The Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan discusses the Red Wings’ goaltending position this evening, noting that the Wings’ depth in goal–behind Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Bernier tends to fall into the “works in progress prospect” category:
Replacing [Jared Coreau and Tom McCollum] in Grand Rapids will be Harry Sateri (signed out of the Florida organization) and Patrik Rybar (European free agent).
Where there’s hope is in the past several drafts, and a group of goaltenders who could offer promise in the future. Jesper Eliasson (2018, third round) and Victor Brattstrom (2018, sixth round) were selections in June with plenty of upside.
Brattstrom, 20, (6-foot-5, 198 pounds) was rated higher in several mock drafts, and had a .919 save percentage playing Swedish junior last season.
“They’re great workers,” said Hakan Andersson, the Wings’ director of European scouting, of Brattstrom and Eliasson. “We’re hoping we have two good goalie prospects.”
Joren van Pottelberge (Switzerland), Filip Larsson (USHL goaltender of the year/will play at University of Denver), Keith Petruzzelli (Quinnipac University) and Kaden Fulcher, who was signed as an undrafted free agent and will either play in Toledo (ECHL) or play more year of junior, are all in the organization.
Each has had positive moments in their amateur careers, but none has yet to perform at the pro level.
“They’re good, young players trying to establish themselves at their level,” Holland said. “When they do that, you have to prove yourself all over again. We have some good goaltenders who are prospects but the reality is, when you draft a goalie, he’s probably five or six years away.”
Continued, and much depends on how “ready” Harri Sateri (who was great in limited action with Florida last season), Patrik Rybar and Kaden Fulcher turn out to be.
