Now that the excitement has settled down and free agency is beginning, I took the time to research all eight of Detroit's 2013 picks.
Anthony Mantha (W)
Drafted 20th overall, Anthony Mantha is an 18 year-old Canadian wing, coming out of the QMJHL (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League). Last season he led his league in goals, racking up 50 in the regular season. He also had 39 assists for a total of 89 points in 67 games. He acquired 71 PIM, but had a +21 rating. Scouts report that he's a sniper, and obviously can produce goals. He's a relatively big guy at 6'4 and 210lb. His consistency is off, though, and he can be a non-factor in some games. Mantha is most likely going to stay in the Juniors for one more season, though he did express determination to be on the Red Wings roster in the 2013-2014 season.
Zach Nastasiuk (RW)
Nastasiuk is also an 18 year-old Canadian wing. He was drafted 48th overall, playing this season in the OHL (Ontario Hockey League). Nastasiuk is a solid two-way player, but could use some improvement in his skating if he wants to compete with the rest of the NHL. He had 20 goals and 20 assists last season in 62 games, along with 32 PIM and a +21 rating.
Tyler Bertuzzi (LW)
Tyler Bertuzzi is Red Wing's veteran Todd Bertuzzi's 18 year-old nephew. Drafted 58th overall, he is (you guessed it) Canadian. He played in the OHL, and finished the season with 43 games played, totaling 13 goals and 9 assists, with a -2 rating. In that same amount of games he had 68 PIM, which proves the scouting reports of him being a physical presence in the game despite his size (6', 176lb).
Mattias Janmark-Nylen (C/LW)
Janmark-Nylen is a 20 year-old from Sweden, drafted 79th overall. He played in a Swedish league for this last season, playing 55 games. His regular season totals were 14 goals, 17 assists, 32 PIM, and a -4 rating.
David Pope (LW)
Pope is yet another 18 year-old Canadian. He was drafted 109th overall. Playing for the BCHL (British Columbia Hockey League), he put up decent numbers with 17 goals, 22 assists, 20 PIM, and a +20 rating in 42 games. Pope plans to play at the college level for Nebraska-Omaha next season.
Mitch Wheaton (D)
Mitch Wheaton, drafted 139th overall, was the Red Wing's first defenseman drafted this year. Another 18 year-old Canadian, Wheaton played for the WHL, and in 39 games played tallied 1 goal, 7 assists, 27 PIM, and a +20 rating. He's built for his role as a defenseman at 6'5 and 231lb. Scouting reports say he has a good presence on the blue line and is rarely challenged. He was out for part of the season with a serious shoulder injury but was able to return for the playoffs.
Marc McNulty (D)
The Red Wings certainly liked their Canadians this year, because here's another one. McNulty was the 6th 18 year-old Canadian drafted by the Wings this year. He was drafted 169th overall. Smaller for a defenseman at 6' and 185lb, his season in the WHL was average. In 52 games played he had 8 goals, 7 assists, 70 PIM, and a -18 rating. What this tells me is that he's more of an agitator or enforcer, who might draw some unnecessary penalties.
Hampus Melen (C/W)
Melen was the Red Wings final pick of the draft, at 199th overall. He's an 18 year-old Swede, tall build at 6'2, but slim at only 165lb. He'll need to bulk up, unless he wants to get run over by someone like Shawn Thornton or Niklas Kronwall. Melen played for a Swedish league, and his season totals were 18 goals, 22 assists, 59 PIM, and a +1 rating.
All these young men show potential, some more than others. It will be an interesting next few years for the Red Wings, and hopefully we'll see a few of these guys become important members of the team.
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