Yzerman's Draft Strategy and Prospect Profiles Begin - May 13th, 2026
5/14/20261 hr 38 min
It's time - this Detroit Red Wings podcast breaks down the 2026 NHL Draft strategy for Steve Yzerman with no first-round pick in hand. News and analysis covers Yzerman's free agency options, prospect profiles, Stanley Cup playoff updates, and a coaching shakeup in Toronto.
(00:00) - Intro
Free agency is looking THIN.
(04:25) - 2026 Draft Strategy
With no first-round pick after the Justin Faulk trade, what should Kris Draper and the Red Wings do? The case for swinging for the fences and avoiding the safer Brady Cleveland/Andrew Gibson archetype that's burned them in the past, and how they can get a Stankoven or Hutson of their own.
(13:25) - Trading Up in the Draft
Is moving up worth the cost? Why Sebastian Cossa probably isn't getting it done on his own, and why the 33-38 range could be the sweet spot for catching fallers.
(40:35) - Prospect Profile: Gavin McKenna
Sick puck skills, Kucherov-level vision, and questions about his off-puck effort. Why he's still the favorite to go first overall over Stenberg.
(49:45) - Prospect Profile: Victor Plante
Max Plante's brother and what he could bring as a potential second-round target.
(56:30) - Stanley Cup Playoff Updates
Charlie McAvoy's suspension, the diving problem, and Carolina sitting back watching Montreal and Buffalo beat each other up.
(1:02:45) - NHL news: Berube Fired by Toronto; Cassidy in Demand
Why the move had to happen and what kind of coach the Leafs need next. Vegas blocking interview requests and Edmonton's never-ending dysfunction.
(1:11:05) - Charlie Coyle Contract
Six years, $6 million AAV, full no-move through age 38 - what does this mean for this year's July 1st market?>
(1:19:55) - Overtime Questions
Your questions on Kyrou, Brady Tkachuk rumors, Mackie Samoskevich, and more.
---
This episode is brought to you by Hims. Visit hims.com/wingedwheel for your personalized hair loss treatment options.
Support the show: Patreon.com/WingedWheelPodcast
Head over to wingedwheelpodcast.com to find all the ways to listen, how to support the show, and so much more!
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
[upbeat music] Welcome to the Wing Wheel Podcast, the number one source for news, analysis, and discussion on the Detroit Red Wings, the NHL, and all things hockey. Here are your hosts, Ryan Hanna, Brad Krysko, and Evan Lopsinger.
Ryan Hanna· Host0:24
This free agency class is so thin that I'm actually worried we're gonna see Frans Nielsen out there as an available option again. Like, who's left? You know who has it the worst?
Evan Lopsinger· Host0:39
Nobody.
Ryan Hanna· Host0:40
The, who has it the worst are the, like, the TV broadcasts. Like, these are their jobs. It's not like us idiots where we're like, "Ah, we can just do a lighter live stream," or, you know, "We'll switch it up to accommodate." It's like, no, TV broadcasts who are already struggling with, like, you know, trade deadline day coverage, they have to do all this draft coverage, and then the, the free agency coverage right after, and there's nothing gonna... It, it's not, there's, it's empty. There's nothing there left for, for free agents.
Evan Lopsinger· Host1:07
Just wait till they add two more teams. Frans Nielsen will be on that list.
Ryan Hanna· Host1:12
He's gonna be a second line center. They might actually repeat one of the Nielsen or Abdelkader contracts. And this, Abdelkader's off the books now, and I'm actually, it's like a non-zero 0.001% [laughs] chance, like, he comes back. This is bad. I, I don't know. I was talking