Bo-Horvat.jpg

High-scoring center Bo Horvat of the London Knights is one player who is being projected as a possible Detroit Red Wings' first-round choice in Sunday's NHL Draft.

(AP Photo)

Two high-scoring forwards and a big defenseman are among the players who could become property of the Detroit Red Wings this weekend, according to various NHL mock drafts.

The 2013 NHL Draft is Sunday in New Jersey and the Red Wings will select 18th in the first round. Joe McDonnell, Detroit's director of amateur scouting, told M-Live.com that the club would prefer to select a decent-sized forward with its first pick.



Here's a look at some of the players the Red Wings might take with their first pick, according to a half-dozen mock drafts.

• CBSSports.com: Mirco Mueller, Everett (WHL), defenseman

Central Scouting rank: No. 9

The numbers: In 63 games last season, had six goals, 25 assists, 57 penalty minutes and a minus-10 rating as the Silvertips made the playoffs with a 25-40-7 record before losing in the first round.

What they're saying: "Detroit has some solid, older forward prospects in the system who have been developing well," wrote CBSSports.com's Chris Peters. "Bringing the focus back to defense makes sense here since Mueller is still on the board. He has terrific size and a very high ceiling. Mueller (6-3, 184) moves the puck well enough, but he's best in his own end and has a good hockey IQ. He'd be an easy call here."

• FoxNews.com: Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert (WHL), defenseman

Central Scouting rank: No. 27

The numbers: In two full seasons with the Raiders, Morrissey had 25 goals, 60 assists, 151 PIM and a plus-12 rating.

What they're saying: "At 6-feet, 186 pounds, Morrissey isn't the biggest defenseman, but he makes up for that lack of size with terrific skating ability," wrote FoxNews.com. "After losing Nicklas Lidstrom to free agency last summer, the Red Wings could use a defenseman and with guys like Jones and Nurse out of Detroit's reach, Morrissey could be the best available D-man left."

• NHL.com: Shea Theodore, Seattle (WHL), defenseman

Central Scouting rank: No. 11

The numbers: In two full seasons with the Thunderbirds, Theodore had 23 goals, 62 assists, 62 PIM and minus-60 rating for a team that went 49-83-12 the past two years.

What they're saying: "The Red Wings have a need along the blue line and Theodore, a 6-1.75, 178-pound left-handed shot would be a good fit," wrote NHL.com's Mike G. Morreales. "A solid skater with hockey sense and a big shot, he is good off the transition and effective at running the power play. Had 19 goals (nine power-play goals) and 50 points in 71 games."

• SportsNet.ca: Nikita Zadorov, London (OHL), defenseman

Central Scouting rank: No. 22

The numbers: In 63 games last season, Zadorov (6-5, 221) had six goals, 19 assists, 54 PIM and a plus-33 rating as London went 50-13-5

What they're saying: "Detroit's blueline was exposed by Chicago's speed in the playoffs," wrote SportsNet.ca's Gare Jones and Ryan Dixon. "Zadorov would be the ultimate speed bump. He showed steady improvement this season and possesses more puck skills than you'd expect from a six-foot-four, 200-lb. player. The Wings love a project, and it's tempting to look at a tower on the back end as just that, but you'd be underrating his game right now."

• TSN.ca: Bo Horvat, London (OHL), center

Central Scouting rank: No. 15

The numbers: Had 33 goals, 28 assists, 29 PIM and a plus-3 rating during the regular season and 16 goals in 21 playoff games. In 131 regular-season games the past two seasons, Horvat had 44 goals, 47 assists, 37 PIM and a plus-30 rating.

What they're saying

: "

Horvat has experienced nothing but success since joining London two years ago, and he had a lot to do with it this season," wrote John Vogl of the London Free Press . "He scored with 0.1 seconds left in Game Seven of the OHL finals to win the game and series, sending the Knights to the Memorial Cup for the second straight spring. It was the highlight of a dominating postseason. Horvat recorded 16 goals and 23 points in 21 games as folks marveled at his big-game ability. Possibly the best faceoff man in the draft, Horvat loves the two-way game. He's a stellar penalty-killer and shot-blocker who gets put on the ice in key situations. He scored 11 goals in his first season of junior hockey and tripled it this season. Though he plays top-line minutes with London, some observers feel he'll amount to a third-line center in the NHL."

• USA Today: Adam Erne, Quebec (QMJHL), left wing

Central Scouting rank: No. 26

The numbers: Erne (6-1, 210) scored 28 goals in each of the past two seasons while totaling a combined 127 points for the Remparts. Had seven goals in 22 playoff games the past two seasons.

What they're saying: "A few other teams have passed on this premium talent because of lingering attitude concerns," wrote USA Today's Kyle Woodlief. "This is how Detroit stays on top. They get studs like this later than they should, and then rely on the strong culture of their room to bring him into line. Watch what happens when Dan Cleary takes this kid under his wing."

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