The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler attempted to assess every prospect who participated in the World Junior Championship in Ottawa over the past two weeks. His gargantuan set of assessments included takes on the Red Wings’ four WJC-participating prospects:
Trey Augustine (G, Detroit Red Wings): His low glove and high glove were both targeted at times. He looked out of sorts against the Germans, which is very rare for Augustine. He dropped some routine glove saves too and gave out big rebounds when he usually swallows them. Rebound control early in the tournament was a bit of an issue as well. He settled in and played really well against Canada and in the semifinal against Czechia as well, though. His athleticism popped a couple of times. The control and stoicism came back for the games that mattered most (though the glove did show up a couple more times as a bit of an issue). I hadn’t identified it as an issue in previous viewings but I’ll keep an eye on it now.
I thought that Augustine did struggle at times, but his status as average in some games may have to do with a bit of fatigue as much as anything else. I also know that his sponsorship with True Hockey means that he’s not using his preferred Vaughn catching glove, so he’s still adjusting to the different dimensions of the True Catalyst glove with a 590 break.
It would not surprise me if he goes back to using Vaughn-made gloves and blockers and True leg pads again, because he was far more comfortable in terms of his glove and blocker saves when he was using split equipment. An endorsement deal is great and all, but comfort yielding better performance is far more important.
Max Plante (F, Detroit Red Wings): Puts pucks into areas so well for his linemates. Small area skill. One scratch against Finland and then back in against Canada but on the fourth line (after I thought he played well on the third line early in the tournament). Played well in his minutes, for me.
Plane’s never going to be a large man, but the 5’10” forward is a smart passer and play-maker on the wing, and he was evident to me as good within his role.
Jesse Kiiskinen (F, Detroit Red Wings): Always seems to be lurking around the net but can make a play up high in the zone too and has a good shot/one-timer. Six goals and there was a little bit of everything in them. Calm in big moments. A very likeable player at this level.
Fans may still lament the Gibson-for-Kiiskinen trade, but Kiiskinen is the kind of net-front-driving forward who seems to love going to the front of the net and staying there to jab at passes and rebounds. I thought that he needed some refinement in terms of his defensive game, but his ability to snipe from short distances was good to see.
And finally…
Axel Sandin Pellikka (D, Detroit Red Wings): ASP was one of the top players in the tournament and had more of an impact than he did when he won the top D award a year ago for my money, though he wasn’t as impactful in the semi or bronze medal game. He did a really nice job getting shots through, walking the line, finding open teammates cross-ice or in the slot. Defended hard. Looked to make plays and activate but chose his spots well. His shot and skill are evident when he gets open. He’s seeing the ice better and better without sacrificing his shot creation (led all D in shots). Can lose some races in straight lines, skating isn’t explosive from a standstill. One of the top D prospects in hockey.
Axel Sandin Pellikka wore a heavy captain’s “C” on his shoulder, and that was evident in his play to me. No, he wasn’t sterling silver defensively, but the battles he lost and races he was over-skated in seemed to have to do as much with nerves and the fact that he was playing 26-29 minutes a night as anything else.
There will definitely be an adjustment process for him when he comes over to North America in terms of both his straight-line speed and his physical strength, but the wait will be worth it.
Wheeler continues at extended length (paywall), and he earns big kudos from me for attempting to assess so many players at the same time. That’s incredibly difficult.
