The Detroit News’s John Niyo ranked the “Top 25 Detroit pro players under 25,” and here’s where the Red Wings’ stars landed:
6. Moritz Seider (23), D, Red Wings: The Red Wings worked long and hard to get their No. 1 defenseman locked up to a seven-year contract extension worth nearly $60 million this summer. And that’s fitting, because no NHL blueliner played tougher minutes last season than Seider, Steve Yzerman’s first draft pick who has yet to miss a game in three seasons.
8. Lucas Raymond (22), LW, Red Wings: Raymond, the No. 4 overall pick in 2020, made the jump straight from Sweden to the NHL a few years ago. And the dynamic young forward took a huge step toward stardom last winter, putting together his first 30-goal season and getting rewarded with an eight-year, $64.6 million contract extension.
17. Simon Edvinsson (21), D, Red Wings: The sixth overall pick in 2021 hardly looked out of place in a 16-game stint down the stretch last season, flashing some game-changing offensive ability from the blue line. But now Detroit is counting on the smooth-skating, 6-foot-6 Swede to play a reliable top-four role on defense for a full season.
25. Joe Veleno (24), C, Red Wings: The 24-year-old forward just re-upped for two more years in Detroit after posting career-best numbers in goals and assists last season. But while his position versatility is key, it’s his defensive responsibility that has made him an NHL regular, mostly as a fourth-line center for the Wings.
Among the honorable mentions:
Nate Danielson, C, Red Wings
Marco Kasper, C, Red Wings
Axel Sandin Pellikka, D, Red Wings
Sebastian Cossa, G, Red Wings
Carter Mazur, LW/RW, Red Wings
