Three forwards that could make the Red Wings roster next season

The Grand Rapids Griffins just wrapped up the first round of the American Hockey League playoffs, defeating the Manitoba Moose 3-1 in a best-of-five series. After falling 1-0 in Game 1, the Griffins locked in and took care of business by winning three straight games, including a shutout performance from Postava in Game 2.

Their next matchup begins Thursday, May 14, against the Chicago Wolves in a best-of-five series, with a trip to the Central Division Finals on the line.

Griffins dominate the AHL

The Griffins arguably have the best roster in the American Hockey League, especially now that the Providence Bruins, the top team in the regular season, were eliminated in the first round.

From the top forward lines and defensive pairings to the goaltending, this team has the perfect mix of veterans and young, promising prospects to compete for the Calder Cup.

In particular, one line has caught the attention of fans: the second forward line featuring Carter Mazur on the left wing, Amadeus Lombardi at center and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard on the right wing.

How the "prospect line" has performed

Made up of three players under the age of 25, the Prospect Line has combined for 10 points, 33 shots on goal and a plus-12 rating through four games in the opening playoff round.

While the offensive numbers are impressive, it’s also been incredible to see this line thrive defensively and take care of business in their own zone. In the series against the Manitoba Moose, the Griffins’ second line went the entire series without allowing a single goal against.

How Carter Mazur stacks up

Carter Mazur, a former 2021 third-round draft pick selected 70th overall, currently stands at six feet tall and weighs 196 pounds. He is a right-handed shooting winger.

Mazur began the 2025-26 season with the Griffins and quickly recorded six points in his first five games. Unfortunately for Carter, he was hit by the injury bug, which sidelined him for a significant portion of the season. He eventually made his way back and went on to compile 16 points in 16 games played.

Mazur also earned a look with the Red Wings this season, appearing in eight games. That said, he did not register a point while playing in a bottom-six role.

Heading into the playoffs, the expectation for the 24-year-old was to showcase why he can still develop into a reliable NHL player for the big club. He is doing exactly that by leading the team with five points and four goals along with a plus-5 rating and no penalties taken.

What Amadeus Lombardi brings to the table

Amadeus Lombardi is a former 2022 draft pick, selected 113th overall in the fourth round. He currently stands at five-foot-eleven and weighs 183 pounds and is a left-handed shooting center who can also play on the wing as needed.

This season with the Griffins, Lombardi registered 42 points in 47 games played while also dealing with an injury that sidelined him for 25 games.

Going into the playoffs, Red Wings hoped to see the 22-year-old prove he can be a legitimate center option for the big club next season. So far, he is making a strong case with his speed and ability to create plays for his line mates.

Lombardi currently has two assists, a plus-4 rating and two penalty minutes through four playoff games.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard's case for more NHL time

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is a former 2024 first-round draft pick, selected 15th overall. He currently stands at six-foot-one and weighs 207 pounds and is a right-handed shooting winger.

This season with the Griffins, Brandsegg-Nygard recorded 20 goals and 22 assists for 42 points, along with 42 penalty minutes in 60 games played.

During his stint with the Red Wings, he posted one point in 14 games but also delivered 43 hits, ranking 15th on the team in that category.

Brandsegg-Nygard has continued to round out his game, becoming not only an offensive threat but also a strong physical presence on the ice. He has been throwing his weight around consistently, recording over 30 hits in just four playoff games. He currently has two goals and one assist for three points along with a plus-3 rating and six penalty minutes in those four games.

Detroit needs better players

Steve Yzerman has said it himself: “We need better players.” That starts with these three young players, who have the opportunity to not only compete for roster spots, but to take them and make them their own heading into the 2026-27 season for the Detroit Red Wings.

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