![\"Detroit](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/2025_Wings_Prospects-1200x724.jpg\")
Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Carter Bear (The Hockey Writers) <\/p>\nMake no mistake about it: the Detroit Red Wings have reached the point in their rebuild where reaching the playoffs is the goal every single year from here on out. After years of maintained focus on drafting and developing, the Red Wings and their fans are losing their appetite for hearing how good the future looks \u2013 they both want the team to be good here in the present. <\/p>\n
That is certainly understandable given the sheer length of Detroit\u2019s rebuild. However, it\u2019s not like their playoff drought has produced nothing of value. The NHL roster is slowly being taken over by young players such as Moritz Seider, Lucas Raymond and Simon Edvinsson, and their prospect pool remains one of the deepest collections of talent across the league. While there has always been debate about how much upside the Red Wings\u2019 prospect pool has, no one can argue with the results: this rebuild has produced no less than six NHL players, and several more are on the way. <\/p>\n
While there are definitely some characteristics the Red Wings prioritize in their draft selections, their pool is still highly diverse and well-rounded with depth at nearly every position. To that point, I think this ranking features the most impressive top-10 group since I started doing these rankings back in 2021. There are several players outside of the top-10 that are exciting in their own right, with some potentially making an impact soon while others stand out as good long-term bets.<\/p>\n
Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Carter Bear (The Hockey Writers) <\/p>\n
All of that begins with the player ranked at 25\u2026.<\/p>\n
25. (W) Charlie Forslund \u2013 2024, 176th Overall<\/p>\n
Mora IK J20 (J20 Nationell) \u2013 44 GP, 9 G, 23 P<\/p>\n
Previous Rank: 24<\/p>\n
A winger with size, skill and a propensity for going to the scoring areas, Charlie Forslund remains one of the more intriguing selections the Red Wings made in the 2024 draft. His shot is dangerous, and he isn\u2019t afraid to use it. Even better, he knows when to use it and where to put himself to get the best possible scoring chance. His defensive instincts don\u2019t exactly stand out, but this is a player you hope to develop into a middle six scorer rather than a two-way force.<\/p>\n
Forslund debuted in these rankings last time around thanks to a strong start to his season. While his finish was not as strong as the start, he still earned games at the next level over in Sweden. That sets the bar for next season: steady growth at a higher level of hockey. He still looks to be a project pick, so patience will be key when it comes to whether he will reach his potential.<\/p>\n
24. (G) Michal Pradel \u2013 2025, 75th Overall<\/p>\n
Tri-City Storm (USHL) \u2013 14 GP, 9 Wins, 2.41 GAA, .899 SV%<\/p>\n
Previous Rank: 2025 Draftee<\/p>\n
The Red Wings surprised some when they selected goalie Michal Pradel with their third-round selection in this year\u2019s draft. Their pool was already pretty deep at the goaltending position; as a matter of fact, you\u2019ll see three more goalies here before these rankings are over. He is the fourth goalie Detroit has drafted within the last three years, so there will certainly be competition for him as he works his way up the depth chart.<\/p>\n
Related: Red Wings Top 25 Prospects: 2024-25 Midseason Update<\/a><\/p>\n Pradel is a very \u201ctoolsy\u201d goaltender. He possesses good size at 6-foot-5, 194 pounds, and his agility helps him move around the crease with ease. To some extent, he reminds me of former Red Wings goaltender Petr Mr\u00e1zek<\/a> in the way he battles in the crease, making athletic plays to keep the puck in front of him. Like Mr\u00e1zek, Pradel can also lose his technique under duress, and he can be a bit over-aggressive at times. He\u2019s a prospect you stash away for two or three years and then assess his progress and where you go from there.<\/p>\n The fact Pradel is the lowest-ranked goalie on this list should make you very excited about the puck-stoppers ranked ahead of him. <\/p>\n 23. (C\/LW) Michal Svrcek \u2013 2025, 119th Overall<\/p>\n Bryn\u00e4s IF (SHL) \u2013 17 GP, 1 G, 3P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 2025 Draftee<\/p>\n If you\u2019re looking for candidates to become \u201cthe steal of the 2025 NHL Draft), Michal Svrcek deserves some consideration. The speedy, Slovakian forward stood out at various levels this past season, including as alternate captain for Team Slovakia at the U-18 championship where he had four points in seven games. He was also a point per-game player at the J-20 level over in Sweden, registering 30 points in 30 games. His ability to stand out among his age group is what led him to compete against men