Not every prospect you draft plays for your team.
Vegas Golden Knights fans have learned this the hard way, as they often ship out prospects to ensure they have all their chips in at the trade deadline. However, Detroit Red Wings fans are growing more accustomed to this.
This is primarily due to the volume of prospects in the organization. Sometimes, those prospects pan out and rise through the ranks; sometimes, they are traded away, and other times, they fade into obscurity.
One former Red Wings prospect has found themselves with a new team. Alec Regula was claimed off of waivers by the Edmonton Oilers yesterday.
So what’s the big deal?
For starters, he was a third-round draft pick in the 2018 draft. The 67th overall selection played junior hockey with the OHL’s famed organization, the London Knights.
Despite playing a loaded blueline with the likes of offensively gifted defenders such as Evan Bouchard and Adam Boqvist, Regula suffered an injury, which limited him to 22 games that year.
The #Oilers have claimed defenceman Alec Regula off waivers from Boston. The right-shot blueliner, selected 67th overall by Detroit in 2018, has appeared in 22 career @NHL games with one goal. pic.twitter.com/zX9uaDcIci
— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) December 11, 2024
The 2018 draft class was nothing to write home about for the Red Wings. Of the 10 players selected, only Jonatan Berggren and Joe Veleno have played significant games in the NHL.
Regula was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in October of 2019. He played three years with that organization before being a part of the Taylor Hall trade with the Boston Bruins.
It’s yet to be seen where Regula fits in with the Oilers organization. But in the least, he will get a fresh start with a new organization.
Not every prospect you draft will play for your team, but they still could play elsewhere.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
Related: Red Wings Have Hit Jackpot With Quality Defender
Puzzling Red Wings Trade Looks Worse Today
Two Budding Stars Brighten Red Wings Bleak Picture
Red Wings Looking to “Put it All Together” in Philadelphia
Red Wings Most Valuable Player Is Crystal Clear
Former Red Wings Goalie On The Shelf