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<\/p>\nMake no mistake about it: the Detroit Red Wings have had one of the best and deepest prospect pools in the NHL for a while now, and this season seems to be the one where that has truly materialized. Not only have several prospects graduated to some degree, but there are also plenty of intriguing players still marinating in their system, including some that have taken significant steps forward in the months since we last ranked the Red Wings\u2019 prospects. <\/p>\n
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After years of talk about the \u201cYzerplan\u201d and whether or not the Red Wings\u2019 general manager (GM) is an \u201cYzerfraud\u201d, Steve Yzerman\u2019s rebuild is baring fruit as Axel Sandin-Pellikka<\/a> (1st), Nate Danielson (2nd), and Emmitt Finnie (15th) have all played enough games this season to see their rookie status expire at season\u2019s end. Because of that, all three of them will not be listed in these rankings moving forward.<\/p>\n That means there is quite a bit of movement in the rankings this time around. With the World Junior Championships (WJC) behind us and championship season on the horizon, it\u2019s time for another update on the Red Wings\u2019 top 25 prospects.<\/p>\n 25. (W) Charlie Forslund \u2013 2024, 176th Overall<\/p>\n Almtuna IS (HockeyAllsvenskan) \u2013 16 GP, 5 G, 8 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 25<\/p>\n When it comes to these midseason updates, the last few spots can often come down to personal preference. In years when the pool wasn\u2019t as deep, these spots were sometimes decided by who I wanted to give a shout-out to at the time. In this case, we\u2019re starting with a player who has been ranked a couple of times already, but has not done enough yet to see significant movement from this section of the rankings.<\/p>\n From he joined the Red Wings\u2019 prospect pool, I\u2019ve always appreciated Charlie Foslund\u2019s shot and overall offensive skillset. He drives the net using his size (6-foot-4, 215 pounds) and looks to put the puck on net when he has the opportunity to do so. I don\u2019t see him as a true playmaker, but he can create opportunities for others with his shot, and he doesn\u2019t force shots that aren\u2019t there; he\u2019ll look to pass it off to a teammate entering with speed or one that has a better look. <\/p>\n Forslund is still a work in progress, but I see an outside possibility of him becoming a 20-goal scorer in the NHL.<\/p>\n 24. (C\/LW) Michal Svrcek \u2013 2025, 119th Overall<\/p>\n Bryn\u00e4s IF (SHL) \u2013 12 GP, 0 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 23<\/p>\n Michal Svrcek has had a hard time this season, at least in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). He has yet to produce a point, and he often struggles to receive significant playing time \u2013 as is often the case with young, unproven players in that league. He has been absolutely dominant at the U20 level, recording six goals and 14 points in nine games. <\/p>\n There is definitely some projecting going on with this player at this spot. To some extent, you can argue that Forslund has had a better season and has a better \u201cbuild\u201d for NHL possibilities. However, Svrcek\u2019s soft skills are no joke, and his motor remains intact despite fighting for playing time this season. He\u2019s the type of player that could rocket up these rankings if he hits his stride in Sweden\u2019s top league, a league I have an immense amount of respect for in terms of how it develops young players.<\/p>\n 23.\u00a0(G) Michal Pradel \u2013 2025, 75th Overall<\/p>\n Tri-City Storm (USHL) \u2013 27 GP, 12 Wins, 2.42 GAA, .920 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 24<\/p>\n As you will soon find out (if you didn\u2019t know already), the Red Wings have a lot of goaltending talent in their system. The newest addition to that collection of talent is Michal Pradel, whom the Red Wings drafted in the third round of the 2025 draft. Since then, the 6-foot-5 Slovakian has asserted himself as one of the top goalies in the United States Hockey League (USHL).<\/p>\n Related: Red Wings Top 25 Prospects: Post-2025 NHL Draft<\/a><\/p>\n One thing that stands out about Pradel to me is how he uses his legs in the crease. First, he rarely loses his crease. Even when he gets aggressive or desperate in making a save, he never strays too far and quickly regains his footing. Second, he moves well and makes quick, decisive saves when he faces shots coming in low. I think he has several sprawling leg saves in his future, some of which may increase his national profile over time.<\/p>\n Pradel is still pretty raw, but you can see why Detroit decided to use a third round pick to add him to their organization. He recently committed to Colorado College for next season.