Hockeybuzz’s Bob Duff spoke with Red Wings prospect and Hamilton Bulldogs goaltender Kaden Fulcher on Monday, discussing Fulcher’s ascent among the prospect corps due to his superb season and post-season with Hamilton (which will be competing for the Ontario Hockey League championship starting on Friday).
Today, MLive’s Ansar Khan reveals that the Red Wings’ dearth of goaltending prospects at the professional level have yielded a scenario in which the Wings will consider having Fulcher “turn pro” this upcoming season:
The Red Wings have the option to send him back to Hamilton for an overage season but are planning on turning him pro. He’ll be competing for a job with the Grand Rapids Griffins but likely will be moving back and forth from the ECHL Toledo Walleye to Grand Rapids, as needed.
“It’s definitely huge to know that they’re making plans for you,” Fulcher said. “You make sure that every day you show at the rink at the OHL level, that you want to keep putting in the work to get to that next level. I think getting a little taste of it at the prospect tournament and the main camp, you see just how good everyone is, and how good you’re going to have to get to get there.”
As for Fulcher’s opponent, the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Red Wings prospect Jordan Sambrook will be patrolling the blueline for the Sault, but his future with the Wings is less certain:
The Red Wings selected Sambrook in the fifth round of the 2016 draft (137th overall). They have until June 1 to sign him or he will re-enter the draft. They are still evaluating.
Sambrook (6-2, 195) has no goals and six assists in 18 playoff games. He had 10 goals and 39 points in 67 regular season games, along with a plus-43 rating, with ranked fourth in the OHL.
Promote Fulcher to the AHL.
Don’t waste a contract on Sambrook and further the logjam of guys with no hope. Let him re-enter the draft. Or maybe do what San Jose did…call up a sucker GM a flip a guy that you don’t want for a 3rd round pick. Hi Kenny. Remember when you had the hots for Dylan Sadowy? Well we’re willing to trade him for a 3rd rounder (days before we’re going to lose him for nothing and allow him to re-enter the draft). What do you think Kenny? It’s like using a 3rd round pick for a 1st round talent. You should do it! Umm, yeah, Sadowy is just what we need!
“Promote Fulcher to the AHL.”
That might just be the plan. Good thing he turns 20 before the end of the year.