NHL mock draft: Final projections for every first-round pick

30.) Detroit Red Wings – Alexander Alexeyev

With two picks in the first round, the Detroit Red Wings can really jump start their rebuild. Taking a forward at the top of the draft will open up their options to take a defenseman later in the first round. The Red Wings’ prospect pool is relatively bare in all aspects. Forward Michael Rasmussen was the Red Wings first round pick last season and he seems promising but there is no standout on defense. Alexeyev of the Red Deer Rebels will give them a prospect they can rely on building forward. Not only is their current defensive core underwhelming it is old. Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson and Trevor Daley will all be over 35 soon.

The ratings on Alexeyev were all over the board. He had some first round grades and some scouts thought he is a second round pick. A team will take the chance on him in the first round. He has all of the pieces to be a successful player in the NHL. He has good size for an 18 year-old being six-foot-three. At times he displayed great offensive skill as well as the defensive prowess to not be a liability. In the WHL playoffs Alexeyev picked up five points in five games. Unfortunately, Red Deer did not make it past the first round. Alexeyev also got those five points playing through a broken finger.

The biggest area that Alexeyev needs to improve on while playing in the WHL next season is his consistency. There were some games last season where he was confident and looked like he owned the ice. Other games he disappeared and was hardly noticeable. The extra year in juniors will be a good chance for him to iron out those inconsistencies. He can step up be a leader on the team and raise his level of play.