For better or worse, the Detroit Red Wings are playing hockey this month.
In just a little over a week, the prospect tournament is set to start. Rather than play in Traverse City, the Red Wings are instead keeping the tournament closer to Detroit. Much like the rest of this extremely tumultuous offseason, things are different this time around.
Detroit's prospect tournament roster itself is full of familiar faces and new surprises. A good showing here could make all the difference between a spot on the preseason roster. If these prospects play their cards right, they may even earn a nod at the NHL level.
From near locks to long shots, here are a few of the most exciting names to watch at the prospect tournament this season:
Nate Danielson makes unusual appearance
Nate Danielson might be the only player in the prospect tournament with NHL experience. The former first round pick is entering the most important season of his career, with pressure higher than it's ever been before. While injuries have slowed his development, this is the best possible opportunity for Danielson to show he's got what it takes to make the opening night roster.
Carter Bear could make the opening night roster
The Red Wings have plenty of spots open on the roster for rookies to seize the day. If former first round pick Carter Bear can prove he can provide more offense than Mason Appleton, the roster spot is his to lose. He'll have to compete with Michael Brandsegg-Nygard and other players for a spot, though -- there are no guarantees for anything. But if Bear's postseason showing with the Everett Silvertips is any indication, he's more than ready to take the reins.
It's Trey Augustine's tournament, we're just watching it
During the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, the Red Wings traded goaltending prospect Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth for a first round pick. This, in turn, opened up a spot for Augustine to split the starter's role with Michal Postava on the Grand Rapids Griffins. Where some believed Postava would graduate, the Red Wings instead opted to sign Daniil Tarasov to the backup role, blocking the 24-year-old from ascending. This leaves Augustine, 21, Michigan State's star goaltender, to begin his ascension to the NHL. It all starts this month with the prospect tournament.
Theo Rochette is a dark horse candidate
Some may see Theo Rochette's signing as depth for Grand Rapids. Perhaps he's the replacement for Nate Danielson, who, ideally, makes the opening night roster. There's also a chance he becomes a de facto starter in Detroit. After all, Rochette is still young at 24 years of age. While he hasn't had a chance at the NHL level, he was one of the top scorers in the Swiss League this last season. His emergence could ease a burden the Red Wings are desperate to alleviate with the inevitable departure of Dylan Larkin.
Anton Johansson is the most intriguing name on the roster
Johansson may have an uphill battle to make the roster, but his ascendancy to the NHL feels more like a when rather than an if. In his brief stint with Grand Rapids, he showed he's more than capable of handling heavy workloads. He's an extremely capable, imposing defender with a knack for positioning. While it may not be likely that he makes the roster out of camp, there's a strong chance he pulls something off midway through the season.
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