2011 NHL Draft Picks: Who Will the Detroit Red Wings Select in the First Round

The 2011 NHL Draft presents the Detroit Red Wings a big opportunity to continue stocking their system with talented players.  With some of the more important roster players aging to the point of retirement or dwindling effectiveness, the Wings will need to continue to address holes that are two or three years down the road.

While linchpin blueliner Nicklas Lidstrom decided to return earlier this week, allowing those in Hockeytown to take a sigh of relief, he can only play for so long.  Brian Rafalski has already retired, and players such as Tomas Holmstrom and Todd Bertuzzi are getting towards that point as well.

Logic says that they'll pick a defender, as their system is lacking a bit after Brendan Smith and Jakub Kindl.

Swedish defenders Jonas Brodin and Oscar Klefbom should still be available at the 24th spot, and could help cement Detroit's blueline in a year or two.  They both are missing offensive aspects to their games, but could develop these skills over time.

Joe Morrow would be an outstanding pickup should he slip that far down the board.  He's an outstanding skater, and moves the puck well—more or less the opposite of Klefbom and Brodin.  Morrow brings the O but is a little weaker on D.

There are a few forward that could entice the Red Wings as well if they have a smaller name pegged as a defender they could bring on board in a later round.  Tyler Biggs is the name that jumps out at me the most, as the Wings could definitely use the size and strength on the flanks.