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Which Red Wings prospects could make Detroit's roster next season? Mailbag, Part 2
Which Red Wings prospects could make Detroit's roster next season? Mailbag, Part 2

New York Times

time6 days ago

  • Sport
  • New York Times

Which Red Wings prospects could make Detroit's roster next season? Mailbag, Part 2

We're back with Part 2 of the Detroit Red Wings offseason mailbag, focusing more on roster and prospect questions. If you missed Part 1, check it out here. Let's jump right in. Note: Questions have been edited for clarity and length After the Red Wings sent Marco Kasper to Grand Rapids to start the season last year, in favor of keeping back-of-the-roster veterans, is there any hope for prospects who have not made their Red Wings debut yet to make the opening-day roster without injuries in front of them? — Peter N. Kasper was outstanding last preseason and, in my view, deserved a spot on the opening-night roster. That he didn't start there does seem to indicate how hard it will be for any young player to win a spot outright. Advertisement I do think Kasper's case is also instructive in another, more encouraging way: He still played 77 games last season. Opening night holds some special symbolic meaning, but Kasper only ended up missing five games total. He still made a full-season impact for the Red Wings. It's a good reminder that the October roster is just a snapshot of a moment in time, and isn't an end-all, be-all. Beyond that, the Red Wings' hole at top-line left wing right now does at least open the door to a youngster in a way that hasn't always been the case. Remember that Lucas Raymond was once ticketed to start his age-19 season in Grand Rapids, if not for the fact that Jakub Vrana got hurt, creating room high in the lineup. Now, I don't know if Nate Danielson, Carter Mazur, Amadeus Lombardi or Michael Brandsegg-Nygård is going to have as dazzling a camp as Raymond did. That's a high bar. However, if one does, the fact that there's an upper-lineup spot seemingly available is an interesting factor. Detroit has tended to prefer its young players earn a prominent role in order to make the big club, and there might actually be one up for grabs this year. Today, I wouldn't predict any of them to make the cut opening night, but it wouldn't surprise me if one or more of Danielson, Mazur or maybe even Lombardi play a significant number of games in Detroit next year. Andrew Copp was quietly effective as the second-line center before going down with injury. It seems like the assumption has been that Kasper will be 2C, but do you think there is a chance that we see Copp resume that role and Kasper go back to playing wing on the top line? — Andy S. There's a chance, yes. Like you said, Copp was good in that spot before he got hurt after the 4 Nations break, and Kasper was likewise excellent next to Dylan Larkin and Raymond. I think you at least have to try it at some point in camp, given how well it was working. Advertisement I think the Red Wings view Kasper as a center long-term, though, and given how ready he looked for the job, I think there will be real pull to leaving him there. The pace and edge he brought to that second line with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat made it the team's best trio down the stretch. Maybe that gives Copp an opportunity at first-line left wing, though. He's got size and can make plays from down low, even if he doesn't have Kasper's footspeed. Detroit could also certainly use him in a matchup role, but he at least could theoretically fit up top. I have to think the Red Wings are going to try a whole bunch of looks in camp and through the preseason. It'll all work itself out from there. Steve Yzerman won his first Stanley Cup as a 32-year-old captain who had played 13 years in the NHL. Do you think this impacts his perception of an organization's 'timeline' and the patience required? — Aaron B. It's certainly possible. He definitely knows how long the process can take, and he was still playing at a high level when he won with the Red Wings for the first time in 1997. It's hard to imagine that doesn't at least color his perspective on Larkin turning 29 this month. Still, it's a different league now than it was back then, and Yzerman surely knows that, too. There are more scouts all over the world, making it harder to find the kind of late-round draft steals from Europe that fueled the Red Wings' glory days. There are more teams, making it harder to get into the playoffs. And, of course, there's a salary cap — though, with the rising cap, it shouldn't be as hard to keep good teams together in the coming years. I think most people would agree that rebuilds rarely move as quickly as you want them to and that a lot of patience is required. If it pays off the way it did for Yzerman in 1997 (and 1998 and 2002), then all the pain is eventually worth it. Advertisement Will the Red Wings reach those same heights at the end of all this? They've got a lot of work ahead of them to do so. As always, time will tell. How do the recent second-rounders stack up for the Griffins' defense? 1) Shai Buium, 2) William Wallinder, 3) Antti Tuomisto? — Matt R. I'd put Buium and Wallinder a tier above Tuomisto. I think Tuomisto is a nice AHL defenseman, but probably more organizational depth than a future NHL regular because of his skating. Wallinder's skating is excellent, especially at 6 feet 4, and if he can consistently get a bit meaner, I think he has a nice path to third-pair minutes, maybe as soon as the second half of this season. Buium's skating isn't as good as Wallinder's, but I think his smarts and creativity are strong enough that he could develop into a potential regular as well. The later-round defenseman I'm most intrigued by, though, is 2022 fourth-round pick Anton Johansson, who won't be in Grand Rapids this season but did finish there in 2025. In those games, he really popped with size, skating, edge and some offense. To me, he's the most complete of that bunch, and I'm curious to see how his season goes. Do you think that Simon Edvinsson gets locked up with an eight-year deal or a seven-year deal? — Adam C. Based on what defensemen are going for — and considering the eighth-year option will be gone as soon as the new CBA kicks in — it would be great for Detroit to get Edvinsson locked in now. For those same reasons, though, Edvinsson has a lot of incentive to wait, put together another big season (possibly with more power-play time) and really boost his potential value, while also potentially getting to free agency sooner. For that reason, I think getting a long-term deal done with Edvinsson now could be difficult, but it never hurts to try. Advertisement What do you think of Sebastian Cossa spending one more year in Grand Rapids? All I can think of is the Predators and Yaroslav Askarov situation of last season, where he asked for a trade because they signed Juuse Saros to a long-term contract. — Mike B. The big difference between the two is that the Red Wings don't have any goalies signed to long-term contracts. They traded for John Gibson, but he only has two years left on his deal. That's this coming season, where Gibson will be expected to share the crease with Cam Talbot, plus one more where he would presumably share it with Cossa. And with two older goaltenders, you have to think Cossa is going to see at least some time in Detroit, as long as his play in Grand Rapids warrants it. I don't have an issue with him starting the year back in the AHL (and playing a lot), partly because, given how he finished the season, he didn't make a case that he had outgrown the league. He was pretty rocky down the stretch. I expect he will bounce back this year, but I can understand why the Red Wings didn't feel they could bank on him being ready to be one of their top two from the jump. I think you'll see Cossa in Detroit at some point this year, possibly for a similar number of games to what Askarov got in San Jose last season (13), and then full-time in 2026-27. Do you get any sense that Trey Augustine is not looking to sign with Detroit, and will go free agent after leaving MSU? Would the Wings look to trade his rights if this is the case? — Will O. I'm not in Augustine's head, but I don't see why he wouldn't want to sign. He's a local youngster, and it's not like anyone has staked their claim to the Red Wings' net long-term at this stage. Cossa still has plenty to prove as well. I think it was pretty rational for him to stay at Michigan State and play a bunch of games while chasing a national title, rather than share the net in Grand Rapids. Advertisement I asked Augustine at development camp if his plan was to turn pro a year from now (at the end of his junior year) and here's what he said: 'Ideally. Still have to go out there and prove it, and obviously make a decision at the end of next season.' That's not the most revealing answer, and if, for some reason, he didn't want to sign, the Red Wings would obviously have to trade his rights. Right now, I have no reason to believe that's the case. If he goes back for his senior year, maybe it'll be time to worry. (Top photo of Marco Kasper: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Red Wings' Lucas Raymond Surges To No. 2 in Under-23 Scoring
Red Wings' Lucas Raymond Surges To No. 2 in Under-23 Scoring

