Plus almost every team in the NHL has a handful of prospects the most devoted segments of their fanbase are hyped up about. No reason to think the Wings’ prospect pool today is any better than average.
Even the Leafs, without high picks and with dysfunctional management, found Matthew Knies (64 points this year so far) at #57 in 2021, drafted 17 goal scorer (albeit for Boston) Fraser Minten at #38 in 2022, has got 19 games this season at a .912 save % from 2022 4th rounder Dennis Hildeby, and 2023 #28 Easton Cowan drafted 19 spots after Danielson has played 61 games for the Leafs this season.
If it’s not mediocre drafting on the Wings’ part then it is mediocre development.n