Wings believe first two picks make NHL
The Detroit Red Wings believe their first two picks, Brendan Smith and Joakim Andersson, have a good shot at making the NHL. They obviously are not ruling out their other three picks making the NHL. The Wings only had five picks in the 2007 NHL Draft, the lowest for the franchise since 1969.
Red Wings Central has a brief summary of each pick:
1 (27). Brendan Smith, D, 6-1, 170, Toronto (Ont. Jr. A), 39-12-24-36-90. Nill likened the mobile Smith to Niklas Kronwall and projects him as a top-four defenseman who can quarterback a power play. They have until 2011 to sign him as he will play NCAA hockey at Wisconsin.
3 (88). Joakim Andersson, LW, 6-2, 198, Frolunda (Swe-J20), 41-20-26-46-60. Nill compared him to a cross between Red Wings forward Johan Franzen and Dallas Stars forward Joel Lundqvist. Skating is a concern, but Andersson projects as a third-liner who can contribute offensively.
5 (148). Randy Cameron, C, 5-11, 175, Moncton (QMJHL), 70-17-22-39-44. The versatile Cameron was the third-highest scoring forward for the young Wildcats this season. The Red Wings love his all-around game and compare him to Ottawa Senators forward Mike Fisher.
6 (178). Zack Torquato, C, 6-0, 195, Erie (OHL), 65-30-39-69-93. When Torquato dropped from pre-draft rankings, the Red Wings couldn’t resist. They love his touch around the net and figure if his skating improves, he could be a player similar to Colorado Avalanche forward Andrew Brunette.
7 (208). Bryan Rufenach, D, 5-11, 184, Lindsay (Ont. Jr. A), 31-11-21-32-28. Rufenach will play NCAA hockey at Clarkson next season, meaning the Red Wings have until 2011 to sign him. He is a long-term project who could evolve into a No. 3-5 defenseman who can skate and move the puck.
It sounds like the Wings are pleased with this year’s draft. Their only disappointment? The Wings had hoped to draft a goaltender this year, which didn’t happen for them.
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June 30th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
[…] The NHL Draft was held in Columbus in the past weeks. With their first round selection, Detroit took Brendan Smith, a defenseman, 27th overall. He will play hockey at Wisconsin come this fall, as the Wings retain his rights for four years. With their second pick, #88 overall in the third round, center Joakim Andersson from Sweden was picked. The Wings expect these first two picks to make the NHL; however, that is not to say their three later selections will not see the light of an NHL game someday either. […]