Analysis: Detroit's Top 25 Prospects, Year End

The rebuild continues for the Detroit Red Wings. Three years into Steve Yzerman’s reign as General Manager and the team is starting to show signs of improvement. Rookies Mortiz Seider, Lucas Raymond, and Alex Nedeljkovic gave the Red Wings a significant boost this year. The Red Wings have 10 more picks this year including the 8th overall selection and two picks in the second round. Several more prospects are on the way to Hockeytown.

Here is a look at the prospects in order of their projected NHL arrival. (all stats from eliteprospects.com)

1-Jonatan Berggren (W/C) Grand Rapids (AHL)

2021-2022 GP:70, G:21, A:43, P:64, -18

Jonatan Berggren is the most NHL-ready player in the Detroit organization. This year, Berggren set a Grand Rapids record when he scored 64 points as an AHL rookie. Look for Berggren to secure a spot on the Red Wings roster next season.

2-Simon Edvinsson (LD) Frolunda HC (SHL)

2021-2022 GP:44, G:2, A:17, P:19, +13, Playoffs GP:5, G:0, A:2, P:2, +3

Simon Edvinsson recently signed his three-year entry-level deal with Detroit. Edvinsson was the 6th overall selection in the 2021 draft. Edvinsson will be given every opportunity to crack the Detroit lineup out of training camp in September.

3-Albert Johansson (LD) Farjestad (SHL)

2021-2022 GP:52, G:5, A:20, P:25, -6, Playoffs GP:19, G:2, A:6, P:8, -1

Albert Johansson will be given every opportunity to make the Red Wings out of training camp. If he doesn’t start the year in Detroit, he will start the year in Grand Rapids and play professionally in North America for the first time.

4-Pontus Andreasson (C/W) Lulea (SHL)

2021-2022 GP:52, G:18, A:20, P:38, +19, Playoffs GP:13, G:8, A:5, P:13, +6

Pontus Andreasson recently signed a one-year entry-level contract with Detroit. Training camp will determine if Andreasson starts the year in Detroit or Grand Rapids.

5-Elmer Soderblom LW/RW Frolunda HC (SHL)

2021-2022 GP:52, G:21, A:12, P:33, -10, Playoffs GP:9, G:3, A:3, P:6, +6

Elmer Soderblom is the most improved and fastest rising prospect in the Detroit organization. A strong start in Grand Rapids will likely earn Soderblom a callup to Detroit no later than the trade deadline.

6-Jared McIsaac LD Grand Rapids (AHL)

2021-2022 GP:70, G:5, A:19, P:24, -11

Jared McIsaac had a very successful first year playing in the AHL. McIsaac will need an excellent training camp in order to push for a spot on the Detroit roster.

7-Sebastian Cossa G Edmonton (WHL)

2021-2022 GP:46, W:24, L:12, OT:3, GAA: 2.28, SV%: .913, Playoffs GP:12, W:12, L:1, GAA: 1.97, SV%: .909

Sebastian Cossa is one of only three prospects still playing this season. Edmonton recently won the Eastern Conference Championship of the WHL and will play Seattle in the final of the WHL playoffs. The winner of that series will represent the WHL in the Memorial Cup. Cossa will turn 20 this year and will likely begin next season in Grand Rapids.

8-William Wallinder LD Rogle BK (SHL)

2021-2022 GP:47, G:4, A:15, P:19, +5, Playoffs GP:13, G:1, A:0, P:1, -3

William Wallinder remains unsigned and will play for Rogle again next year. Wallinder will turn 20 in July and will be looking for a big year so that he can sign with Detroit in the near future.

9-Donovan Sebrango LD Grand Rapids (AHL)

2021-2022 GP:65, G:1, A:6, P:7, -7

Donovan Sebrango has played two years in the AHL for Grand Rapids. Sebrango turned 20 in January, and the Red Wings will be looking for more offense from the defensive-minded defenseman next year.

10-Wyatt Newpower RD Grand Rapids (AHL)

2021-2022 GP:55, G:3, A:7, P:10, +/-0

Wyatt Newpower had a steady if unspectacular season in Grand Rapids. More offense was expected out of Newpower, and in order to get to the next level, Newpower will have to add that dimension to his game next year.

11-Cross Hanas W/C Portland (WHL)

2021-2022 GP:63, G:26 A:60, P:86, +31, Playoffs GP:11, G:5, A:4, P:9, -4

Cross Hanas recently signed his three-year entry-level contract with Detroit. Hanas was the highest-scoring prospect in the Red Wings organization this year. Hanas will likely start his professional career in Grand Rapids next year.

