NHL mock draft: How all-time greats fit 2018 needs

The Detroit Red Wings really need a franchise center. They could use a defenseman as well, but there are no franchise defensemen left. Also, the Pittsburgh Penguins have already proven you can feasibly win a Stanley Cup without one. There are few franchise centers left, so the Red Wings are going to have to take a risk by drafting Howie Morenz.

He was arguably the greatest player of the NHL’s first half-century. Morenz won three Hart Trophies (1927-28, 1930-31, 1931-32). Unfortunately, his career was tragically short. Morenz broke his leg in 1937 and later died due to a coronary embolism. The NHL held several moments of silence across the league in response. Morenz is known as the first player in NHL history to have his number retired.

The Red Wings would be getting one of the fastest players in league history. He dominated the game by being faster than everyone else. Because of this, Morenz would probably love today’s game. He’d also love it because unlike the 1920s and 1930s, the rules are written to encourage offense instead of stifling it.

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Sure, he’d only be around for 13 seasons. But the Red Wings really need a franchise center. So it’s well worth the risk to draft Morenz.