Ted Kulfan grades last 20 top Red Wings draft picks

2015: Evgeny Svechnikov, LW, first round, No. 19 overall, Russia – What impresses scouts and the organization is Svechnikov’s professional attitude and work ethic. Mature beyond his years. Appears to have bright future. GRADE: B

2014: Dylan Larkin, C, first round, No. 15 overall, USA – Many analysts felt Larkin would be a fine player – but this quickly? Made a sensational NHL debut, led by elite speed and offensive instincts. GRADE: A

2013: Anthony Mantha, RW, first round, No. 20 overall, Canada – Most talked-about Red Wings draft pick in recent years, Mantha earned a late-season promotion this past season. While he didn’t look out of place, he definitely has areas to work on, most notably defense and strength. GRADE: B

2012: Martin Frk, RW, second round, No. 49 overall, Czech Republic – Scored 27 goals in Grand Rapids last season, after failing to show that sort of ability early in his career. Skating remains an issue; he’s not a speedster. GRADE: C

2011: Tomas Jurco, RW, second round, No. 35 overall, Slovakia – In many ways took a big step backward last season. Was expected to thrive under new coach Jeff Blashill, but instead couldn’t crack the lineup much at all. GRADE: D

2010: Riley Sheahan, C, first round, No. 21 overall, Canada – Consistency was a concern coming out of the draft and Sheahan hasn’t completely gotten over that issue at the pro level. There appears to still be untapped potential. GRADE: C

2009: Landon Ferraro, C/W, second round, No. 32 overall, Canada – The Red Wings were hoping Ferraro would develop into a third- or fourth-line energy guy but he wasn’t able to crack the lineup. He was claimed by the Bruins on waivers in November. May have difficult time staying in the NHL. GRADE: C

2008: Thomas McCollum, G, first round, No. 30 overall, USA – Hasn’t been able to get an extended NHL look, and has been up-and-down in Grand Rapids. McCollum’s days in the organization could be numbered. GRADE: C

2007: Brendan Smith, D, first round, No. 27 overall, Canada – Smith played some of his best hockey as a pro the second half of last season, minimizing turnovers and defensive lapses. GRADE: B

2006: Cory Emmerton, LW, second round, No. 41 overall, Canada – Showed spurts of offensive ability but simply wasn’t skilled or big enough to have an NHL career. His last season in the organization was 2013-14, and he is now playing in Europe. GRADE: C

2005: Jakub Kindl, D, first round, No. 19, Czech Republic – Kindl was given ample opportunities to claim a regular job but could never earn the trust of coaches Mike Babcock or Jeff Blashill. In February he was traded to the Panthers for a sixth-round pick in 2017. GRADE: D

2004: Johan Franzen, RW, third round, No. 97 overall, Sweden – Concussions have likely ended a career that showed promise but lacked consistency and passion. GRADE: C

2003: Jimmy Howard, G, second round, No. 64 overall, USA – Showed enough earlier in his career that the Red Wings gave him a six-year, $31.75-million contract that lasts through the 2018-19 season. The deal now is seen as a burden on the organization given Petr Mrazek has beaten Howard out for the starting job. GRADE: C

2002: Jiri Hudler, C/W, second round, No. 58 overall, Czech Republic – Earned a four-year, $12-million free-agent contract from Calgary in 2012 after some promising years in Detroit, but took a major step backward last season and was traded to the Panthers. GRADE: B

2001: Igor Grigorenko, LW, second round, No. 62 overall, Russia – Excited everyone with a brilliant junior career, but an automobile crash in 2003 severely injured his leg and Grigorenko’s development was stalled. He tried to make a comeback with the Wings organization in 2007 but failed. He is currently playing in Russia. GRADE: D

2000: Nikas Kronwall, D, first round, No. 29 overall, Sweden – Kronwall was considered too small and not sound enough defensively to thrive in the NHL. Red Wings gambled, and have been rewarded with a decade of productive seasons. A pro’s pro, on and off the ice. GRADE: A

1999: Jari Tolsa, LW, fourth round, No. 120 overall, Sweden – This later-round pick never made it to the NHL and spent most of his career in Sweden. GRADE: D

1998: Jiri Fischer, D, first round, No. 25 overall, Czech Republic – Slid to late first round and the Red Wings appeared to have a steal. He seemed to be on the verge of becoming an elite NHL defenseman when he went into cardiac arrest in a November 2005 game against the Predators at Joe Louis Arena. He was never medically cleared to play again. He was been the organization’s director of player development for the past nine years. GRADE: A

1997: Yuri Butsayev, LW, second round, No. 49 overall – Russia – Was given opportunities to show he was an NHL player, but Butsayev was unable to show enough. The Wings traded him to the Atlanta Thrashers (current Winnipeg Jets franchise) in 2001, where he remained for two seasons before returning to play in Russia. GRADE: C