With the 2022 NHL Draft upon us, we get ready for chaos and intensity during the two-day affair. This year is promising to be the most intense based on there being no clear number one, and the rumors that attach themselves to the draft. With that said one of the teams, the Detroit Red Wings has an issue at center that they hoped to get cleared up with the eighth overall pick.
This draft is forward-heavy and the Red Wings have a good shot at landing their franchise center fairly quickly. There are three candidates who fit that bill and any one of those three could turn out to be the center Detroit needs to be a playoff contender again.
Matthew Savoie
Matthew Savoie is one of the best centers in the draft, offensively speaking. He has great vision, an accurate shot, NHL speed, and a high compete level to match his work ethic. Not only is he dangerous on a regular shift, but he is also just as dangerous as the power play and penalty kill.
Last season, while playing for the WHL Winnipeg Ice, Savoie played in 65 games, recording 35 goals and 55 assists for 90 points. He was also a +54.
His passing game is elite and he can score goals in a variety of different ways. His offensive skills keep the defense on their feet, never knowing if he will shoot or pass. Savoie has the chance to be an elite center and would fit perfectly in Detroit’s future plans as the second-line center behind captain Dylan Larkin.
Frank Nazar
Frank Nazar plays like a pit bull, always looking for someone to hit and full of energy. A versatile player who can play center or right-wing with equal effectiveness.
Nazar is patient with the puck, waiting out the defense and placing the puck with accuracy on a teammate’s stick for a scoring chance. He drives the net with authority and is not afraid to participate in scrums or get physical. Although he is a goal scorer his best attribute might be his passing game. Nazar is able to find passing lanes that others can not see, which is effective in the power play.
Last season Nazar played on two teams. Playing 56 games for the U.S. National U18 Team he posted 28 goals and 42 assists for 70 points. He was also successful while playing for the USNTDP Junior Team, scoring 15 goals and 20 assists for 35 points in 24 games.
Conor Geekie
Conor Geekie is a big man at 6-foot-4 and 206 pounds. He hits like a truck and loves to play the physical game, all while putting up some impressive offensive numbers. A teammate of Matthew Savoie on the WHL Winnipeg Ice team, he posted 24 goals and 46 assists for 70 points in 63 games. He also had 49 penalty minutes.
Geekie does have a knack for producing offense but the biggest knock against Geekie is his skating or lack thereof. He is not Connor McDavid on the ice and it will take the months leading up to the hockey season to improve that immensely. If Geekie can fix his skating he can be a top-two center. He has the offensive skill to be successful in the league but if his skating does not improve that could set him back