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5 NHL teams that nailed Day 1 of 2018 NHL Draft

By Dave Stevenson

PLYMOUTH, MI - FEBRUARY 16: Oliver Wahlstrom #18 of the USA Nationals celebrates a third period against the Russian Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 16, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. The USA defeated Russia 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
PLYMOUTH, MI - FEBRUARY 16: Oliver Wahlstrom #18 of the USA Nationals celebrates a third period against the Russian Nationals during the 2018 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament game at USA Hockey Arena on February 16, 2018 in Plymouth, Michigan. The USA defeated Russia 5-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images
Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images /

3. Detroit Red Wings

There’s a saying — “It’s better to be lucky than good.” Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland got extremely lucky on Friday night. Armed with two first-round picks, the Wings had two very skilled players fall right into their laps. They were the beneficiaries of two players falling who, frankly, probably shouldn’t have.

It started with the sixth overall pick. After the Arizona Coyotes drafted center Barrett Hayton, the Red Wings were guaranteed a very good player. They went with the best player in Filip Zadina. Many had him as high as third in the draft among the prospect rankings. Zadina is an impressive goal scorer who has a sky-high hockey IQ. There’s a good chance the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Coyotes will be kicking themselves for passing on him. Detroit will be even bigger winners if they make this his goal song.

After that, the Red Wings had to wait a while until pick 30. They got this pick from the Vegas Golden Knights (and a second and third round pick as well) in exchange for forward Tomas Tatar, who was a regular healthy scratch for the Knights during their postseason run. The Red Wings selected center Joe Veleno with that pick.

It’s fair to question his offensive upside because he wasn’t that dynamic until a trade to the Drummondville Voltigeurs. However, Veleno is a very special player. His defense is light years ahead of most center prospects at his age. The Red Wings might be getting a young Frans Nielsen, back when he was a really good center.

Take a bow, Ken Holland. I’m not sure if you nailed the first-round because you’re good or because you’re lucky. But does it really matter?

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