Red Wings' draft lottery position to be decided on Saturday

DETROIT - This Saturday night, Red Wings fans could be rejoicing in the streets if the hockey gods miraculously tab Detroit as the NHL's lottery winner, which means generational defenseman Rasmus Dahlin could be taking his talents to the Motor City beginning next season.
Granted, the Wings have only an 8.5-percent chance of winning the lottery and a 26.1-percent chance of landing in the top three, but regardless of the draft lottery outcome, Detroit will pick no lower than eighth overall in the first round.

Since the Red Wings finished with the fifth-worst record in the NHL, they cannot fall lower than three spots in the lottery. Before the 2017 NHL Draft Lottery, Detroit was in the seventh position but fell to ninth after the lottery and picked center Michael Rasmussen.
Regardless of where the Wings end up in the first round, the selection will be their highest at least since drafting Keith Primeau third overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft.
This year's draft has been called one of the deepest in recent memory, and depending on where it ends up selecting, Detroit should acquire a high-end talent who could make the Red Wings' roster this October.
Dahlin will certainly be selected by the Red Wings if Detroit is fortunate enough to earn the first overall pick. How gifted is Dahlin? One NHL scout said Dahlin would not only be the Wings' best defenseman, he would be the team's best player - high praise for an 18-year-old.
But it's premature to get caught up in Dahlin fever. Every team that's in the lottery has visions of the young Swede patrolling their blue line. And remember, if the Wings do not win the lottery, they could still select a difference maker.
A puck-moving, offensive-minded defenseman and a pure goal-scoring forward top the Wings' wish list heading into the draft on June 23 and 24 in Dallas.
Here is a list of 12 players that could fit that bill. The first 11 are among the best prospects in the draft and the 12th player listed could be a surprise sleeper pick for Detroit.
In all likelihood, the Wings will draft one of the first 11 players listed with their first pick.
1. Rasmus Dahlin: Defenseman, 6-foot-2, 183 pounds. Shoots: Left Team: Frolunda (SHL) Stats: GP-41 G-7 Pts-20
Dahlin's skating ability and hockey sense allow him to dictate the pace of any game with or without the puck, making him an immediate impact player.
2. Andrei Svechnikov: Right wing, 6-foot-2, 186 pounds. Shoots: Left Team: Barrie (OHL) Stats: GP-44 G-40 Pts-72
The younger brother of Detroit prospect Evgeny, Svechnikov is ultra-competitive, highly skilled and a powerful skater with a deadly finishing touch around the net.
3. Brady Tkachuk: Left Wing, 6-foot-3, 195 pounds. Shoots: Left Team: Boston University (NCAA) Stats: GP-40 G-8 Pts-31
The son of former NHL star Keith and younger brother of Calgary forward Matthew, Tkachuk is an all-around talent that can score, defend and is more than willing to mix it up. He elevates his play at the most critical times of the game.
4. Filip Zadina: Left Wing, 6-feet, 190 pounds. Shoots: Left Team: Halifax (QMJHL) Stats: GP-57 G-44 Pts-82
Zadina is a high-end talent with great vision, playmaking ability and a shoot-first mentality. He prides himself as a two-way player and if he's available when the Red Wings are picking (except first overall), Zadina's instincts and accurate shot could be too good for the Wings to pass up.
5. Evan Bouchard: Defenseman, 6-foot-2, 193 pounds. Shoots: Right Team: London (OHL) Stats: GP-67 G-25 Pts-87
An extremely intelligent player, Bouchard is a natural as a puck-moving defenseman. His strong passing ability is a boon to the transition game and he is exceptional at quarterbacking the power play.
6. Adam Boqvist: Defenseman, 5-foot-11, 170 pounds. Shoots: Right Team: Brynas (SWE J20) Stats: GP-25 G-14 Pts-24
Playing in the shadow of Dahlin, Boqvist is also a skilled blueliner who possesses outstanding vision and playmaking ability. He plays bigger than his size and many scouts feel he is just beginning to tap into his lofty talent level.
7. Noah Dobson: Defenseman, 6-foot-3, 180 pounds. Shoots: Right Team: Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) Stats: GP-67 G-17 Pts-69
Dobson plays an excellent two-way game. His positioning and stick work effectively shut down the opposition in the defensive zone and his passing skills coupled with his hard shot from the point make him an offensive threat.
8. Oliver Wahlstrom: Right Wing, 6-foot-1, 198 pounds. Shoots: Right Team: U.S. NTDP U-18 (USHL) Stats: GP-54 G-40 Pts-83
Slated to play for Harvard next fall, Wahlstrom is strong on his skates and a flashy playmaker who creates a lot of offensive chances. He has a hard, accurate shot and isn't afraid to play between the dots to score goals.
9. Quinn Hughes, Defenseman, 5-foot-9, 168 pounds. Shoots: Left Team: Michigan (NCAA) Stats: GP-37 G-5 Pts-29
Hughes was named to the Big Ten's All-Rookie Team and Second All-Star Team during his freshman year at Michigan. A gifted skater with high-end puck skills, Hughes has the ability to transition from defense to offense because of his mobility and quick feet.
10. Barrett Hayton, Center, 6-foot-1, 191 pounds. Shoots: Left Team: Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) Stats: GP-63 G-21 Pts-60
A strong skater, Hayton has the strength and power to fight through checks and the mobility to move through traffic with or without the puck. He has a good wrist shot and finds his spots to unleash it. He gets back defensively and is rarely out of position in the defensive zone.
11. Ty Smith, Defenseman, 5-foot-11, 176 pounds. Shoots: Left Team: Spokane (WHL) Stats: GP-69 G-14 Pts-73
Smith has exceptional speed, which allows him to carry the puck up ice, pinch in at the blue line and get back defensively. He has great vision and patience with the inherent ability to always make the correct play. Smith needs to get stronger to be an effective defender in front of his own net.
12. Bode Wilde, Defenseman, 6-foot-2, 197 pounds. Shoots: Right Team: U.S. NTDP U-18 (USHL) Stats: GP-53 G-11 Pts-36
Committed to Michigan, Wilde is a big, solid player who plays a two-way game. He is a smooth skater with a deft transition game to go along with a hard shot and a nasty disposition. Wilde is an intriguing player because he has unlimited potential. He could blossom into a star.
The NHL Draft Lottery will be held in Toronto on Saturday, April 28 and will be televised by NBC.
Below is a link to NHL Central Scouting's final rankings for North American and European skaters and goalies heading into the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
 http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm?cat=1&sort=finalRank&year=2018