3 Detroit Red Wings prospects who will make ’23-24 roster

Detroit Red Wings Prospect #1: First-rounder Marco Kasper.

There is a real possibility that Marco Kasper is the second most talented player at the center position that Detroit has in their system, behind Dylan Larkin. On the surface, that seems like an outlandish statement. However, Andrew Copp has been struggling to produce and would be ideal on a third line. Sure, Copp is a veteran who is undoubtedly more polished and will make fewer mistakes on the ice if you were to have a head-to-head comparison.

But as far as high-end talent goes, Kasper is oozing with it, and that is what the Red Wings need so desperately right now. He has the potential to put the puck in the net at a high rate. Detroit has been thirsting for a goal scorer, so the idea of having Kasper go through some growing pains against top talent in the league could quite possibly be on the table if it means adding firepower to a stifled offense.

Ideally, General Manager Steve Yzerman and the Red Wings management would choose to have any European player spend a year learning North American hockey and the team’s system of play for a year before bringing them up to the NHL. Still, in this case, Kasper’s talent may be enough to overcome that traditional thought.

Detroit Red Wings Prospect #2: Steady Swede Albert Johansson

Even after signing Ben Chiarot and Olli Määttä in the offseason, it looked like Detroit would have another brutal year along the blue line. Although it still has not been great, the emergence of Jake Walman’s offensive ability and Määttä’s defensive responsibility were significant upgrades to the group.

With Filip Hronek being shipped off to Vancouver and Edvinsson getting the playing time with the Red Wings, the next man at the top of the call-up list looks to be Albert Johansson. Donovan Sebrango could make a case for himself this off-season and during training camp. Still, it seems like Johansson has been having the better pro career thus far and would be in line to make the next step at the first moment of injury to the lineup.

Currently, Detroit has a log jam of left-handed defensemen, which would more than likely be for Johansson (or someone else) to play on his off-side. Still, if the organization wants to know what the future of the defensive core looks like, it will need to give the youth a chance to show its capabilities.

The top two pairings seem to be taking form going into next season. Solidifying the third pair with consistent bodies should be a priority instead of cycling below-average defenders in and out of the lineup. Until the Red Wings can find talent on the right side, Johansson may get a look sooner than anticipated.

Detroit Red Wings Prospect #3: NCHC standout Carter Mazur

After contributing to the University of Denver squad that took home the honors of being named “National Champions” in 2022, Carter Mazur took an expanded role on the offense as a sophomore for 2023.

Not only did he hold his own, he really thrived in what was asked of him by the coaching staff. Mazur at times led the country in scoring and had early murmurs of a possible Hobey Baker nomination. He did cool off down the stretch on the stat sheet but do not be fooled. His play did not diminish.

The rough and tumble style of play that Mazur brings to a team makes him extremely valuable, especially for Detroit, who lack players that bring the same amount of grit that he does night in and night out. Fans who are unfamiliar with Carter Mazur and have not had the opportunity to see him, his play can compare him to a slightly more skilled Darren Helm.

He works his tail off every shift, on and off the puck, but when given a lane can still make some offense happen. As of now, there are talks that Mazur could still return to the University of Denver and play out next season for another shot at the National Title.

That would be completely up to him if he would want to pursue that, but as far as where he sits at a development stance, he is ready for the next step and to begin the grooming process for the pro game.

With his game consisting mainly of out-working his opponents and grinding them out, he could simply only need a few months in Grand Rapids before The Red Wings look his way to spark their bottom six, especially if they struggle early on.