Ranking the Red Wings top prospects for 2017-18

In his latest article for Last Word on Hockey, hockey writer Ben Kerr takes a look at the prospect pool of the Detroit Red Wings and attempts to rank the team’s brightest young players in order of who could have the biggest impact on the team in the coming years.

While youngsters like Andreas Athanasiou, Anthony Mantha, Nick Jensen and Xavier Ouellet can already be considered graduates from prospects to players, the team is stocked with talented young players looking to make an impression at training camp this fall.

According to Kerr, the Wings’ top 3 prospects in order are:

Evgeny Schechnikov
Michael Rasmussen
Filip Hronek

Svechnikov, the Wings’ 1st round pick (19th overall) of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft had an outstanding first pro season with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. He put up 20 goals and 51 points in 74 regular season games and followed it up with 12 points in 19 games en route to a Calder Cup championship. The speedy winger has good size and a heavy shot. He’ll be in serious consideration to make the Red Wings out of training camp this fall.

Speaking of size, the 9th overall selection in this past June’s 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Michael Rasmussen, has plenty of it. The 6’5”, 200 lb center scored 32 goals and 55 points in 50 games with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans in 2016-17 and will likely spend this next season dominating the junior ranks once again. For a sneak peek at his game, check out his highlight package:

Flip Hronek is a 2nd round selection (53rd overall) by the Wings from the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. The Czech defender came to North America last season to play for the OHL’s Saginaw Spirit and had an incredible, breakout campaign putting up 14 goals and 61 points in just 59 games. Hronek projects to be a top four NHL defenseman with good skating and passing ability, he makes up for his lack of size with excellent positioning and a quick stick. He’ll likely play the 2017-18 campaign with the Griffins.

For the rest of Kerr’s list, check out his article at Last Word on Hockey.