from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

One day after we analyzed the five-best drafts in Red Wings’ history, here are the franchise’s first-worst drafts of all-time:

1. 1972

The 1970s were marked by mismanagement, bad drafting and a lot of losing in Detroit, as the team reached the postseason only twice.

Ned Harkness was the general manager in the early ’70s, an era that would be remembered as “Darkness with Harkness.” The only player taken during his second draft as GM to reach the NHL was fourth-round pick Danny Gruen (No. 58). He played more games for the Virginia Red Wings (AHL), Fort Worth Red Wings (Central Hockey League) and Kansas City Red Wings (CHL) than he did for the Detroit Red Wings (20).

Harkness traded his first-round pick (No. 10) to the Rangers for Rick Newell and Gary Doak. Newell played seven games for Detroit over the next two seasons. Doak was traded to Boston midway through the 1972-73 season.

The Rangers used Detroit’s pick to select winger Al Blanchard, the only player drafted in the first round who didn’t reach the NHL.

The Red Wings’ second selection, left wing Pierre Guite, played seven seasons in the World Hockey Association. Their third pick, right wing Bob Krieger, didn’t advance past the AHL.

more years...