in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). <\/p>\n Svrcek is a playmaker at heart, and a good one at that. He confidently identifies passing lanes and helps facilitate his team\u2019s attack. Like many Red Wings prospects, his motor is unquestionable; he plays with energy and speed all over the ice and is always hungry to have the puck on his stick. He does put himself in turnover trouble sometimes, and learning when to go for the big play and when not to will be a big part of his development curve. He projects as a middle six winger with the innate ability to make things happen offensively. <\/p>\n 22. (C\/RW) Noah Dower Nilsson \u2013 2023, 73rd Overall<\/p>\n Fr\u00f6lunda HC (SHL) \u2013 35 GP, 4 G, 10 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 23<\/p>\n Make no mistake, Noah Dower Nilsson has the talent to climb up these rankings in a significant way. However, missing the majority of the 2023-24 season means a lost year of development, and now the young Swedish forward finds himself playing catch-up to return to the form that made him a fairly highly touted prospect leading up to his draft year.<\/p>\n Dower Nilsson showed his stuff at times this season in the SHL. The Swedish league is notoriously hard to score in, especially for young players, so it is maybe a little promising that he was able to basically replicate Lucas Raymond\u2019s production from his draft season (10 points in 33 games played). However, Raymond did that as a 17-year-old while Dower Nilsson did it at the age of 19. Dower Nilsson will need to figure out how to make a consistent impact in 2025-26 if he is going to maintain his place in these rankings. <\/p>\n 21. (G) Rudy Guimond \u2013 2023, 169th Overall<\/p>\n Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) \u2013 16 GP, 16 Wins, 1.73 GAA, .940 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: NR<\/p>\n Alright, time to check one of my biases: I don\u2019t put a ton of stock into the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). It is almost the opposite of the SHL in that it is notoriously easy to score and produce points in that league. With defense being somewhat of an afterthought, you really have to break down each player\u2019s individual skillsets and find how they\u2019re having success and determine whether it can be replicated as the player goes up against tougher competition.<\/p>\n With that being said, Rudy Guimond\u2019s somewhat brief stint in \u201cthe Q\u201d this past season is one you have to take note of. He went undefeated in the regular season as the \u201c1B\u201d for the Moncton Wildcats and then followed that up with eight wins in nine games in the playoffs, helping the Wildcats secure a league championship. For the QMJHL, his 2024-25 numbers were otherworldly, and so I felt he had to be included here. He enters next season as the top option in goal for the Wildcats; how he fares should give us an idea of how much stock we should put into him as a prospect.<\/p>\n 20. (C\/W) Ond\u0159ej Becher \u2013 2024, 80th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 59 GP, 10 G, 20 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 18<\/p>\n Because the Red Wings drafted him at the ripe old age of 20, Ond\u0159ej Becher was able to immediately join their American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins. After putting up 96 points in 58 games prior to being drafted, he received a warm welcome to North American professional hockey as his production dipped, and he learned what it means to go up against grown men on a nightly basis.<\/p>\n Becher is a smooth operator with the puck on his stick. He moves the puck up the ice very well, and he was able to earn some time on the power play this past season. His here-and-there production didn\u2019t help him stand out amongst his peers, and his game did take a dip along with the entire team in the second half of the season. Now that he knows what life in the AHL is like, it is now up to him to focus on adding strength to his frame and learn how to consistently create plays at that level. He\u2019s a good prospect, but he still has some things to work on before he enters the upper half of this list. <\/p>\n 19. (D) Antti Tuomisto \u2013 2019, 35th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 67 GP, 3 G, 27 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 14<\/p>\n Antti Tuomisto the oldest player (24) included in this ranking, and so it should come as no surprise that he is entering a pivotal season in terms of his standing in the Red Wings organization. He was the second player drafted under general manager Steve Yzerman, but Tuomisto has yet to play a single game in the NHL. While most defensemen are not finished products at the age of 24, there is a growing sense that this player needs to take a significant step forward if he\u2019s ever going to have a place in Detroit. <\/p>\n None of that is to discredit the player Tuomisto is today. The Finnish defenseman maintained a role in the Griffins\u2019 top four for most of the season, posting career-high totals in both games played and points. He has a booming shot that remains one of the best tools in his kit, but he doesn\u2019t always put himself in the best spots to use it. He holds his own defensively, but the overall lack of pace in his game is what seems to be holding him back. If he can add foot speed or play at a faster speed, that might be enough to help him break through the AHL barrier.