Detroit Red Wings prospects in action at World Juniors

The Detroit Red Wings haven't provided much entertainment or escape for fans this season. Seemingly, this season is a struggle for all parties involved.

Christmas might come late in terms of hockey gifts, but a much-needed break from the Detroit Red Wings is happening today. A few prospects are in action:

A much-needed break from the Detroit Red Wings, a few prospects are in action today:

Slovakia vs. Sweden at 12 p.m. ET

USA vs. Germany at 2:30 p.m. ET

Finland vs. Canada at 7:30 p.m. ET

Here are the prospects that are providing a mirage in a desert

These games can be watched on NHLN if you reside in the US.

Sweden:

Sweden’s team captain, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, is preparing to take on Team Slovakia. 

Sandin-Pellikka is having himself a season already with Skellefteå of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL). In 25 games, he scored eight goals and 14 assists for a total of 22 points with 12 penalty minutes and a +4 rating. Through three international under-20 games, Sandin-Pellikka scored one goal and earned an assist for a total of two points with two penalty minutes and a +2 rating.

After playing among men in one of the best professional hockey leagues in the world, Sandin-Pellikka is returning to face off against his own age group. This is a bit of a different context than for many of the highly touted Canadian and USA players.

I’d argue the SHL is an underscouted, misunderstood league for public scouts who seem to hold National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and North American junior leagues in higher regard. The fact that Sandin-Pellikka is out-performing veterans across the entire league on a struggling team amplifies Sandin-Pellikka’s success thus far.

Sandin-Pellikka is looking to build on his World Juniors Championships performances, but many people favor Zeev Buium (one of Detroit Red Wings prospect Shai Buium’s younger brothers) as the best defenseman in the tournament. 

Although Buium is having a great season as well, I’m hoping Sandin-Pellikka has fun and shows off a bit during this tournament. 

Sandin-Pellikka has to readjust to the smaller ice, but I think his style of play bodes well for the smaller surface area. He’s not the best skater, so having less space to cover helps. Furthermore, scoring chances are easier to come by on the smaller ice than on the bigger ice surface. His shooting, playmaking, and hockey IQ should have plenty of chances to flourish.

USA:

If goaltenders could be captains in this context, Trey Augustine would have a great argument to be Captain America for this World Juniors Championships tournament. Appearing in his third World Juniors Championships tournament, Augustine is looking to bring calm, consistent play to the crease for Team USA. A rare feat for any player.

Known as Gramps to his teammates, Augustine boasts an 11-2-1 record in 14 games played. Coupling this record with a stingy 1.98 goals against average (GAA) and a save percentage (SV%) of .930, Augustine is the clear starter for Team USA. 

A technical goaltender, Augustine is rarely out of position or flailing for saves. He’s an intelligent, effective goaltender who will be a huge reason for the success of Team USA. As needed, he can recover quickly and make adjustments as play changes in front of him. He’s excellent at anticipating play. Almost mechanical in his play, Augustine has a bright future for the World Juniors Championships and beyond:

Augustine’s teammate, Max Plante, has suited up in five games for the University of Minnesota-Duluth where he’s scored two goals and four assists for a total of six points with two penalty minutes and a +2 rating. A bit of a new prospect on my radar, Plante was selected in the most recent draft in the second round at 47 overall. Elite Prospects provides this draft profile from their 2024 NHL Draft Guide:

"Plante is one of the most skilled passers in the draft, especially of the backhand. He feathers pucks through the tiniest of openings. Defensive pressure only empowers him; he takes advantage of assertive defending by ripping a pass right through it. He deceives enough to open lanes, but also knows when to make the quick pass for the counterattack."

2024 NHL Draft Guide

I look forward to watching Plante on a stacked Team USA.

Finland: 

Of all the players on this list, I’m most excited to watch Jesse Kiiskinen. Named alternate captain for Team Finland, Kiiskinen came to the Detroit Red Wings as part of the odd trade that involved former Detroit Red Wings prospect and the Nashville Predators. Gibson is set to be Team Canada’s best defender of this rendition of the World Juniors Championships, so it’s bittersweet to see. However, Kiiskinen is a fun prospect.

The right-handed winger is finding success with HPK of the Liiga (the highest men’s league in Finland): 26 games played, eight goals, and 14 assists for a total of 22 points with eight penalty minutes and a -5 rating. His team appreciates his production:

Playing against his age group will be interesting to watch and I’m excited to see a full game from him rather than highlights. (Although, the highlights are what draw me to Kiiskinen, as he looks like a player who has fun and entertains fans.)

It’ll be interesting to watch both these prospects and their teams throughout this quick tournament. The World Juniors Championships provide fantastic entertainment with a much different look than the games played in the professional leagues and even in the NCAA.