Detroit Red Wings Projected to Land Swedish Star with 13th Overall Draft Pick

The official start of the offseason will go down in the coming weeks, and many experts have started to release their predictions as to what will go down in the NHL this summer.

The Athletic's Corey Pronman released his annual mock draft, in which he announced the Red Wings are likely to select a potential NHL star with the 13th overall pick.

Indeed, Pronman thinks that Yzerman and the Red Wings will grab Victor Eklund, an 18-year-old, 5'11", 161 lbs left-winger from Sweden.

In a short analysis, Pronman wrote that the player's speed and playmaking skills would fill an important hole in the Red Wings' lineup:

With the NHL Combine currently happening in Buffalo, predictions could change depending on the prospects' test results and interviews.

However, he is 2nd among international players in the NHL's Central Scouting Rankings, behind Anton Frondell.

In an interview, his brother, William Eklund, the San Jose Sharks forward, stated that he would love to see his organization draft him with their 2nd overall pick, although more talented players will be available. He added that his brother will make the team who ends up getting him happy:

Last season, Eklund scored 31 points in 42 games in the SHL, where he won the Championship with Djurgårdens IF. He also tallied seven points, including two goals, in 16 games.