The Athletic’s Max Bultman attempts to discern the “timelines” of the Red Wings’ top prospects this morning. Bultman discusses the probable dates at which time the Wings’ prospects might make their NHL debuts, and then at some point, become regular NHL players:
In the “coming soon” department are Carter Mazur, Nate Danielson and Sebastian Cossa:
Carter Mazur
Long-term projection: Bottom-six forward
Estimated arrival: 2025-26
Mazur made his debut already, and for that reason, he’s probably the slight favorite for the next young player to get the call. His debut was short-lived, of course. He sustained a season-ending injury just over a minute into his first game, but the work Mazur put in to earn that call-up last spring didn’t just vanish when he got hurt.
When healthy, the 23-year-old Mazur has lived up to his reputation as a gritty forward with a nose for the net, willing to dig out pucks for second chances and boasting an impressive shot. That could give him a nice path to a bottom-six role soon, adding the kind of hard offense Detroit needs more of.
He’ll need to deliver a strong preseason — and stay healthy — but I could see him jumping into the bottom six more regularly this season, and possibly early.
Nate Danielson
Long-term projection: Second-line center
Estimated arrival: 2025-26
Danielson has all the tools to be a legit second-line center in the NHL as a smart, responsible, 6-foot-2 center who skates well and can make plays with the puck.
The main question on whether he will reach that level is the production — which, in fairness, was virtually identical to what Kasper did in the same league at the same point in his development. But the two are different players, and it remains to be seen if Danielson can find the same hard-area offense Kasper has. So if you wanted to say “middle-six center” as the projection, I could understand that too. Especially with Kasper looking like Detroit’s long-term 2C.
But whatever the long-term role, I think Danielson makes his way to Detroit at some point this coming season. He’d need a big camp to make the team for opening night, with the Red Wings typically preferring their top prospects play a major role in Grand Rapids, but it’s easy to imagine him getting a look at some point this season and earning his keep when he does.
Danielson has a lot of tools to work with and a lot of ways to contribute in a top nine very soon.
Bultman continues (paywall)
