Contemporary off the 2024 NHL Draft, the Detroit Pink Wings have entered a brand new part of their rebuild. Their prime choose was outdoors the top-10 for the primary time since 2016, they usually have reached a degree the place a handful of their prospects are anticipated to push for NHL jobs within the Fall.
The draft all the time has an affect on the hierarchy of the Pink Wings’ prospect pool. However for the primary time in a pair years, NHL commencement has an affect on this record this time round. For the primary time since Jan. 2022, we have now somebody new on the prime of Detroit’s prospect pool. That’s as a result of this rating is unique to gamers that maintain rookie standing within the NHL, and Simon Edvinsson’s rookie standing technically expired after taking part in in 16 NHL video games final season. The group’s prime choose within the 2021 draft is predicted to play an enormous function within the Detroit in 2024-25.
As all the time, this record is created by contemplating plenty of elements together with NHL potential, NHL chance, outdoors opinions, and my very own intestine feeling about these prospects. Whereas this record is supposed to be definitive, there’s all the time room for debate with regards to prospects. That’s a reality I feel will likely be realized as we get deeper into this record.
With that in thoughts, let’s dig in!
25. (D) Eemil Viro – 2020, seventieth General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 32 GP, 1 G, 6 P
Earlier Rank: 22
This marks one other fall within the rankings for Eemil Viro as he was ranked 17 following the 2023 draft. The Finnish defenseman remains to be who he has all the time been: a non-flashy defense-first defenseman with a touch of offense in his sport. He doesn’t transfer the needle a ton, if in any respect, however he’s the kind of defenseman groups have to fill out a lineup.
Since starting his time in North America, Viro has had a tricky time constantly holding a spot within the lineup. After taking part in in 48 American Hockey League (AHL) video games in 2022-23, he featured in simply 32 this season. He stood out within the 5 video games he performed within the ECHL again in 22-23, so there’s motive to consider that the AHL remains to be the appropriate degree for him to be at. There are lots of gifted defenders on this system, so if he’s ever going to announce himself as something greater than only a depth AHL defenseman, he in all probability must do it quickly.
24. (LW/C) Noah Dower Nilsson – 2023, 73rd General
Frölunda HC (SHL) – 5 GP, 1 G, 2 P
Earlier Rank: 20
One in all my favourite picks from the 2023 draft, Noah Dower Nilsson had what you would possibly think about a write off season. The gifted Swede performed a complete of 9 video games throughout three totally different ranges of Swedish hockey, 5 of which have been within the nation’s prime league. An offseason shoulder surgical procedure stalled his season debut till December, and by February he was already scheduled for an additional surgical procedure, this time on his different shoulder.
Associated: Pink Wings High 25 Prospects: 2023-24 Midseason Replace
When he’s on the ice, Dower Nilsson has some thrilling offensive traits. He can beat goalies cleanly along with his shot, however he isn’t going to blindly put photographs on internet if a passing lane is open. He has sturdy offensive instincts and also you simply need to hope that his harm misfortune this previous season doesn’t impact how he performs the sport shifting ahead. I nonetheless consider in his expertise, however it will be unfair to rank him forward of different gamers that took a step ahead final season.
23. (C/W) Liam Dower Nilsson – 2021, 134th General
IF Björklöven (HockeyAllsvenskan) – 52 GP, 12 G, 27 P
Earlier Rank: 17
One participant that took a step ahead final season is Dower Nilsson’s brother Liam. The elder Dower Nilsson had a productive season whereas taking part in in what is basically Sweden’s similar to the AHL. Whereas I’ve primarily profiled him as a future two-way centerman, his offense was significantly evident this season.
Dower Nilsson nonetheless has an uphill battle forward of him, as mirrored in his drop within the rankings. If he can carry the momentum from final season to the 2024-25 marketing campaign, he’ll discover himself again within the SHL, and that will make me really feel loads higher about projecting him as a ahead in one of many North American leagues. Nonetheless, he picked season to impress. I could possibly be satisfied he belongs a number of spots increased on this rating.
