If you're a Detroit Red Wings fan, the name Max Plante rings a bell. Plante has been one of the most exciting prospects since the Wings drafted him in the second round in the 2024 draft, and wow, he's playing like a top-15 pick at the moment.
While the college hockey world has its eyes on Gavin McKenna, Plante's the one saying, "not so fast." That's because Plante, not McKenna, is among the highest scorers in college hockey, with 19 points and nine goals in 10 games with the Bulldogs.
Plante is showing he has the productivity of a future top-six forward with the Red Wings, and you can expect that trend to continue as he keeps seasoning his game at the college level. He's also on pace to improve what were good numbers in 2024-25, when he posted 28 points and nine goals in 23 contests.
Last season, Plante showed off his playmaking abilities, but right now, everything looks like it's even, showing he can more than pitch in as a goal scorer. If Plante keeps up this legendary pace, there's a good chance he will finish the 2025-26 season as the NCAA's leader in scoring.
Max Plante will be a serious contender to land a spot with the Detroit Red Wings
Depending on when Plante decides to turn pro, expect him to compete for a job with the big club immediately. He has a high-octane, two-way game that will turn him into an eventual three-zone player, and he has the hockey IQ to supplement his natural talent and productivity.
Plante still doesn't have the ideal size to compete, clocking in at just 176 lbs. That said, he would have a tough time winning puck battles, and opponents would easily knock him off the puck. Putting on size would be the top priority for Plante, ideally before he decides to join the pro ranks.
Overall, if you're into Red Wings prospects that include Nate Danielson, Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (who saw time in nine games with the Wings), and Dmitri Buchelnikov, be sure to include Plante on the list. Danielson and Brandsegg-Nygard will be shoo-ins as full-timers starting in 2026-27, while Buchelnikov could also land a spot, depending on availability.
Then, there's Plante, who will still be eligible to play in the collegiate ranks in 2026-27. If he continues to play at Minnesota-Duluth while other forward prospects get the call-up, then he will be part of the final group of that initial core that the Yzerplan envisioned to play for the Red Wings. And if he's playing this well as a college sophomore, you can only imagine how good the Wings will be.