The NHL released its final rankings ahead of this year’s entry draft, and Jack Hughes retains his No. 1 spot.
The Detroit Red Wings had hoped to have a shot at selecting the Plymouth-based National Team Development Program product, or to be able to add forward Kaapo Kakko, is the top-ranked International skater according to the Central Scouting. But in last week’s draft lottery, New Jersey won the right to pick first overall, and the Wings were bumped back from fourth to sixth.
I wrote after the April 9 lottery that the Wings could end up drafting defenseman Bowen Byram.