22. (C/W) Ondřej Becher – 2024, eightieth General
Prince George Cougars (WHL) – 58 GP, 32 G, 96 P
Earlier Rank: 2024 Draftee
One of many extra fascinating picks from the Pink Wings’ 2024 draft class, Ondřej Becher is a play-making ahead that was extremely efficient at creating from the perimeter this previous season within the Western Hockey League (WHL). He possesses a robust motor that powers him at each ends of the ice and in transition. There have been instances this season that was outright dominant as a playmaker; he has a skillset that’s projectable as a center six ahead down the road.
The largest concern with this prospect is that he was chosen as an overage participant at 20 years outdated. The 2024 draft was the third through which Becher was obtainable, and Detroit making him their choose within the third spherical exhibits that the group has religion that this was really a breakout season for the younger Czechian. Till he proves he can do it the next degree, there will likely be questions of whether or not he broke out as a result of he figured issues out or as a result of he was a 20-year-old taking part in in a league stuffed with minors.
21. (C) Emmitt Finnie – 2023, 201st General
Kamloops Blazers (WHL) – 62 GP, 19 G, 59 P
Earlier Rank: NR
The simplest prospects to root for, for my part, are the blokes picked within the later rounds. Emmitt Finnie was the “Mr. Irrelevant” of the Pink Wings’ 2023 draft class as he was their ultimate choose of the draft and, as you may see, 200 gamers have been picked forward of him. He then rewarded Detroit for having religion in him by having a formidable season within the WHL. As an alternate captain of the Kamloops Blazers, Finnie improved his offensive output by 24 factors (in two much less video games thoughts you) and he took his on-ice affect to a different degree.
What actually stood out what his capacity to create strain along with his legs. As Blazers affiliate coach Don Hay informed a staff reporter, “He’s actually…utilizing his pace to his benefit, getting on prime of individuals and stealing lots of pucks. If he doesn’t have it, he’ll discover a option to go and get it.” Finnie is a ferocious skater everywhere in the ice, and that’s in all probability an enormous motive why the Pink Wings felt comfy with giving him an entry-level contract (ELC) in late March. After taking part in in three video games with the Griffins late final season, he’ll make his full debut with them this season.
20. (C) Redmond “Pink” Savage – 2021, 114th General
Michigan State College (NCAA) – 38 GP, 10 G, 27 P
Earlier Rank: 16
One in all my favourite prospects on this pool, Redmond Savage is coming into what will likely be an important season for him and his growth. After taking part in his first two collegiate seasons at Miami College (Ohio), he transferred to Michigan State College forward of the 2023-24 marketing campaign. As a Junior, he helped the Spartans have a resurgent season underneath second-year head coach Adam Nightingale. Whereas carrying inexperienced and white, Savage posted one of the best numbers of his collegiate profession thus far.
Savage has all the time profiled as a two-way centerman that battles in each zone. Although he had some offensive pop in his sport prior to school, his defensive sport and his management qualities are what made him worthy of a fourth spherical choose again in 2021. Now that he’s taking part in with a program with excessive aspirations and a staff with its fair proportion of expertise, the following problem for him is to construct on what he completed final season and present the Pink Wings that he has a pro-ready sport. This season in all probability has to finish with him signing an ELC for him to have a future with Detroit, and that received’t occur if he stagnates and even regresses.
19. (LW) Dylan James – 2022, fortieth General
College of North Dakota (NCAA) – 40 GP, 9 G, 19 P
Earlier Rank: 18
On the scoresheet, Dylan James progressed…just a little. He performed in 4 extra video games than his freshman season, scored yet another purpose and had improved to 19 factors after producing 16 in 2022-23. Nonetheless, as a winger that doesn’t flip 21 till October, he has lots of room to develop as an offensive producer. For him to meet his draft day projection as a center six winger, he’ll have to take his offense to a different degree as a junior on the College of North Dakota.
What was encouraging, nevertheless, is how James ended his sophomore marketing campaign. A while after the brand new yr, he started to make extra of an affect on offense and on the forecheck. He demonstrated the power to be a difference-maker, like when he scored two objectives within the third interval to safe a 4-2 victory for North Dakota in a late-February sport in opposition to the College of Minnesota (Duluth). You continue to want to see extra from him given his comparatively early draft slot, however there are indicators of excellent issues to return. If issues go effectively for him this season, he will likely be a prospect everyone seems to be speaking about subsequent Spring.