<\/p>\n 22. (D) Nikita Tyurin \u2013 2025, 140th Overall<\/p>\n MHK Spartak Moskva (MHL) \u2013 30 GP, 3 G, 18 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: NR<\/p>\n Nikita Tyurin makes his debut on this list after a strong couple of months in Russia\u2019s top junior league. A puck-moving defenseman, he has been authoritative with the puck on his stick this season, and that\u2019s far from a bad thing. When he isn\u2019t moving the puck up to spring the attack, he\u2019s dancing around the offensive zone looking for passing and shooting lanes. <\/p>\n At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Tyurin doesn\u2019t possess the same intimidating size that some of Detroit\u2019s other defensive prospects have, but he\u2019s also far from being described as small. He plays a small man\u2019s game, though, and that makes him an intriguing long-term project for the Red Wings. For a number of reasons, this isn\u2019t a prospect I\u2019m handicapping with an NHL timeline at this point. However, he\u2019s one I recommend familiarizing yourself with and stashing away in the back of your mind for the next couple of years.<\/p>\n 21. (G) Carter Gylander \u2013 2019, 191st Overall<\/p>\n Toledo Walleye (ECHL) \u2013 15 GP, 10 Wins, 2.40 GAA, .913 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: NR<\/p>\n Despite listing Carter Gylander as a member of the Toledo Walleye here, this ranking is largely due to his play in the American Hockey League (AHL) with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The 24-year-old former college standout has six wins in seven games played, a 1.57 goals-against average (GAA) and a .943 save percentage. If you look solely at these statistics, his are the best among the four goaltenders to play games for the Griffins this season.<\/p>\n Gylander was selected in Yzerman\u2019s first draft as the Red Wings\u2019 GM and has patiently worked on his game at various levels of competition. What stands out to me in both the ECHL and the AHL is that he is very steady in the crease. You rarely catch him flailing around because he lost track of the puck, or he lost his positioning. He makes steady saves and doesn\u2019t get too high or too low.<\/p>\n Gylander was maybe something of an afterthought heading into this season, but the early returns this season have me convinced that he can be a number three goaltender on someone\u2019s depth chart someday. I just don\u2019t know if he\u2019ll ever be able to prove it in Detroit\u2019s system due to the sheer amount of goaltending talent in their organization.<\/p>\n 20. (C\/RW) Noah Dower Nilsson \u2013 2023, 73rd Overall<\/p>\n Fr\u00f6lunda HC (SHL) \u2013 36 GP, 6 G, 15 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 22<\/p>\n I have quietly been a fan of Dower Nilsson\u2019s since before he was drafted by the Red Wings. There\u2019s a good offensive skillset here, and he tries to use it even when he\u2019s faced with challenges like low ice-time and an uncertain role. At 20 years of age, he seems to finally be settling in at the SHL level. While his numbers don\u2019t jump off the page, he\u2019s been noticeably better this season than he was last time around. <\/p>\n I don\u2019t know that anything about Dower Nilsson\u2019s game truly stands out, but there are a lot of good things when you consider the overall package. His shot doesn\u2019t spark fear in the opposition, but he is certainly capable of snapping one past the goaltender. He isn\u2019t particularly fast, but his mobility won\u2019t hold him back. He\u2019s no Pavel Datsyuk, but he can make things happen when the puck is on his stick. This feels like a player who just needs to continue to improve in all areas to become a useful player here in North America someday.<\/p>\n 19. (RW) Brent Solomon \u2013 2025, 109th Overall<\/p>\n Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) \u2013 34 GP, 15 G, 35 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: NR<\/p>\n I\u2019ll be honest: the USHL doesn\u2019t do a lot for me in terms of its standing as a developmental league, but this season has me changing my tune a bit. Pradel has shown growth in that league this year, and Brent Solomon has officially put himself on the map with his play in that league as well. <\/p>\n Solomon is a right-handed shot, and he isn\u2019t afraid to use it. There are times when he flies down the wing with the puck on his stick, and it just feels like he\u2019s going to score. I like his decisiveness in scoring opportunities as well as on the power play. He could very easily develop into a trigger man on the power play as he works his way up to the collegiate level, and where he goes from there is anyone\u2019s guess.<\/p>\n Solomon is committed to join to University of Wisconsin next season, and I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if he takes on an offensive role right away. If he can do that and be effective, he will likely be a player that jumps up into the next \u201ctier\u201d of prospects in these rankings \u2013 but that\u2019s still a year away, so let\u2019s just sit back and enjoy the offense he\u2019s producing this season.