The Athletic’s Max Bultman offers a set of six observations regarding the entirety of the Red Wings’ 2023 Summer Development Camp, focusing on the performances made during this morning’s 3-on-3 tournament, and they include the following:
Speaking of mid-round success stories, Carter Mazur seems to take steps forward every time I see him. A 2021 third-round pick, Mazur has done nothing but trend up since he was drafted, and he looked a cut above the rest of the field, to me, for much of this week.
His skating, already a positive attribute, seems to have taken another step, and he just looks like a pro out there — flying around the ice, using his very good defensive stick to create turnovers, and displaying an impressive shot (though he was limited to a couple crossbars at the three-on-three tournament). And, while the scrimmages were low-contact, his competitiveness is clear any time he’s on the ice.
At this stage, with where the Red Wings roster sits, I’d be surprised if any true rookie forward were to make Detroit’s opening-night lineup. But if pressed for a pick to make that kind of push, my answer would be Mazur. He just has so many valuable elements to his game, and the arrow just continues to point up.
“I love Maze,” Cleary said. “I thought he looked strong out there as well. He’s a guy that you want on your team. He’s driven, competitive, strong. … His frame just needs to fill out a little bit. When it does, I think he’s going to be an impactful player.”
Adding that mass is of course a top priority, and part of the reason the safe money is on him starting in Grand Rapids. But there’s a ton to like, and it’s coming together pretty fast.
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