<\/p>\n 18. (W) Eddie Genborg \u2013 2025, 44th Overall<\/p>\n Link\u00f6ping HC (SHL) \u2013 28 GP, 2 G, 2 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 2025 Draftee<\/p>\n The Red Wings\u2019 2025 draft class has a few players that could one day become fan favorites, and Eddie Genborg is one of them. The Swedish winger is already built like a man at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, and he plays like one too. After watching him play, I think a suitable nickname for him would be \u201cThe Punisher\u201d because that\u2019s what he does: he punishes his opponents all over the ice. <\/p>\n Red Wings 2nd round pick Eddie Genborg says he started out as a goalie, until he was about 12, and thinks he was pretty good. <\/p>\n So, why switch?<\/p>\n “I just wanted to go out and score.”<\/p>\n \u2014 Max Bultman (@m_bultman) June 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Genborg punishes the opposition in a variety of ways. If you leave him alone in the slot or around the crease, his shot is good enough to make you regret it. While he wasn\u2019t able to score a ton at the SHL level this season, he still exhibited good instincts, and the fact he featured in 28 games in one of the top leagues in the world says something about the level of impact he brings to the ice. Speaking of impact, his physicality is his calling card. He is a menace on the forecheck, and he never passes up the opportunity to lay a big hit on his opponents. <\/p>\n Fans will love his physical play, but Genborg has the potential to be a sneaky-good scorer too. If he reaches his potential, he\u2019ll be the type of player that would have thrived on Detroit\u2019s famous \u201cGrind Line\u201d<\/a> back in the 90s. <\/p>\n 17. (LW) Dylan James \u2013 2022, 40th Overall<\/p>\n University of North Dakota (NCAA) \u2013 38 GP, 14 G, 22 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 16<\/p>\n Dylan James has always had an intriguing toolkit. Now a senior at the University of North Dakota, he has also always been in good hands in regard to his development. This past season, however, is when I started to truly see the vision of what this player could be. The task now is to build on that success and hopefully become a marquee player for one of the marquee programs in college hockey.<\/p>\n Related: 3 Red Wings Prospects Entering Critical 2025-26 Season<\/a><\/p>\n James uses his high-end skating ability to attack all over the ice. His ability to play with pace makes him a pest on the forecheck as well as a potential facilitator at the next level. He battles for pucks, and he tries to put himself in good position at both ends of the ice. He played on the penalty kill in previous seasons, but he earned time on the power play in his junior season by earning the trust of his coaching staff. After his senior season concludes, he will almost certainly join the Griffins in some capacity, assuming he and the Red Wings come to terms on an entry-level contract (ELC) of course. <\/p>\n 16. (G) Michal Postava \u2013 Undrafted <\/p>\n HC Kometa Brno (Czechia) \u2013 42 GP, 23 Wins, 2.39 GAA, .921 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: Free Agent Signing<\/p>\n Goalies are often late to blossom. They usually aren\u2019t pushing for NHL minutes until their mid-20s, and sometimes they don\u2019t even get an opportunity to play a bulk of the minutes at any level until their early 20s. Plenty of goalies have flown under the radar in their draft seasons and have gone on to experience a high level of success in the NHL \u2013 the Florida Panthers were just backstopped to back-to-back championships by an undrafted goaltender. <\/p>\n By no means am I saying Michal Postava is going to be the next Sergei Bobrovsky<\/a>. I am merely setting the backdrop for one of the surprise additions to this ranking. Postava is a 23-year-old goaltender that is coming off a 2024-25 season where he was one of the top goaltenders in Czechia\u2019s top league. As a rookie, he led his club to a league championship, earning the attention of NHL scouts in the process. The Red Wings and Postava expect him to play an immediate role in Grand Rapids this season.