Yahoo

time15-07-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

Red Wings' Lucas Raymond Surges To No. 2 in Under-23 Scoring

The Detroit Red Wings appropriately felt slighted by the 2020 NHL Draft Lottery when they somehow fell back multiple spots and ultimately landed the No. 4 pick despite having posted the worst record of any team since the expansion Atlanta Thrashers of 1999-2000. . The consensus No. 1 overall selection in that season's Draft was forward Alexis Lafreniere, a star with Rimouski Océanic of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Advertisement The visions that danced in the heads of Red Wings fans everywhere of Lafreniere donning the Winged Wheel were dashed when Detroit not only didn't get the first overall pick, but had to watch the New York Rangers, a playoff team, select him. The Red Wings then turned to their Plan B and selected forward Lucas Raymond, who was playing in the Swedish Hockey League with Frölunda HC. And by all reasonable measurements, Detroit's rotten Draft Lottery Luck in 2020 turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. Raymond has become one of the best young players in the NHL after bursting onto the scene as a rookie, along with Moritz Seider, in the 2021-22 season. Advertisement He scored 23 goals with 34 assists in his rookie season, and while he experienced a dip in production known as the dreaded "sophomore slump" that multiple players endure, he roared back immediately. Raymond caught fire in the second half of the 2023-24 season, finishing with 31 goals and 41 assists for a then career-high 72 points. None were bigger than his pair of goals in Detroit's home finale against the Montreal Canadiens to tie the score late in regulation and then give the Red Wings the overtime victory, keeping their postseason hopes alive. His output in the recently-completed 2024-25 NHL season was even higher, scoring 27 goals with 53 assists to set a new career-high in points with 80. Advertisement He was the highest-scoring player in the NHL aged 23 or younger, and he also became the first Swedish-born player aged 23 or younger to reach 80 points since Nicklas Bäckström in 2009-10 with the Washington Capitals. Additionally, Raymond's 254 career points are 61 higher than the 193 career points for Lafreniere, and are the second-most by any active NHL player aged 23 or younger, behind only Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stützle. The Red Wings recognized the special talent that they had on their hands when Raymond was extended for eight years last offseason, and he's in Hockeytown for the long haul. Never miss a story by adding us to your Google News favorites!

