The Detroit Red Wings are most likely looking to add a skilled forward as their first pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman and his management team have numerous players to mull over for this selection. Will Detroit move up, hold tight, or move down in the draft is anyone’s guess. There are numerous players that are deemed to be terrific options after the Big 3 of Shane Wright, Logan Cooley, and Juraj Slafkovsky. In previous articles, I have highlighted several players who are likely to be on the Red Wings’ radar.
Here are five long-shot candidates that Detroit could draft with the 8th overall pick.
Cutter Gauthier (C/LW, U.S. National U18 Team)
Cutter Gauthier is a versatile forward who can play center or left-wing. For the last two years, Gauthier has played in the U.S. Development program. This year, in 82 games covering three teams, Gauthier scored 56 goals, 46 assists, 102 points, and had a +50 rating. Gauthier has committed to playing at Boston College (NCAA) starting this fall. NHL Central Scouting ranks Gauthier as the #3 North American Skater available for the draft. According to eliteprospects.com, Gauthier has a consolidated ranking of 9th.
Isaac Howard (LW, U.S. National U18 Team)
Isaac Howard is a left-winger who has also played in the U.S. Development program for the last two years. This year, in 93 games covering three teams, Howard scored 50 goals, 80 assists, 130 points, and had a +57 rating. Howard is committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) in the fall. NHL Central Scouting has Howard ranked as the #9 North American Skater available for the draft. According to eliteprospects.com, Howard has a consolidated ranking of 23rd.
Marco Kasper (C, Rogle BK, SHL)
Marco Kasper is an Austrian center who has played in the Rogle (SHL) organization at two levels for the last two years. Kasper also played for three teams internationally for Austria. This year, in 78 games, Kaper scored 15 goals, 17 assists, 32 points, and had a -10 rating. Next year, Kasper is expected to once again play for Rogle. NHL Central Scouting ranks Kasper as the #5 EU Skater available for the draft. According to eliteprospects.com, Kasper has a consolidated ranking of 18th.
Jonathan Lekkerimaki (RW, Djurgardens IF, SHL)
Jonathan Lekkerimaki is a right-shooting right-winger who has played in the Djurgardens organization for the last three years. In 66 games covering two league teams and three Swedish National teams, Lekkerimaki scored 38 goals, 27 assists, 65 points, and had a +22 rating. Next year, Gjurgardens was relegated to the Allsvenskan, and Lekkerimaki is expected to play there. NHL Central Scouting has Lekkerimaki ranked as the #6 ranked EU Skater available for the draft. According to eliteprospects.com, Lekkerimaki has a consolidated ranking of 11th.
Danila Yurov (RW, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, KHL)
Danila Yurov is a left-shooting right-winger who has played at various levels in the Magnitogorsk organization in Russia. This year, in 46 games, Yurov scored 14 goals, 23 assists, 37 points, and a +23 rating. Most of these points were scored in the Russian junior league (MHL). Next year, Yurov will likely move to North America because he has an American agent (Moliver Sports Management). He will likely be a top pick in the CHL import draft on July 1st. NHL Central Scouting has Yurov ranked as the #7 EU Skater available for the draft. According to eliteprospects.com, Yurov has a consolidated ranking of 8th.
Final Thoughts
With Detroit picking 8th in the first round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, it wouldn’t surprise anyone to see Steve Yzerman go off the board and select who he believes is the top player available with the 8th pick. He did it with Moritz Seider in 2019 and hit the jackpot. There is no doubt that Red Wings fans will follow the draft closely to see what gem with be selected by Detroit in July.
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