The Stanley Cup playoffs only accented what we already knew about the NHL:
Defensemen rule.
Nonetheless, it was an eye opener how three defensemen selected in the 2017 and 2018 NHL Drafts -- Miro Heiskanen (third overall 2017 by Dallas), Cale Makar (fourth overall 2017 by Colorado) and Quinn Hughes (seventh overall 2018 by Vancouver) -- often dominated, garnering roughly a point per game.
Makar won the Calder Trophy as top rookie. Hughes easily could have, placing second. Heiskanen has already played in an All Star game and could be a candidate to win the Conn Smythe Award should the Stars prevail in the finals.
The notion defensemen develop slower than forwards apparently has passed.
With that in mind, it could impact the Red Wings in the 2020 NHL Draft on Oct. 6.
The Red Wings, who hold the fourth overall selection, obviously need upgrades on all fronts. They apparently have been burned by passing on Hughes for winger Filip Zadina at sixth overall in '18.
The Red Wings may have hit the jackpot with defenseman Moritz Seider at sixth overall last year, though, in Steve Yzerman's first draft.
Still, even with the development of Filip Hronek, defense is a position of need for the Red Wings.
Yet, they are noticeably thin at center behind Dylan Larkin. Joe Veleno is the top center in the prospect pipeline. Michael Rasmussen seems like more a winger.
Since the Red Wings have had a glaring problem moving the puck since Nicklas Lidstrom retired, there was an early presumption the best defenseman available is their logical pick in this draft.
But it doesn't appear as the best draft for top-end defensemen.
Jamie Drysdale from the Erie Otters of the OHL could be the exception, but it's debatable whether he belongs in the Top 5 overall because of the quality forwards available.
Drysdale draws comparisons to Hughes because he is an elite skater and not big (listed at 5-11, 170 pounds).
However, he is much stronger than Hughes at the same age.
Hughes' creativity is unique. It's not clear about Drysdale. A wild card could be defenseman Jake Sanderson from the U.S. Developmental Program. He is a solid all-around player and a Top 10 talent.
The first three picks in this draft are anticipated to be winger Alexis Lafreniere, center Quinton Byfield and winger Tim Stuzele. The Red Wings will have a pick of two high-end centers.
Marco Rossi led the OHL in scoring for Ottawa, and Cole Perfetti of Saginaw was second.
The skill set is off the charts for both. They are incredibly gifted playmakers. Perfetti played wing last season, but possesses classic center skills. Size is the only concern for the pair.
Jimmy Devellano and Chris Osgood are part of the Saginaw ownership group, and Perfetti knows Red Wings' director of amateur scouting Kris Draper well as a friend.
Such familiarity could lead Perfetti to Detroit. It wouldn't be a reach.
In doing so, the Red Wings would be bypassing Swedish wingers Lucas Raymond and Alexander Holtz.
Raymond is a small winger, but with an exceptional feel for the game. Holtz is the best pure goal scorer in this draft. They have held their own taking regular shifts in the AHL-level Swedish Hockey League.
All things equal, I think the Red Wings should draft a center in the first round.
Perfetti would be ideal. But if Yzerman went defense, who could argue based on what has been demonstrated in the Stanley Cup playoffs?
