As many teams pause for the Christmas Break or a need to cancel games due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it’s fun to rank the Detroit Red Wings prospects based on current statistics.
The Detroit Red Wings have several prospects signed to entry-level contracts. The Red Wings still have time to figure out if recently drafted players are anything more than prospects.
Here is my list of the Top 15 prospects in the Detroit system, based on the difficulty of the leagues and the corresponding statistics for the 2021 season.
#1- Jonatan Berggren-W/C
Age: 21
Draft: 2018 round 2 #33 overall
Current Team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
Status: Signed (2022 CAP HIT, $925,000/MINORS SALARY $70,000)
Jonatan Berggren has had a tremendous start to professional hockey in North America. Berggren started this year in the AHL and Detroit General Manager Steve Yzerman recently stated that Berggren will remain in Grand Rapids so that he can play important minutes and thrive with Grand Rapids. In 22 games, Berggren has scored seven goals and 16 points with a -2 rating. By 2022, Berggren will be pushing for a full-time spot in the Detroit lineup.
#2- Simon Edvinsson-LD
Age: 18
Draft: 2021 round 1 #6 overall
Current Team: Frolunda HC (SHL)
Status: Unsigned (Must be signed by June 2025)
Simon Edvinsson has had a breakout year playing in his first full season in the SHL. The unsigned Edvinsson, has played 24 games and has recorded one goal, 12 points and a +4 rating. Edvinsson was selected to play for Sweden at the WJC-20 next week. Sweden will start the tournament playing Russia on December 26. Edvinsson should sign his entry-level contract with Detroit in 2022 and will push for one of the open spots on the blueline next season with either Detroit or Grand Rapids.
#3- Albert Johansson-LD
Age: 20
Draft: 2019 round 2 #60 overal
Current Team: Farjestad BK (SHL)
Status: Signed (2022 CAP HIT, $820,000/MINORS SALARY $70,000)
Albert Johansson is currently on loan to Farjestad (SHL). Johansson has played 27 games this season and has recorded three goals and 13 points with a -3 rating. Johansson has now played over 100 games in the SHL and appears to be ready for a move to North America. Johansson will also push for an open spot on the Detroit blueline in 2022.