<\/p>\n 18. (G) Rudy Guimond \u2013 2023, 169th Overall<\/p>\n Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL) \u2013 34 GP, 27 Wins, 2.35 GAA, .921 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 21<\/p>\n I remain so impressed by what this kid has been able to do in an offensive league like the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). After being virtually unbeatable last season, he has followed it up this season by leading the league in all major goaltending categories as the Moncton Wildcats\u2019 go-to guy. <\/p>\n To this point in his Canadian Hockey League (CHL) career, what has impressed me the most is how effortless he sometimes makes the position look. While he has to scramble sometimes, he does a really good job of absorbing shots and staying square to the puck. There are times when he can honestly be a bit boring to watch with how technically sound he can be.<\/p>\n To top it all off, he\u2019s smart as a whip, too. He is committed to Harvard University for next season, and I expect that his strong play in the \u201cQ\u201d will carry over. He is far from a finished product, but I think the foundation of a really solid goaltender is already there.<\/p>\n 17. (C\/W) Ond\u0159ej Becher \u2013 2024, 80th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 34 GP, 4 G, 18 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 20<\/p>\n One thing about Ond\u0159ej Becher this season is that he\u2019s fairly consistent on a nightly basis. Even when he doesn\u2019t hit the scoresheet, he springs the attack with leading passes, he creates from down low and around the crease, and he goes to the scoring areas of the ice. I don\u2019t know if he\u2019s the most exciting prospect in this group, but he\u2019s on pace to almost double his offensive totals from last season, and his game is in a good spot right now.<\/p>\n Becher has 13 points in his last 21 games, going back to the beginning of December. He uses his linemates well; some of his best efforts are on the cycle with a teammate as they maintain possession until something opens up. I think he has a long pro career ahead of him, and could probably challenge to be a top line center in the AHL in the not-so-distant future. I do wonder how high his ceiling is, but at the very least, he\u2019s a nice young player to have in Grand Rapids for the time being.<\/p>\n 16. (LW) Dylan James \u2013 2022, 40th Overall<\/p>\n University of North Dakota (NCAA) \u2013 26 GP, 15 G, 22 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 17<\/p>\n Dylan James has made a name for himself among North Dakota hockey fans with his hard-nosed play and his developing scoring touch. Now in his senior season with the Fighting Hawks, he has already matched his point total from last season, and his 15 goals are one ahead of his 14 from last season. His team looks to him to provide a spark, and he provides it with high effort along the boards and in front of the crease.<\/p>\n There was a point in time when I really wasn\u2019t sure about James. I thought he was fine from an effort standpoint, but his ability to impact the game was lacking. Over the last season and a half, though, he seems to have figured out what he needs to do to make an impact consistently. His numbers this season prove it, and I think he\u2019s well on his way to playing pro hockey next season.<\/p>\n 15. (G) Michal Postava \u2013 Undrafted<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 10 GP, 7 Wins, 1.64 GAA, .941 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 16<\/p>\n I\u2019ll be honest, I wasn\u2019t sure where to put Michal Postava last time around. He was an undrafted free agent who is just nine months older than the other goalie in Grand Rapids, coming off a season where he put up sparkling numbers in Czechia\u2019s top men\u2019s league. After some observations as well as placing some trust in Detroit\u2019s scouting department, he ended up at 16, just one spot behind since-graduated Emmitt Finnie.<\/p>\n It appears he landed in a good spot, and he may see his stock improve even more in the next ranking. <\/p>\n Postava is a fun goalie to watch. He moves across the crease very well, making precision stops look easy while making desperation saves look coordinated. He missed most of November and all of December with a lower-body injury, but had a .917 SV% or better in his five appearances in January. 10 games obviously isn\u2019t the largest sample size, but I already get the feeling that he could be an AHL starter, and I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if he looks NHL-ready within the next year. He\u2019s been a pleasant surprise whose only knock against him is the injury he dealt with.