EliteProspects names Red Wings’ prospect pool NHL’s 12th-best; Carter Bear is their #1 Detroit prospect

EliteProspects has been releasing its “NHL Prospect Pool” rankings over the past couple of weeks, and today, Lassi Alanen discusses the top 24 prospects who might wear the Winged Wheel some day, while ranking the Red Wings’ pool of prospects 12th overall in the league:

After their notable drop last year, the Detroit Red Wings move back up by a few spots just to the edge of the top-10. Their pool is heavily boosted by the strength of their top talent; only the Chicago Blackhawks had more players featured when our top-100 affiliated skaters and top-20 affiliated goalies lists are combined.

More specifically, the Red Wings are stacked on few player archetypes. First, they have multiple higher-end forwards prospects who profile as physical and gritty two-way forces. Second, they have two of the three best goalie prospects on the planet. There are also some undersized yet highly skilled forwards and defencemen in the mix, too.

As such, even if they can’t match the depth of some of the top-end pools, it’s arguable the Red Wings have the talent to be a few spots higher in this ranking.

Let’s start from the top.

The theme of the Red Wings’ pool is really checking skills and intensity above all else. There’s no one who better matches that description than Carter Bear – and he has plenty of skill, too. While his production slowed in the second half, he still finished third in the WHL in even-strength primary points per 60, according to InStat Hockey.

A fierce competitor, Bear leaves nothing to chance. He sprints hard for every puck, engages in every battle, and goes all-out no matter the score or situation. With a nuanced physical game, he wins inside position every chance he gets, throws tons of hits, and creates most of his offence from the walls, net front, and goal line.

Bear is a skilled finisher, but an even better playmaker. He makes one-touch passes off the wall on the breakout, slips and hooks pucks through traffic, draws pressure before passing, and uses every option – even the trailer and weak side. While it’s not always pretty, he’s a manipulator – a player who stacks the deck in his favour.

With some work improving his skating posture and handling skill, Bear could become a top-six forward, a fan favourite and playoff performer. Even if he doesn’t hit that lofty projection, he’ll still find a way to the NHL. – Mitchell Brown

Continued at extended length (paywall)