The Red Wings used the 73rd overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft to take Noah Dower Nillson, a center from Frolunda HC
The Red Wings used the 73rd overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft to take Noah Dower Nillson, a center from Frolunda HC. Dower Nillson is the 7th Frolunda player chosen by Detroit in the last four drafts, with the others including Lucas Raymond, Simon Edvinsson, and Dower Nillson's older brother Liam.
Dower Nillson has played much of his career at center but may well project to the NHL along the wing. He has excellent scoring instincts, particularly as a playmaker. He can create off the rush or through forcing turnovers on the forecheck.
Dower Nillson's weakness is his skating. There are technical flaws to his stride, and he will need to make some significant improvements to contribute at the NHL level.
You'd expect any player taken in the third round to require some refinement to make it to the show. If they didn't need it, they would be called a lot earlier than the third round.
With Dower Nillson, it's encouraging that the path forward is clear. His offensive instincts are great and should project well; he and the Wings both know he will need to improve and perhaps even thoroughly remake his skating.
It's not an insignificant hurdle to clear, but that's what you're getting by the third round, and Dower Nillson is the kind of high ceiling prospect that will excite and delight fans with his potential. On the whole, it looks like a third round pick well spent.