Detroit Red Wings: Top 8 prospects worth getting excited about
4. Joe Veleno
Joe Veleno has been talked about in the hockey community for some time now, as he was the first player ever to be granted exceptional status into the QMJHL. As a result, he had three full seasons in the QMJHL before being draft eligible.
During his draft season, he suited up for 31 games with the Saint John Sea Dogs before being traded to the Drummondville Voltigeurs, who he played an additional 33 games with. In total that season, he managed 79 points and was then selected 30th overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
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After being drafted, Veleno spent one more season with the Voltigeurs where he showed just how talented he is, posting 42 goals and 106 points in 59 games. He was selected to play for Team Canada at the World Juniors that same year, adding two assists in five games played.
Despite being just 19-years-old to begin the season, the Red Wings elected to have him play his 2020-21 season in the AHL with the Grand Rapids Griffins, where he managed 23 points (11 G, 12 A) in 54 games while playing against much older competition.
He was able to suit up for the Gold Medal-winning Team Canada squad once again, scoring a goal and adding five assists in six contests. While it remains to be seen where he spends his 2020-21 season, his future is very bright and he could well spearhead a new and exciting era for the Detroit Red Wings.
3. Jonatan Berggren
The Red Wings seem to have had a knack in recent years at grabbing great talent with their Second Round picks, and that is yet again the case with Jonatan Berggren. The 20-year-old Swedish centerman was drafted with the 33rd overall pick at the 2018 NHL Entry Draft after an incredible season in the J220 SuperElit league, in which he had 18 goals and 57 points in 38 games.
He has since spent the majority of the past three seasons in the SHL with Skelleftea AIK, and is improving at a very impressive rate. His first season in the league saw him put up just three points in 16 games, while the 2019-20 season saw him jump to 12 points in 24 contests.
Berggren was able to suit up for Team Sweden at the 2020 World Juniors where he had five points in seven games. While those totals all appeared promising, the 2020-21 season has been even better. In 23 games so far with Skelleftea, Berggren has five goals and 24 points, which leads his team in scoring.
He has star studded potential.