<\/p>\n Postava\u2019s athleticism and poise in the crease are stand out traits to me. His presence in Griffins\u2019 lineup will be something to keep an eye on this season. <\/p>\n 15. (F) Emmitt Finnie \u2013 2023, 201st Overall<\/p>\n Kamloops Blazers (WHL) \u2013 55 GP, 37 G, 84 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 13<\/p>\n Emmitt Finnie falls two spots in this ranking compared to last time, but it has nothing to do with him and everything to do with two new players being placed ahead of him. I can\u2019t move him up any higher than this right now but make no mistake: I am a believer in this player.<\/p>\n When you watch Finnie play, it quickly becomes apparent why the Red Wings liked this player. He\u2019s a high-energy, two-way forward that makes things happen all over the ice. He dominated while wearing the captain\u2019s \u2018C\u2019 for the Kamloops Blazers, finishing in the top-15 in league scoring. He then appeared in 10 regular season games with the Griffins and recorded a goal and five points. <\/p>\n If Finnie\u2019s play at the AHL level late last season carries over into this season, all bets are off in terms of what his ceiling is. At the very least, he looks like he could be a solid, high-energy bottom six forward in the NHL, but I\u2019m willing to bet there\u2019s even more there. He could be a big riser in these rankings the next time around.<\/p>\n 14. (D) Anton Johansson \u2013 2022, 105th Overall<\/p>\n Leksands IF (SHL) \u2013 46 GP, 5 G, 10 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 22<\/p>\n After years of him being just inside or just outside of the top-25, Anton Johansson is the biggest jumper in this ranking, moving up eight spots to just inside the top-15. The glimmers of promise we\u2019ve seen in the past all led to this past season, where he was a steady performer in the SHL and then seamlessly joined the Griffins for 11 regular season games and all three of their playoff contests.<\/p>\n Johansson moves himself and the puck quite well for someone who is pushing 6-foot-5. His composure on the blue line allows him to facilitate when the puck is on his stick and disrupt the opposition when it isn\u2019t. While he doesn\u2019t project as a high-end offensive defenseman, moving the puck is very much part of his game. He is set to return for one more SHL season before joining the Griffins late in the season just like he did in 2024-25. Like Finnie, he also has a chance to be a big riser over the next couple of rankings. <\/p>\n 13. (D) Shai Buium \u2013 2021, 36th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 67 GP, 2 G, 25 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 11<\/p>\n Shai Buium was always going to endure a slow and steady development path. Luckily, things have gone well to this point. He saw his role at the University of Denver increase year over year and ultimately celebrated a national championship. In his first AHL season, he maintained a steady grip on a spot in the Griffins\u2019 top four. He saw time on the power play, and he played in all types of situations. The challenge for the 2025-26 campaign is to build on it and earn top pairing minutes, which could potentially put him on the NHL\u2019s doorstep.<\/p>\n Buium moves the puck quite well \u2013 he always has. He uses good vision all over the ice to move the puck to his teammates and\/or out of trouble. He uses his 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame to his advantage (though he could stand to do it a little more), and he\u2019s hard to contain when he\u2019s firing on all cylinders. He needs to add a bit more strength (which will come with time), and he needs to continue to develop his defensive game at the pro level (which should also come with time.) If he puts it all together, he has the skillset to be an everyday NHLer in some capacity. <\/p>\n 12. (C) Max Plante \u2013 2024, 47th Overall<\/p>\n University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) \u2013 23 GP, 9 G, 28 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 12<\/p>\n It\u2019s hard to watch Max Plante and not get excited about what he can do as a playmaker. Even as a freshman at the University of Minnesota-Duluth this past season, he showed a high-end ability to make things happen, especially as a passer. He sees the game very well, especially for a 19-year-old, and he can make plays at a high pace. The ingredients for a top six playmaker are all there \u2013 it\u2019s just a matter of building on his skills over the next couple of seasons.