12-Eemil Viro LD TPS (Liiga)

2021-2022 GP:52, G:3, A:4, P:7, +9, Playoffs GP:15, G:2, A:3, P:5, +6

Eemil Viro was on loan to TPS (Liiga) from Detroit this year. Viro will likely make his North American debut next year playing for Grand Rapids.

13-Joren van Pottelberghe EHC Biel-Bienne (NL)

2021-2022 GP:44, W:24, L:12, OT:3, GAA: 2.23, SV%: .921

Joren van Pottelberghe was injured for the second half of the season and missed both the Olympic Games and the World Championships. Prior to his injury, van Pottelberghe indicated his desire to sign an entry-level contract with Detroit. If he does not sign with the Red Wings, expect van Pottelberghe to play in the NL for the 7th season.

14-Liam Dower Nilsson C/W Frolunda HC (J20 Nationell)

2021-2022 GP:34, G:19, A:31 P:50 +19, Playoffs GP:3, G:1, A:0, P:1, +4

Liam Dower Nilsson had a terrific season playing in the J20 Nationell. Dower Nilsson is expected to play his first full season for Frolunda in the SHL next season.

15-Theodor Niederbach C/RW Frolunda (SHL)

2021-2022 GP:51, G:9, A:7, P:16, -1, Playoffs GP:9, G:1, A:2, P:3, -1

Theodor Niederbach didn’t get much ice time in Frolunda this year. He has been transferred to Rogle in an attempt to get more ice time and try to earn a contract with Detroit in the near future.

16-Antti Tuomisto RD University of Denver (NCAA)

2021-2022 GP:35, G:1, A:8, P:9, +20

Antti Tuomisto won a National Championship with Denver this year. After two seasons in the NCAA, Tuomisto has decided to turn pro and play with TPS (Liiga) next year.

17-Robert Mastrosimone C/LW Boston University (NCAA)

2021-2022 GP:34, G:11, A:14, P:25, +5

Robert Mastrosimone had a nice year playing in his junior year at Boston. Mastrosimone has decided to play his senior year at Arizona State University next year.

18-Shai Buium LD University of Denver (NCAA)

2021-2022 GP:39, G:3, A:15, P:18, +20

Shai Buium won a National Championship with Denver during his freshman year in the NCAA. Buium is expected to play his sophomore season at Denver next year.

19-Jan Bednar G Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL)

2021-2022 GP:47, W:28, L:14, OT:4, GAA: 2.72, SV%: .912, Playoffs GP:8, W:3, L:5, GAA: 2.93, SV%: .895

Jan Bednar had an excellent season playing in the QMJHL. Bednar will turn 20 in August. He is expected to either play his overage season in the QMJHL, return to Czechia and play professionally, or sign with Detroit and begin his professional career in either the ECHL or AHL.

20-Carter Mazur LW University of Denver (NCAA)

2021-2022 GP:41, G:14, A:24, P:38, +23

Carter Mazur won a National Championship during his freshman season at Denver. Mazur is expected to spend his sophomore season at Denver next season.

21-Pasquale Zito W/C Windsor (OHL)

2021-2022 GP:49, G:22 A:20, P:42, -5, Playoffs GP:9, G:1, A:3, P:4, +/-0

Pasquale Zito has had a very good post-draft season in the OHL. Zito’s Windsor Spitfires (OHL) are in the OHL finals against Hamilton to see who represents their league in the Memorial Cup. Zito just turned 19 and will return for his final season of junior eligibility next year.

22-Ethan Phillips C/RW Boston University (NCAA)

2021-2022 GP:28, G:6, A:11, P:17, +4

Ethan Phillips just completed his junior season in the NCAA. Phillips will return to Boston for his senior year next season.

23-Oscar Plandowski RD Charlottetown, (QMJHL)

2021-2022 GP:64, G:4, A:13, P:17, +12, Playoffs GP:10, G:1, A:0, P:1, +3

Oscar Plandowski is currently playing in the QMJHL finals to see who will represent the league in the Memorial Cup. Plandowski will return to play his final season in the QMJHL next season.

24-Redmond Savage C Miami University-Ohio (NCAA)

2021-2022 GP:35, G:6, A:10, P:16, -10

Redmond Savage played as a freshman in Miami (Ohio) this year. Savage will return for his sophomore year next season.

25-Albin Grewe RW/LW Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan)

2021-2022 GP:32, G:4, A:13, P:17, -2, Playoffs GP:8, G:0, A:5, P:5, +/-0

Albin Grewe started the season playing for Ilves in Liiga. Grewe transferred back to Sweden to play for Mora IK (HockeyAllsvenskan). Grewe will return for a second season in Mora next year.