The NHL mid-season is upon us with All-Star Weekend in the rearview mirror, the Winter Olympics ongoing in China, and the NHL trade deadline just around the corner. It’s also a chance for me to take look at all of the Red Wings prospects and provide a mid-term grade on each player.
Goaltenders
Joren van Pottelberghe (EHC Biel-Bienne, NL)
Grade: A-
Joren van Pottelberghe is currently playing in his 5th season professionally in Switzerland. In 38 games, van Pottelberghe has a 22-10-2 record, 2.24 GAA, .922 SV%, and four shutouts. According to reports out of Europe, van Pottelberghe is currently in the final year of his contract and will likely sign his entry-level contract with Detroit this summer. Look for van Pottelberghe to battle for the backup position in goal with the Red Wings next season.
Sebastian Cossa (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL)
Grade: A-
Sebastian Cossa is currently playing in his third and final season in the WHL. In 30 games, Cossa has a 21-6-3 record, with a 2.40 GAA, .914 SV%, and four shutsouts. Cossa’s statistics are down compared to his first two years playing in Edmonton, but he is playing on the #2 ranked team in the CHL and looks to have a long playoff run and a chance to play in the Memorial Cup this spring. Next season, Cossa will begin his entry-level contract with Detroit and will either play for the Red Wings or Grand Rapids (AHL).
Filip Larsson (HV71, HockeyAllsvenskan)
Grade: C+
Filip Larsson is currently in the final season of his entry-level contract with Detroit. Larsson is on loan to play in Sweden for the 2nd consecutive season. In 14 games, Larsson has a record of 9-4-0, with a 2.33 GAA, .909 SV%, and two shutouts. Larsson will be a RFA at the end of the season and will likely become a free agent.
Carter Gylander (Colgate University, NCAA)
Grade: C+
Carter Gylander is currently in his sophomore season in the NCAA. In 16 games, Gylander has a 7-8-0 record, with a 2.76 GAA, and a .908 SV%. Gylander will likely play two more seasons in the NCAA before he has to sign an entry-level contract with Detroit.
Jan Bednar (Acadie-Bathurst Titan, QMJHL)
Grade: C
Jan Bednar is currently playing in his 2nd and final season in the QMJHL. In 20 games, Bednar has a 11-6-2 record, with a 2.98 GAA, .903 SV%, and one shutout. Bednar could return to the QMJHL for his overage year, or he could make a move to play professionally in Europe next year. Bednar needs to be signed to an entry-level contract with Detroit by 2024 or he becomes a free agent.
Jesper Eliasson (Vasby IK, HockeyEttan)
Grade: D
Jesper Eliasson has split this season between the HockeyAllsvenskan and HockeyEttan. These are the 2nd and 3rd tiers of professional hockey in Sweden. In 10 HockeyAllsvenskan games, Eliasson had a 0-9-0 record, with a 4.43 GAA, and an .842 GAA. He was demoted to the HockeyEttan when he was loaned to Vasby. In eight games, Eliasson has a 5-3-0 record, with a 2.50 GAA, and a .918 SV%. The Red Wings will likely forfeit Eliasson’s rights this summer and allow him to become a free agent.