Study shows Detroit Red Wings draft picks results before Steve Yzerman, and it explains a lot
When Steve Yzerman took over as GM of the Detroit Red Wings in 2019, he inherited a team with limited assets from a decade of underwhelming drafts.
A study by Josh Beneteau from Sportsnet highlights the lackluster results of Detroit's selections from 2010 to 2019. Despite making 73 draft picks-second only to Chicago's 76-the Red Wings struggled to find players who would play significant NHL games.
Only 13 of those draft picks skated in 200 or more NHL games, a benchmark for establishing a successful NHL career. While some notable names like Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi, and Anthony Mantha contributed to Detroit, others, like Calle Jarnkrok and Mattias Janmark, never played a single game for the team despite carving out solid NHL careers elsewhere.
Detroit ranked 23rd in goaltender drafting, and its ability to find late-round gems was just as lackluster, placing 29th overall. These failures underscore the importance of building from within in a salary-cap era. Yzerman's success will ultimately depend on the players he has drafted since taking over, hoping his selections will reverse the fortunes of a struggling franchise.
Source: DetHockeyNow
Draft Study Emphasizes Past Emptiness of Red Wings Prospect Cupboard
| POLL | ||
Do you think Steve Yzerman did a good job as GM of the Detroit Red Wings since his arrival? | ||
| Yes | 59 | 88.1 % |
| No | 8 | 11.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
