Red Wings Enter 2025 NHL Draft Hoping for Another Game-Changer
Every June, the NHL Entry Draft brings fresh hope for teams aiming to build a Stanley Cup contender. This year, the Detroit Red Wings are feeling that pressure even more with the 13th overall pick—a spot loaded with uncertainty and upside. The buzz around the organization is clear: they need someone who can make an impact, either now or soon. Two names are front and center in expert discussions: Carter Bear and Victor Eklund.
Let’s start with Carter Bear. Dubbed a "difference-maker" by more than one analyst, Bear brings something special from the blue line. He’s not just another solid defender—he’s a true playmaker. Scouts praise his ability to jump into the rush, make smart decisions under pressure, and find seams for dangerous passes. Anyone who watched Bear quarterback the power play in junior hockey saw a defender who looks calm when things get hectic. His style meshes well with the Red Wings’ current defensive group, which already boasts stars like Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson. The idea of adding Bear’s puck-moving ability to a young but skilled corps makes Detroit fans pretty excited.
But there’s another twist: Victor Eklund. The Swedish right winger stands out for his ability to create offense against grown men in Allsvenskan, Sweden’s tough second division. He’s not the biggest player on the ice, but his hands and hockey sense more than compensate. There’s always a bit of concern when it comes to size, but Eklund uses smart positioning and quick decision-making to avoid trouble. Red Wings brass have noticed his knack for slipping behind defenders and his nose for the net. In a system that already has Dylan Larkin, Lucas Raymond, and Patrick Kane anchoring the attack, Eklund could fit in as a complementary scoring threat on the wing.
Who Will Set the Tone for Detroit’s Next Chapter?
The Red Wings’ decision at 13 depends a lot on what happens in the chaos leading up to their pick. The top of the draft is basically set—Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa have been penciled in for months as the first two players off the board. But things get wild soon after. Teams like Columbus, Boston, and Vancouver are rumored to be shopping around for quick upgrades, meaning trades could shake up the board. That unpredictability might push a highly ranked forward or defenseman down to Detroit, forcing the front office to rethink its plans on the fly.
There’s another layer here: team needs. Detroit’s offense is strong up front but could use more support, especially with some veteran contracts nearing their end. The defense looks promising with the likes of Seider and Edvinsson, but adding a high-upside puck-mover like Bear is tempting when looking long-term. On the other hand, landing a slick winger like Eklund could help balance out their scoring lines sooner.
Once the marquee names go top two, every pick becomes a chess match. The Flyers are reportedly weighing Cameron Reid or Daniil Prokhorov, both of whom don’t have the same draw as Bear or Eklund, while the Predators are eyeing Cullen Potter later on. Beyond round one, things only get messier, with prospects sometimes falling unexpectedly or teams reaching for "their guy" based on private scouting opinions rather than consensus rankings.
Detroit has used recent drafts to add cornerstone talent and hold steady against the annual push-and-pull of NHL rebuilding cycles. Securing the right player at thirteen could be the difference between another step forward or another rebuilding year. The suspense is real; the stakes, as high as ever.