<\/p>\n 14. (D) Antti Tuomisto \u2013 2019, 35th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 38 GP, 6 G, 18 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 19<\/p>\n For pretty much as long as I\u2019ve been ranking Red Wings prospects, Antti Tuomisto has landed somewhere in the 12-20 range; he\u2019s always been good enough and had a skillset worthy of keeping an eye on (not to mention his draft pedigree), but he\u2019s also always had something that\u2019s holding him back from being higher on the list, and his results have certainly varied from year to year. <\/p>\n This year, Tuomisto has been very good for the Griffins. As they have rotated veterans in and out of the lineup, his linemate has rarely been steady. Despite that, he has improved in a few key areas, and suddenly he has me believing that he could still play NHL games one day. He is still a little clunky on the ice, but he has significantly reduced his penalties taken, and he has helped keep the puck away from his goaltenders. If he can continue to improve in the latter area specifically, it wouldn\u2019t hurt to give him a look before the end of his contract.<\/p>\n 13. (D) Shai Buium \u2013 2021, 36th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 7 GP, 1 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 13<\/p>\n Shai Buium stays right where he was at the last time around after missing the start of the season with an upper-body injury he sustained during the preseason. He rejoined the Griffins\u2019 lineup on Jan. 9 and is now tasked with making up for lost time concerning his development.<\/p>\n When he is on his game, Buium is a two-way, puck-moving defenseman who engages in the offense and can use his stick and frame to steer opposing forwards clear of his net. He\u2019ll almost certainly never rise to the level of his brother Zeev, but I see an NHL skillset here that just needs more reps to take shape. I\u2019d like to see him work his way into a big role with the Griffins down the stretch and into the playoffs. If he can do that, I think we\u2019ll be talking about him as a potential call-up candidate next season.<\/p>\n 12. (D) William Wallinder \u2013 2020, 32nd Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 38 GP, 1 G, 14 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 11<\/p>\n William Wallinder has been hovering in this area of the ranking for a couple of years now. With 166 regular season games of AHL experience under his belt, he has fully settled into life in Grand Rapids and his role with the Griffins. His two-way game has taken significant steps forward this season, and he has been one of the few constants on the Griffins\u2019 ever-changing blue line.<\/p>\n Right now, Wallinder is sort of like a vampire: right at the door, but waiting for his invitation in. If the Red Wings\u2019 defense suffered several injuries, he\u2019s probably the first young defenseman who would get a look in Detroit. However, Ben Chiarot\u2019s recent contract extension<\/a> seems to cast a shadow over Wallinder\u2019s path to Detroit. With Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, and Chiarot all under team control through at least 2028, Wallinder would need to take a significant step forward to take someone\u2019s roster spot.<\/p>\n I\u2019d like to see Wallinder play a couple of games or so in the NHL to get a pulse on where he\u2019s at, but I\u2019m not sure that that opportunity will arrive in Detroit. It does make me wonder if he is one of the more tradeable prospects in this pool, despite the overall lack of defensemen.<\/p>\n 11. (W) Eddie Genborg \u2013 2025, 44th Overall<\/p>\n Timr\u00e5 IK\u00a0(SHL) \u2013 30 GP, 8 G, 16 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 18<\/p>\n Not long after I finished my initial scout on Eddie Genborg, I concluded that he would become a popular prospect due to his physical play and willingness to do whatever it takes to complete a play. I was not expecting him to become so popular this quickly, however, and he stands as the biggest riser in this ranking compared to the last time around.<\/p>\n Genborg, who I nicknamed \u201cThe Punisher\u201d back in July, has been a consistent force for his SHL club this season. He creates space using his physical play, and he positions himself in areas to whack away at the puck or opposing defenders. He was excellent with Team Sweden at the WJC, recording three goals and eight points in seven games, helping the Swedes secure a gold medal at the tournament. He plays a man\u2019s game, and it translates in one of the top leagues in the world. <\/p>\n I wonder how Genborg\u2019s developmental path will take shape, but he\u2019s off to a great start. He could one day be the physical power forward the Red Wings could use in their lineup. <\/p>\n 10. (D) Anton Johansson \u2013 2022, 105th Overall<\/p>\n Leksands IF (SHL) \u2013 32 GP, 2 G, 11 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 14<\/p>\n I\u2019ve kept Anton Johansson at arm\u2019s length for the majority of his time in the Red Wings\u2019 system. I saw some raw skill, but I wasn\u2019t entirely convinced that it would continue to translate as he worked his way up the various levels of Swedish hockey. Well, with 149 regular season SHL games under his belt, as well as a brief appearance with the Griffins last season, I feel it\u2019s safe to say Detroit has a prospect here, and a pretty good one at that. <\/p>\n Johansson is a rangy defender who has seen time on both the power play and the penalty kill this season. He disrupts with his stick in the defensive zone, and then he feeds the attack with an authoritative first pass. At 6-foot-4, he has the long reach that allows him to cover a larger area than other defenders, and he always seems aware of his surroundings.