Everything Detroit Red Wings Fans Need to Know Ahead of the NHL Draft

Here's a one-stop-shop of THN Detroit's comprehensive coverage of the Detroit Red Wings and the NHL Draft

LAS VEGAS — Friday morning, the Las Vegas strip was abuzz with teams, media and fans attending the 2024 NHL Draft. It's a big one, where teams' decisions on and off the draft floor will guide their present and future.

Especially for the Detroit Red Wings, this weekend is important as they make their latest pick since the start of the rebuild.

Here's everything you need to know about the Red Wings' position heading into the draft.

This Years' Draft Pick

The Red Wings own the 15th overall pick, the latest they've picked since they owned the 16th pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. It's a testament to Detroit's advancement that it is picking so late, but it does significantly trim the level of talent available when Steve Yzerman and his staff make their pick.

The Red Wings could potentially trade their pick, especially as they remain in the market for some star players on the market including Jacob Chychrun of Ottawa and Martin Necas of Carolina. It would be a strong indication that Yzerman and his staff believe their rebuild is over if they trade the pick.

Detroit is no stranger to pick No. 15. It grabbed current captain Dylan Larkin there in 2014 and top goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa in 2021. If the Red Wings use the pick themselves Friday night, that would make three 15th picks in 11 drafts.

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The Best of the Best

Detroit has a history of drafting great players, all the way from the top picks like Steve Yzerman, Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond down to late-round gems like Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik  Zetterberg and even Nicklas Lidstrom.

Detroit has eight picks in this year's NHL Draft as of publication, though some could be dealt as part of trades or pick swaps.

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Free Agent Frenzy

The Draft itself is just one part of the weekend's craziness. Monday, July 1, marks the beginning of unrestricted free agency. The Red Wings have until then to sign their UFAs, including Patrick Kane and Shayne Gostisbehere who they reportedly want to retain.

If the Red Wings can't bring those two back, it is likely they will be active July 1. Detroit is already looking for a competent third goaltender to add to its stable, but it could be paying market price for a top six forward depending on how trade negotiations shake out. In other words, Detroit is going to be moving around a lot of its $32 million in cap space, evidenced by the way it gave up futures to get rid of Jake Walman's $3.4 million contract. Say what you will about asset management, but Yzerman's intention to maximize his payroll is evident in such a move.

The Red Wings also have to sign four restricted free agents who played NHL games last season: Lucas Raymond, Moritz Seider, Joe Veleno and Jonatan Berggren. The first two will require a significant portion of the available cap space, and Yzerman has to consider these deals as he gets involved in the free agent market. In his pre-draft press conference, Yzerman addressed the way that these two contracts will affect his strategy.

"Going into free agency, I'm gonna stick to the plan," Yzerman said. "We are trying to build a team that's not just gonna make the playoffs one year and not the next year...Whether it's with our own free agents or others, we're going to be selective and try to address certain needs...We won't be able to sign all of our unrestricted free agents. I can't even guarantee we'll sign any of them, but we have interest in signing them, and ultimately it becomes—again it's gonna come down to term and dollars...I think it's safe to say, Lucas and Moritz Seider, their contracts are going to go up significantly. And that's going to take up a major portion of our cap and I have to be aware of that. And I have to plan for that. So that'll limit what we can do in other areas."

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