18. (LW) Cross Hanas – 2020, fifty fifth General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 58 GP, 8 G, 16 P
Earlier Rank: 15
To offer you an concept of how these rankings can evolve over the course of a single yr, Cross Hanas was ranked because the Pink Wings’ Tenth-best prospect following the 2023 draft. However with the addition of recent expertise, the event of a few of his counterparts, and a irritating season that noticed him sit as a wholesome scratch at instances, he finds himself out of the top-15 – not to mention the top-10 – on this rating. He’s in want of a bounce-back season, and for extra causes than one.
Hanas is at his finest when he strikes the puck in the direction of the web. When he is ready to construct confidence, he turns into on of probably the most irritating gamers for the opposition. He must rediscover that in his third professional season; doing so would put him again on the map as a prospect. Via 88 profession AHL video games, he has 17 objectives and 33 factors. The 2024-25 season is his final with waiver immunity, however till he makes a much bigger affect within the AHL, he isn’t a risk to play on an NHL roster. Nonetheless, he has flashed sufficient since he was drafted that I nonetheless suppose he has it in him to show issues round.
17. (LW) Jakub Rychlovský – Undrafted
Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia) – 51 GP, 26 G, 46 P
Earlier Rank: New Addition
From time to time, the Pink Wings will signal an undrafted European skater so as to add to their depth chart. Typically these gamers go on to play quantity of video games within the NHL, however oftentimes these gamers stick round for a yr or two after which fade away to develop into nothing greater than a “oh wow” if you look again on outdated rosters. Jakub Rychlovský is the newest mannequin, and he’s coming off of a season that supplied lots of causes to be enthusiastic about him.
At 22 years of age, Rychlovský led the highest Czech league in objectives with 26, after which adopted that up by scoring 5 extra in 9 playoff video games. What he lacks in dimension (5-foot-10, 181 kilos), he makes up for with a capability to get good photographs off and create high-danger possibilities. There may be room to query whether or not or not his breakout final season was an indication of issues to return, however he has the instruments to be a contributing member of the Griffins in 2024-25. Signed to a two-year ELC in June, he has a while to get acclimated to the North American sport and attempt to discover his scoring contact within the AHL. Personally, I’m wanting to see the place he ranks six months from now.
16. (C) Max Plante – 2024, forty seventh General
U.S. Nationwide U18 Crew (Nationwide Crew Growth Program) – 51 GP, 15 G, 61 P
Earlier Rank: 2024 Draftee
Son of Derek Plante, a former NHL ahead with virtually 500 video games (common season and playoffs) to his credit score, Max Plante was perhaps a little bit of a shock choose for the Pink Wings with their second choose within the 2024 draft. However as soon as you are taking a deeper have a look at what this participant can do, it’s no surprise Detroit’s scouting staff had him on their record. Like many others within the Pink Wings’ system, he’s a high-compete, high-skill ahead that makes unselfish performs with the puck. My THW colleague Evan Sabourin supplied a extra in-depth have a look at Plante for these of you which can be .
Associated: Pink Wings Have Excessive Hopes for 2nd Spherical Choose Max Plante
Plante initiatives as a boom-or-bust playmaker as a professional. During the last two seasons with the Nationwide Crew Growth Program (NTDP), he has the second-most assists; the one participant forward of him is James Hagens, his teammate with the Nationwide U18 staff and the present favourite to go first total within the 2025 draft. What is probably most encouraging about Plante is that he put up these numbers whereas taking part in on the staff’s third line. He’s dedicated to play on the College of Minnesota (Duluth) in 2024-25, and will probably be fascinating to see if his prolific playmaking skills comply with him to campus.
15. (D) Antti Tuomisto – 2019, thirty fifth General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 50 GP, 5 G, 17 P
Earlier Rank: 24
Antti Tuomisto enjoys the most important bounce up the rankings this time round. That is the primary time he has ranked inside the top-15 since January of 2022. That is due, largely, to the season he simply had in Grand Rapids, his first within the AHL.
At 23 years outdated, the Finnish defenseman is likely one of the oldest prospects on this record. He’s a big-bodied defender with a robust shot and a creating defensive sport. After a few so-so seasons with the College of Denver from 2020 to 2022, he seemingly rediscovered his sport again in Finland throughout the 2022-23 season. It didn’t take him lengthy to get acclimated to the AHL; he spent lots of time taking part in reverse Edvinsson on the Griffins’ prime pairing. As issues at the moment stand, he’s in line to play an enormous function in Grand Rapids this season. If he does effectively with the chance, he’s going to be pushing for NHL consideration by season’s finish.
