It might not be the captaincy news Detroit Red Wings fans expect, but it's captaincy news nonetheless.
2024 second round pick and Hobey Baker Award winner Max Plante is officially the captain of the University of Minnesota Duluth's NCAA hockey team. Plante, the most accomplished college hockey player in the NCAA last season, comes off an impressive 25 goal, 52 point season with the Bulldogs.
This time around, he'll approach next season with some new faces.
Max and his brother, Zam, get to play alongside their brother, Victor, who joins UMD from the U.S. National Development Program. The trio of siblings will compete for the Division I NCAA Hockey Championship this season, led by middle child Max. Victor, the newest addition to the roster, joins Max as one of two of the Plantes drafted by the Red Wings.
While both are still unsigned with the organization, it's likely that they sign identical entry-level contracts after playing together as siblings for a season.
Max Plante's role next season
Plante has proven just about everything he can at the collegiate level individually. He's won the Hobey Baker, finished top three in both goals and points and secured high seeding for UMD in D1 hockey for years to come. Now, he'll get a chance to play as both a brother and a leader.
This is Max Plante's year to show he's not just a scoring wizard, but an effective leader as well. He's got all the tools he needs to succeed and a team bound to support him. The Red Wings, in turn, are likely offering him whatever they can to support him, as well. Part of this could be to secure that entry level contract, of course, but another could be to ensure that their investment pans out.
After all, what's the point in drafting a player in the top 50 if you aren't going to make sure he's got a path paved for him?
When Plante could be expected in the NHL
If Max Plante wanted to join the Red Wings this season, he'd likely have a great shot at camp. Since that isn't his goal, all eyes turn to the 2026-27 season. By then, Plante will be 21 and ready to hit the big leagues. At that point, the next general manager of the Red Wings will have a much clearer picture of where the prospects fit in the roster.
That will be a chance for Plante to earn some serious top-six minutes with the club. While Plante is listed as a center on his Elite Prospects page, the Red Wings may move him to the wing if they see a better spot for him there.
This, of course, all hinges on Plante signing his entry-level deal. If they can't work something out, he'll become eligible for free agency at the end of his fourth year in college. Should that come to fruition, the Red Wings need to trade his rights away to the highest possible bidder before they lose him for nothing.
In an ideal world, that doesn't happen. But it's better to be safe than sorry and create a contingency plan just in case.
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