Prospects in the NHL are unpredictable. Some first overall picks turn out to be busts, while late seventh round picks surprise the whole league. The Detroit Red Wings have more than their fair share of prospects, earning high marks across a plurality of publications for their ability to draft and develop.
The biggest problem is that there aren't a whole lot of bona fide difference makers in the pool.
Sure, there's still opportunity for prospects to explode and become stars, but it requires a bit of luck to make it happen.
Jesse Kiiskinen has a long shot to make it, but if everything goes according to plan, he could become a legitimate force in the NHL.
What Jesse Kiiskinen does right
Kiiskinen's strongest asset is his goal scoring ability. He's a bona fide net front presence, using his physicality to out muscle his opposition however he can. He had a bit of a rough start last season, finishing off the year with just 28 points in the Finnish Liiga.
But, while some European players take a little longer to adjust to North American ice, Kiiskinen may turn that into an advantage.
Smaller ice rinks in North American mean there are fewer opportunities for players to set up goals. It also means there's a higher likelihood of confrontation. This is where Kiiskinen shines. Where some players shy away from physicality, Kiiskiken thrives with it.
“Yeah, I enjoy those battles,” Kiiskinen said in an interview with Detroit Hockey Now. “It gets the feeling up all the time for myself.
“That’s why I like the small rink also because there’s all the time skating and battling.”
Kiiskinen will take time
With that said, Kiiskinen's game still needs a lot of refinement in order to make it in the NHL. Above all else, he needs to improve his skating. He lacks the explosive speed that separates NHLers from average skaters. In addition, he isn't much of a playmaker, preferring to score himself rather than set up his teammates.
In order to make it, he'll need to vastly improve on both facets.
Fortunately, he's in a great position to succeed. If he starts the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the 21 year old will have every opportunity he can to establish himself at the AHL level. He'll likely take Eddie Genborg's place, who will return to Sweden for the 2026-27 season. This gives him a chance to show his stuff as the net front guy and build up his confidence at the North American level.
If everything goes according to plan, Kiiskinen could find himself assuming a role the Red Wings have missed for quite some time. Having said that, it will likely take Kiiskinen some time before he dons the Winged Wheel.
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