<\/p>\n I have all the time in the world for Plante. He plays with energy, and his vision on the ice sets him apart from many of the prospects on this list. There is a bit of a boom-or-bust element to this prospect, however. His game isn\u2019t one that necessarily translates anywhere other than the top six \u2013 he\u2019s an offensive forward, if that makes sense \u2013 so if his vision and playmaking ability doesn\u2019t travel with him when he eventually begins his pro career, he loses almost all of his potential paths to the NHL. That being said, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about him after his first full year in the organization. <\/p>\n 11. (D) William Wallinder \u2013 2020, 32nd Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 62 GP, 2 G, 19 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 9<\/p>\n William Wallinder was the first pick in the second round of the 2020 draft. The 2025-26 season will be his third with the Griffins. He\u2019s been on a long, winding road since joining the Red Wings organization, but it feels like we\u2019re reaching an inflection point in his development and career. He is now one of the older prospects in this pool, and with that comes a certain pressure to make the jump before somebody else does. <\/p>\n Related: 5 Red Wings Prospects Ready for the NHL in 2025-26<\/a><\/p>\n Wallinder is in his final season of being exempt from waivers in the NHL. While the expectation is that he will return to Grand Rapids this season, it shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise if the organization gives him a look if the injury bug strikes the blue line in Detroit. He has proven himself to be a capable defender at the AHL level, though he hasn\u2019t asserted himself in any specific area. As it stands right now, he probably projects as a capable bottom pairing defender that can make an impressive offensive play from time to time. <\/p>\n 10. (RW) Jesse Kiiskinen \u2013 2023, 68th Overall<\/p>\n HPK (Liiga) \u2013 46 GP, 14 G, 44 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 10<\/p>\n A little over a year ago when the Red Wings traded defense prospect Andrew Gibson<\/a> to the Nashville Predators for a second round pick and forward prospect Jesse Kiiskinen, I was a little disappointed as I had taken a liking to Gibson as a prospect. Yet here we are today and I\u2019m starting to think that the Gibson-Kiiskinen swap could go down as one of the savviest moves made during the Red Wings\u2019 rebuild. <\/p>\n Kiiskinen is coming off one of the best age-19 seasons in recent memory over in Finland\u2019s top league. He plays a hard game and is willing to be a thorn in the side of his opponent. He has that Red Wing DNA: tough to play against with underrated skill \u2013 though I\u2019m not so sure his skill is underrated anymore. While he was more of a playmaker with his main club HPK, he had six goals in seven games at the World Juniors back in January. He can make an impact in multiple ways and would be a higher-ranked prospect in several other pools.<\/p>\n 9. (C) Amadeus Lombardi \u2013 2022, 113th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 44 GP, 19 G, 40 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 8<\/p>\n As a former fourth-round pick, Amadeus Lombardi has surpassed his draft day expectations. He was arguably the Griffins\u2019 best forward last season, showing the ability to read, adapt, create and execute, all while maintaining an NHL-caliber pace. He is absolutely electric when he is on his game, and he was on his game more often than not last season. <\/p>\n The biggest hurdles facing Lombardi are his lack of size (5-foot-11, 178 pounds) and his play away from the puck. His ability to read and react in all areas of the ice gives his game a good chance to translate at the NHL level, but if it doesn\u2019t \u2013 or at least not fully \u2013 he\u2019ll need to refine his two-way game to give himself the best shot at finding success at the next level. Speaking of which, a move over to the wing is inevitable in the NHL.<\/p>\n But make no mistake: Lombardi is a legitimate call-up candidate in 2025-26. <\/p>\n 8. (G) Trey Augustine \u2013 2023, 41st Overall<\/p>\n Michigan State University (NCAA) \u2013 30 GP, 19 Wins, 2.08 GAA, .924 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 6<\/p>\n Trey Augustine is undoubtedly one of the top goalie prospects in the world. His composure in the crease is world class. While he is undersized for a goaltender (6-foot-1, 194 pounds) his mobility and precision allow him to stay square to incoming shots and appear larger than he is. He is already a technically-sound goaltender that could probably perform quite well at the AHL level. Instead, his junior season at Michigan State University awaits as he hopes to help the Spartans claim a championship in 2026. <\/p>\n There is a growing consensus that Augustine is the top goaltender in the Red Wings\u2019 prospect pool. Admittedly, I\u2019m starting to lean that way too, but I\u2019m not there quite yet. I think Augustine will play many games in the NHL and will probably top out as an above-average starter. In baseball terms, he\u2019s a double that could turn into a triple under the right circumstances. I just think that the lone goalie ranked ahead of him still has a shot to become a home run\u2026.