The under-26 group of Detroit Red Wings forwards carry a lot of promise. Best of all, they offer a variety of roles within the team. The burning question is: Will they develop properly and mesh as a formidable unit in the coming seasons?

Under-26 Detroit Red Wings Forwards Can Wreak Havoc in Coming Seasons

This group already has one proven playmaker. There are a few wild cards here, with as many as four listed below boasting top-six potential. Even those who aren’t destined for the top six bring toughness to the table.

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Toughness, willingness to stick up for and defend teammates, and land consistent body checks was something the veteran forward group didn’t bring. That said, this younger crew has a massive opportunity, starting with the first man listed below.

6 – Carter Mazur

Carter Mazur is only at the rear because of his limited sample size. But in eight games, he showed off grit, physical play, and a high-energy approach the Red Wings needed. Mazur isn’t someone who will score a lot of points, but if the Wings want a player who will work his way into a solid third or fourth-line role and stay there for the long haul, Mazur is it.

Injuries are Mazur’s only nagging issue. He’s missed significant time in each of the last two seasons, including right after his Red Wings debut in early 2025. Had Mazur avoided those injuries, there’s a good chance he’d at least have a half-season of experience already.

In 2026-27, expect Mazur to make the big club out of camp if he stays healthy. Fans would immediately label him an upgrade over the revolving door that they saw in the Wings bottom six in 2025-26.

5 – Nate Danielson

Nate Danielson showed off his potential, with two goals and seven points throughout 28 contests. He averaged just 11:03 of total ice time, and didn’t do enough to further gain the coaching staff’s trust. But he went over to Grand Rapids and showed off his playmaking skills.

Still, the one stat most fans are looking at is five goals between 46 contests in Detroit and Grand Rapids. If Danielson doesn’t get more consistent finding the net, he could end up wearing the “gifted underachiever” label.

Unfortunately, injuries also plagued Danielson’s 2025-26 campaign. He was hurt in the preseason, and that likely kept him from making the opening-night lineup. Danielson also played in just 18 games for Grand Rapids, so his status with the Red Wings as a surefire member with the big club next season remains a mystery.

4 – Michael Brandsegg-Nygard

Give Michael Brandsegg-Nygard credit, where credit it due. Very few youngsters spend time with their organization’s big club during their first full year in North America. Brandsegg-Nygard showed us immediately in camp that he was capable of spending some time in Hockeytown, and he appeared in 14 games.

While he struggled to put up points, just one assist all season, he landed 43 body checks. Like Carter Mazur, Brandsegg-Nygard should be a lock to make the big club next season and spend most, if not all his time, in Detroit. And he will inject a brand of physical play the Red Wings haven’t seen from many forwards but desperately need.

Brandsegg-Nygard also showed off his scoring ability in Grand Rapids, potting 20 goals in 59 games. If he carries that momentum to Hockeytown next season, he may wind up in the top six.

3 – Marco Kasper

You can’t blame the fan base for its disappointment in Marco Kasper. He went from 19 goals and 37 points throughout his rookie season to just 19 points and nine goals in 2025-26. Still, Kasper provided value with a 51.5 faceoff win percentage and 186 body checks. The latter was especially valuable, thanks to Detroit’s lack of physical play.

In a worst-case scenario, Kasper figures to keep bringing value defensively, thanks in part to his ability to take defensive-zone faceoffs. Alongside another promising player in Emmitt Finnie, the Wings could put the two onto the lower lines, giving them a young “energy line” that they could have used this season.

It would also make the Red Wings much deeper. This season, they were too top-heavy, with production dropping like a rock on the bottom six. Should Kasper return to form offensively, he’ll remedy that problem.

2 – Emmitt Finnie

Few have surprised like Emmitt Finnie in recent years. The 201st-overall pick in 2023 made the team out of camp, played in all 82 contests, logged 30 points and 13 goals, landed 131 body checks, and averaged 15:30 of ice time per game. That’s unheard of for someone who was a seventh-round pick two years before he debuted with the Wings.

While Finnie would fare better playing between 13 and 14 minutes per game, he showed that he can handle playing top-six minutes when needed. If the Wings can’t find a high-producing veteran forward or two this summer, Finnie makes for great insurance. Should they land someone, Finnie will be an outstanding all-around bottom-six forward.

Chances are, Finnie’s point production will increase as he gains more experience. Regardless of where the Wings put him, expect Finnie to transform into one of the team’s more valuable young assets.

1 – Lucas Raymond

Lucas Raymond has proven to be a great player, even if he has yet to show he’s one of the NHL’s elite. Raymond had 76 points and 25 goals through 80 games, showing he’s a first liner and one who will make opponents’ lives miserable. But he hesitates shooting the puck consistently, and it’s keeping him out of the game’s list of best forwards.

Raymond had just 173 shots on goal and 367 shots attempted. A far cry from Dylan Larkin (228 shots on goal) and Alex DeBrincat (287 shots on goal). In 2026-27, the Wings need him shooting the puck more, and they will inch closer to the top half of the league in scoring.

Further, if Detroit added just one more ultra-talented top-six centre or winger, Raymond’s numbers could swing further north. If that occurs, everyone in NHL circles will consider him a top forward.

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