2019 NHL Mock Draft: Chicago Blackhawks pick begins the intrigue

6. Detroit Red Wings – Vasily Podkolzin, RW

The Detroit Red Wings are in a rebuild, but they have some really nice pieces. They just hired Steve Yzerman to take over the executive position for the Wings, and he has been known to build good teams quickly. He had the Tampa Bay Lightning as one of the best teams in the league when he randomly decided he was done.

He has been known to take chances on guys and this is another opportunity to do so. Vasily Podkolzin would likely be going third overall if there wasn’t worry about his current contract situation with the KHL. This is right up Yzerman’s ally to take a Russian player who might seriously pay off later. If the Wings get Podkolzin, there is a chance that people regret letting this happen in the not so distant future.

7. Buffalo Sabres – Kirby Dach, C

Kirby Dach is exactly what the Buffalo Sabres need going forward. They have some star players, but they need some depth in order to finally return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. They haven’t been in the tournament much in recent years and getting a guy like Dach to play center in the two center role behind superstar Jack Eichel would go a long way.

His effort is the knock on him sometimes, but the skill, speed, and size is something that could turn him into a top end NHL center really soon. The Sabres would really benefit from this guy falling to them, as long as they can get his urgency taken care of.