3 Players the Red Wings Should Target in Second Round of 2026 NHL Draft – The Hockey Writers – Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings find themselves without a first-round pick at the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, having sent their pick to the St. Louis Blues as part of the Justin Faulk trade. That pick ended up at #15 for the Blues, and while having that pick would be valuable to the organization, there are still plenty of prospects who should be available in the second round when the Red Wings pick at #47 that fans should keep an eye on.

RW Jaxon Cover, London Knights (Ontario Hockey League)

A prospect who has opened the eyes of many in their draft-year season, Jaxon Cover could be a bit of a dark-horse player in the 2026 Draft. He could end up being a late first-round pick, or he could fall somewhere in the second round. He has only played ice hockey for a handful of seasons after growing up playing inline hockey. He has plenty of raw talent and had a strong season for the London Knights. When watching him play, he is a bit reminiscent of Amadeus Lombardi with the energy and all-around game in which he plays.

He is likely to be more of a long-term prospect who will need more time to refine his game than some other prospects. But, if the Red Wings scouting and development personnel believe that they can take Cover’s game to the next level while giving him the time to develop (he is committed to Penn State for his college hockey), he could be a solid option if he is available when pick 47 comes around.

D Ben MacBeath, Calgary Hitmen (Western Hockey League)

The Red Wings have a few prospects at the defenseman position who could be making their way to the NHL level full-time over the next couple of seasons (Axel Sandin Pellikka, Shai Buium, Anton Johansson), but if Ben MacBeath is available when they are on the clock in the second round, he could be an enticing option. MacBeath has the ability to play in any and all situations on the ice and has the defensive mindset to be a top-four defenseman in the NHL if he continues to develop and is deployed in the right manner.

Not only would MacBeath bring a solid defensive game to the Red Wings’ system, but he also has the offensive skill to be a difference maker. As the organization continues to look towards the future, having the depth at the backend of the ice would be somewhere they should look to focus on.

LW Victor Plante, USNTDP (United States Hockey League)

A last name that Red Wings fans know well already, with the Red Wings having his older brother and 2026 Hobey Baker Award winner (NCAA’s top player), Max, already in their system, Victor Plante could be right in the wheelhouse in the second round for the organization. The younger Plante will be joining his two older brothers (Max and Zam) at the University of Minnesota Duluth next season after a strong season with the United States National Developmental Program (USNTDP). He plays a strong two-way game that general manager (GM) Steve Yerman loves his players to have, but he can make an impact with and without the puck on his stick.

In a year where the USNTDP was not necessarily where it is used to being with its success, Plante showed the offensive skillset to be a difference-maker, and had a strong showing at the Under-18 World Junior Championship (WJC) for the United States. He may not end up being someone who ends up being a top-of-the-lineup forward, but he has every bit of potential to be a mid-to-bottom-six winger in the NHL.

Other names to keep an eye on: LW Adam Nemec (Sudbury Wolves), D Giorgos Pantelas (Brandon Wheat Kings), C Adam Valentini (University of Michigan)

Plenty to Keep an Eye on Heading Into June

With not having a first-round pick this year, the Red Wings will likely be looking at a prospect who could end up taking longer to make an impact at the NHL level. Being able to add to the depth of the organization is always one of the end goals in the draft, obviously, and Yzerman and his staff have a chance to add a prospect who will end up being an asset down the line.