3 Detroit Red Wings core-level prospects

Before we get started, here’s a link to part one in this series.

I’m taking a look at the next tier in Will Scouch’s list. His approach is simple and concise, which I appreciate a great deal as a fan. Things aren’t more impressive the fancier an explanation gets or more extravagant a ranking system is; meanwhile, a straightforward, easy to digest system doesn’t mean it’s unhelpful or irrelevant. 

As the great Albert Einstein said, “if you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

To me, Scouch does a great job of keeping his criteria as objective as possible, and allowing flexibility within the tiers based on an individual’s perspective. He’s also honest with his thoughts that they’re his own opinions, not that they’re facts or gospel.

For a refresh, here’s the link to his full pyramid video dedicated to the Detroit Red Wings, which I highly recommend.

In his pyramid, the core players are guys on a team who are super important to their team, really don’t want to get rid of, and who compliment/round out the franchise players in a roster.

From my own bias, I feel a bit different in my views on who might fit the bill for the Detroit Red Wings prospects. Scouch has just two prospects in the core tier. It’s a lower number than I came up with, but this is why discussions are great (especially with outside perspectives). 

These are three of the core-level prospects who are destined to be core players for the Detroit Red Wings

Honorable Mention: Jonatan Berggren

Based on Scouch’s eligibility, Jonatan Berggren wouldn’t be eligible, but this is my list and I want to include him, so here we are.

Berggren brings something to the table that few other prospects in the Detroit Red Wings system can. Only Dmitri Buchelnikov and Axel Sandin-Pellikka, but the latter is a defenseman. 

His vision, hands, playmaking, and shot are something to behold. If given a real chance in the National Hockey League (NHL), he will make a difference for his team in a positive way. Whether it’s putting his team on a power play, or dancing through defenders to score an incredible goal, Berggren oozes skill that the organization lacks.

There are plenty of two-way players in the system, but few who can make an impact like Berggren–creating chances out of nothing.

Nate Danielson

I hear the angry mob assembling with pitchforks and torches. 

The hype surrounding Nate Danielson is exciting, to say the least. He looks like a stellar prospect with a bright future in Detroit, Michigan.

There are many, if not most fans and observers who rank Danielson ahead of a guy like Marco Kasper. I can see the argument. It’s a valid, fun debate to have–especially after the lack of center depth in the organization. 

Danielson lit a fire in juniors and carried the flames to the Grand Rapids Griffins playoff roster. Although he only saw two games of action and a blank scoresheet, Danielson should have remained in the lineup. 

When he arrived, the Grand Rapids Griffins team was already struggling to control the games against the Milwaukee Admirals. He didn’t look out of place, but the coaching staff made the decision to ice the players who propelled the team to the playoffs as opposed to the newcomers to the team. Sadly, Danielson, along with other prospects who needed the development, were left off the ice. I say it cost the team the series, but I can respect the thought process from the coaching staff. 

Moving forward, I’m sure Danielson will make a strong case to remain with the Detroit Red Wings after preseason games end (again). However, I expect him to get the Kasper treatment this upcoming season, where he spends the full season in the American Hockey League (AHL) despite any injuries to the Detroit Red Wings or Danielson’s progression in the league.

With Danielson, I see a very reliable, two-way player with high-end potential. I think in a lot of ways Danielson and Kasper are very similar. Their games both seem to elevate with pressure, they’re disciplined yet physical, and can be trusted in all situations.

Because of the consistent improvement I watched Kasper take this past season and his confidence, I give the edge to Kasper. It’s easy to argue the other way or having both players in the franchise tier. After this season, I’m hoping Danielson makes me feel silly for leaving him out of the higher tier.

Albert Johansson

For me, in a lot of ways, Albert Johansson is a feistier, ever-annoyed version of Olli Määttä in the best possible ways. 

When he’s at his best, Johansson can be paired with any fellow defenseman. He’s constantly communicating with his teammates and goaltender, which can be underrated at times. His sharp mind helps figure out an opposing team’s cycle, then allows him to position himself just right to be in an exceptional spot to kill the cycle. Then, he’s one of the best defenders the Detroit Red Wings have at transitioning the puck up the ice.

In the offensive zone, he’s budding into his own. Reading the ice and plays well to position himself to best protect his own zone, while getting chances to help his team score–a great balance in his game.

He can carry the puck up the ice or pass to get out of the zone pretty consistently.

Ideally, he continues to build on his game and become a steady, two-way defensive partner for someone like a Moritz Seider (would love to see these two play together) or Axel Sandin-Pellikka. 

Not all players have to be flashy to be important to a team, and Johansson will become an integral part that his teammates and fans come to love (and really, really not want to get rid of).

Shai Buium

I should have a grasp on Shai Buium as well as anyone. Of all the prospects, I have watched him (and Carter Mazur) the most both live and on TV. However, he still intrigues me.

There are two-way defensemen. Then, they have offensive-minded or stay-at-home defensemen (usually with extra bite to their game, but not always). 

Buium, however, doesn’t seem to fit nicely in any of those above categories. 

Much like his hockey career thus far, he tends to break the mold or the way a hockey player should be (at least in my book). 

For people who have watched hockey longer than me, maybe there’s someone he’s similar to in the past (more than likely), but I can’t quite put my finger on him as a player, which makes me enjoy watching him play that much more.

It’s not like Brendan Smith back in the day where we just didn’t know what was going to happen on the ice at any given moment. Instead, Buium brings a bit of the two-way side to his game. He’s not unpredictable or indecisive, very reliable in every zone. He doesn’t make miscues often; yet, he’s not a stay-at-home defenseman.

He can hit like a freight train and defend himself (and his teammates, especially his goalie), but only uses this aspect of his game when necessary. There’s no malice, retaliation, or child-like quality in his physical play like I see in so many undisciplined players.

Any time I get to watch Buium, I’m excited and am surprised at something he does–and I’ve been watching him for a good three years or more. 

Although his skating might not be as smooth as his Swedish counterparts, Buium gets around the ice well. His overall game has improved, including his stickhandling, positioning, and vision.

As importantly, he has a humility to him, similar to a quality I’ve seen in a guy like Seider. Where it’s almost like a kid in a candy store for the first time, so invested in the things going on around him and in his teammates.

One of my favorite moments thus far from Buium is the way he interacts with Sandin-Pellikka when the latter was mic’d up in development camp. 

It’s just a cool moment. 

Maybe in the future the two will be paired together, but I think Buium can play anywhere in the defensive pairs with really any partner and the Detroit Red Wings will be better for it. 

Considering the number of left handed defensemen, it’s a bit of a different opinion than most, I reckon. However, I can’t help but thinking Buium needs to be a lifelong Detroit Red Wings player and is going to make an invaluable piece to the core of the lineup.

Before anyone loses their cool, these are just a short list, but I plan to post more core-level prospects within the Detroit Red Wings system. If I were to try to list them all in one post, it would be terribly long. 

Instead, I thought it would be easier to break it into segments.

Let me know who else you think should be in the core-level tier!