Detroit Red Wings: Analyzing Every Center in the Organization

Theodor Niederbach

2021 Team: Frolunda (SHL)

Age: 19

GP: 20

G: 3

A: 2

PTS: 5

Theodor Niederbach was drafted in the 2nd round 55th overall in 2020.  He scored 35 points in 19 games for Frolunda (J20).  He also scored nine points in 15 games playing for MODO (HockeyAllsvenskan) before moving up to the SHL.  Niederbach also scored two goals in five games in the World Junior Championships playing for Sweden.  He will move up to the SHL full-time next season and will be heavily counted on by Team Sweden at next year’s World Juniors.  Niederbach remains un-signed, but it is expected that Detroit will sign him to an entry-level contract in the near future.

Otto Kivenmaki

2021 Team: Assat (Liiga)

Age: 21

GP: 29

G: 6

A: 12

PTS: 18

Detroit drafted Otto Kivenmaki in the 7th round of the 2018 draft.  He has played parts of three seasons in Liiga playing for Assat.  In April, Kivenmaki signed a two-year deal to play for Pelicans (Liiga).  Detroit must sign Kivenmaki by June 1, 2022 or they will forfeit his rights.

Ethan Phillips

2021 Team: Boston University (NCAA)

Age: 20

GP: 1

G: 0

A: 0

PTS: 0

Ethan Phillips is a diminutive center from Dartmouth, Nova Scotia in Canada.  He was drafted in the 4th round of the 2019 draft.  He plays with Robert Mastrosimone, another Detroit draft pick from 2019.  Phillips scored 10 points in 31 games as a freshman.  In his sophomore year, Phillips only played one game.  Detroit owns Phillips’ rights until August 15, 2023.

Alexander Kadeykin

2021 Team: Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL)

Age: 27

GP: 54

G: 13

A: 21

PTS: 34

Alexander Kadeykin is a former 7th round selection from 2014.  He just completed his 10th season playing in the KHL.  He established career highs for goals, assists and points in 2021.  Word out of Russia is that the 6’5″ center would like to play in the NHL one day.  Kadeykin recently signed a one year extension to continue to play for Salavat next year.

Final Thoughts

The Detroit Red Wings failure to make the playoffs for five consecutive years can be attributed to a lack of depth at the center ice position.  If Detroit wants to return to the glory years of winning four Stanley Cups in 11 years from 1997-2008, the management team must improve the team down the middle.  Some of this year’s top centers for the Entry Draft include Matthew Beniers, William Eklund, Mason McTavish and Kent Johnson.  It will be interesting to see which of these players are still available when Detroit selects sixth on July 23rd.