FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Is it possible that the Red Wings make franchise history tonight when the first night of the NHL draft commences at BB&T Center?
Several mock drafts certainly believe so.
Should the Red Wings hold on to their first-round pick at No. 19 and not trade down to obtain additional picks in later rounds, many hockey analysts think they will use it to select Joel Eriksson Ek, a highly-skilled Swedish center.
For two decades, the Wings and super scout Hakan Andersson have carved out a reputation for unearthing virtually unknown prospects in the late rounds who have developed incredible careers, namely Swedes Nicklas Lidstrom, Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall.