Detroit Red Wings Draft Board

No hometown boy Frank Nazar to Detroit or an Yzerman off the board pick?

DET is the most thin on centers of all kind. Another scoring wing could also help, but not as much as centers. And I don't see DET being super-high on another LD. They have several of them in pipeline already (Edvinsson, Wallinder, Johansson, Viro, Sebrango, Buium, McIsaac). I guess they could select exclusively defensive D-man, but majority of the guys projects as NHL players. Roster spots are limited. On the other hand are their RDs already in the NHL. Tuomisto is not in NHL, he is 21 and at RD position might be described as the only prospect with chances to become NHL-er. I would be surprised if DET wouldn't select another NHL-projectable RHD in 2nd or 3rd round.

So for 1st round I agree on BPA forward. Kemell, Lambert, Kasper, Nazar, Russians etc., almost anybody makes sense.
1st pick in 2nd round: center, preferebly big one (Gaucher, Bystedt). If both are gone, BPA big RHD.
2nd pick in 2nd round: probably big RHD. If they already have one, another C makes sense (Goyette, Kulich, Beck, Hughes...)
3rd round and lower: BPAs. DET love Swedish Frolunda team (Persson, Ratkovic Berndtsson, Milosevic). In OHL they like Guelph's players (Bertuzzi, Fabri, Smith, Suter). I guess Yzerman is not as huge fan of a program as former GM Holland, but he traded for Suter anyway. So selecting Zhilkin, Poitras, Karabela or Buchinger in 3rd round and lower would not surprise me.

I’m too lazy to read anyone else’s comments so if I’m repeating or contradicting others, forgive me. Det has two major needs: a top 6 C and a right side D. They have three lefties itching for a roster spot in Edvinsson, Wallinder, and Johansson. While Wallinder does play right side sometimes, I feel he’s better suited for left. I think Det swings for a C before settling on a pure winger unless they absolutely love a guy. Personally my rankings for realistic 8th OA would be Gauthier, jirichek, Savoie, Nazar, and Kasper; in that order.

Could I have an explanation for Mateychuk?

Really high IQ defender that has all the tools of a solid top 4 defender. Excellent fundamentals, often puts himself in the best position to make plays, especially in the defensive zone. Really strong skater, underrated offensive ability almost going point-per-game this season as a defense-first defender. In my Draft Guide, I was really nitpicking things to put as weaknesses for this kid, his game is sound and really well-rounded. I deemed that communication is his biggest flaw: he could sometimes be seen pinching at the same time as his defensive partner, allowing odd man rushes the other way. Again, a nitpick, but those issues become more prevalent in the pros. Overall, Mateychuk has every desirable trait that teams should be looking for in a top four defender.

If Slafkovsky were to fall to Detroit, would they take them?

That's a really good question. They could use the size in their forward group, but scheme wise I have some questions. However, a LOT of teams seem to be really high on Slaf, so if he did happen to fall to 8, I could see the Red Wins taking him as more of an upside pick than to fill a need. Kemell would be a better fit though in my opinion.