This week, the Detroit Red Wings host their development camp from June 29 to July 2. 20 forwards, 11 defensemen and six goaltenders make their way to the BELFOR Training Center at Little Caesar's Arena to show their stuff among fellow prospects.
Summer camp!
📰 » https://t.co/lpSEFdw9BZ pic.twitter.com/1x0PGQD3Ro
Unfortunately, this time around, camp isn't open to fans. That said, there's still a lot to be excited about with this upcoming iteration of camp.
These five players in particular stand out as candidates worth watching:
1. J.P. Hurlbert makes his debut
A lot has changed for NHL prospect J.P. Hurlbert over the last month. Hurlbert committed to the University of Michigan, got drafted by the Detroit Red Wings and now he's on his way up to Michigan for his first training camp of his career.
The WHL Rookie of the Year has an exciting year ahead of him, between training camp, the preseason and his big year with the University of Michigan. If things go as planned, he'll want to move up his apartment hunt in the metro-Detroit area as soon as he can.
2. Eddie Genborg learns from the outside
While an injury is keeping Genborg from the on-ice activities, he can still pick up a few nuggets of knowledge talking with the staff and fellow prospects. Genborg made his North American debut last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, posting a goal and two assists in 11 games with the club.
His oustanding performance at the World Juniors for Team Sweden shows he's more than capable of taking on a much larger role. A full season of North American ice should show the team what Genborg is capable of producing.
3. Carter Bear is poised for a big preseason
Perhaps no other prospect in the Red Wings' system is set up for a big impact than Carter Bear. The 2025 first round pick had an absolutely electric showing for the Everett Silvertips, scoring 36 goals and 77 points in 53 regular season games, following it up with a jaw-dropping 22 points in 18 games.
If Bear can apply the lessons he learned over this last season, he is absolutely a candidate to make his NHL debut. Bear has all the skill needed to take that leap. If he doesn't make it on opening night, he's bound to be the first name the Red Wings call on in an emergency.
4. Yegor Vinogradov is a dark horse NHL candidate
Of all the invitees to this year's development camp, Yegor Vinogradov is quietly one of hte most effecitve players available. The 23-year-old capped off his KHL season with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod with 54 points in 67 games. He's about as NHL ready as a prospect can get, and, if things go well, he'll almost certainly earn himself a look at the professional level.
Yegor Vinogradov legit NHL potential. Buy him out of his last year. https://t.co/kRajJtrZKZ pic.twitter.com/jEn2VcFxxc
June 28, 2026That said, Vinogradov has a year left on his KHL contract and would require a buyout in order to make it possible. Adding a player like Vinogradov would immediately provide the Red Wings with a forward who excels at cycling the puck and finishing his shots.
5. The Plante brothers make their first debut together
Alright, so this one's a bit of a cheap answer as it's two forwards, but it's still exciting, all the same. The Red Wings drafted Hobey Baker-winner Max Plante's brother, Victor Plante, with their second round pick. The Plante brothers are committed to the University of Minnesota-Duluth next season, but this will be their first time playing together at the professional level.
This is their opportunity to develop some early chemistry together. Expect to see magic when these two take to the ice.
Training camp begins today, June 29, and will continue until Thursday, July 2.
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