Abel to Yzerman

Abel to Yzerman

Detroit's Best Picks Per Round

06/15/2020 at 9:52am EDT

from Ansar Khan of Mlive,

Here is a look back at the Red Wings’ best all-time picks in each round (the current draft consists of seven rounds; at one point in the late ’70s there were 17 rounds. We are going only through the 11th round since nobody drafted later made an impact).

First round: Steve Yzerman, 1983 (Peterborough, OHL)

Pat LaFontaine, who the Red Wings hoped to land with the fourth pick, would have been a good choice had the New York Islanders not taken him third. Yzerman turned out to be a better selection. He was the longest-serving captain in NHL history (19 seasons) and his finished 22-year career second to Howe in goals (692) and points (1,755) and first in assists (1,063) on the franchise list. He won three Stanley Cups as a player and the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 1998.

Honorable mention: Marcel Dionne, 1971; Niklas Kronwall, 2000.

Second round: Jimmy Howard, 2003 (Maine, Hockey East)

He assumed the starting job early in the 2009-10 season and finished second in Calder Trophy voting as rookie of the year. A three-time All-Star selection who likely played his final season in Detroit in 2019-20. He ranks behind only Terry Sawchuk and Chris Osgood in games (543) and wins (243) and is fourth in shutouts (24).

Honorable mention: Reed Larson, 1976; Adam Graves, 1986; Darren McCarty, 1992.

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