The Detroit Red Wings sat out most of Day 1 of the 2026 NHL Draft after trading their first-round pick to the St. Louis Blues on March 6 as part of the Justin Faulk trade. They got in on the action when general manager Steve Yzerman sent goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa – the No. 15 pick in the 2021 Draft – to Utah for the No. 23 pick Friday night, then used that pick on left wing J.P. Hurlbert, a Michigan commit who spent last season with Kamloops in the WHL.
The Red Wings own eight picks in the seven-round draft in Buffalo, New York, but the final seven of them are slotted in Rounds 2-7. Day 2 of the draft, on Saturday, June 27, drops the puck, so to speak, at 11 a.m. on TV via NHL Network and streaming via ESPN+.
Watch the NHL Draft on ESPN Unlimited
The Wings opted not to move into the first round by moving disgruntled star Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade after 11 years in Detroit. And though Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has not commented publicly on Larkin’s wishes, it would be surprising if the team captain was offered up for a package today, with the prize of a 2026 first-rounder already come and gone. Negotiating deals isn’t as easy as in previous seasons, either, with NHL front offices staying home – only prospects were in Buffalo for the weekend.
Here’s what you need to know about the Red Wings draft pick situation.
Red Wings 2026 draft picks
Overall pick number in parentheses.
2026 NHL Draft Day 1 picks
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You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings picks for Day 2 of 2026 NHL Draft in Buffalo
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
