ORNSKOLDSVIK, Sweden — Steve Yzerman is digging in immediately. He was announced as the new Red Wings general manager on a Friday, was on a plane to Sweden a couple days later and has been a regular at the U18 World Championship games all week, scouting prospects and getting to know his new amateur staff better.



On Saturday alone, with Russia, Team USA, Canada and Sweden all playing, he got an up-close look at a number of players — Vasili Podkolzin, Dylan Cozens, Alex Turcotte and Matthew Boldy to name a few — who all could be in play at the NHL Draft when the Red Wings pick at No. 6 on June 21.



He took a few minutes between the action to chat with The Athletic about draft strategy and how he’ll approach building the prospect pool in Detroit.



When you’re watching kids at this level, what are you specifically looking for?



I guess just guys who stand out. They can stand out for different reasons. Part of it is a...