The last time the Red Wings picked sixth overall in the draft, they landed one of the top prospects in hockey: defenseman Moritz Seider.
They'll look to do the same this year.
The Wings were awarded the sixth overall selection in the 2021 NHL draft in Wednesday night's lottery -- the same place they were slotted entering the drawing. They had a 7.6 percent chance of picking first and a 15.4 percent chance of picking in the top two.
"There's no sense complaining about it," said GM Steve Yzerman when asked if the results left him frustrated. "The system is what it is."
Indeed, this almost feels like a win for Detroit after it lost in each of the past four lotteries. That includes 2018 when the Wings fell from fifth to sixth and took Filip Zadina and 2019 when they fell from fourth to sixth and took Seider.
"We didn't go backwards," Yzerman said. "We'll do our best to make a good selection. Whatever pick you have, you gotta find players. The system is the same for everyone -- not much you can do about it. I'm not losing a minute's sleep over it."
The first round of the draft will be held July 23. With the Wings needing more talent up and down their roster, Yzmeran said they'll take the best prospect available at No. 6 regardless of position.
"We do need help in every area. And the reality is, whoever we pick, in one, two, three years when they’re ready to play, things can change. Our philosophy will be to pick the best prospect on the board," Yzerman said. "I don’t think we’re in a position with the sixth pick to say, 'Oh, we definitely need this position."
The Sabres won the 2021 lottery after finishing last in the NHL -- a stark contrast to last year's lottery when the Wings dropped from first to fourth.
"Good for Buffalo," said Yzerman. "I wish them well. They're lucky to have the first pick."
The Seattle Kraken jumped from third to second this year, with the Ducks rounding out the top three.