<\/p>\n 7. (LW) Carter Mazur \u2013 2021, 70th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 20 GP, 8 G, 15 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 5<\/p>\n If NHL-certainty and\/or proximity were the only things taken into consideration, Carter Mazur would probably sit atop these rankings. Yes, he was injured just over a minute into his NHL debut on March 6, ending an injury-riddled campaign for the scrappy winger. The Jackson, Michigan native was called up for a reason<\/a>, though. He has hovered around the top-five of these rankings for a while now, and the next step in his development is to claim a full-time spot in Detroit.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve said it plenty of times before, but Mazur will be a future fan favorite. He plays a hard-nosed style (which will inevitably lead to future injuries) and he is the type of player that will lay it all on the line for his team. He won\u2019t ever be a line-driver, but he projects to be the type of player that pulls a line together by doing all the little, unspectacular things that lead to success. The Red Wings are trying to become a tougher team to play against, and I believe he will be a part of that identity shift. <\/p>\n 6. (G) Sebastian Cossa \u2013 2021, 15th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 41 GP, 21 Wins, 2.45 GAA, .911 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 3<\/p>\n You almost have to feel bad for Sebastian Cossa. When he was drafted, the discourse was about whether the Red Wings should have selected Swedish goaltender Jesper Wallstedt instead. Now that Cossa has been able to push most of that chatter to the side thanks to two successful AHL seasons, there is new chatter about how Augustine has supplanted Cossa as Detroit\u2019s goalie of the future. To be fair, Cossa gave people a reason to look elsewhere last season.<\/p>\n Despite recording 44 wins in 84 AHL contests, Cossa has yet to run away with the starting gig in Grand Rapids. Last season, his second with the Griffins, he found himself constantly fighting for ice time as Ville Husso and Jack Campbell both ate into his share of the starts. Come playoff time, Cossa was chased out of the net in the Griffins\u2019 first game, didn\u2019t get the start in their second game, and then wasn\u2019t good enough to prolong the season in their third and final game. <\/p>\n Cossa has been really good over his two seasons in the AHL, but he has the potential to be great. As things stand, he is the third goalie on the Red Wings\u2019 depth chart and stands to be the first call up in the case of injury. This season is not make-or-break for his career, but the conversation \u2013 and these rankings \u2013 will shift if he doesn\u2019t look NHL-ready by season\u2019s end. <\/p>\n 5. (LW) Dmitry Buchelnikov \u2013 2022, 52nd Overall<\/p>\n Vityaz Moscow Region (KHL) \u2013 65 GP, 15 G, 54 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 4<\/p>\n Arguably the most exciting prospect in the Red Wings\u2019 prospect pool, Dmitry Buchelnikov might only be a year away from making his NHL debut. He is signed for another season over in Russia, but the chatter surrounding his future in the NHL is as loud as it has ever been. Given his ability to make an impact in arguably the second-most talented league in the world, he may even bypass the Red Wings\u2019 standard procedure of sticking their prospects in the AHL for some time before exposing them to the NHL. <\/p>\n Simply put, Buchelnikov makes things happen. He can make defenders look foolish when he is given time and space. His shot is dangerous, and he could benefit from using it more. His real gift, however, is his offensive awareness. He sees the ice like few players can, and he has the talent to make plays when he sees them. I stop short of Kirill Kaprizov<\/a> when thinking about what his ceiling is, but I don\u2019t know that he\u2019s that far off. I have him penciled in as a future second line winger, but I would caution anyone that wants to put a ceiling on what he is capable of at this point.<\/p>\n 4. (C\/LW) Carter Bear \u2013 2025, 13th Overall<\/p>\n Everett Silvertips (WHL) \u2013 56 GP, 40 G, 82 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 2025 Draftee<\/p>\n Like the player named Carter ranked in the seventh spot, Carter Bear is going to be another fan favorite in time. He plays the game without fear, putting himself in the scoring areas while also being willing to take the punishment that comes with being in those areas. However, he isn\u2019t afraid to give it right back, and his physicality is what sets him apart from the other \u201chigh compete, two-way forwards with underrated skill\u201d the Red Wings have drafted in the first round recently. <\/p>\n Bear has all the makings of a future leader at the pro level. He competes just as hard in the defensive end as he does in the offensive zone. When his team needs a spark, he goes out and tries to provide one, whether it\u2019s with a goal or a big hit. The sheer physicality in his game is something the Red Wings lacked in their prospect pool as well as on their roster in general. Safe projections have him landing in the middle six in the NHL, but I think he is smart enough and passionate enough to become a top six power forward in his prime.