Detroit Red Wings: 3 players to watch during Prospect Tournament

WINDSOR, ONTARIO - FEBRUARY 16: Forward Amadeus Lombardi #93 of the Flint Firebirds skates against the Windsor Spitfires at WFCU Centre on February 16, 2023 in Windsor, Ontario. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ONTARIO - FEBRUARY 16: Forward Amadeus Lombardi #93 of the Flint Firebirds skates against the Windsor Spitfires at WFCU Centre on February 16, 2023 in Windsor, Ontario. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
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Detroit Red Wings, Carter Mazur
Apr 9, 2022; Boston, MA, USA; Denver forward Carter Mazur (34) celebrates a goal against Minnesota State during the third period of the 2022 Frozen Four college ice hockey national championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Red Wings prospect to watch #2: Carter Mazur

Another name that Detroit Red Wings fans have gotten used to hearing over the past calendar year or so is Carter Mazur. He’s a third-round pick from the 2023 NHL Entry Draft who spent his college days with the University of Denver.

Mazur proved to be a stud in the NCHC, helping the Denver Pioneers piece together a couple of good seasons in each of the past two years before making the jump. For the Red Wings, there’s hope that Mazur can continue to produce as he moves through the ranks on his way to the Red Wings roster.

Mazur had quite the hot stick in 2022-23, piecing together a great season with Denver, playing in 40 games. He scored 22 goals and added 15 assists for 37 total points. He earned his entry-level contract and was able to make the jump from the NCHC.

He was able to log some of his first games with the Grand Rapids Griffins at the AHL level, too. Mazur played in six games with three goals and three assists for six points. The offense was flowing. Even in a minimal sample size, he showed flashes of what could be.

For the Red Wings faithful, they should be looking forward to this upcoming season. Getting things started well with a good performance at the Red Wings Prospect Tournament would be an excellent way to kick off 2023-24.

If the space opens up on the roster in 2023-24 and Mazur continues to put up numbers as he settles into the AHL level, the Red Wings could call upon him. That might be wishful thinking, considering he has all of six games under his belt in the minors, but time will tell.