Detroit Red Wings acquire 2nd overall pick of Patrick Kane's NHL draft
Photo credit: Committed Indians
In an exciting set of circumstances, the Detroit Red Wings will have the 1st (Patrick Kane) and 2nd overall picks in the 2007 NHL Draft playing on the same team, as GM Steve Yzerman has added James Van Riemsdyk to the roster.
The Detroit Red Wings' 2025-26 squad will have two former 1st-round picks in the lineup. That is Patrick Kane, who went 1st overall in 2007, and James Van Riemsdyk, who joined the team in free agency.
It is quite ironic, and has given JVR a nice chuckle when he thinks about it:
«Yeah, it's actually funny,» James van Riemsdyk said.
Kane would be selected 1st overall on the fateful day in Nationwide Arena, in Columbus, where the NHL Draft took place. While the Flyers would follow with the selection of James Van Riemsdyk.
Not only are they the former 1st-round picks, but friends who will get to share the same team this season in the NHL. Kane signed here in free agency two years ago, and JVR would ink his deal in Detroit only a day after his buddy, Patrick Kane.
«He's one of my really good buddies and we've obviously been kind of through this whole journey over the years together in a lot of ways,» van Riemsdyk said. «Through some different USA hockey things and some different things over the years with training or bouncing ideas off each other or stuff like that. So it's really exciting that we get a chance to do all that on the same team.»
JVR and Kane both played together on the USNTDP U-18 squad during the 2005-06 season. Both were in their teens, and Kane would lead the team in scoring with 34 points (17-17).
JVR followed in third, with 29 (18-11).
Both players have had storied careers, but Kane has secured a Stanley Cup three times, while JVR has had a successful career as a former first-line forward, scoring 30 goals twice.
Now, they'll need to put it together where it matters and help the Red Wings secure a berth in the Stanley Cup playoffs in 2025.
Previously on Red Wings Insider
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 10 | 144 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings acquire 2nd overall pick of Patrick Kane's NHL draft Will forward Patrick Kane and forward James Van Riemsdyk help take the Detroit Red Wings to the Stanley Cup playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 95 | 66 % |
| no | 49 | 34 % |
| List of polls | ||
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