Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen reports that Red Wings prospect Red Savage will be staying at Michigan State University for his senior year in no small part due to an analysis of the Wings’ depth chart, and a recommendation from the Wings themselves that the gritty center continue to develop at the NCAA Division 1 level before turning pro:
“It’s really not all sunshine and roses when it comes to professional hockey,” Savage said. “I want to set myself up to be the best hockey player that I can be and the best person on and off the ice. I think a college degree is a really good thing to have in my back pocket. They agreed that one more year of college would be beneficial for both for me and the Wings.”
Savage, 21, is not an “A” level prospect. Drafted 114th overall in 2021, he has played three years of college hockey, starting with two years at Miami before entering the transfer portal to jump to Michigan State. He put up 10 goals and had 27 points this past season.
The scouting analysis on Savage is that he’s a smart, two-way center, who can forecheck effectively, kill penalties and make the right play at the right time. He can be a bottom six forward that coaches will trust when the game is on the line. He’s also a natural leader, one of the key reasons why the Spartans wanted him.
“I had that option to go play professional but both me and the Wings decided that it would be a better opportunity for me to go back to school and hopefully play for a really good team again this year and make more strides toward becoming a professional hockey player,” Savage said.
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