Luke Kunin.jpg

Luke Kunin (center) is congratulated after scoring one of his 19 goals last season.

(AP File Photo)

Scoring goals was a problem for the Detroit Red Wings during much of last season and especially in a first-round playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Red Wings averaged 2.55 goals during the regular season to rank 23rd in the NHL before scoring just eight in five games against the Lightning.

That will make beefing up the offense a priority during the offseason.

While this year's draft probably won't help the Red Wings' offense next season - or in the next few, for that matter - they could get some help down the road if NHL.com is correct.

NHL.com's mock draft projects the Red Wings will use the 16th overall pick next month to select freshman center Luke Kunin from the University of Wisconsin.

"A lethal finisher capable of creating offense each shift, the right-shooting Kunin (6-0, 193) was named to the Big Ten Conference All-Freshman team after leading Wisconsin with 19 goals, five power-play goals and 127 shots on goal in 34 games," wrote NHL.com's Mike Morreale.

NHL Central Scouting's final player rankings this season had Kunin No. 11 among North American skaters after he finished tied for eighth in the Big Ten scoring race with 13 goals and eight assists in 20 games.

Kunin, 18, spent two years in the U.S. National Team development program before playing for Wisconsin. In 2014-15, he had 27 goals and 15 assists in 61 games for the U.S. National U18 team.

In seven World Junior Championship games in 2015, Kunin had six goals while serving as team captain. Auston Matthews, expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, was an alternate captain.

"A highly intelligent and offensively gifted forward," is how Eliteprospects.com described Kunin. "Has a keen eye for scoring opportunities and has shown flashes of elite-level finishing capability. Works hard and isn't afraid to battle for puck possession. Good hands and puck skills, and has a really accurate release on his shot.

"Needs to work on his explosiveness, staying in motion with the play, and strength behind his shot. All-in-all, a gifted offensive force with the potential to blossom into a highlight reel player."

Kunin's 19 goals last season tied for sixth among freshmen in Wisconsin history, his 32 points were second among Big Ten freshmen and he had a seven-game points streak to end the year.

Kunin needed just three years to graduate from high school.

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