DobberProspects Nick Richard filed an article discussing the Red Wings‘ prospect pool this morning, and he speaks positively regarding a pair of pint-sized prospects:
Jonatan Berggren – RW: The Red Wings had high hopes for Berggren after selecting him 33rd overall in 2018 but after having much of his last two seasons stolen by various injuries, there were concerns about his development being derailed. Berggren has erased those concerns so far this year, becoming an offensive force for Skelleftea of the SHL. He has been a playmaking machine and his 23 points are currently tied for third most in the league. After dealing with adversity for the last couple of years, Berggren has staked has place as one of the organization’s top prospects.
Otto Kivenmaki – LW: The Red Wings took a flyer on Kivenmaki, selecting him in the seventh round of the 2018 draft following a season in which he put up 37 points in 37 games at Finland’s U20 level. He followed that up with 35 points in just 23 games at the same level the following season, earning his first taste of Liiga action with Assat. Though his offensive production didn’t take a gigantic leap in his first full season at the men’s level, Kivenmaki has established himself as one of Assat’s most important forwards this season and currently has six goals to go along with eight assists through 20 games. Now a key member of his Liiga team and still just 20 years old, Kivenmaki has gone from being a late round project to a legitimate prospect.
A few issues with this story: (1) According to reports, Seider didn’t go to Germany’s WJC team due to COVID restrictions. He would have had to isolate for 14 days (2) Seider since he is in the SHL, the top Swedish league, will stay there until the end of their season. According to reports that is the restriction to signing a contract with the SHL. In the 2nd tier Swedish league, you can come back at anytime. Lindstrom can in fact start the season with the Wings since he is in that league. Therefore Seider can’t join the Wings at the start of the season. So either the story has misinformation or other reports have it all wrong.
I think Seider spending the whole season with a top Swedish Team is a good thing. The more he develops the move up to the NHL will be a bit smoother.
Not much in 2021 seems to be moving ahead. AHL and NHL are just trying to retain some $$$, development is sort of cloudy for 2021 at least in North America.
I think the US Colleges will help some prospects as well.
As you note, Seider didn’t want to stop his SHL season for the sake of playing at the WJC, so that’s the real reason why he chose to decline participating in the WJC. IT was his and the Wings’ decision…and yes, if he’s in the SHL, he stays for the entire season.
I like the Top 6 or 7 Top Fantasy Prospects and could go with the top 10. After that I don’t know a lot about the others but anything can happen and usually a player stands out and passes the prospects ahead of him.
Overall, the prospect list is looking better and I hope that trend continues with StevieY.
I feel similarly here. There’s a depth to the prospect pool that hasn’t existed previously under the KH regime.