DETROIT >> A lot of young hockey players are about to undertake some important job interviews.

To a large extent that pretty much is what next week’s NHL Scouting Combine in Buffalo, New York, is, with all 32 teams getting an opportunity to meet and test prospective draft picks.

That includes the Red Wings, who own nine important draft picks in next month’s Entry Draft.

Approximately 90 of the top prospects will attend the combine in what is a key part of the evaluation process for scouting departments said David Gregory, NHL Central Scouting associate director.

“It’s really grown over the years to become a great source of information that you just can’t get on the ice or from watching games,” Gregory said on the “NHL Draft Class” podcast. “The most important thing for the teams is the interview process, inviting as many of the combine invitees to their room with their entire team.

“It’s oftentimes the first opportunity for senior hockey operations people to have a chance to talk to the player, get to know them.”

Fitness testing takes place Saturday, including standing height/wingspan, horizontal jump, force plate vertical jumps, bench press, pro agility test, pull-ups and the Wingate Cycle Ergometer test.

“It is fun to watch the testing as well and just see how much room for growth some of these players have and some of them are already full-grown animals ready to hit the ice,” Gregory said.

The intrigue of this year’s draft class is the fact there is no absolute generational player, or players, at the top. There is no one like Connor McDavid, Connor Bedard or Macklin Celebrini who is universally considered going No. 1 overall.

Defenseman Matthew Schaefer is generally considered to be the favorite to be picked first on June 27 by the New York Islanders, but it’s not a slam dunk. Schaefer only played 17 games in the OHL with Erie this past season because of a broken collarbone. Still, Schaefer is ranked first on the NHL Central Scouting’s final ranking of North American skaters.

The Red Wings will pick at No. 13 in the first round, where some players with interesting potential will be available.

General manager Steve Yzerman, at his season-ending news conference, reiterated how important the draft is to the Wings.

“We’re trying to draft good, young men who are talented, young players that eventually become a very good team,” Yzerman said. “We’re on the right path to that. We’re building a nucleus of a good team with the idea that this team is going to win.”

Possible players who could be available for the Wings at No. 13 include:

RW Justin Carbonneau (6-foot-1, 192 pounds, Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL, 62 games, 46 goals, 43 assists, 89 points): Carbonneau is a prototypical power forward who has plenty of grit to his game and doesn’t shy away from the physical part of the game. He doesn’t possess elite skill, but he knows how to score goals.

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, with a motor that never slows.

LW Lynden Lakovic (6-4, 190, Moose Jaw, WHL, 47 games, 27 goals, 31 assists, 58 points): Lakovic has the size, reach and skating ability to belittle defenders. When Lakovic fills out physically, he could become a top-tier power forward.

D Radim Mrtka (6-6, 207, Seattle, WHL, 43 games, three goals, 32 assists, 35 points): A tall right-shot defenseman who has the ability to put up points, Mrtka, from Czechia, has range, skating ability and defensive awareness.

NHL Scouting Combine

Where: LECOM Harborcenter, Buffalo, New York

When: Monday-Saturday (June 2-7)

What: There will be 90 prospects taking part in the scouting combine. The 32 teams are able to interview prospects and get physical and medical assessments.

Red Wings picks: The Red Wings have nine picks for the 2025 Entry Draft on June 27-28, including their own selections in the first (13th overall), second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh rounds, as well as the New York Rangers’ third-round pick and St. Louis’ seventh-rounder.