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Looking for the next Liles Red Wings take chance with Pyett, draft's second-to-last pick ... The Detroit Red Wings know Logan Pyett is far from a sure-fire NHLer. They also know the odds of finding one aren’t very high by the time the last round of the draft rolls around. Pyett, a 5-foot-10, 199-pound defenseman, was the second-to-last selection in Saturday’s NHL entry draft at General Motors Place in Vancouver, going 212th overall to the Red Wings. “We’re all looking for the next John-Michael Liles,” said Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill. “Some can make it. Some find a way to overcome their (lack of) size. Some don’t.” Pyett was a high-scoring blueliner in the Western Hockey League last season, piling up 10 goals and 35 assists for 45 points in 71 games for the Regina Pats. He also represented Canada at the world under-18 championship in Sweden, and had a goal, three assists and 25 shots on goal in seven games en route to a fourth-place finish. The Balgonie, Sask., native is a classic smaller defenseman, with great mobility and a ton of natural offensive talent. “He’s small, but we like his offensive skills and vision,” said Nill. “We’re just hoping he has something special that allows him to play. He’s got the skills, now, how does he find a way to play with his size?” Nill said a comparison Derek Meech, another Wings prospect, was a reasonable one. Meech, a 5-foot-11, 196-pounder, graduated from the WHL and is developing his game in the minors. “Pyett runs with a little bit more offensive upside than Meech, but they’re the same type of player,” said Nill. The Red Wings have not picked an NHLer with their last selection in the draft in 14 years. Goaltender Ryan Bach was the last, going 262nd overall in 1992. He started just three NHL games with the Los Angeles Kings. “It’s a later pick,” said Nill. “We’ll see how he develops.” NOTE: This is the last in a series of articles on the Red Wings' newest draft picks. Articles appeared daily. See also: Matthew Wuest is a freelance hockey writer. You can contact him by email at wuest@redwingscentral.com. |
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