There comes a time in every prospect's career where they need to put up or shut up. The Detroit Red Wings have several prospects that fit that bill, from 23-year-old Shai Buium to William Wallinder, a 24-year-old who has yet to break through at the NHL level.
This year, it's do or die for Wallinder's NHL prospects.
The former second round pick signed a one-way, two-year deal with the Red Wings this summer. He'll be in competition for a spot on the bottom pairing, facing off against Jacob Bernard-Docker and Axel Sandin-Pellikka for the final spot on the roster. It'll be an uphill battle for Wallinder, who will have to beat out a guy who just signed a multi-year deal and Detroit's top defensive prospect for the role.
But William Wallinder has what both Bernard-Docker and Sandin-Pellikka don't (besides a non-hyphenated name): urgency.
William Wallinder's shot
Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now believes there are three reasons why Wallinder is a great fit at the NHL level. He cites Wallinder's consistency, use of size/reach and his hockey IQ as a great third pairing guy. The one thing that he believes will hold the defenseman back, though, is his lack of production. Last season, Wallinder scored only 20 points in 66 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
To be fair, Wallinder himself says he doesn't believe he's an offensive-minded player. But, with that said, he'll need to be lights out defensively if he hopes to secure that final spot on the roster. Wallinder has shown he can be a good defensive threat at the AHL level, but he hasn't proven he's got what it takes at the NHL level just yet. With that said, he did sign a two-year deal, so he'll at least have some opportunity to show he's got what it takes.
The thing the Red Wings will need to keep in mind, however, is that Wallinder's contract is waiver eligible. Any of the other 31 teams in the NHL can claim him if he's waived by the Wings at any point this season.
A realistic route for Wallinder
The most realistic way to pencil Wallinder into the lineup, barring injuries, is making him the extra defender on the roster. He may not play every game, but it gives him a chance to fill in when one of the defensemen is inevitably injured. Unless Wallinder truly impresses during preseason or training camp, the runway for the defenseman to make the roster is fairly limited.
If a solution can't be met between both parties, it might be a good idea to find a solution elsewhere.
Defensemen are always en vogue across the NHL -- especially younger players like Wallinder. There's a chance a team like the Vancouver Canucks or Seattle Kraken may need a shot of adrenaline in their lineup. Wallinder might just be that solution. Both sides have something to prove, with Wallinder trying to make the NHL and the Canucks and Kraken trying to stay competitive. It could be a match made in heaven for both parties, if a deal is able to be reached.
With just a few weeks to go before training camp, we'll have to see what Wallinder has in store for the Red Wings from here on out.
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