The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler posted a set of “Prospect Tiers” based upon 12+ hockey industry insiders‘ impressions of over 120 players’ present and future potential. Here’s where the Red Wings’ prospects ranked:
First, Simon Edvinsson landed in the “All-Star” category…
3C Simon Edvinsson
Why he’s here: Scouts think Edvinsson is going to be a legit No. 2 D in the NHL for a long time (or maybe a No. 3 on a true contender). The bubble between star and all-star felt appropriate, and he has been given the benefit of the doubt for Tier 3C because he has proven more than the D who clustered into Tier 4.
Axel Sandin Pellikka was listed as a “star” player…
4B Axel Sandin Pellikka
Why he’s here: I started Sandin Pellikka in Tier 4A, but one scout argued he should be moved down a letter grade. He had another strong season last year in the SHL and should be one of the top young players in the AHL this season. Though the game is moving away from sub-6-foot D, scouts credit ASP for his competitiveness on top of the offensive talent he has.
Marco Kasper is ranked as a “supporting star player”…
4C Marco Kasper
Why he’s here: Kasper’s strong rookie season and impressive second half elevated him a tier from last year. He’s still viewed as a bubble guy between Support and Star, and there are some who wonder about his offensive ceiling, but he’s going to have a long career as a strong second-line player or a third-fiddle on a top line. This slotting didn’t receive any feedback, but Tier 4B does feel within reach if he takes another step this year.
Trey Augustine also landed in the “4C” category…
4C Trey Augustine
Why he’s here: Augustine’s ceiling is set as high as some of the game’s other top goalie prospects, but he’s viewed as one of the safest bets on this list to reach his potential. All of the scouts I talked to about the goalie buckets said he was right there with all of the names after Fowler. One scout said he’d have him a letter grade higher in Tier 4B, too.
As was Carter Bear…
4C Carter Bear
Why he’s here: I started Bear as a Tier 5A high-end support type/bubble star guy because I wanted to see him back from his Achilles injury first, but a couple of scouts felt confident he’d finish as a Tier 4B-C guy. His work-skill combo is the ticket for a lot of hockey people.
While Sebastian Cossa is deemed to be a “support” player…
5A Sebastian Cossa
Why he’s here: Cossa has all the talent, size and competitiveness in the world, but his play at the pro level has been a bit of a mixed bag. Scouts still see tons of upside, but he has to put it all together over an extended stretch to force his way into the NHL and give himself an opportunity to prove that potential against the game’s best.
As was Nate Danielson…
5B Nate Danielson
Why he’s here: Danielson screams really good support piece, and while I was lower on him than most for a time, the consensus seems to have come back to me on this one as his slotting was pretty widely agreed upon.
5B Michael Brandsegg-Nygård
Why he’s here: Brandsegg-Nygård is going to have a long career in the game as an up-and-down-the-lineup, physical, competitive, straight-lines secondary piece and scorer. Dylan Holloway made his debut on the Player Tiers this year in Tier 5C, and there are some who think MBN can become a version of that, though there are others who wonder if he has that kind of offense.
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