Nobody said they had to be the Red Wings of old by now when it was Cup or bust, but there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be a comfortable lock for a playoff spot at this point.
There is absolutely no reason they should be a comfortable lock for a playoff spot at this time.
Yes, they could have been a playoff team if all the free agents wanted to go to Detroit like in the past. But they don't.
So the absolute majority has to go through draft. Under the current regime that started 5 years and now 6 drafts ago. Ideally you would want to try to get 2, if lucky 3 players out of each draft. If it goes beyond that and you get 4+ you are a saint.
So 2019 draft:
Moritz Seider on the team
Albert Johansson getting into the team now
Elmer Soderblom - been given opportunities, might be back, but hasn't elevated himself yet, big guy though so like Rasmussen might come with time or he goes back to Sweden.
Antti Tuomisto has been talked some about, could make it as depth d-man. More likely won't, but been some chatter around him.
Robert Mastrosimone didn't want to sign with Detroit, didn't look like they had a specific plan to sign him either with how development and dialog went.
2020 Draft:
Lucas Raymond on the team - top six forward and improving
William Wallinder expected to get a realistic shot at making it or potentially trade bait for offense.
Donovan Sebrango got traded away to Ottawa in the deal that landed Debrincat. Viro is the only other that been talked some about as a depth guy, but size wise most likely don't end up being a fit for NHL. The others isn't paning out or was nepotism picks.
2021 Draft:
Simon Edvinsson has now made the team and will be Top four, is improving, can end up being top pair d-man.
Sebastian Cossa - Potential future starter goalie
Shai Buium - Bottom four defenseman prospect
Carter Mazur - Bottom six forward - potential middle six upside
Redmond Savage - Bottom six forward
There is also Liam Dower-Nilsson in the mix, I don't think his development will take him there but isn't one that has been given up on. But, realistically those four outside Edvinsson are those they has been talk about. You never know with goalies, it could take Cossa two years, it could take five. All indications lean towards him keep improving and they happy with his development. Carter Mazur has been getting praise from different people in the organization in different interviews and also Red Savage has gotten praise and seem to be a player type they like. It also look like they like Shai Buium where they most likely option is him being a bottom four defenseman who might be a cover guy higher up. Realistically one hope Cossa makes all the steps and one of the two forwards. A good bonus if Buium makes it, but depth defenseman can also come from elsewhere.
2022 Draft:
Marco Kasper - Middle six center / forward - Could have been on the team this year, will get chances, he might end up sticking with the team, if not one more year in AHL top minutes and then from next year will by all accounts be with the team.
The rest is in the too early scope. There are players they like. Dylan James who is in college this season, can even be there next year and if he isn't he would be in AHL. Needs to add weight and be given some time. Dmitri Buchelnikov is doing well in KHL, probably is one they want over to AHL next year, would be given a chance in camp before next season to potentially upset and make the team but realistically one AHL year first. Amadeus Lombardi have always been getting good reviews and looks to be someone they like for a bottom six or middle six role down the road.
2023 Draft:
Nate Danielson - they like a lot and he also been getting praise from other players and a pain in the ass to play against, among them Connor Bedard. Hope is future top six center, more on the responsible side that extravagant offense. But on the projectory of becoming a reliable top six center who at worst is a really solid 3C guy.
Axel Sandin-Pellikka - in SHL doing very solid as a young offensive defenseman with high light reel involvements. Projected top four defenseman.
Trey Augustine - The other projected starting goalie in Detroit system and just like Cossa it can take 2 years, it can take 5 years. If one of the two makes it, great!
Of the others Brady Cleveland who is an all defensive defenseman is the one most chatted about and who I guess most other pro scouts talked about. Could he be a solid guy on the NHL level waits to be seen. Andrew Gibson was traded to NSH for Jesse Kiiskinen. So a defenseman who got some buzz, also seen as a defensive defenseman, so deemed to be a surplus of potential talent in the position got traded for a forward who is doing well in Finnish Liiga. So Kiiskinen might make it, but would take 2-3 years minimum.
I guess Noah Dower-Nilsson is the other who got some chatter. Good enough that they drafter the younger brother after drafting the older earlier.
2024 Draft:
Michael Brandsegg-Nygaard - Gotten much praise so far. Also playing in Skelleftea in SHL. The team wanted him to go to Grand Rapids. He opted to try win a Championship in SHL and work on his offense there. Both options has its plusses and minuses. NHL ready body, hopefully can add tools to the toolbox to solidify as a top six winger and not middle six winger.
Of the others is too early to tell. Max Plante been mentioned several times. Ondrej Becher as well, but needs time.
So basically 4 guys sort of made the team now, 10 guys in a realistic mix of getting there. Others with a long shot opportunity. So let's say 14 guys make the team, that is just over 2 guys per draft which is realistic. Obviously the more the merrier, but also keeping in mind some guys on the team is staying and if one add others through trade or FA, this is how its going to get done. Now of course some have to reach further than expected and become "stars" for the team to be a contender.
Detroit Draft history
2 parts: 1 part Detroit doesn’t have that generational talent via the draft that helps propel the rebuild and 1 part Lalonde is not a very good coach.
Its just bull that Lalonde isn't a good coach. People without patience say these things. They improved every year.
Yes, lacking a generational talent like 95% of the teams. However there are talents that need to excel beyond their expectations and others who need to make theirs for the team to become a contender.
