Originally posted on Detroit Hockey Now | By Tim Robinson | Last updated 6/13/24
Drafting is not an exact science, as we will be reminded later this month when the Red Wings attend the NHL entry draft in Las Vegas.
You know the no-brainer picks, the Connor McDavids or the Steve Yzermans of the world, who are drafted high and are worth every nickel.
No matter what sport you are discussing, your mileage may vary on drafted players. It’s difficult to find any consistency in draft history. Fans must hold their breath as drafted players climb through a farm system. Some fall prey to injuries, some are traded, a few blossom elsewhere, and others are misses.
Some are big misses.
In hindsight, of course, you look at the numbers. Then it’s obvious.
But it’s not always obvious on draft day. Sports fans in Detroit know that. When Darko Milicic was drafted by the Detroit Pistons 20-plus years ago, not a single observer questioned the decision. He checked out all the boxes evaluators were looking for and had a legendary workout before the draft. He was a can’t-miss prospect.
Until he did.
Milicic was the second overall pick, taken ahead of (in order), Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, all of whom became stars. Big stars.
The last few years of the Ken Holland regime had plenty of misses, although not as disastrous. Still, the failure of a half-dozen choices have hampered the Red Wings during their decade in the playoff wilderness.
Can’t-Miss Prospects Who Did
Theodor Neiderbach
Where Taken: Second round, No. 51 overall in 2020.
NHL Stats: None. He’s the most recent pick on the list, one of three second-round picks in 2020 and one of two Yzerman picks on the list. He was drafted out of Sweden and never scored more than nine goals in a season.
Could Have Had: Will Cuylle (13 goals in 81 games last season with N.Y. Rangers), No, 60 overall; Alex Laferriere (12 goals in 81 games for Los Angeles last season.
Evgeny Svechnikov
Where Taken: First round, No, 19 overall in 2015.
NHL Stats: Five goals in 41 games for Detroit. After a season each at Winnipeg and San Jose, played in the KHL last year. His brother, Andrei, is a standout at Carolina.
Could Have Had: Sebastian Aho (254 goals for Carolina), Brock Boeser (40 goals for Vancouver last year), Travis Konecny (33 goals for Philadelphia last season) .
Filip Zadina
Where Taken: First round, No. 6 overall, 2018
NHL Stats: Had a career-high 13 goals in San Jose last season; 28 in parts of five seasons in Detroit.
Could Have Had: Any one of three standout defensemen —Vancouver’s Quinn Hughes (Next pick in that draft), Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard, New York Islanders’ Noah Dobson. Hughes was playing at Michigan.
Dennis Cholowski
Where Taken: First round, No. 20 overall, 2016.
NHL Stats: Has 10 career goals, all with Detroit, seven in his rookie season in 2018-19. Spent last season at Bridgeport (AHL), Never lived up to expectations.
Could Have Had: Alex DeBrincat (Drafted 39th overall by Blackhawks. Some teams had him ranked in first round.
Givani Smith
Where Taken: Second round, No. 46 overall, 2016.
NHL Stats: Nine career goals, seven with Detroit. Had one goal with San Jose last season.
Could Have Had: Colorado defenseman Samuel Girard (Next pick, by Nashville).
Jared McIsaac
Where Taken: Second round, No. 46, 2018.
NHL Stats: None. After playing parts of four seasons in Grand Rapids, McIsaac ended the season at Providence. He is a free agent.
Could Have Had: Edmonton’s Ryan McLeod (No. 40), Toronto’s Sean Durzi (No. 52)
Robert Mastrosimone
Where Taken: Second Round, No. 54, 2019.
NHL Stats: None. Red Wings didn’t sign him after he finished his college career at Arizona State. He played last season at Toronto (AHL).
C0uld Have Had: Vegas’ Pavel Dorefeyev (No. 79) and Arizona’s Matias Maccelli (No. 98, 2019)
This article first appeared on Detroit Hockey Now