The Detroit Red Wings ended the 2024-25 season with a bad taste in their mouths after yet another season of no playoffs. General manager Steve Yzerman was the one in charge of changing this team, and it was no secret that something had to change. Enter the 2025 NHL Draft and soon-to-be free agent period.
Red Wings restock prospect cabinet
On June 27 and 28, the NHL held its annual draft at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. While the NHL decentralized part of it was horrible, Yzerman and his group settled on the task at hand, which was to draft the best prospect on their board to elevate the young talent.
Forward Carter Bear was the team's first pick at number 13 and he fits the mold of what Red Wings hockey should be. Ultra competitive, productive in the offensive zone, and a Brad Marchand type when it comes to having sandpaper in his game.
The Red Wings then drafted Eddie Genborg in the second round with the 44th pick. Goaltender Michal Pradel was picked 75th, Brent Solomon was picked 109th, Michal Svreck 119th, Nikita Tyurin 140th, defenseman Will Murphy 172nd, and forward Grayden Robertson-Palmer with the last pick, number 204.
The prospects were not the only moves being made during the draft. Yzerman made a trade that was necessary and improved the goaltending position immediately. Detroit acquired goaltender John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for goaltender Petr Mrazek, a 2026 fourth-round pick, and a 2027 second-round pick. This move should give the Red Wings a boost in net, as Gibson will likely be the starter for Detroit.
Gibson had been rumored to be traded for the past few seasons. Although he is not an elite goaltender, he should give the team stability and dependability in net going forward. On Monday, Yzerman also made a move, trading forward Vladimir Tarasenko to the Minnesota Wild in exchange for future considerations.
The Red Wings drafted soem talent that should help them in the coming years over the weekend. Some may not make it but players like Bear, Pradel, and Murphy should be the players who make the biggest impact down the road during their tenure in the Red Wings system. Next is free agency, which starts on July 1st.
While most free agents want to go to a team in contention for the Stanley Cup, Detroit should be able to sign free agents who will help the team next season. This free agent crop has a few elite players but also some middle-six and fourth-line players who should add some motivation to the roster. Yzerman has a big opportunity to bring players in who will get them into the playoffs next season.