DETROIT >> The Detroit Red Wings will consider many different candidates as they approach next month’s NHL Draft.

Prospects will be analyzed, interviewed and studied.

Who’ll be the best fit? Who has the highest projection to be an impact player? Is someone flying under the radar?

The Wings will pick at No. 13 overall in the first round on June 27, and by then the “sure” bets — players who don’t have many question marks surrounding them — will be off the board. By this point of the draft, there’s a little more guesswork involved.

But one thing is for sure: There will be plenty of talented players for the Wings to choose from. There aren’t any generational talents in this draft, but there should be many, many players who will reach the NHL and help their organizations.

The Wings are in position to snare one of those players.

At this stage of the draft process, in mid-May, it’s difficult to single out just one or two players the Wings might be interested in. They’re going to look at a lot, and study and appraise many possibilities. On June 27, they’ll select the newest important piece for the organization.

Let’s take a first look at some names who should be available when the Wings draft in the first round (in alphabetical order):

• C/LW Carter Bear (6-foot, 176 pounds, Everett, WHL, 56 games, 40 goals, 42 assists, 82 points): Bear isn’t big physically, but he’s a prolific offensive player. Coaches love his versatility.

He’s capable of top-level play at either center or the wing, playing the bumper on the power play, and producing offense in shorthanded situations. Bear has a quick shot, too, and despite his size is effective around the net.

• RW Justin Carbonneau (6-1, 192, Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL, 62 games, 46 goals, 43 assists, 89 points): The Wings generally lack in size throughout the organization, and Carbonneau is a prototypical power forward. Carbonneau has plenty of grit to his game and doesn’t shy away from the physical part of the game. He’s good in tight spaces on the ice. He doesn’t possess elite skill, which might keep him from the top 10 picks, but it wouldn’t be shocking if Carbonneau gets picked just before the Wings are on the clock.

• LW Victor Eklund (5-11, 161, Djurgardens, Sweden, 42 games, 19 goals, 12 assists, 31 points): Eklund needs to fill out physically, but there’s a general feeling he could ultimately be a steal in this draft. Eklund is an elite skater and can play a physical game. He never slows down on the ice. The size gives you pause, but otherwise he seems like the Wings’ type of player.

• D Logan Hensler (6-2, 196, Wisconsin, NCAA, 32 games, two goals, 10 assists, 12 points): Hensler had an impressive freshman season at Wisconsin, and he played well for Team USA at world juniors.

A right-shot defenseman who can transport the puck, Hensler is strong and has shown good instincts at both ends of the ice. His play as a freshman this season against older competition stood out for a lot of scouts.

• LW Lynden Lakovic (6-4, 190, Moose Jaw, WHL, 47 games, 27 goals, 31 assists, 58 points): Another winger with size, which could intrigue the Wings. Lakovic has the size, reach and skating ability to belittle defenders. When Lakovic fills out physically, he could become a top-tier power forward. It’s not fair comparing him to Buffalo’s Tage Thompson at the moment, but some scouts see that type of size, skill level and shot.

• C Brady Martin (6-foot, 178, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL, 57 games, 33 goals, 39 assists, 72 points): Martin isn’t the biggest player around, but he plays above his size.

He isn’t afraid to get into the tough areas and usually comes out with the puck or scoring a goal. Martin’s work ethic is renowned; he built his own gym in one of the barns of his parents’ dairy farm.

• D Radim Mrtka (6-6, 207, Seattle, WHL, 43 games, three goals, 32 assists, 35 points): A tall, rangy right-shot defenseman who has the ability to put up points, Mrtka, from Czechia, will likely be drafted somewhere in the top 15 picks.

Scouts love his range, skating ability, and defensive awareness. If Mrtka fills out physically and continues improving on the defensive end, he’ll be quite a steal for a team. The Wings have defensive prospects, but Mrtka would be difficult to pass on.

• C Jake O’Brien (6-2, 170, Brantford, OHL, 66 games, 32 goals, 66 assists, 98 points): It might take some luck for O’Brien to fall to the Wings, but he’d be quite a catch. O’Brien was OHL rookie of the year in 2023-24 and kept progressing this season.

Terrific with the puck, O’Brien has the ability to slow the game down and pick defenses apart. Some scouts feel it might not take long for O’Brien, who is also adapt defensively, to reach the NHL.

• D Jackson Smith (6-3, 195, Tri-City, WHL, 68 games, 11 goals, 43 assists, 54 points): Considered to be more of an offensive defenseman heading into this season, Smith was still that but also improved on the defensive side of the rink. Smith’s skating is what stands out for scouts; he’s elusive and is able to skate the puck out of trouble.