Alex Cotton
2021 Team: Lethbridge (WHL)
Age: 20
Shoots: R
GP: 24
G: 7
A: 19
PTS: 26
Alex Cotton is a bit of a late bloomer as he was not drafted in his first year of eligibility. Detroit selected Cotton in the 5th round in 2020 after he recorded 67 points in 63 games on defense for Lethbridge (WHL). Cotton remains unsigned and can return to play in the WHL as an overage defenseman. Detroit has to sign Cotton by June 1, 2022 or he becomes a free agent.
William Wallinder
2021 Team: MODO (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Age: 18
Shoots: L
GP: 43
G: 1
A: 5
PTS: 5
William Wallinder was a 2nd round selection, 32nd overall in 2020. Wallinder has enormous potential and will play for Rogle (SHL) next year. Wallinder should also make an impact on the Swedish World Junior team in next year’s Championships. Detroit has until June 1, 2024 to sign Wallinder. Expect him to sign an entry-level contract well before this date.
Antti Tuomisto
2021 Team: U Denver (NCAA)
Age: 20
Shoots: R
GP: 24
G: 2
A: 9
PTS: 11
Antti Tuomisto has been developing nicely since he was drafted in the 2nd round, 35th overall in 2019. Tuomisto will continue to play for U Denver (NCAA) for at least one more season. Detroit must sign Tuomisto by August 15, 2024.
Kyle Aucoin
2021 Team: Muskegon/Tri-City (USHL)
Age: 18
Shoots: L
GP: 47
G: 3
A: 10
PTS: 13
Kyle Aucoin got off to a slow start playing for Tri-City (USHL) before being traded to Muskegon (USHL). Aucoin will move on to play for Harvard (NCAA) next year. Detroit must sign Aucoin by August 15, 2025.
Kasper Kotkansalo
2021 Team: Assat (Liiga)
Age: 22
Shoots: L
GP: 58
G: 3
A: 9
PTS: 12
Kasper Kotkansalo left Boston University after three years and signed his first professional contract with Assat (Liiga) for one year. He recently signed to play for HIFK (Liiga) for next year. Detroit is unlikely to sign Kotkansalo by the August 15 deadline next month.
Gustav Berglund
2021 Team: Vasteras (HockeyAllsvenskan)
Age: 20
Shoots: R
GP: 31
G: 0
A: 5
PTS: 5
Gustav Berglund was a 6th round selection from 2019. He will play for Mora (HockeyAllsvenskan) next year. Detroit holds Berglund’s rights until June 1, 2023.
Cooper Moore
2021 Team: U North Dakota (NCAA)
Age: 20
Shoots: L
GP: 18
G: 2
A: 3
PTS: 5
Cooper Moore just completed his first season playing NCAA hockey. He was a 5th round selection in 2019. Detroit has until August 15, 2024 in order to sign Moore.
Patrick Holway
2021 Team: Merrimack College (NCAA)
Age: 24
Shoots: R
GP: 18
G: 3
A: 6
PTS: 9
Patrick Holway has all the tools to play professionally. He played two years for Maine (NCAA) before taking a year off as a transfer to Merrimack (NCAA). After completing his eligibility in NCAA hockey, Holway signed a professional tryout with Grand Rapids (AHL). Holway’s rights belong to Detroit until August 15. It is still questionable as to whether Detroit will offer Holway a contract before this date.
Final Thoughts
The Detroit Red Wings are certainly getting more youthful on defense. The abundance of draft picks over the last several seasons has given the Red Wings the opportunity to re-build an aging blueline. With several high end defense prospects available in this months Entry Draft, Detroit may load up with more talent at this position. Owen Power, Brandt Clarke, Simon Edvinsson or Luke Hughes are top prospects who would be an excellent selection early in the first round for Detroit.