14. (RW) Jesse Kiiskinen – 2023, 68th General
Pelicans (Liiga) – 38 GP, 4 G, 10 P
Earlier Rank: New Addition
I’ll be trustworthy, Jesse Kiiskinen has some massive footwear to fill. The Finnish winger was acquired together with a second spherical choose within the 2024 draft from the Nashville Predators earlier this offseason in alternate for protection prospect Andrew Gibson. Previous to that commerce, I used to be severely contemplating shifting Gibson up into the top-12 as he had a very sturdy season within the Ontario Hockey League. As a substitute, Kiiskinen debuts the place Gibson was final ranked, however this rating has little to do with the commerce that introduced him right here and loads to do with what Kiiskinen brings to the desk.
When answering a query in regards to the commerce, Pink Wings common supervisor Steve Yzerman famous that Kiiskinen was a participant Detroit had on their record for the 2023 draft in an identical vary as the place that they had Gibson. I wholeheartedly consider him as a result of one of many first belongings you discover about Kiiskinen is his effort degree and the motor he performs with. He has shot, has expertise taking part in in opposition to males in Finland’s prime league, and he performs with a excessive quantity of vitality. He checks lots of packing containers that the Pink Wings search for, and he has an opportunity to be a sneaky-good addition from the Predators’ system.
13. (LW/RW) Elmer Söderblom – 2019, 159th General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 61 GP, 13 G, 29 P
Earlier Rank: 12
To me, there’s a disconnect between those who watched Elmer Söderblom loads final season and those who didn’t. Plenty of people nonetheless keep in mind the participant that pressured his manner onto the 2022-23 opening night time roster, and that’s truthful – he nonetheless possesses lots of the identical instruments and he’s nonetheless an absolute unicorn that mixes good palms with unreal dimension. However the inconsistency that landed him within the AHL within the first place nonetheless lingers on, and he failed to actually transfer the needle for the Griffins. That’s disappointing as a result of he appeared so near breaking by means of, however in the end there’s a motive he was by no means referred to as up throughout the 2023-24 marketing campaign.
When he’s on his sport, Söderblom is likely one of the most dominant gamers on the ice. Given his dimension, he’s practically inconceivable to comprise, and he can rating from in-close and from outdoors of the crease. He’s not as bodily as you prefer to from a participant of his dimension; and it virtually appears to me like he’s clinging on to the thought of being a ability participant when his path ahead might be extra on the checking aspect. This may appear contradictory, but when it have been as much as me, I’d have him up within the NHL this season, at the same time as an additional ahead. The 2024-25 season is the final season of his ELC and his final season being waiver-exempt, so I feel it behooves the Pink Wings to offer him a shot to show he can play a job within the NHL. Detroit might actually use the man that regarded like an NHL participant a pair years in the past….
12. (D) Shai Buium – 2021, thirty sixth General
College of Denver (NCAA) – 43 GP, 7 G, 36 P
Earlier Rank: 13
Shai Buium loved what can in all probability be described as the best school hockey expertise. He and the Denver Pioneers received two championships in his three seasons, together with his most up-to-date the place he performed his largest function but. After signing an ELC with the Pink Wings in April, he finishes his collegiate profession with 75 factors in 120 video games. Subsequent step: discovering his manner within the AHL.
As a two-way defenseman, Buium is able to pushing the tempo offensively whereas additionally taking good care of enterprise defensively. He was a key participant on particular groups for the College of Denver, and he discovered a option to shine regardless of taking part in on the identical staff as his brother Zeev, who was chosen by the Minnesota Wild with the twelfth choose on this yr’s draft. The elder Buium brother in all probability nonetheless has a few years of AHL hockey forward of him earlier than he’s pushing for NHL minutes, however he’s firmly on schedule contemplating he was all the time thought of a bit extra uncooked in his draft yr. He has an opportunity to earn massive minutes in his first season with the Griffins after making a one-game debut with them late final season.
