Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis released his “Top 75 NHL-affiliated skater prospects” for this season. Here are the Red Wings’ representatives:
20. Simon Edvinsson, D, 21 (Detroit Red Wings)
2023-24 rank: 13th (-7)
It’s time for Edvinsson to make the jump to full-time duty. He had some brief looks the past two years, but I want to see him go out there and really push the needle and give the Wings the size and skill he brings to the table. Edvinsson looked more engaged at both ends of the ice in his 16-game NHL stint than he did in his first year in North America, and he has figured out how to command the ice better as his confidence continues to grow. The thing that stood out the most about Edvinsson in his draft year is that he doesn’t have many glaring flaws – he can skate, hit, has great reach and is good with the puck. The foundation is there for Edvinsson to be a star on the Red Wings for more than a decade.
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37. Axel Sandin Pellikka, RHD, 19 (Detroit Red Wings)
2023-24 rank: 39th (+2)
It was an impressive year for ASP, who was named best defenseman at the World Juniors en route to a silver medal. He also won the SHL championship with Skelleftea and took home the Salming Trophy as the Swedish defenseman of the year. Not too shabby for his first full year playing against men, but it isn’t surprising given how dominant he was against his own age group last year. While Edvinsson is more about size, Sandin-Pellikka’s slick maneuvering with the puck will make him difficult to read, and he’s got the skating to really fly around the ice. All he does is impress at every level, and the fact he isn’t even Detroit’s best defensive prospect has to be exciting for a fanbase that seems to love their Swedish blueliners.
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42. Michael Brandsegg-Nygård, RW, 18 (Detroit Red Wings)
2023-24 rank: New
Brandsegg-Nygard might not be the flashiest player, but he’s got all the tools to become a good top-six forward for Detroit. He had one of the best shot releases in the 2024 draft, and with the right linemates, he’s going to be one heck of a scoring threat. He looked great at the World Junior Championship for the lowly Norwegians and then finished the year off with a couple of great final games with the men’s national team. MBN plays at a high pace while logging significant ice time in the second-tier Swedish league. I expect him to be a solid two-way player in the NHL at the very least, and 50 points a year feels like a very attainable goal.
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50. Marco Kasper, C, 20 (Detroit Red Wings)
2023-24 rank: 29th (-21)
Kasper’s first season in North America started off slowly, registering just five points in his first 16 games over the season’s first two months. He still had some difficult stretches, including a six-game pointless streak to close the regular season and kick off the playoffs. But when he was on his game, he was so good, eventually finishing with 14 goals and 35 points. Maybe it was having to adjust to living in a new environment or the increased speed and muscle of the AHL, but he finally got it, and it was excellent to see. Kasper isn’t likely a big producer in the NHL, but he’s an outstanding skater who likes to play physical and beat players with his hockey sense. He can fit anywhere in the lineup, just like Brendan Gallagher earlier in his career with the Montreal Canadiens.
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56. Nate Danielson, C, 19 (Detroit Red Wings)
2023-24 rank: 65th (+10)
From almost making the Game 1 roster to putting a beating on the WHL, Danielson had himself an exciting campaign. He was a point-per-game player on a bad Brandon Wheat Kings team before getting moved to Portland to become a leader to close out the season. He played some of his best hockey in the playoffs in a top-six role. He has built his success on two-way play, rush offense and charging up the ice at speed. Danielson is also a leader, becoming the Wheat Kings’ captain at just 17 years old, something teams value. Danielson built a reputation in his draft year as being a “safe” pick, someone who wouldn’t put a ton of points on the board but would still become a good NHLer. And that’s the thing – I loved him in a more defensive, checking role at the World Juniors. The fact he’s so versatile and plays so many different roles will help him transition to pro next season.
