With the Dylan Larkin trade request hanging over the Detroit Red Wings, Executive Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman set out to add more talent and depth to the Red Wings No. 4-ranked prospect pool. This draft was a bit of a departure for the Red Wings scouts and their recent draft philosophy, which was to take a certain profile of player. Yzerman and his scouting department took bigger swings and risks, and it looks like they were successful.
The Red Wings did not hold a first-round draft pick due to trading for Justin Faulk. When Yzerman saw a player the organization still coveted on the board, he made a move. Detroit sent goalie Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for the 23rd pick in the first round, where they selected F-J.P. Hurlbert.
The Red Wings organization would add F- Victor Plante, G- Michal Orsulak, F- Adam Levac, F- Beckham Edwards, F- Luka Arkko, and D- Myles Brosnan on the draft’s second day. Of the 2026 draft class, only Hurlbert projects to be a top-six forward and Brosnan a top-four pairing defenseman.
The other players selected (Plante, Levac, Edwards, and Arkko) project to be bottom- six forwards. The 2026 NHL Entry- Level Draft was a bit of a down year for high-end talent, but many teams were able to help the bottom parts of their teams. G- Orsulak looks to be organizational depth.
Steve Yzerman took bigger risks in this draft than he has since being named GM. The Red Wings drafted players who have a different skill set than have been drafted in recent years. This shows an adaptation on Yzerman’s part to diversify the organization and have a better-rounded system, which down the road will help the Red Wings.
The Detroit Red Wings, even without Dylan Larking is knocking on the playoffs door. By adding different style players that can do nothing but bolster the contention window once they do make the playoffs.