<\/p>\n For the first time, Johansson ranks as the Red Wings\u2019 top prospect on defense. While I am maybe a little late to the party, this does highlight a potential weakness Detroit will soon want to address. Quite frankly, the drop off from Sandin-Pellikka to Johansson is significant, so unless the Red Wings intend to make a trade for a young defenseman to round out their defense, they may want to focus on adding some high-potential defenders in this year\u2019s draft.<\/p>\n 9. (W) Carter Mazur \u2013 2021, 70th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 5 GP, 4 G, 6 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 7<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been following these rankings for a while, you\u2019ll know that I\u2019ve been pretty high on Carter Mazur for quite some time. I\u2019ve likened him to Tyler Bertuzzi<\/a> in the past. In the midseason update last year, he ranked fifth, and that wasn\u2019t the first time he fell inside the top five. I like this player a lot, and I\u2019ve believed in his NHL projectability since his days at the University of Denver.<\/p>\n There is no denying that injuries are dominating Mazur\u2019s story nowadays, however. He infamously suffered a season-ending injury just 1:10 into his first NHL game last season. He showed up to training camp and played inspired hockey, looking on the cusp of receiving another shot at securing a spot with the Red Wings. Then he suffered a lower-body injury in practice, limiting him to just five games with the Griffins this season.<\/p>\n All in all, Mazur played in just 23 games in the calendar year of 2025, 22 in the AHL and his lone appearance in the NHL. I believe that he is still well-regarded within the Red Wings organization, but I don\u2019t blame fans if they\u2019re starting to focus their attention elsewhere. There is also no denying that Emmitt Finnie jumped ahead of Mazur while the latter has been sidelined. I don\u2019t know how many more players can leapfrog him before his path to Detroit is erased\u2026.<\/p>\n 8. (C\/LW) Amadeus Lombardi \u2013 2022, 113th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 20 GP, 3 G, 16 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 9<\/p>\n This is generally where Amadeus Lombardi has been the last year or two: just inside the top-10 with an underlying hope that he could either make a big jump up the ranking next time or graduate and leave the ranks entirely. He has been very effective at the AHL level, producing 27 goals and 83 points in 136 regular season games, including a near point-per-game average this season and last. <\/p>\n Lombardi\u2019s play has always been characterized by the energy he plays with, as well as his ability to just flat out create offense. While he isn\u2019t a pure scorer by any means, he takes his shots when he has them. Where he really excels is in the rush and when he has teammates to create with. It seems like he has an understanding that his NHL future likely comes on the wing, as that should allow him to better utilize his speed on the attack.<\/p>\n If Lombardi is not going to be a top-six producer in the NHL, however, he\u2019ll need to continue to round out his defensive game. I think he can build a long, successful career as a middle-six forward, but he still has a couple of aspects of his game that need to round into form.<\/p>\n 7. (RW) Jesse Kiiskinen \u2013 2023, 68th Overall<\/p>\n HPK (Liiga) \u2013 38 GP, 12 G, 20 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 10<\/p>\n In the grand scheme of Red Wings prospects, I still think Jesse Kiiskinen gets a little overlooked. Maybe it\u2019s because he wasn\u2019t originally drafted by the Red Wings; instead, they acquired him from the Nashville Predators along with the second-round pick the organization used to dump Jake Walman\u2019s contract. Maybe it\u2019s because he plays over in Finland, and the North American hockey fan\u2019s eyes rarely wander over there.<\/p>\n Either way, Kiiskinen is a legitimate prospect with tools that should translate once he crosses the Atlantic Ocean. His wrist shot snaps off of his blade, and he knows where the shooting areas are. He\u2019s a pest along the boards with a knack for creating chaos and causing turnovers. Despite his draft origins, he fits the blueprint of what a Red Wings prospect is: high motor, underrated skill, and a willingness to compete all over the ice.