2025 NHL Draft: Key players in the Detroit Red Wings prospect pool
2025 NHL Draft: Key players in the Detroit Red Wings prospect pool

Yahoo

time28-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Yahoo

2025 NHL Draft: Key players in the Detroit Red Wings prospect pool

The 2025 NHL Draft is approaching, with the Detroit Red Wings looking to add to an already deep pool of prospects. According to a February breakdown from The Athletic, the Red Wings have the fifth-ranked prospect pool among all NHL teams, behind the San Jose Sharks, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens and Chicago Blackhawks. The team has benefited from high draft picks in recent years, with the Red Wings making a top-10 selection in every draft from 2017-23. Their highest draft pick in that span was the No. 4 pick in the 2020 draft, which turned into Lucas Raymond. Advertisement This year, the Red Wings have the No. 13 pick in the draft. Detroit has a prospect pool that has recently graduated young NHL'ers such as Marco Kasper and Simon Edvinsson, with potentially more new players suiting up for the Red Wings for the 2025-26 season. Here are 10 Red Wings prospects to know ahead of the draft, excluding any players who have already played significant time in the NHL: D Axel Sandin Pellikka, 20 NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 28: Standing with Kris Draper and Steve Yzerman, Axel Sandin Pellikka is selected by the Detroit Red Wings with the 17th overall pick during round one of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 28, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by) ORG XMIT: 775989686 ORIG FILE ID: 1503569446 The young Swedish defenseman is by many accounts the top prospect in the Red Wings system. He was taken with the No. 17 pick in the 2023 draft and is currently playing in Sweden with Skellefteå. Advertisement Already a decorated international player with his native Sweden, Sandin Pellikka gets praise for his offensive abilities, especially for his accurate shooting. F Nate Danielson, 20 Detroit Red Wings forward Nate Danielson (29) controls the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period of a preseason hockey game at United Center in Chicago on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023. Also from the 2023 draft class, Danielson put up 39 points in his second professional season with the Grand Rapids Griffins and finished second on the team with 27 assists in 2024-25. Prospect experts have praised the Canadian for his size and intelligence. G Sebastian Cossa, 22 Detroit Red Wings goaltender Sebastian Cossa (33) looks for the puck during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York, on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. Cossa has already made his NHL debut in a Dec. 9 game against the Buffalo Sabres and was brought up again under emergency conditions in March. But considering his debut was also the only NHL action he has so far received, it's safe to still call him a prospect. Advertisement Cossa had a .911 save percentage over 41 games for Grand Rapids of the AHL in the 2024-25 season. He was the team's No. 15 overall selection in the 2021 draft. F Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, 19 Michael Brandsegg-Nygård Taken with the No. 15 pick in the 2024 draft, Brandsegg-Nygård made history by becoming the first Norwegian player ever selected in the first round of an NHL draft. The winger is currently on loan with his teammate Sandin Pellikka at Skellefteå, but has already made his stateside debut with two games with Grand Rapids. F Dmitri Buchelnikov, 21 The Red Wings took the Russian forward in the second round of the 2022 draft, and he has been playing in Russia since. Advertisement Prospect experts highlight the forward's offensive finesse and agility, even though he stands fairly small compared to top NHL wingers. G Trey Augustine, 20 Michigan State goaltender Trey Augustine (1) warms up before Duel in the D between Michigan and Michigan State at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. The goalie from South Lyon has already made a name for himself as an All-American at Michigan State and a five-time medal winner for Team USA's junior squads. Entering his junior season at MSU, it may be a few years before he becomes a pro, but he's already shining as one of the top college goalies in the country. F Carter Mazur, 23 Detroit Red Wings left wing Carter Mazur (43) takes a shot in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Oct. 4, 2024. As the 70th pick in the 2021 draft, Mazur is one of the few third-round selections still highly rated in the Red Wings' system. And though he's already made his NHL debut, his season was cut short in his first game, against Utah, with an upper body injury. Advertisement The winger is a Team USA veteran coming out of the vaunted Denver college program, putting up 15 points in 20 games for Grand Rapids in the 2024-25 season. D William Wallinder, 22 Another Swedish defenseman, Wallinder has played his past two full professional seasons with Grand Rapids, putting up 19 points in 62 games in 2024-25. The 6-foot-4 defenseman gets praise from NHL prospect experts for his size and athleticism as he has increased his workload from his first professional season. F Max Plante, 19 Max Plante is selected by the Detroit Red Wings with the 47th overall pick during the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Sphere on Saturday, June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Plante was the Red Wings' second-round pick in 2024 and is entering his sophomore season at Minnesota Duluth. Advertisement He helped Team USA win a silver medal at the 2024 IIHL U-18 World Championship, scoring two goals and adding nine assists in seven games for the Americans. F Amadeus Lombardi, 22 Detroit Red Wings center Amadeus Lombardi (78) skates in on goal against Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (24) during the second period at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. The only fourth-round pick on this list, Lombardi has shot up the franchise's prospect rankings since being drafted in 2022. Lombardi was one of five Grand Rapids players to put up at least 40 points in the 2024-25 season, but the other three needed at least 60 games to do so. Lombardi, meanwhile, got it done in 44, netting 19 goals to go along with 21 assists. You can reach Christian at cromo@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 2025 NHL Draft: Key players in the Detroit Red Wings prospect pool

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