned to Grand Rapids in 2019-20 after being a year removed and totaled 11 goals and 25 points in 57 games.
Through various short stays at the NHL level with the Detroit Red Wings, Svechnikov has amassed five goals and 12 points in 41 career games. Svechnikov is a pending restricted free agent, and I would not be shocked if Yzerman decides to part ways with this Summer if the Seattle Kraken does not select him.
There is a chance Yzerman signs the 24-year old to another sub-one-million dollar deal in a last-ditched effort to see if he can find his game. I do feel that Svechnikov needs a fresh start, and all signs would point to Carolina, where he could play with his younger brother Andrei Svechnikov who is a top-six forward.