There are just nine games left on the Detroit Red Wings' regular season schedule. After a failed rally on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Red Wings sit in a three-way tie for a spot just outside the wild card with the Flyers and Ottawa Senators. The Columbus Blue Jackets, who have played one more game than all three teams, hold on to the second spot with just a two point lead.
On Saturday, the Red Wings called up prospect Carter Mazur on his birthday for additional scoring help against the Philadelphia Flyers.
UPDATE: The #RedWings have recalled Carter Mazur from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins. pic.twitter.com/1gtNEmr5Ic
March 28, 2026Mazur has 11 goals, four assists and 15 points in 14 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season. He made his NHL debut last year, playing a single shift before suffering a season-ending injury against the Utah Mammoth (known at the time as the Utah Hockey Club). He played just 10:32 on Saturday, recording one shot on net.
Mazur battled adversity to get to NHL
To say Mazur's career hasn't gone as planned is an understatement. Originally the 70th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Mazur worked his way up to a consistent role in the Griffins over the last two seasons, losing parts of both this season and last due to injury. He spent 48 straight games on injured reserve this season with a lower-body injury.
Had these injuries not occurred, it's entirely possible Mazur would have been a regular both this year and last. Having said that, the best time to help was then, and the second best time is now. With a healthy Mazur, the Red Wings have an x-factor in the lineup that might be just the spark they need.
Quick facts about Mazur:
1. Mazur is the third draft pick Yzerman has made post-second round to make his NHL debut.
The other two are Elmer Soderblom (6th round) and Emmitt Finnie (7th round).
2. Mazur has eight points in nine AHL playoff games.
He also recorded 18 penalty minutes in that span.
3. Mazur is a native of Jackson, Michigan.
He's one of five Michiganders on the roster right now!
Mazur plays familiar role for Red Wings
Of all the players the Red Wings could have called up, none fit the mold of the kind of player they need more than Mazur. While he has yet to show up on the scoresheet, his physicality and tenacity are just what this team needs to get going. Some have even compared his play style to a familiar face: Tyler Bertuzzi.
While he has yet to live up to the hype Bertuzzi brought (and, of course, he has yet to score a point), Mazur plays the role of a plug-and-play forward perfectly. Flashes of the player he can be showed up in glimpses against the Flyers. If the Red Wings can coax out that grit from Mazur (and if Mazur can stay healthy), the Red Wings might have a solution to the woes they've faced recently.