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â¦@DetroitRedWingsâ© â¦@HockeyBuzzâ© 2019 draft pic.twitter.com/otwt7CKV9f
— Stuttering Guitarist (@TheJeremyLaura) July 17, 2023
you can see all the drafts for Detroit with this link. The screen shot is not interactive, just shows the players.
2019 was a strange year leading up to the draft. Yzerman was hired and Holland moved to the office. Then Holland moved to Edmonton. Most of you remember that Steve was basically on “paid leave… from the Lightning as soon as he let them know he wasn’t going to sign an extension. Instead, the now GM of Detroit spent time with his brother doing some scouting.
It didn’t hit me until draft day that every player would be wearing the number 19. Either that is the happiest of coincidences or Like Gretzky’s retirement in ‘99, a well orchestrated home coming. Yzerman’s first pick caught almost everyone off guard. Some awkward silence on the broadcast. The now famous loop of Seider in shock, and fans sending some fairly upset tweets. (One that said, “is it too late to get Kenny back?…).
Seider was the best surprise I never saw coming. He earned accolades in Grand Rapids and seemed to be ready to jump right in for Detroit in year 2. A lockdown shortened season saw him play in the SHL garnering Defenseman of the year, the hotly debated (in the comments) Elite Prospect of the year and it was a sure bet that he would be in Detroit.
Two straight healthy seasons saw him gather 12 goals and 80 assists in 164 games. He’s also shown creativity with the puck and though he looks lean, he can be fairly physical. In truth, of the Yzerman era, he’s been my favorite picks.
Antti Tuomisto was the next pick (35th). The 6’5… Dman did sign his ELC, and looks to be Grand Rapids bound. After spending 2019-2020 in Finland, he played 2 years in Denver, then returned to Finland last year. He only grabbed 20 points in 2 seasons (59 games) in Denver and had 5 goals and 15 assists in 60 games in Finland. The team and the player thought a season back in Finland may help him regain some confidence as he had 49 points in 48 games in the U20 league in his first post draft season.
Elmer Soderblom actually started last year in Detroit racking up 5 goals and 3 assists in 21 games before being injured. After recovery he had 5 goals and 3 assists in 20 games in the AHL. It will be interesting to see how he feels when camp comes around. At 6’8… it’s hard not to notice the big man as he seemed to fit well with the third line.
As for the rest, it’s wait and see. When I started this column I talked about a path for players that can take 3 to 5 years to see them ready to take a shot at the pros. We’re just about there with the 2019 class. Seider and Soderblom are the only 2 so far with NHL ice time. Take a look at the list and let me know who you think could be next.