NHL Draft 2012: Red Wings' Best Pick, Worst Pick and Diamond in the Rough

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The Detroit Red Wings had six draft picks in the 2012 NHL entry draft, but were without a first-round pick for the 10th time since 1997 (per the Red Wings website).

The lack of a first-round pick did not stop them from taking some very good players.

But for every good player in a draft there is a player that will not pan out the way a team had hoped.

For the full Red Wings draft list (courtesy NHL.com) click here.

Continue reading for the Red Wings' best pick, worst pick and diamond in the rough from the 2012 NHL draft.

Best Pick: Marin Frk

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The Red Wings addressed their needs at right-wing further in selecting Martin Frk at 49th overall.

Martin Frk was a steal for the Red Wings at 49th overall as the right-handed right-winger from the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL was listed as the 20th-ranked North American skater in the final Central Scouting rankings.

Frk likely fell to 49th because of his injury-shortened season of 34 games in 2011-12.

Not to worry though, as Frk still put up 16 goals and 29 points in those games as well as 11 points in 17 playoff games.

Frk is listed at 6'0" and 204 pounds, so he is already ready physically to play at an NHL level, but could likely spend another season in Juniors before being signed to play for the Red Wings' AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Worst Pick: Jake Paterson

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With an 18-18-3 record this season, a 3.42 GAA and a .904 save percentage, there's nothing really appealing about taking goaltender Jake Paterson with the Red Wings' third-round selection (80th overall).

But that's exactly what happened.

Patterson is the third overall North American goalie in what was really a weak class of goaltenders this season.

Why Detroit didn't try for a defenseman in the third round escapes me right now; I'm at a loss for words on this selection here.

Diamond in the Rough: Rasmus Bodin

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Bodin is a 6'6", 207-pound center from Sweden and Detroit took him in the seventh round at 200th overall.

Rasmus Bodin is such a diamond in the rough that I can't even find a YouTube video of him. He doesn't even have a draft prospect page on NHL.com.

I did however, find a picture of him here.

Bodin's statistics aren't that bad: 14 goals and 20 assists over 58 games combined over the last two seasons in Sweden's J18 Elit action for Ostersunds.

He will move from the J18 team to the actual Ostersunds IK team next season and is described by Eliteprospects.com as:

A huge player with great strength and reach. Has a cannon of a shot. Works hard. Surprisingly mobile for a player of his great stature. Very raw. Project.

Even if Bodin ("this project") turns into only a bottom-six player, he could be very effective as he has the size to add some more weight to his frame.

Bodin would give the Red Wings a huge (literally) edge in the face-off circle; he would also be a physical force to be reckoned with close to the net at both ends of the ice.

The fact that he "works hard" is simply a bonus that would come into play while playing with Detroit some day.

 

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