As mentioned Wednesday, the Detroit Red Wings will very soon be in need of a reboot of their defensive corps. This area has been the ultimate point of strength in the system, but they are now aging, or retired for the most part. The Red Wings’ system doesn’t really have the top end prospects to replace Rafalski and Lidstrom.
Picking for the Red Wings is Monica, Lead Writer of Octopus Thrower.
"With the 24th overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry (Mock) Draft the Detroit Red Wings are proud to announce they have chosen Jonas Brodin."
Jared’s Analysis – Kind of a no-brainer here given the history of the Wings and their needs. In Brodin they get a good two way defenseman who can be eventually be tutored by Nick Kronwall on the Wings blue line. He has the potential to be a top 2 defenseman and could turn out to be the best all-around defenseman in this draft
Monica from Octopus Thrower sent along a brief comment on this selection:
"Just shy of his 18th birthday, the Karlstad, Sweden native is already over six foot; and having had played one full season with Färjestads BK of the Elitserien (Swedish Elite League). Brodin may have only tallied four points in the 42 regular season games appeared in this year, but he also kept his penalty time down to twelve minutes (in this years SEL playoffs he had two goals in fourteen games).According to scouting reports Brodin is skilled with his mobility and skating ability and plays a calm smart game; but could use some bulking up as he comes in under 170 pounds which can be achieved in his probably at least five year reign as a prospect in the Wings system split between the SEL and the AHL."
HAVE YOUR SAY
Here are the Mock Draft results so far (click on the team name to go to the post about that pick):
| Pick | TEAM | PLAYER |
| 1 | EDMONTON | Adam Larsson |
| 2 | COLORADO | Gabriel Landeskog |
| 3 | FLORIDA | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins |
| 4 | NEW JERSEY | Jonathan Huberdeau |
| 5 | NY ISLANDERS | Sean Couturier |
| 6 | OTTAWA | Ryan Strome |
| 7 | ATLANTA | Ryan Murphy |
| 8 | COLUMBUS | Dougie Hamilton |
| 9 | BOSTON (FR TOR) | Duncan Siemens |
| 10 | MINNESOTA | Sven Bartschi |
| 11 | COLORADO | Jamie Oleksiak |
| 12 | CAROLINA | Joel Armia |
| 13 | CALGARY | Mika Zibanejad |
| 14 | DALLAS | Nathan Beaulieu |
| 15 | NY RANGERS | Mark McNeill |
| 16 | BUFFALO | Brandon Saad |
| 17 | MONTREAL | Joseph Morrow |
| 18 | CHICAGO | Zack Phillips |
| 19 | EDMONTON | Mark Schiefele |
| 20 | PHOENIX | Rocco Grimaldi |
| 21 | OTTAWA | Nicklas Jensen |
| 22 | ANAHEIM | Oscar Klefbom |
| 23 | PITTSBURGH | Tomas Jurco |
| 24 | DETROIT | Jonas Brodin |
Now on the clock for the #25 selection, is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
PREVIEWING THE MAPLE LEAFS
2010-2011 Record: 37-34-11 (22nd Overall, pick acquired from Philadelphia for Kris Versteeg)
League Rankings:
Goals for: 21st
Goals Against: 24th
Power Play: 22nd
Penalty Kill: 28th
TOP 5 Prospects in the system: Nazem Kadri (C), Joe Colborne (C), Jake Gardiner (D), James Reimer (G), Keith Aulie (D)
NEEDS: The Toronto Maple Leafs are in desperate need of top end offensive talent, someone to complement Phil Kessel and help him avoid the prolonged slumps that plague the sniper. Three of the Leafs’ top 5 prospects spent at least some time with the Leafs last season, and showed very well, which bodes well for the future. Whether or not they can fill the offensive need with this pick remains to be seen, but they can take their shot. Will they follow with the rankings and go with Miller, Kockhlachev or Rask, or will they go off the board and take a chance on a lesser known talent?
TOP 5 PLAYERS ON THE BOARD (per ISS):
1. JT Miller, LW, USA Under-18 (USHL)
2. Connor Murphy, D, USA Under-18 (USHL)
3. Alexandr Khokhlachev, F, Windsor (OHL)
4. Victor Rask, C, Leksands (SWE ELITE)
5. David Musil, D, Vancouver (WHL)
Check back on TOO MANY MEN ON THE SITE later today to see who “Editor In Leaf” selects on behalf of the Maple Leafs, as the Fansided mock draft continues!