The Detroit Red Wings farm system continues to climb
By Bob Heyrman
The Detroit Red Wings farm system is on the rise. After what has been considered a successful draft, the Red Wings prospect pool has gotten stronger and it becoming noticed throughout the league.
The Detroit Red Wings coming off an outstanding draft have inserted many young talented players into their farm system. Not only the farm system will benefit immediately, so will the leading club in Detroit.
With Michael Rasmussen, Filip Zadina, and Filip Hronek all going to have an opportunity to make the club out of camp, Detroit has a real chance to become younger.
After many years of playoff-bound teams, the Detroit Red Wings continued to have draft selections in the middle or second half of the draft. Picking 6th this season was a silver lining to a lousy season and having a little luck with a top scoring prospect falling to them, Filip Zadina.
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The first three draft choices make up three of Detroit’s top five prospects. Filip Zadina, Joe Veleno, and Jonatan Berggren to go along with Michael Rasmussen and Filip Hronek make up the current group of Detroit’s top five prospects.
Corey Pronman of the Athletic ranks the Detroit Red Wings farm system as the 7th strongest in the NHL. It’s a much-improved group, and the ranking depicts that, Detroit was ranked 24th last season.
Pronman also ranks what he considers the best players in the Red Wings organization under the age of 23;
"Organizational Top 10 (Under 23)Dylan Larkin, CFilip Zadina, RWAnthony Mantha, RWJoseph Veleno, CMichael Rasmussen, CFilip Hronek, DJonatan Berggren, LWTyler Bertuzzi, LWDennis Cholowski, DEvgeni Svechnikov, LW"
I don’t entirely agree with Corey’s rankings. I believe Anthony Mantha should be slotted as Detroit’s number two player rather than Filip Zadina. Mantha has proven to an extent he can score at this level. If Zadina comes out firing on all cylinders, it could change quickly but today, in August Mantha should be second.
It’s a beautiful sight to see Joe Veleno ranked fourth although I would have Rasmussen slated ahead of Veleno today. Rasmussen is expected to make the final Detroit Red Wings roster and have an immediate impact. Veleno is in the same situation that Michael was in last season. Veleno is a year away, next summer may make more sense to have him this high on the list.
Tyler Bertuzzi, people should argue could be listed at three or four on this list. He’s shown the ability to be an NHL regular, along with being a versatile, valuable young forward. Bertuzzi’s skill set allows him to play up and down the line-up where ever his coaching staff needs him. Bert is also expected to produce on a more regular basis offensively moving forward.
My personal opinion, I would have the top six on this list as, Larkin, Mantha, Zadina, Bertuzzi, Rasmussen, Veleno.
Regardless of the rankings, it’s a breath of fresh air to see the Detroit Red Wings crack the top ten in the overall system rankings. With so many older players the Wings currently have under contract, the talented youth is definitely something we have to look forward to.
The Detroit Red Wings have defensive help on the way. dark. Next
Moving all the way up to 7th this summer from 24th last season, is a win for the Detroit Red Wings organization as a whole. With a few good in-season transactions, the Wings have an opportunity to receive additional draft choices next year and hopefully build on this ranking again next summer.