11. (C) Amadeus Lombardi – 2022, 113th General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 70 GP, 5 G, 26 P
Earlier Rank: 10
For those who’re on the lookout for a prospect that could be a candidate to interrupt out in 2024-25, look no additional than Amadeus Lombardi. After overcoming the educational curve of his first AHL season, he was a plus-player everywhere in the ice, incomes the reward of his head coach after their season was over. The offense may not have been as current as he would have preferred, however he shaped lots of good habits and established himself because the Griffins’ second line heart.
The problem for Lombardi this season is to translate these habits into offense. Given who he will likely be competing in opposition to, it may be loads to ask him to heart the Griffins’ first line this season, however he can definitely earn massive minutes by exhibiting additional development in his two-way sport. He has good pace, makes fast performs with the puck, and if he takes his sport to the following degree, he’s going to develop into lots of people’s favourite prospect. Control Lombardi this season.
10. (LW) Dmitri Buchelnikov – 2022, 52nd General
Admiral Vladivostok (Kontinental Hockey League) – 55 GP, 13 G, 29 P
Earlier Rank: 9
Dmitri Buchelnikov continues to get progressively extra spectacular over in Russia. He had the second-most objectives and the third-most factors on his staff final season, and his total numbers are considerably reflective of the staff he performed with. His offensive instincts are sturdy, and he’s really rising as one of many extra thrilling Russian prospects within the sport proper now.
Buchelnikov displays a killer intuition with the puck on his stick. He has a deadly shot, and it’s straightforward to think about him sooner or later turning into the set off choice on an NHL energy play. He nonetheless wants so as to add energy to compete in opposition to one of the best athletes within the sport, however he has loads of time so as to add it as he’s nonetheless simply 20 years outdated (he turns 21 in September.) He signed a two-year contract with Vityaz of the Kontinental Hockey League, so his ETA in North America has technically moved again a yr from what was initially anticipated. Nevertheless, as Matvei Michkov confirmed earlier this offseason, issues can all the time change on that entrance….
9. (G) Trey Augustine – 2023, forty first General
Michigan State College (NCAA) – 35 GP, 23-9-2, 2.96 GAA, .915 SV%
Earlier Rank: 11
The “different” goalie within the Pink Wings’ pool is something however a second choice. Trey Augustine had a profitable freshman season Michigan State, exhibiting that he could be relied upon because the starter for a championship contender. Whereas he wasn’t dominant, he was a supply of energy for the Spartans, and he has given us little motive to consider he received’t be capable of discover one other degree.
What was significantly spectacular to me was how he performed on the World Championship after his collegiate season got here to an finish. Representing the USA in a event that options eating regimen Olympic rosters, Augustine was pressured into the beginning function after Pink Wings goaltender Alex Lyon left the event with a finger harm. Augustine received two out of 4 begins and held one of the best goals-against common (1.89) amongst goalies to play for Crew USA (he had a .929 save-percentage as effectively.) He reads the play effectively and positions himself to make saves. He’s not the most important goaltender on the earth at 6-foot-1, 183 kilos, however he all the time stands tall within the crease.
8. (D) William Wallinder – 2020, thirty second General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 65 GP, 3 G, 15 P
Earlier Rank: 8
William Wallinder’s first season within the AHL was a piece in progress. Because the season went on, he began to look comfy on the blue line in Grand Rapids. By the point the Griffins have been within the playoffs, he was discovering methods to make performs everywhere in the ice. He’s a participant that’s at his finest when he can transfer the puck and create offense, however he appeared over the course of the 2023-24 season, he appeared to higher perceive how protection can create offense.
Wallinder has an enormous alternative in entrance of him this season. With Edvinsson anticipated to maneuver to the NHL this season, Wallinder at the moment initiatives because the Griffins’ prime defender on the left aspect. He tries to do lots of the identical issues that Edvinsson does, so Wallinder ought to be first in line to soak up among the minutes Edvinsson is forsaking. The blue line has develop into a aggressive place in Grand Rapids, so if Wallinder flounders this chance, there will likely be different gamers wanting to take their shot at it. Evidently, it is a massive season for the 2020 second spherical choose.
