Many Detroit prospects have now entered the second month of their respective seasons. Some players are taking leadership roles on their teams, while some have not taken the next step in their development. The Detroit Red Wings have several prospects signed to entry-level contracts. The Red Wings still have time to figure out if recently drafted players are anything more than prospects.
Here is my list of the Top 15 prospects in the Detroit system, based on the time frame predicted for their arrival at the NHL level.
#1- Simon Edvinsson-LD
Age: 19
Draft: 2021 round 1 #6 overall
Current Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Status: Signed (2022-2023 CAP HIT, $925,000/MINORS SALARY $80,000)
Simon Edvinsson signed his entry-level deal with Detroit and is currently a rookie playing in the AHL. In his first six games, Edvinsson has scored one goal, five assists, six points, and a +4 rating. He will likely need more development time in the AHL but could make an appearance in Detroit before the end of this season.
#2- Jonatan Berggren-W/C
Age: 22
Draft: 2018 round 2 #33 overall
Current Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Status: Signed (2022-2023 CAP HIT, $925,000/MINORS SALARY $70,000)
Jonatan Berggren started this season slowly after sustaining an upper-body injury. He is back and healthy and, in three games, has scored one goal, one assist, and two points and has a -2 rating. Berggren is the top forward prospect and should get a look at the NHL level during the second half of the season.
#3- Marco Kasper- C
Age: 18
Draft: 2022 round 1 #8 overall
Current Team: Rogle BK (SHL)
Status: (2022-2023 CAP HIT, $950,000/MINORS SALARY $82,500)
Marco Kasper provides Detroit with depth at the center ice position. Kasper signed his entry-level contract with Detroit and is currently on loan to his club team in the SHL. In 14 games, Kasper has scored three goals, seven assists, and ten points and has a +11 rating. Kasper will likely move to North America and play in the AHL next season.
#4- Sebastian Cossa-G
Age: 19
Draft: 2021 round 1 #15 overall
Current Team: Toledo (ECHL)
Status: Signed (2022-2023 CAP HIT, $894,167/MINORS SALARY $80,000)
Sebastian Cossa is currently playing for Toledo (ECHL). He has a 2-0-0 record in two games, with a 2.50 GAA and a .904 SV%. In two AHL games with Grand Rapids, Cossa has a 1-1-0 record, with a 3.50 GAA and a .851 SV%. Cossa should get a significant amount of playing time in the two leagues this year. His rate of development will determine when he is ready to make his NHL debut with Detroit.
#5- Jared McIsaac-LD
Age: 22
Draft: 2018 round 2 #36 overall
Current Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Status: Signed (2022-2023 CAP HIT, $764,167/MINORS SALARY $70,000)
Jared McIsaac is playing his second full season in the AHL. In seven games this year, McIsaac has chipped in with four assists and has a +4 rating. McIsaac is getting closer to being NHL-ready and should get into some NHL games toward the end of the season.
#6- Cross Hanas-W/C
Age: 20
Draft: 2020 round 2 #55 overall
Current Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Status: (2022-2023 CAP HIT, $859,167/MINORS SALARY $80,000)
Cross Hanas had a terrific Prospects Tournament and preseason. As a rookie in Grand Rapids, Hanas has played seven games, has scored three goals, two assists, and five points, and has a -6 rating. He likely needs an entire season in the AHL before he is deemed ready for action in the NHL.
#7- Albert Johansson-LD
Age: 21
Draft: 2019 round 2 #60 overall
Current Team: Grand Rapids (SHL)
Status: Signed (2022 CAP HIT, $820,000/MINORS SALARY $70,000)
Albert Johansson looked terrific in the Prospects Tournament and smooth in the preseason. Offensively, Johansson has had a slow start in the AHL, as he has been held scoreless in six games. He is still a top prospect who will likely need the entire year in Grand Rapids before he is ready for any NHL action next year.
#8- Donovan Sebrango-LD
Age: 20
Draft: 2020 round 3 #63 overall
Current Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Status: Signed (2022 CAP HIT, $828,333/MINORS SALARY $72,500)
Donovan Sebrango is in his third year playing for Grand Rapids (AHL). Sebrango has one goal, one assist, two points, and a +1 rating in four games. Sebrango will likely play the entire year in the AHL but could see NHL action next season.
#9- William Wallinder-LD
Age: 20
Draft: 2020 round 2 #32 overall
Current Team: Rogle BK (SHL)
Status: Unsigned (Must be signed by June 2024)
William Wallinder is having another excellent season playing in the SHL. In 14 games, Wallinder has four goals, seven assists, 11 points, and a -2 rating. Wallinder will likely sign his entry-level contract this season and make his way to North America to start 2023-2024.
#10- Dmitri Buchelnikov- LW
Age: 19
Draft: 2022 round 2 #52 overall
Current Team: SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL)
Status: Unsigned
Dmitri Buchelnikov might end up being the steal of the draft. In 16 games at three different levels this season, Buchelnikov has ten goals, six assists, 16 points, and a +11 rating. The dynamic winger is locked into his club team for the foreseeable future but could make his way to North America at some point after his commitment is fulfilled with St. Petersburg.
#11- Robert Mastrosimone- C/LW
Age: 21
Draft: 2019 round 2 #54 overall
Current Team: Arizona State University (NCAA)
Status: Unsigned (Must be signed by June 2023)
After three seasons at Boston University, Robert Mastrosimone transferred to Arizona State (NCAA). In his first nine games, Mastrosimone has five goals, three assists, and eight points and has a +1 rating. Mastrosimone will likely sign his entry-level contract after his NCAA season next spring.
#12- Carter Mazur-LW
Age: 20
Draft: 2021 round 3 #70 overall
Current Team: Univ. of Denver (NCAA)
Status: Unsigned (Must be signed by June 2025)
Carter Mazur is having another outstanding season in the NCAA. Mazur has ten goals, two assists, 12 points, and a +4 rating in his first eight games. Mazur will likely play one more season in the NCAA before signing his entry-level contract with Detroit.
#13- Shai Buium-LD
Age: 19
Draft: 2021 round 2 #36 overall
Current Team: Univ. of Denver (NCAA)
Status: Unsigned (Must be signed by June 2025)
Shai Buium is currently a sophomore playing once again for the defending NCAA National Champions in Denver. In eight games, Buium has scored one goal, five assists, and six points and has a +3 rating. Buium will likely play for Team USA at the World Junior Championships at Christmas. He will likely play one more year at Denver before signing a contract with Detroit.
#14- Amadeus Lombardi-C
Age: 19
Draft: 2022 round 4 #113 overall
Current Team: Flint (OHL)
Status: Unsigned (Must be signed by June 2024)
Lombardi was not drafted during his first draft year, but Detroit didn’t hesitate when given a second opportunity. In 13 games to start the season, Lombardi has scored five goals, 11 assists, and 16 points and has a +5 rating. If he continues to progress, expect Lombardi to sign his entry-level contract before the start of next season.
#15- Redmond Savage- C
Age: 19
Draft: 2021 round 4 #114 overall
Current Team: Miami University, Ohio (NCAA)
Status: Unsigned (Must be signed by June 2025)
Redmond Savage is currently in his sophomore season at Miami (Ohio). Savage has two goals, four assists, six points, and a +4 rating in eight games this season. Savage will likely play for Team USA again at the World Junior Championships at Christmas. Savage will also likely play two more seasons in the NCAA before turning professional.