<\/p>\n The production hasn\u2019t been there this season like it was last season, but it\u2019s not for a lack of trying. I firmly believe he\u2019s ready to take on the AHL, and I expect him to be a late-season reinforcement for the Griffins this season. To some extent, I see him stealing some of Mazur\u2019s thunder.<\/p>\n 6. (C) Max Plante \u2013 2024, 47th Overall<\/p>\n University of Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) \u2013 26 GP, 20 G, 40 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 12<\/p>\n If you hadn\u2019t heard of Max Plante before this season, you almost certainly have now. <\/p>\n Plante is enjoying the type of season that collegiate athletes dream of. As a sophomore at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, he has not only been recognized by his team and his program, but also by wearing an \u2018A\u2019 on his jersey as an alternate captain. As of this writing, he leads all NCAA skaters in points and has held that lead almost all season. To top it off, he is a leading candidate to win the Hobey Baker Award<\/a> as the top player in the NCAA. Not bad for a former second-round pick.<\/p>\n Plante is someone I\u2019ve been intrigued by since he joined the Red Wings organization, but I\u2019ll admit that I wasn\u2019t expecting a season like this. In the matter of six months, he\u2019s gone from a nifty little prospect the Red Wings might have found to legitimately one of their best prospects, one that could produce in the top six one day. I am very curious to see what his path for next season looks like, but let\u2019s just sit back and see what else he has in store for us this season. <\/p>\n 5. (LW) Dmitri Buchelnikov \u2013 2022, 52nd Overall<\/p>\n CSKA Moskva (KHL) \u2013 30 GP, 10 G, 20 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 5<\/p>\n Here\u2019s another player who has missed quite a bit of hockey this season, despite getting into 30 games this season. Dmitri Buchelnikov has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since November, but it appears that he is getting closer to returning. The current timeline is sometime in February.<\/p>\n When he has played, Buchelnikov showed a lot of what has made him one of the more fascinating names in this pool in recent years. He boasts premium offensive skill, with a shot that can beat goaltenders clean and vision that opens up the ice for his teammates. He can do a lot of things himself, but he is definitely at his best when he has good linemates to create with. He has Patrick Kane<\/a>-like patience with the puck, and I can see him becoming one of the Red Wings\u2019 top playmakers in his prime.<\/p>\n Buchelnikov is in the final year of his contract in the KHL. We may be on the verge of finally getting a look at what this player can do on a North American sheet of ice.<\/p>\n 4. (F) Carter Bear \u2013 2025, 13th Overall<\/p>\n Everett Silvertips (WHL) \u2013 31 GP, 18 G, 38 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 4<\/p>\n The Red Wings\u2019 most recent first-round selection is enjoying another productive season in the Western Hockey League (WHL), though the numbers aren\u2019t as eye-popping as last season. Still, Carter Bear is on pace for a 30-goal, 60-point season, and his production has come in a variety of ways. His shot is maybe a bit underrated in terms of what people usually talk about when they talk about him, and his ability to function and contribute within a system is notable as well.<\/p>\n Bear plays a style of game that I think could already translate at the AHL level if it weren\u2019t for CHL-AHL player age restrictions. He wears an \u2018A\u2019 as one of his team\u2019s designated captains, and he plays the game the right way. He still projects to become that power forward\/grinder type of player that frustrates his opponents and then can make them pay when they retaliate. <\/p>\n Steady as she goes for Detroit\u2019s second-best forward prospect.<\/p>\n 3. (G) Trey Augustine \u2013 2023, 41st Overall<\/p>\n Michigan State University (NCAA) \u2013 22 GP, 17 wins, 1.73 GAA, .938 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 8<\/p>\n The OTHER Red Wings prospect on Hobey Baker watch, Trey Augustine lands at number three this time around, the highest he has ranked since joining Detroit\u2019s prospect pool back in 2023. The native of South Lyon, Michigan returned to the Michigan State Spartans this season to make good on the program\u2019s championship aspirations, and so far he has held up his end of the bargain.