<\/p>\n 3. (RW\/LW) Michael Brandsegg-Nyg\u00e5rd \u2013 2024, 15th Overall<\/p>\n Skellefte\u00e5 AIK (SHL) \u2013 42 GP, 5 G, 11 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 7<\/p>\n I was a bit lukewarm on Michael Brandsegg-Nyg\u00e5rd when the Red Wings first drafted him. Over the course of the last year, however, I started to see the vision. Not only does this player have a highly intriguing toolkit, but he also may be closer to NHL-ready than you might think. He is certainly a lot closer than I initially gave him credit for.<\/p>\n Brandsegg-Nyg\u00e5rd is, yes, a two-way force that competes hard all over the ice. The maturity of his defensive game was particularly notable in the SHL this season; while he projects to be more of a scorer in the NHL, I can see him becoming the type of penalty killer that excels at disrupting and creating spot scoring chances. He scored two goals and three points while playing in the Griffins\u2019 three playoff games, suggesting an early comfort level for the Norwegian winger. With his two-way ability and scoring prowess, I see him becoming a player similar to New Jersey Devils winger Timo Meier<\/a>, and that should excite Red Wings fans. <\/p>\n 2. (C) Nate Danielson \u2013 2023, 9th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 71 GP, 12 G, 39 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 2<\/p>\n Nate Danielson\u2019s numbers from this past season don\u2019t exactly jump off the page, but some added context underscores why he maintains his spot here at number two. First, the majority of his 27 assists were primary, meaning that he was the last player to touch the puck before the goal scorer. This is proof that he is making things happen rather than things happening while he is on the ice. If his raw production still worries you, note that Marco Kasper had 35 points in 71 games with the 2023-24 Griffins, and I\u2019d say he looked pretty good in Detroit this season.<\/p>\n Just like on his draft day, Danielson projects as a second line center that can match up against almost anyone in the NHL. His two-way ability and overall responsibility on the ice is encouraging in regard to his future as a center. There were times that he struggled this past season, but I am willing to wager that a large part of it was the physical toll that 71 games against grown men takes. He absolutely needs to get stronger and continue to learn how to create offense consistently at the pro level, but I do not doubt his ability to reach the next level. He\u2019s another prospect in this pool that potentially has a future as a leader in the NHL.<\/p>\n 1. (D) Axel Sandin Pellikka \u2013 2023, 17th Overall<\/p>\n Skellefte\u00e5 AIK (SHL) \u2013 46 GP, 12 G, 29 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 1<\/p>\n I remember when I thought I was being bold by ranking Axel Sandin Pellikka ahead of Danielson immediately after the 2023 draft<\/a>. I stand by what I have said all along: Sandin Pellikka has the potential to become a truly special player, and his window to reach the NHL opens this season.<\/p>\n When you\u2019re an undersized defenseman like Sandin Pellikka (5-foot-11, 185 pounds), you have to be able to make big plays with your stick with and without the puck. He does just that; he may not be able to physically impose on the opposition, but he can disrupt with his stick and use good positioning to keep the puck out of danger. On the offensive side of things, he\u2019s as dynamic as they come as he can create scoring opportunities with his shot and his pass. He\u2019s a future power play quarterback and the next big thing to hit the Red Wings\u2019 blue line.<\/p>\n Top Prospects by Position<\/p>\n Left WingCenterRightDmitry BuchelnikovNate DanielsonMichael Brandsegg-Nyg\u00e5rdCarter MazurCarter BearJesse KiiskinenEmmitt FinnieAmadeus LombardiCharlie ForslundDylan JamesMax PlanteEddie GenborgOnd\u0159ej BecherMichal SvrcekNoah Dower Nilsson<\/p>\n Left DefenseRight DefenseWilliam WallinderAxel Sandin PellikkaShai BuiumAnton JohanssonAntti Tuomisto<\/p>\n GoalieSebastian CossaTrey AugustineMichal PostavaRudy GuimondMichal Pradel<\/p>\n Just Missed<\/p>\n (F) Alexandre Doucet <\/p>\n <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a>![\"Trey](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Trey-Augustine-Michigan-State-1200x800.jpg\")
Trey Augustine, Michigan State University (MSU Athletic Communications)<\/p>\n![\"Carter](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Carter-Bear-Red-Wings-1200x900.jpg\")
Carter Bear, Detroit Red Wings (Amy Irvin<\/a> \/ The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n
(C\/LW) Brennan Ali
(D) Eemil Viro
(LW) Austin Baker
(LW) Maximilian Kilpinen <\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Substack_Banner_DET-1200x122.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n