The Detroit Red Wings are picking at unlucky 13th overall in the upcoming NHL Draft Lottery, but is it really that unlucky?
The last time the Detroit Red Wings held the 13th overall pick in the NHL draft, there were just six teams in the league. That selection, Ralph Buchanan, began the third round of the 1964 Amateur Draft, but he never appeared in an NHL game. To make matters worse for the Red Wings, Hall of Fame goalie Ken Dryden was chosen right after by the Boston Bruins.
This represents a significant miss for Detroit and a big success for Boston, highlighting Detroit’s inconsistent history with picks in the 10-19 range. Of the 23 players they selected in that span, only two have played over 1,000 NHL games. Murray Craven recorded a total of 759 points (266 goals, 493 assists) in 1,071 games, but only managed 15 points in 46 games with the Red Wings. The other notable player is Mike Sillinger, a role player who spent 129 of his 1,049 games in Detroit.
Detroit Red Wings picking 13th overall in the NHL Entry Level Draft doesn’t mean all is lost
As the saying goes, the past is just that: the past. What has happened before doesn’t necessarily determine what will occur next. However, the present and future have been gradual processes for the Yzerplan. The organization has taken a careful approach, avoiding the temptation to rush talent or go all in too early. These methodical, albeit sometimes tedious, strategies may finally begin to yield results this season.
The hiring of Todd McLellan was a positive move for the Red Wings; the team was performing well after he took over. Although they ultimately missed the playoffs, General Manager Steve Yzerman didn’t expect McLellan to be an immediate fix. Instead, he was brought on to help shape the team’s identity and foster a winning culture.
Detroit hasn’t reached the playoffs in nearly a decade, which understandably frustrates fans, especially after the disappointing end to the season. However, even with a rough stretch in mid-March, they finished with a respectable record of 26-18-4 under McLellan and appeared to be a promising playoff contender.
The Red Wings boast a strong group of prospects, ranked fifth-best midseason by The Hockey Writers. They may also have a temporary solution in goal with Petr Mrazek, who could mentor future goaltenders Sebastian Cossa and Trey Augustine if he has turned pro by then.
Now, regarding the draft: Detroit slipped from 12th to 13th overall after the draft lottery. While this change might not seem significant, history doesn’t necessarily predict future outcomes. In recent years, the Red Wings have successfully replenished their prospects, even with 10-20 picks, selecting talents like Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (15), Axel Sandin-Pellikka (17), and Cossa (15)—not to mention Dylan Larkin (15), who was picked under Ken Holland’s management.
The outlook for these young players is promising and could shine even brighter after the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. With the 13th pick, the Red Wings will likely have the chance to select a 2025 draft-eligible winger to complement Larkin. Carter Bear, who averaged 1.51 points per game in the WHL this past season, could be a strong candidate. There are also other viable options, including defensive prospect Radim Mrtka, currently ranked 13th by Elite Prospects.
So, will the 13th pick be unlucky? Perhaps, but recent draft successes suggest otherwise. Plus, let’s not forget Pavel Datsyuk—how did I discuss 13 without mentioning him?
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