Since the San Jose Sharks had a day or two off before their first game in the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals, and the Detroit Red Wings have had time to make a list of players they want, the two teams made a deal on Thursday for Sharks prospect Dylan Sadowy.
The Wings acquired left wing Sadowy from the Sharks in exchange for a third-round draft pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He was selected in the third round (81st overall) by San Jose in 2014, but the Sharks have been unable to sign him. When there were rumors that he might re-enter this year’s draft rather than sign with the Sharks, the Wings called.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound, Woodbridge, Ontario, native, scored 45 goals and had 25 assists in 64 games with Saginaw and Barrie in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) this past season, and he finished the season with two goals and three assists in eight playoff games.
“We like his grit and competitiveness, coupled with a good skill set,” said Red Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin to The Detroit News. “He’s a guy who has had two 40-goal seasons in the OHL, so clearly he’s got an offensive skill set.”
In 258 game OHL career, Sadowy, 20, has collected 188 points (116 goals, 72 assists), a +23 rating and 245 penalty minutes. The big, gritty forward was recognized in the OHL’s annual coaches poll, being named third-most dangerous in the goal area and second-best penalty killer in the Western Conference in 2014-15 and being named the third-best shot blocker in the Eastern Conference in 2015-16.
Sadowy was a player the Wings scouts and management considered drafting in 2014, but basically ran out of picks before they could snag him.
“We liked him in his draft year and our area guys (scouts) definitely liked him,” Martin said. “But the at the end of the day, there are only so many guys you can pick.”
The Wings anticipate having Sadowy signed to an entry-level contract soon, and he will be a part of the Wings’ development camp in July.
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