The Athletic’s Corey Pronman ranks the NHL’s best players under 23 years of age into “tiers” today.
Lucas Raymond earns a “tier 2” selection as “Tier 2: NHL All-Star”…
Lucas Raymond
Raymond has been the leader on Detroit’s offense this season and one of the best U23 forwards in the league overall in the first half. He’s a dynamic player with the puck. He has special puck skills, with the ability to make high-skill maneuvers in tight areas at a high rate. He combines that skill with excellent offensive IQ and vision. He sees plays other players don’t, and has a unique ability to hold onto pucks for an extra second to let lanes develop. He had a good shot and with how many plays he makes he can run a PP1 in the NHL. Raymond isn’t that big, but he works hard and even added PK duty for the Red Wings this season. He’s not that fast, but he’s very elusive and has good edges. He’s a budding star forward.
#36, Nate Danielson, ends up in “Tier 4: Top of the lineup player”…
Nate Danielson
Danielson’s first pro season has been a familiar story. He looks like an impactful all-around player, who logs a lot of minutes and creates a lot of chances, but doesn’t score in big amounts. His numbers aren’t amazing for where I have him projected, but I’ve seen enough offense from this player to think he’s going to score in the NHL. He has excellent one-on-one skills, he skates well, and his ability to create chances in transition will make him dangerous as a pro. He’s both a strong passer and shooter who can make a lot of things happen inside the offensive zone. Danielson is also a diligent two-way center. I get the concerns about his production, but when I’ve watched the player I think his skill is legit. If he’s Detroit’s second-line center of the future he can be a heck of a 2C.
#40, Simon Edvinsson, makes “Tier 5: Bubble top and middle of the lineup player”…
Simon Edvinsson
Edvinsson has emerged as a top-four defenseman for Detroit this season. Edvinsson is a rare package of size, mobility and skill. You don’t find big men who can one-on-one opponents often like he can. He’s huge and competes well, showing the ability to close on checks with his length and body. He skates pucks up ice well and retrieves them well. There will be a minor debate on whether Edvinsson will ever be a top-end point producer. I don’t see a true playmaker in his game but the sum of the parts should still add up to a good top-four D.
As does #44, Marco Kasper…
Marco Kasper
Kasper has played most of the year up with the Red Wings, getting a regular shift with them as a 20-year-old. Kasper is a good skater with solid puck skills, vision and finishing ability but the pure offense in his game is not what gets you excited about him, The strengths of his game are his work ethic and physicality. His motor is outstanding, he plays in traffic, gets to the net and has an edge to his game. He projects as a two-way top-six forward who may not score a ton in the NHL but his coach will be able to trust him in any situation.
Axel Sandin Pellikka ranks 45th…
Axel Sandin Pellikka
Sandin Pellikka has had a monster start to his SHL season, putting up a ton of offense for Skelleftea while logging big minutes. He was also named the top defenseman at the World Juniors. Sandin Pellikka is a highly skilled and poised defenseman. He looks calm and intelligent with the puck, making a lot of great plays, and has the soft touch of a power-play QB. Sandin Pellikka can beat teams with his skill, but also his shot, as he has a bullet one-timer from the left circle. He’s not that big, but he’s mobile and plays hard, not shying away from physical play and will lean into guys. He projects as a top-four defenseman who could run a first-unit power play in the NHL.
And Sebastian Cossa is way down at #134 in “Tier 6: middle of the lineup player”:
Sebastian Cossa
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