Sometimes, you look at a player’s highlight reel, their points total, and their overall game, and think, “How are they not ranked higher?” That’s the case with one player who I wouldn’t mind watching the Detroit Red Wings reach for during the 2025 NHL Draft should they keep the 13th overall pick.
While Carter Bear looks like the logical selection here, I’m always one who says, “If you think a player is good enough for your organization, take them. Regardless of where they’re ranked.” That’s the case with Ben Kindel, who as of June 9th, Tankathon has going 26th overall to the Nashville Predators.
No, Kindel doesn’t boast ideal size, clocking in at 5’10, 176 lbs. He’s got a lot of room to grow, but with an April 2007 birthday, I’m not all that concerned. He’ll grow into his frame before we know it. But with 99 points and 35 goals in 65 games for the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen, I was shocked to see him going so late in the first round.
The Detroit Red Wings would be wise to consider Ben Kindel
Per Tankathon, Kindel’s the third-best right-winger in the draft, behind Porter Martone and Justin Carbonneau. He saw plenty of ice time with the U18 team at the World Juniors, where he put up seven points and one goal in five games.
Kindel also played at the Prospects Challenge, where he ended up with an assist in two games, and at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where he tacked on another two in five contests. Overall, his productivity wasn’t bad on the wider stage, especially at the World Juniors.
If I had to describe Kindel’s overall game, it’s sneaky. When he gets the puck on his stick, you don’t what he’s going to do with it until the absolute last microsecond. He’ll make you and the rest of the arena think he’s hesitating, or that he can’t make up his mind to shoot or pass the puck, or even where he’ll pass it.
Then he makes his move and leaves opposing skaters and the netminder confused. He’s the kind of player you can add to a middle six, and one who will use his slick style of play to generate unprecedented offense. That’s a dangerous forward, and he can be even more dangerous if paired with a finisher.
I would definitely consider Ben Kindel at No. 13
I don’t know what Steve Yzerman wants to do with that 13th pick, and that’s just fine. Heck, I hope nobody in the league knows what his plans are for it. Keep it? Trade it? Or, maybe spend it on a player who not everyone thinks will go as highly as they otherwise should? That would be where he’d use the pick to draft Kindel when he’s still available on the 27th.
Draft him, then let him keep developing his game in juniors for another two seasons before bringing him to the AHL for a season or two. At that point, he’ll have built more size, strengthened the strong points of his game, and even brought up a few weaker ones.
