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Our second part of a three-part look at the Red Wings most recent draft classes examines the 2012 class. The progress and development of the top three selections from this class will make or break the final grade eventually given to this draft for the Red Wings.
Again, we provide some feedback courtesy of
Red Wings Central to assist in determining the current status of these prospects.
Martin Frk, RW (2nd round, 49th overall)
Frk was a high-scoring junior player whose statistics were inflated playing on a powerhouse team alongside superstar 17-year-olds Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin. As an AHL rookie in 2013-14, Frk’s heavy feet and inability to play at a fast pace prevented him from establishing himself as a regular in Grand Rapids. He’ll return to the AHL in 2014-15 and needs to show up ready to prove he’s worthy of a scoring-line job and regular ice time on the power play. ---RedWingsCentral.com
Jake Paterson, G (3rd round, 80th overall)
The Red Wings had Paterson ranked as the fourth-best goaltender available in the 2012 NHL draft and were happy to get him in the third round, 80th overall. He hasn’t disappointed, posting two solid OHL campaigns and earning a spot on Canada’s world junior team. Already signed to a three-year entry-level contract, Paterson likely won’t see much AHL time in Grand Rapids in 2014-15 due to the presence of Petr Mrazek and Thomas McCollum, but he could be the No. 1 man in the ECHL with Toledo.---RedWingsCentral.com
Andreas Athanasiou, C/LW (4th round, 110th overall)
Athanasiou slid from a potential top-15 pick a year before the 2012 draft all the way to the 110th spot, where the Red Wings happily selected him. He has high-end NHL skating ability and is starting to turn heads with his hands and offensive ability. After an offensive breakout at the OHL level in 2013-14, Athanasiou will turn pro in the AHL with Grand Rapids in 2014-15. He projects as a top-six NHL forward who also could play on lower lines if his game rounds out.---RedWingsCentral.com
Mike McKee, RW/D (5th round, 140th overall)
The Red Wings don’t often select the biggest, meanest player available in the NHL draft, but that changed in 2012. It remains to be seen whether the rest of McKee’s game will develop enough to get him to the NHL. He struggled as a freshman at Western Michigan in 2013-14 and sat out close to half of the season as the team transitioned him from defense to forward in practice. He’ll look to establish himself as a regular up front in 2014-15 under the tutelage of ex-NHL head coach Andy Murray. The Red Wings have until 2017 to sign him and have time to be patient.---RedWingsCentral.com
James DeHaas, D (6th round, 170th overall)
De Haas was a late-round attempt at getting a safe, steady depth defenseman with excellent size and mobility. After a solid NCAA freshman campaign at Clarkson, De Haas will continue his development in 2014-15. The Red Wings have until 2017 to sign him. ---RedWingsCentral.com
Rasmus Bodin, W (7th round, 200th overall)
“For his size and age, he’s a very good skater — he’s not awkward like some guys are that age when they get big. He’s got good speed and he really works hard all the time. He plays with good intensity and he works, he works, he works … At this point, I would say I’m hoping he becomes a bigger version of (current Red Wings forward) Justin Abdelkader, a guy who works hard, uses his body and is a useful guy for the team.” — Red Wings director of European scouting Hakan Andersson (June 2012)
“The last game I saw him, he looked like a slower skater than when I drafted him. I can’t see us signing him. There’s no progress. It’s a seventh-rounder that didn’t go well.” — Andersson (January 2014).
OVERVIEW: This class will take a few more years to salvage a player or two. The two college players (McKee and DeHaas) have a few more years to develop before a decision needs to be made by the club. Athanasiou might be the top prospect in this class and his rookie campaign this season in Grand Rapids will be key to get him started on the right path. Unfortunately, Frk did not get off on the right foot and needs a bounceback campaign in order for him to restore the organization’s faith in him. Paterson could be in trouble due to the apparent log jam in front of him in goal, although he very well could be the starter in Grand Rapids by the 2015-16 season.
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