7. (G) Sebastian Cossa – 2021, fifteenth General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 40 GP, 22-9-9, 2.41 GAA, .913 SV%
Earlier Rank: 7
Sebastian Cossa wasn’t excellent in his first full AHL season, but it surely went about in addition to you can have hoped earlier than the season. After spending the 2022-23 season within the ECHL and seeing an enormous bounce in his efficiency after the brand new yr, he loved an identical bump in efficiency this season with the Griffins. With three years within the Pink Wings’ group underneath his belt, he has established himself as a goaltender that will get higher over the course of the season.
Cossa’s expertise is obvious, even simply in the way in which he composes himself within the crease. It has lengthy been famous that he likes to speak on the ice, and his aggressive nature exhibits itself on and off the ice. Whether or not he’s difficult his teammates to shootouts in follow or difficult the opposition in a high-stakes playoff sport, he likes to win, and he likes being an enormous motive why his staff wins. The problem for him this season is to push for 50 begins with the Griffins and earn an NHL call-up earlier than season’s finish. His rebound management wants work and his motion within the crease is usually a bit sloppy, however I’m fairly assured that he’ll proceed to iron issues out as he progresses.
6. (D) Albert Johansson – 2019, sixtieth General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 66 GP, 6 G, 21 P
Earlier Rank: 6
As you might have heard, it’s time for Albert Johansson to sink or swim. That’s as a result of he’s not exempt from waivers and Yzerman has repeatedly mentioned that he and Jonatan Berggren will each have spots on the roster due to their waiver standing. For what it’s price, I don’t consider Johansson goes to win a roster spot by default – I consider he’ll earn one as a result of he’s one of many group’s finest defenders.
A second spherical choose in the identical draft the Pink Wings added Moritz Seider, Johansson has steadily developed his two-way sport throughout three seasons within the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) and two within the AHL. He performs a accountable sport, however that doesn’t imply he isn’t able to pushing the tempo offensively. I feel he’s the right complimentary defenseman, and that was evidenced in video games the place he performed alongside Edvinsson on the Griffins’ prime pairing. Ideally, Johansson ultimately replaces Olli Määttä within the Pink Wings’ lineup, however I wouldn’t write off the likelihood that he ascends even increased.
5. (RW) Michael Brandsegg-Nygård – 2024, fifteenth General
Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan) – 41 GP, 8 G, 18 P
Earlier Rank: 2024 Draftee
The Pink Wings’ prime choose within the 2024 draft is similar to others they’ve picked within the first spherical, however he’s additionally fairly totally different. Sure Brandsegg-Nygård is a robust two-way participant, however he already has professional dimension at 6-foot-1, 207 kilos. If he provides, say, 20 extra kilos within the coming years, he has potential as an actual energy ahead.
Sure there’s some query about whether or not Brandsegg-Nygård has prime line potential, however his shot offers him 30-goal potential within the NHL. As Yzerman mentioned following the primary spherical, Brandsegg-Nygård can actually “rip it”, making him the most effective shooters that have been obtainable on this yr’s draft. The participant that involves thoughts when pondering of his potential is Marian Hossa, a former Pink Wing that scored over 500 objectives within the NHL. Brandsegg-Nygård will attempt to assert himself as an offensive participant within the SHL this season. He ought to have some assist from the participant that sits atop this rating….
4. (LW) Carter Mazur – 2021, seventieth General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 60 GP, 17 G, 37 P
Earlier Rank: 5
Arguably my favourite prospect on this pool, Carter Mazur has had success at each degree thus far. He received a championship with Buium on the College of Denver in 2022, and put up 75 factors in 81 collegiate video games. In his first AHL season, he completed second in each objectives and factors, ending behind Berggren in each classes. At 22 years of age, the Jackson, Michigan-native has an actual shot at making some noise in coaching camp.
Mazur is a scrappy ahead that merely performs hockey. He isn’t afraid to battle alongside the boards, he takes nice pleasure in scoring objectives, and he does all of the little issues it’s essential do to create offense on the professional degree. If one other AHL season awaits him, there’s a robust probability he’ll be the staff’s prime winger and perhaps even their prime ahead. I’ve in contrast him to former Pink Wing Tyler Bertuzzi for some time now, and I feel he’ll nonetheless have an identical degree of affect when he arrives within the NHL.
Sure, it’s not if, it’s when.
