The Free Press’s Helene St. James examines the Red Wings’ European-playing prospects this morning, attempting to discern which ones will be on the Wings’ NHL team roster a year from now:
[Filip] Hronek and [Filip] Zadina have already established they are NHL players, and will be recalled when the NHL signals teams can start preparing for a 2021 season.
In what is an encouraging sign for the Wings’ rebuild, many of their other players in Europe are having excellent seasons. It’s a good indication that a player is ready to advance when he is dominating at his current level. [Moritz] Seider has not played for the past week because his SHL team, Rögle, has had to postpone games because of COVID-19, but he has averaged nearly a point-a-game, producing two goals and five assists in eight games.
The Wings were planning to bring Seider (6-foot-4, 207 pounds) to Detroit for a few games last season before hockey was shut down March 12 because of the pandemic. He’s in Sweden for this season, but considering that the 19-year-old will, is now in his third season of playing professional hockey, he’s all but guaranteed to be a part of the Wings’ lineup in 2021-22.
[Lucas] Raymond, who general manager Steve Yzerman selected at fourth in the 2020 draft, is also likely to be on the team. He had five goals and seven assists in 19 games, ranking second on his team, Frölunda (which is in first place in the SHL) in his second full year in the SHL. Raymond (5-10, 183 pounds) already has topped the 10 points he recorded in 33 games last season.
Not Sure how StevieY feels about 19 yr olds,in the NHL and playing D on top of it. I sort of thought Seider had a Good chance with the Wings but he also needs a Vet to handle things when Seider makes a rush. All our top DMen are young with not a lot of experience, aside from Hronek who is playing like he should be in the top pairing. He will surely get a lot of ice time.
Zadina has a shot at the NHL but this year will be a write of and is there a spot in the top 6? Zadina is really not a 3rd line player yet as our 3rd line isn’t an option. Now if you put Veleno with Zadina and add a VET, (pls not Fil), it might get interesting.
I think all 4 (Veleno included) will be with the Wings near the end of the season.
I just about got excited with Ras but there was a replay of Can vs Russia on replay. Tough to watch. I think any thoughts that Ras can be a Holmstrom 2 are not going to happen. Let Ras be who he is and earn his spot like Mantha did and he will be fine. Put him with someone who will drop the flippers once in awhile and get involved a few times. Being very big doesn’t pin a Net Front Tag on him.
I am still waiting to see who Ras really is. In Austria he shouldn’t get challenged much and be able to get some confidence scoring wise. Then who knows??
Those are the 4 I see but there is always someone who plays better in the NHL than the minors. THEN there is Blashill.