Last season, the Detroit Red Wings welcomed three rookies to the roster on opening night: Emmitt Finnie, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and Axel Sandin-Pellikka. While only one of them played all 82 games, it was a sign that change is in the air.
Flash forward to nearly a year later, and change certainly has come, but not in the way most people expected.
Uncertainty is in the air in Hockeytown. There's a Dylan Larkin-sized void that'll need to be filled in the coming months. Whether the Red Wings decide to punt on it or seek immediate help remains to be seen, but, for now, it's safe to say things are going to be a little tough next season.
Given the current state of the Atlantic division - and the fact that the Red Wings haven't substantially upgraded - it's time to think about futures.
These three prospects could (and certainly should) be full-time Red Wings next season
Michael Brandsegg-Nygard brings scoring touch
Of all the forwards that could crack the lineup next season, none have the skillset that Michael Brandsegg-Nygard possesses. MBN is a hard-hitting, physical forward with plenty of scoring talent. He finished off last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins with 20 goals and 44 points in 64 games.
He had two stints in Detroit - one at the start of the season and one near the end. While he finished the regular season with just one point in 14 games, it wasn't for lack of effort. Much of this can be attributed to his frustrating deployment, where he'd spend anywhere from eight to 11 minutes a night on the bottom-six. In an ideal world, he'll have much more opportunity to make an impact next season.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka poised for big season
Perhaps no other player on the Red Wings suffered more growing pains than Axel Sandin-Pellikka. The defenseman started off the season in Detroit and managed some strong production along the way. As time went on and mistakes continued to accumulate, the decision was made to send him back down to Grand Rapids for the rest of the season.
That said, this was Sandin-Pellikka's first time on North American ice. Defensemen typically take longer to develop at the professional level. While Sandin-Pellikka did perfectly fine, it was clear he needed some more seasoning to properly develop. With a long offseason of training and a strong start at training camp, there's absolutely an avenue for Sandin-Pellikka to crack this roster.
Nate Danielson needs to make the roster this year
The runway for prospects grows smaller every season. In the case of Nate Danielson, it's the shortest it's been since he was drafted. It's not for lack of trying, either: Danielson looked too good for the AHL, but not good enough for the NHL by the midpoint of last season. He had a perfectly alright stint with Detroit, but, like Sandin-Pellikka, it was clear he still needed some more seasoning at the AHL level.
Unfortunately, an injury prevented him from fully getting back on his feet this last season.
Danielson will be 22 years old by the time next season starts. If he doesn't make the roster by then, questions will arise about his ability as an NHLer. While patience can yield positive results, it's imperative that Danielson receive every opportunity he can to succeed at the NHL level. If the Red Wings don't give him a chance to swim, they'll never know what they have as a prospect (or player).
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