<\/p>\n Augustine isn\u2019t as physically gifted as other goaltenders in this pool, standing at just 6-foot-1, 194 pounds. However, he makes up for his lack of size with technical precision and keen awareness of where the puck is. He boasts quick reflexes and can change his angles quickly and precisely. When he\u2019s locked in, he looks bigger than he his and he can frustrate his opponent with how unbeatable he can seem. <\/p>\n I understand why some folks might have him ranked as the Red Wings\u2019 top goalie prospect. I am eager to see what Augustine looks like at the pro level, especially after the Spartans seemingly signed his successor<\/a> recently, but there\u2019s still one goalie that ranks ahead of him in my mind\u2026.<\/p>\n 2. (G) Sebastian Cossa \u2013 2021, 15th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 23 GP, 18 Wins, 1.83 GAA, .932 SV%<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 6<\/p>\n Sebastian Cossa is both one of the biggest beneficiaries of all the graduations from this list as well as his own play. The former first-round selection \u2013 and it feels like he\u2019s been in the system for A WHILE at this point, right? \u2013 has enjoyed his best season with the Griffins to date; he has already doubled his personal shutout record (4), and he is well on his way to setting personal bests in wins, GAA, and SV%. Perhaps the only thing working against him is the fact that Postava and Gylander have played well behind this Griffins team, too.<\/p>\n Cossa is one of the most physically gifted goalie prospects in the world. He is listed at 6-foot-7, 220 pounds, and his athleticism in the crease does not go unnoticed. He has vastly improved his game from a technical standpoint: his rebound control is far less of a problem than it was in his first full season in the AHL, and he seems to track the puck better than he used to as well. When his technique fails him, his ability to scramble and use his large frame to get in front of shots is what really sets him apart, though.<\/p>\n This is the first time in his career that it feels like there\u2019s an appetite to see him in Detroit because of his own merits, not just because of his draft pedigree or because of bad NHL goaltending. He has genuinely been great for the Griffins this season, and it feels like he\u2019s just waiting for the opportunity to show his stuff at the next level. Second place is a new high for him on this ranking, and if you wanted to argue that he should be in the top spot, I would definitely hear you out.<\/p>\n 1. (RW\/LW) Michael Brandsegg-Nyg\u00e5rd \u2013 2024, 15th Overall<\/p>\n Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) \u2013 35 GP, 8 G, 24 P<\/p>\n Previous Rank: 3<\/p>\n Sometimes, a player just wins you over. After initially being skeptical about the Red Wings\u2019 top pick in the 2024 draft, I have since come to appreciate what Michael Brandsegg-Nyg\u00e5rd brings to the table already, as well as what that may mean he can bring to the table in the future. It was no fluke that he made the Red Wings\u2019 roster out of training camp this season, and after a little more time in the AHL, I expect that he\u2019ll make a big impact in Detroit in the not-so-distant future.<\/p>\n Brandsegg-Nyg\u00e5rd does it all: he scores goals, creates chances using skillful stickwork, he crashes and bangs along the boards, he engages in physical battles near and away from the puck, and he competes his you-know-what off. Last time around, I likened him to New Jersey Devils forward Timo Meier<\/a>, and I feel that comparison has aged well over the last six months. I\u2019m not sure that he has top-line potential, but I honestly wouldn\u2019t write off the possibility.<\/p>\n I think Brandsegg-Nyg\u00e5rd represents a lot of what the Red Wings will need as they fill out and complete their roster. If I\u2019m another team looking to sell to Detroit, this is the prospect I\u2019m asking for in return; if I\u2019m Yzerman, this is one of the few prospects that I\u2019m refusing to move unless it\u2019s for an absolute stud. I think he may rejoin the Red Wings after the trade deadline, but if not, I think he\u2019ll be an NHL regular starting next season.<\/p>\n Top Prospects by Position<\/p>\n Left WingCenterRight WingDmitri BuchelnikovCarter BearMichael Brandsegg-Nyg\u00e5rdCarter MazurMax PlanteJesse KiiskinenEddie GenborgAmadeus LombardiBrent SolomonDylan JamesOnd\u0159ej BecherCharlie ForslundMichal SvrcekNoah Dower Nilsson<\/p>\n Left DefenseRight DefenseWilliam WallinderAnton JohanssonShai BuiumAntti TuomistoNikita Tyurin<\/p>\n GoalieSebastian CossaTrey AugustineMichal PostavaRudy GuimondCarter GylanderMichal Pradel<\/p>\n Just Missed<\/p>\n (LW) Maximilian Kilpinen <\/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> <\/a> <\/a>![\"Trey](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Trey-Augustine-MSU-1200x800.jpg\")
Trey Augustine, Michigan State University (Photo credit: MSU Athletic Communications)<\/p>\n![\"SUBSCRIBE](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/RedWings_Banner-1200x122.jpg\")
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(D) Fisher Scott
(RW) Kienan Draper
(D) Eemil Viro
(D) Larry Keenan<\/p>\n
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