TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – When the Detroit Red Wings traded Pavel Datsyuk to the Arizona Coyotes last month, defenseman Dennis Cholowski had an inkling as to which team was going to select him in the NHL draft.
The Red Wings, who had the 16th overall selection in the draft, swapped picks with the Coyotes to unload Datsyuk's $7.5-million salary cap hit in exchange for the 20th pick as well as Arizona's pick in the second round.
"When they traded to the 20th pick, my coach's favorite team is Detroit and he came running down to me right away as soon as they traded for it," Cholowski said.