3. (C) Nate Danielson – 2023, ninth General
WHL (2 Groups) – 54 GP, 24 G, 67 P
Earlier Rank: 3
For those who ranked Pink Wings prospects so as of NHL-readiness, Nate Danielson would possibly rank on the prime. The group’s prime choose within the 2023 draft was a little bit of a nice shock this season. First, he was one of many ultimate cuts of the preseason as he virtually pressured his manner onto the Pink Wings’ opening night time roster. Then he skilled an offensive explosion as soon as he was traded to the Portland Winterhawks, recording 12 objectives and 41 factors in 28 video games. He adopted that up with 24 factors in 18 playoff video games because the Winterhawks completed because the WHL’s runner-up.
Danielson actually established himself as a playmaker this season, and that’s his path ahead as he seems to be to start his professional profession. He initiatives as a second line heart, however he confirmed sufficient in 2023-24 to make you surprise if his ceiling is increased. He featured in two video games of the Griffins’ second spherical playoff collection, and he regarded alright contemplating he was coming off of a protracted, emotional playoff run within the WHL. If he can add some energy to his body this summer time, he’s going to be in that group pushing for NHL taking part in time come coaching camp.
2. (F) Marco Kasper – 2022, eighth General
Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) – 71 GP, 14 G, 35 P
Earlier Rank: 4
Like Cossa, Marco Kasper’s season was an increasing number of spectacular because the season progressed. The Pink Wings’ prime choose within the 2022 draft took a short time to search out his footing in his first season in North America. As soon as he discovered it, nevertheless, he regarded just like the participant that earned a cup of espresso within the NHL late within the 2022-23 season.
Kasper is at his finest when he frustrates his opponents. He could make expert performs with the puck and his offensive instincts are maybe a bit undersold, however he excels at making life laborious for the opposition in all areas of the ice. He likes to stir the pot after the whistle, and he goes to the web searching for rubbish objectives within the crease. He supplanted Lombardi because the Griffins’ second line heart within the second half of the season, however I wouldn’t be shocked if he finds himself on the wing in Detroit, even simply in the beginning of his NHL profession. He has a skillset tailored for the professional degree and he confirmed that in Grand Rapids. He joins Danielson and Mazur as forwards that ought to push for an NHL roster spot within the Fall.
1. (D) Axel Sandin Pellikka – 2023, seventeenth General
Skellefteå AIK (SHL) – 39 GP, 10 G, 18 P
Earlier Rank: 2
With Edvinsson graduating from this record, one other Swedish defenseman has taken his place. Axel Sandin Pellikka was the Pink Wings’ second choose of the 2023 draft, however, for my part, he’s the group’s finest prospect. He has an opportunity to develop into a really elite-level participant, and that’s the form of expertise Detroit must climb the hierarchy of the NHL.
Sandin Pellikka has a killer intuition with the puck that’s laborious to show. He makes decisive reads and is keen to make a solo effort to make a play. His offense is what makes the headlines, however he’s an environment friendly participant in his personal finish as effectively. Regardless of being one of many smaller defenders in Detroit’s system, it’s straightforward to check him taking cost of the again finish, even in a future the place Edvinsson, Seider and him are all on the Pink Wings’ blue line. He’s a future energy play quarterback, a possible primary defenseman within the mould of Kris Letang, and probably the most thrilling participant on this prospect pool.
High Prospects by Place
| Left Wing | Heart | Proper Wing |
| Carter Mazur | Marco Kasper | Michael Brandsegg-Nygård |
| Dmitri Buchelnikov | Nate Danielson | Jesse Kiiskinen |
| Elmer Söderblom | Amadeus Lombardi | |
| Jakub Rychlovský | Max Plante | |
| Cross Hanas | Redmond Savage | |
| Dylan James | Emmett Finnie | |
| Noah Dower Nilsson | Ondřej Becher | |
| Liam Dower Nilsson |
| Left Protection | Proper Protection |
| Albert Johansson | Axel Sandin Pellikka |
| William Wallinder | Antti Tuomisto |
| Shai Buium | |
| Eemil Viro |
| Goalie |
| Sebastian Cossa |
| Trey Augustine |
Simply Missed:
- (RD) Anton Johansson
- (RW) Alexandre Doucet
- (LW) Maximilian Kilpinen
- (W) Charlie Forslund
- (G) Carter Gylander
