Red Wings’ Steve Yzerman on draftee Carter Bear, possible trades
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, June 27, 2025.
Welcome to Day 2 of the 2025 NHL draft. One person who is curious how today will unfold is Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman.
The Red Wings hold picks at Nos. 44, 75, 76, 119, 140, 172, 204 and 211 overall on Day 2, taking place Saturday, June 28, live at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. About 100 prospects are there – and 32 of them were selected Friday, June 27, in the first round – while team hockey operations personnel stayed home and enjoyed the decentralized format.
The Red Wings used their first-round pick at No. 13 overall to select Carter Bear, a versatile forward with a high-energy inner drive and a knack for scoring from any position.
Round two begins at noon EDT.
The Wings selected Carter Bear 13th overall in Round 1 on Friday night. Here’s a look at their Day 2 picks Saturday from Rounds 2-7:
Round 2: No. 44 overallRound 3: No. 75 overall (from Rangers)Round 3: No. 76 overallRound 4: No. 119 overall (from Lightning)Round 5: No. 140 overallRound 6: No. 172 overallRound 7: No. 204 overallRound 7: No. 211 overall (from Blues)
Steve Yzerman a homebody at heart
The change in format suited Yzerman, who said he likes that “we are in our own confines, it’s not as noisy as being in a big arena. It’s a little bit more relaxed for us. I’m in favor of doing it from our home building.”
But (there’s always one of those), he did wonder as he spoke to reporters around 11:30 p.m. at the conclusion of Round 1, four-and-a-half hours after it began, how Day 2 would go. When the NHL held remote drafts during the pandemic, the second days were a marathon. (On site, they’re usually over in five hours.)
“The first round is pretty easy because it’s not the fastest pace,” Yzerman said. “During the pandemic, we did it twice, and (the second day) really dragged on. But I like the format.”
Contact Helene St. James at hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames. Read more on the Detroit Red Wings and sign up for our Red Wings newsletter. Her latest book, “The Franchise: Detroit Red Wings, A Curated History of the Red Wings,” was released October 2024. Her books, “On the Clock: Behind the Scenes with the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL Draft,” and “The Big 50: The Men and Moments that made the Detroit Red Wings” are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. Personalized copies available via her e-mail.