The World Junior Championships were shut down yesterday following more positive Covid tests and the NHL is literally in a day-to-day situation with games. Heck, the Red Wings haven’t played in almost two weeks, though they are tentatively scheduled to play in their usual New Years Eve game.
The small sampling size still gave some credence to what analysts and fans had been seeing (and hoping) with Red Wings prospects.
A few prospects not written about here: Carter Mazur, Red Savage and Sebastian Cossa. For the former two, they only saw one game before positive Covid tests shut Team USA down. As for Cossa, what a weird situation that was.
Cossa appeared to end up on Team Canada head coach’s Dave Cameron’s naughty list just two days before Christmas, and wasn’t even dressed for either of pool play games. In exhibition, Cossa gave up three goals on eleven shots, which came in relief and Canada enjoying a lead. Cameron never let on about his decisions with goaltending and now with the tournament postponed with an eye to rescheduling later, things could change.
Here’s a look at other Red Wings prospects:
Simon Edvinsson: Solid throughout, and unreal in the first game. A goal and two assists in the opening contest against Slovakia had Red Wings fans going gaga on social media. Edvinsson’s performance in again, a very small sample size, was all Detroit fans could have hoped for. Visions of Edvinsson and Seider dominating the blue line danced in the heads of even the most level-headed Wings fan. It was another solid development in the young man’s young career.
Donovan Sebrango: Chris said it best with his wrap up following Canada’s 6-3 win over Czechia where he logged just a hair short of 20 minutes on the ice:
"Sebrango was strong on the puck and covered for his defense partner who was often caught out of position. He played a solid game at both ends of the ice and reminded me of former Red Wings defenseman Steve Chiasson when he was the captain of Canada at this tournament in 1987."
Sebrango scored a goal in the game, too. It was another exciting development for a defenseman who continues to get better every time he’s on a new stage.
Theodor Neiderbach: Two goals, two games. Another hope for Red Wings fans that he’ll be another gem Yzerman mined from his second draft in Detroit. Alex wrote this earlier in the year and it was very much on display during the WJCs:
"Niederbach is also fantastic in the offensive zone. He has great puck movement, is great in tight spaces and can capitalize on a given chance. This skillset also makes him a lethal advantage on the power play."
His second goal of the tournament showed this, and well, ramped up some more excitement about another one of Yzerman’s prospects.
Jan Bednar: Not missed in Czechia’s 2-1 overtime loss to Germany was the fact that Bednar had an unbelievable game. Making 30 saves, Bednar backstopped the game to overtime where he was beaten on a high shot, which Chris pointed out is an area of improvement for the youngster:
"The biggest weakness in Bednar’s game is that he is on his knees on literally every shot. Germany figured out his weakness and scored both of their goals while he was on his knees, leaving the top part of the net exposed."
Eemil Viro: Viro might have a quieter tournament than other Red Wings prospects but he was nonetheless solid in both games he played.
While we’re not sure what’s next for hockey (though some games are being played), the last week continued to bolster hope that the Red Wings future is not only bright, but glistening with talent.