Despite the fact that the Red Wings turned over somewhere between a quarter and a third of their roster this summer, Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen posted an article in which he discusses ten Red Wings prospects who will try to “steal a job” on the roster come September and October:
Simon Edvinsson (Drafted 6th, 2021): On one hand, he showed his potential in his brief trial with the Red Wings. On the other hand, Yzerman signed veteran defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere and Justin Holl. Detroit has six veteran defensemen.
Plus, he is coming off surgery.
What Yzerman said last month after signing two defensemen: “We have high hopes for Simon. I’m not prepared to put him on the team in a top-six role. Certainly, I don’t think it’s beyond a possibility that Simon comes in and had an outstanding training camp, and outstanding preseason and simply forces his way into the lineup. That’s what every one of us – our fans, our organization – would love to see. And if that happens, that’s great.”
If Edvinsson starts in Grand Rapids don’t fret, NHL teams always have injuries. Edvinsson is going to end up in the Red Wings’ lineup in 2023-24.
Marco Kasper (Drafted 8th, 2022): Just based on his one NHL game, you want to believe he will get a chance this season. This is a serious young man with serious ability. But his chance may not come at the start of the season.
Unless he performs like Raymond did in his first NHL preseason, it makes too much sense for him to pick up some AHL experience. He will benefit from that.
But if he looks sharp against AHL competition, he will get his chance at the NHL.
Allen continues; there’s no doubt that the Red Wings will give their prospects long looks based upon their performances during the prospect tournament, training camp, and the exhibition season.
Some of that will be out of necessity, as injuries tend to happen, and a prospect hierarchy tends to naturally form, but a player or two may be able to swipe a regular player’s job from a veteran.
We’ll have to see how the roster develops over the course of the regular season, and who stands out in Grand Rapids as the season progresses.
