5 Detroit Red Wings Prospects Who Could Become Free Agents

The Detroit Red Wings have five prospects whose rights will expire next summer.  If these players do not sign an entry-level contract, that player will either re-enter the draft if they are eligible (under 20 by December 31, 2022), or become a free agent.

Every summer, NHL teams stockpile prospects from the NHL Entry Draft in the hope that some will become NHL regulars.  Draftee’s rights have a timeline that is determined by where they are playing or where they plan on playing after the draft.

Canadian Junior Players rights are held by the NHL team that drafts them for two years.  If the player is not signed by June 1, two years after being drafted, they either go back into the draft or become a free agent.

NCAA Players rights are held until 30 days after they graduate from college.  Typically this is June 1st, four years after they are drafted.

Europeans Players rights are held for four years unless the player is from a country that does not have an agreement with the NHL.  For example, Russia does not have an agreement with the NHL so, NHL teams hold onto a Russian players rights indefinitely.

Here is a look at the five players whose rights are currently owned by the Red Wings and whose timeline runs out next summer.

Cross Hanas

Age: 19

Draft: 2020, Round 2, #55 Overall

Current Team: Portland (WHL)

Position: W/C

GP: 20

G: 5

A: 14

PTS: 19

PM: 26

+/-: -5 

Cross Hanas is currently one of the highest scoring prospects in the Detroit Red Wings system.  During his draft year, Hanas scored 22 goals and 49 points in 60 games with a +20 rating.  Last year, because of the pandemic, Hanas started the year playing for Lincoln (USHL).  In 27 games, Hanas scored three goals and 16 points.  He eventually played six games in Portland (WHL) and scored two goals and four points.

This year, when Hanas finishes his WHL season, he will likely sign a 10-game professional contract with Grand Rapids (AHL).  The Red Wings have until June 1st before they must sign him to his entry-level contract.

Prediction: Hanas will sign an entry level contract with Detroit and start his professional career in Grand Rapids (AHL) in 2022.

John (Jack) Adams

Age: 24

Draft: 2017, Round 6, #162 Overall

Current Team: Notre Dame, NCAA

Position: RW/C

GP: 13

G: 1

A: 3

PTS: 4

PM: 2

+/-: +3

Jack Adams has has a tumultuous career since being drafted by the Red Wings.  Adams was drafted after an excellent year playing for Fargo (USHL).  In 56 games, Adams scored 37 goals and 60 points with a +24 rating.  He played two seasons at Union College (NCAA) where he scored 13 points in 28 games as a freshman and 22 points in 38 games as a sophomore.

In 2019, an injury cost Adams his entire junior year at Union.  The pandemic canceled the Union College season last year so, Adams transferred to  Providence College where he played six games and was held without a point.  This year, Adams transferred once again, this time to Notre Dame where he is starting to play more frequently as a graduate student.

It is unlikely that Adams is offered an entry-level contract with Detroit.  At this stage of his NCAA career, Adams should be an offensive force and that  just hasn’t happened.  The best Adams could hope for is a strong second half in Notre Dame and the possibility of signing a professional tryout to play in the ECHL.

Prediction: Adams is not signed by Detroit and will become a free agent.

Otto Kivenmaki

Age: 21

Draft: 2018, Round 7, #191 Overall

Current Team: Pelicans, Liiga

Position: RW/C

GP: 25

G: 5

A: 8

PTS: 13

PM: 2

+/-: -1 

Otto Kivenmaki has been on fire during the last three games he has played for Pelicans (Liiga).  In his last three games, Kivenmaki has scored three goals and five points and yesterday, Kivenmaki earned the 2nd star of the game during a 6-4 victory.

The odds were always against Kivenmaki because of his diminutive size.  Kivenmaki has gained weight since his draft year but, he is still quite small (5’9, 172 lbs) to play North American professional hockey.

In his draft year, Kivenmaki scored 37 points in 37 games in the J20 SM-liiga.  In 2018-19, Kivenmaki scored 35 points in 23 games in a return to the J20.  He also scored 16 points in 34 games playing for Assat (Liiga).  In 2019-20, his first full season in Liiga, Kivenmaki scored 21 points in 53 games.  Last year, Kivenmaki scored 18 points in 29 games with a +7 rating.

It is unlikely that Detroit will retain Kivenmaki’s rights after the June deadline.  Kivenmaki will likely continue his playing career in Liiga.

Prediction: Kivenmaki is not signed by Detroit and will become a free agent.

Jesper Eliasson

Age: 21

Draft: 2018, Round 3, #84 Overall

Current Team: Almtuna IS, HockeyAllsvenskan

Position: G

GP: 9

GAA: 4.45

SV%: .838

Record: 0-8-0

Jesper Eliasson has won several top awards while playing in Sweden.  Prior to being drafted by Detroit, Eliasson had the best GAA (1.54) and SV% (.944) in the J18 Elit.  During his draft year, Eliasson was voted as the best U18 Goaltender in the J18, had the best SV% (.946), and won a U18 WJC Bronze Medal.  In his final year of junior eligibility, Eliasson played one game and was on the roster when Sweden won the Bronze Medal at the U20 WJC.

Last year, Eliasson was loaned to EC Salzburg (ICEHL).  In 13 games, Eliasson had a 5-7-0 record, 2.65 GAA and .916 SV%.  His SHL rights are owned by Farjestad but he has yet to play a game there.

It is unlikely that Eliasson will ever play in the Detroit organization.  His NHL rights run out in June and he will likely play the rest of his professional career in Europe.

Prediction: Eliasson is not signed by Detroit and will become a free agent.