Drake_Marcus

Weird... I've seen it listed as 18. Everywhere I look has his birth date listed as Dec. 7, 1991. But I'd trust the Wings official site over assorted drafting sites. Worst case he gives us a big shut-down forward with size and smarts. Best case he's a 1st line centre who can use his size against his opponents. I'm hoping he grows another inch or two as well. It's exciting that he's already filled out to 200lbs, though.

He doesn't turn 19 until December.

More Nill:

Here's what Nill had to say:

Why couldn't they wait until the 1st? It's not like the Pens should have trouble attracting free agents. He's a greedy bastard he is! Not like us! He's just trying to take as much money home to his family as he can instead of thinking of how those poor owners feel. That's why I show my disregard for material wealth by signing contracts with companies who pay me the least.

And Brodeur is a better player than Savard. What's your point? Savard has about as much capacity to play a checking, PK role as he does a goaltending role.

People here should be pumped... this kid was described by one scout as the most complete player in the draft (somewhere in the Hockey News, and they mentioned it on RWC too). He's already hit 6'2 and 200lbs and was great at the combine: Aren't we always hearing how the Wings should get bigger and stronger? This kid is already in a grown man's body and didn't turn 18 until December 7th! He could end up 6'3 or better but even at 6'2 200lbs he's a beast.

And here's a scouting report from another site: He has the tools to do that if he develops like the Wings hope. He's apparently got an excellent hockey sense (and that's the #1 thing the Wings draft for) and he's built like a brick s***house. He's also very young and has been playing against men for the last year. I'm not so worried about his offensive ceiling because he's got all the tools of a late blooming power forward (albeit with more of a puck distributing spin on things).

On the midseason rankings he was 5th overall. What could've changed in a few months? He didn't score many goals on the Fighting Irish. Ok, but they play about as defensive a system as there is. And he was one of the youngest players in the entire NCAA. Plus he still tied for his team's rookie lead in scoring with a kid who's 1 year older. Holland and Nill wanted another scoring prospect and this kid has all the tools plus he was a guy who fell from 5th earlier in the year-- the talent is there. Here's a good article on Riley. (Oh, and he's a big, strong Irish Catholic Canadian with the name Sheahan... who does that remind you guys of?) http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/11772/2010_prospects_riley_sheahan/

I wouldn't peg him as a 4th liner just yet, even if it looks like he will be at this point. He made great offensive strides in only a year-- who's to say he won't do the same this year? Holland obviously thinks he's got untapped potential because he signed this kid to his first contract 2 years early. I really think Callahan has the potential to be a 3rd liner who can be like Maltby in his prime.

From the Windsor Star No shockers there but it's nice to shoot down the people who bemoan the fact that the Wings have traded down in the past and wish for more high-end action if only to appease their need for drama (see: trade deadline).

I think they're waiting to see how Callahan turns out. He's only 18 and already has his first contract with the Wings. I'm excited to see how he can do-- he managed to improve his CHL numbers this year while still playing the role of pest/fighter. Ross sounds very similar to Callahan. If they take a skill forward in the 1st I'd like to see a big shut-down d-man picked up in the 2nd or 3rd.

I'm feeling like the Wings will go after Johan Larsson if he's around by the time they pick in the 2nd. I'm actually not a MacFarland fan (I just used him as an example). From what I've read he's got a low hockey IQ and is too one note.

We'd have to pay out of our ass for a top 5 pick.

It's pretty much exactly what I said about him. I'm not saying it's right but at least I'm not the only one who sees him as a 2nd rounder (or late 1st) instead of an early 1st.

Here's what that guy said about McIlrath:

My God. This guy is ranking skill over height!

None of our RFA's are significant targets for an offer sheet. Helm is the highest profile guy and no one in their right mind would offer him something Holland can't match.

He said he was willing to play in the AHL...

You could argue that the SEL is on par with the KHL.

I'm betting that a Wings scout watching draft eligible players happened to see this guy play and let Holland or Nill know about his potential.

Those leagues are often populated by ex-NHLers and 'couldn't make it in the NHL' types. Young guys usually have unimpressive numbers there. It's pretty much the opposite of the QMJHL where high point totals are arguably meaningless given how many guys fail to translate that to the pro game (prospects with the strength of an 8 year old anemic can score 100pts in the Q). Also note that he's an unsigned defenseman so his point totals aren't supposed to be terribly impressive at this stage.

Crabb's now in the Hawks org. I definitely didn't forget him-- he hasn't proven much yet. I was just listing the best guys that weren't mentioned

Awesome. A young guy who didn't cost the Wings a player, prospect or even a pick is going to play in Grand Rapids with the hope of making the Wings. What's not to like? The worst case scenario is he gives the Wings depth and adds talent to Grand Rapids.

Tell your GM the Wings will gladly take Seto off your hands