Amid the Ding Dong the Witch is Dead style fans’ reaction to GM Steve Yzerman’s pending departure as general manager, the Athletic gave love to his Detroit Red Wings for their 2023 NHL draft class.

Draft guru Scott Wheeler offered a redraft of the 2023 NHL draft that includes four Detroit picks in the first round. In other words, four Detroit picks are now considered first-round picks, including Emmitt Finnie who was a seventh-round selection in 2023.

Wheeler has Trey Augustine (No. 41 in 2023) at No. 14 now, followed by Axel Sandin-Pellikka (17th) at No. 15, Finnie (201st) at No. 24 and finally Nate Danielson (ninth) at No. 28.

If you are wondering, the Red Wings draft Russian forward Roman Kantserov at No. 9 in Wheeler’s redraft. He scored 36 goals in 63 games for Mettalurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL last season. The Chicago Blackhawks drafted him 44th at the 2023 draft. In Wheeler’s redraft, the Red Wings landed goalie Michael Hrabel at No. 17. In 2023, the Arizona Coyotes drafted him at No. 38.

Obviously, in a redraft the Red Wings lost Augustine to Pittsburgh, Sandin-Pellikka and Finnie to Nashville and Danielson to Toronto.

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Future Hall of Famer Patrick Kane opts to return to the Chicago Blackhawks. That’s a major blow for the Detroit Red Wings.

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Max Smith wonders why the Red Wings didn’t show urgency in prospect development.

Red Wings Extra

In four months, former Red Wings player Patrick Kane turns 38. But the Blackhawks are giving him $8 million per season for two seasons because they believe he can improve their fourth-worst NHL power play and help Connor Bedard be all that he can be.

NHL.com had a story adding support for that notion, starting with the fact that Kane had 163 points in 189 games with Detroit. Last season, Kane was in the 85th percentile in power-play offensive zone time percentage (61.7; NHL forward average: 55.5) and 90th percentile in power-play skating distance (31.17 miles). During the 2024-25 season, Kane ranked in the 94th percentile in power-play offensive zone time percentage (63.8) and 90th percentile in power-play skating distance (31.21 miles). Even if Kane has probably lost a half-step, NHL Edge Stats showed Kane reached his highest speed of 22.8 mph last season. That ranks in the 78th percentile last season. In terms of 18-20 mph speed bursts, Kane has ranks impressively well among forwards during the puck and player tracking era, including the 75th percentile at the position last season (473) and well above the NHL forward average (313.7).

Via Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod social media yesterday

Whoever the next GM is, I hope they continue to build this relationship. He’s a free asset next year. I believe Vinogradov could contribute at the NHL level. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/BlMaw1bnF4

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) July 23, 2026

Hockey Now Digest

Colorado: Aarif Deen projects five Avalanche players to achieve career highs in the 2026-27 NHL season. Colorado Avalanche

Florida: Panthers sign promising Czechia defenseman. Florida Panthers.

Philadelphia: Why the Jamie Drysdale signing was a win for both the player and the team. William James explains. Philadelphia Flyers.

San Jose: What will Macklin Celebrini’s next contract look like? Sheng Peng is trying to find the answer. San Jose Sharks.