3 promising prospects who will help turn the Red Wings into annual playoff contenders

The Detroit Red Wings have an elite pool of prospects, and you can expect a few of them to climb into full-time roles at the NHL level next year.

Columbus Blue Jackets v Detroit Red Wings
Columbus Blue Jackets v Detroit Red Wings | Gregory Shamus/GettyImages
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Carter Mazur should get multiple chances to stick around the big club

Unlike Edvinsson, who I stated the Red Wings shouldn’t ‘sell’ at the past trade deadline regardless of who another organization offered Yzerman, Carter Mazur was the one promising prospect I was okay with seeing the skilled general manager trade elsewhere

Yzerman didn’t, and perhaps it was a good move in hindsight, as Mazur has been productive and could easily make the jump next year. With five forwards listed as unrestricted free agents, Mazur will at least get an extended look, especially if the 21-year-old has a productive offseason and preseason. 

Mazur still needs to add size, but he’s made a near-seamless transition from the college ranks to the Grand Rapids Griffins, posting 31 points and 15 goals in 51 games, and he’s also been equally productive in all three zones. One reason is that he always seems to know where the puck is going, and he’s always in a good position to get a stick on it, regardless of which side of the ice he’s on. 

It’s the kind of mentality you want from a young player who will debut in the NHL next season if Yzerman keeps enough room on the roster. Like the other players on this list, Mazur will have his ‘rookie moments’ early if he’s in the Motor City, but he will also acclimate quickly, as he did this season in Grand Rapids. 

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference and Elite-Prospects)

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