Detroit Red Wings 2009 Draft Review

(Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)

Fifth Round, 150th Overall:

Nick Jensen—D, Green Bay Gamblers (USHL). 6'1", 187 lbs.

Another offensive defensemen, Jensen also has a reliable defensive side to his game as well. He will continue to play with the Gamblers next year and will head to St. Cloud State University for the 2010-11 season. He seems to be at least as good as the defensemen we picked two rounds earlier.

Nick's dad, Jeff Jensen, was a 10th round pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 1978 NHL Amateur Draft.

Strengths: Already has a pretty decent two way game that will improve with age. He also has a nice, effortless stride and is a good puck handler.

Weaknesses: Needs to be more offensively involved. He also could put on more strength and his lack of competition for next year is troubling.

Potential: Fourth/fifth defensemen

Sixth Round, 180th Overall:

Mitchell Callahan—RW, Kelowna Rockets (WHL). 5'11", 175 lbs.

A tough as nails kid from California, Callahan backs down from no one and is the exact opposite of the entire Wings team in that he loves to fight and agitate. Callahan never stops working and could reach the 20-goal, 200 PIM plateau next season.

Strengths: A pretty good skater who has a never quit attitude. Callahan fought everybody this year, from the 20-year old veterans to the 16-year old rookies and he always fights when challenged, there is none of this talking stuff as far as he is concerned. He can also chip in offensively and is also a decent penalty killer.

Weaknesses: Another guy who needs to put on weight and there is worry that he won't be able to play his grinding style against the big men of the NHL unless he does add more muscle to his frame.

Potential: Third line grinder who can chip in offensively

Seventh Round, 210th Overall:

Adam Almqvist—D, HV 71 J20 (Swe-Jr). 5'10", 169 lbs

A Detroit Red Wings draft just isn't complete without selecting a player from Sweden. Some believe that this could be another late round gem by the Wings Swedish based scout, Hakan Andersson.

Almqvist is seen as another huge project and is likely five years away from making an NHL impact, something along the lines like Jonathon Ericsson, who the Wings drafted last overall in the 2002 draft and is just now making a significant NHL impact.

Strengths: Under the radar player, his two way game is very good and he possesses amazing hockey sense. He also can make great outlet passes and knows the game very well for a player his age.

Weaknesses: Another player with an obvious size issue, Almqvist did add 20 pounds during the season, so that is very encouraging. He also needs to work on his skating some more and should add more upper-body strength this summer.

Potential: Power play quarterback/fourth or fifth defensemen

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