Detroit Red Wings Draft New Prospects to Boost 2026 Roster

Detroit Red Wings announced a seven‑player draft class on June 28, 2026, adding forward J.P. Hurlbert and defenseman Victor Plante to a roster that sits 10th in the Eastern Conference, 41‑31, on a three‑game losing streak.

Who did Detroit Red Wings select?

The Wings used their first‑round pick, No. 23 overall, on Texas‑born winger J.P. Hurlbert. The 6‑foot, 190‑pound forward posted 97 points – 42 goals – in 68 WHL games for Kamloops and logged strong numbers in the U.S. National Team Development Program. Coach Kris Draper praised his scoring instincts and creative puck handling.

Why were these prospects chosen?

General Manager Steve Yzerman explained that the team needed depth at center and a high‑upside scorer. Hurlbert’s family ties to Detroit, dating back to the Howe‑Lindsay era, add a local connection. In the second round, Detroit selected Victor Plante, 5‑10, 165 lb, the younger brother of 2024 draftee Max Plante and son of former NHLer Derek Plante. Yzerman highlighted the Plante family’s hockey pedigree as a key factor.

How does the draft fit into Detroit’s broader plan?

The Wings traded the No. 207 pick for a 2027 seventh‑rounder, showing a willingness to maneuver for future assets. They also moved a 2021 first‑rounder, goaltender Sebastian Cossa, to Utah for the No. 23 pick that landed Hurlbert. Yzerman noted that with John Gibson anchoring net and backups Trey Augustine and Michal Postava, the team can afford to part with Cossa’s rights.

What’s next for the 2026 class?

All seven draftees will report to Little Caesars Arena for the annual development camp next week. The camp will give coaches a chance to evaluate how Hurlbert’s scoring touch translates to the NHL and whether Plante can adapt his defensive game to the professional level. Detroit hopes the new talent will help reverse the current L3 streak and push the club higher in the Eastern Conference.