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Top 5 Prospects of The Detroit Red Wings Entering The 2023/2024 Season

By Richard Jelinek

KENT, WASHINGTON - JUNE 07: Sebastian Cossa #33 of the Edmonton Oil Kings skates away from the crease during the second period against the Seattle Thunderbirds in Game 3 of the Western Hockey League Championship at accesso ShoWare Center on June 07, 2022 in Kent, Washington. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Getty Images)
KENT, WASHINGTON - JUNE 07: Sebastian Cossa #33 of the Edmonton Oil Kings skates away from the crease during the second period against the Seattle Thunderbirds in Game 3 of the Western Hockey League Championship at accesso ShoWare Center on June 07, 2022 in Kent, Washington. (Photo by Christopher Mast/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Red Wings enter this season with an abundance of young prospects that will make a difference sooner than later. While some of the prospects have made quite the impression in the 2022/2023 season, the Detroit Red Wings seem to have re-loaded and have more prospects either entering North America, spending another season with the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins and the ECHL Toledo Walleye, or refining their skills in juniors. The prospect pipeline is growing and the organization has young talent throughout the system. Which prospects are their top 5 and ready to make an impression this season?

Detroit Red Wings prospects ready for big season ahead

Nate Danielson

Center Nate Danielson is the newest draft pick ready to make some noise in another season in junior. Drafted 9th overall in the first round of the 2023 NHL Draft, He comes to the Detroit organization as the top pure center in the organization. Sporting a good possession game and tremendous speed throughout the neutral zone, Danielson thinks the game like an NHL veteran. He spent last season with the Brandon Wheat KIngs of the WHL, totaling 33 goals and 45 assists for 78 points, along with 38 penalty minutes, in 68 games. These totals are similar to former Red Wing winger Tyler Bertuzzi, as he can put up numbers offensively as well as add some grit to the lineup.   Danielson will spend the upcoming season with Brandon of the WHL, as he has all of the tools to be successful, needing time and seasoning to be ready for his NHL debut.

Dmitri Buchelnikov

Left-winger Dmitri Buchelkniov is the pure goal scorer of the future for the Red Wings. A sniper in every sense of the word, Buchelnikov was drafted in the second round (52nd overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft. He possesses NHL speed and is a shoot first player the Red Wings need in the organization. Last season, Buchelnikov spent the season with three teams, totaling 21 goals and 21 assists for 42 points, and 16 penalty minutes, in 49 games. He is a threat on the power play, playing his off-wing like Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals. He has a blistering slap shot and picks his corners on every shot. He could be in the NHL within the next three seasons.

William Wallinder

A big defenseman at 6-foot-4 and 190 pounds, William Wallinder is a great skater and puck carrier. Drafted in the second round (32nd overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, Wallinder made his North American debut last season, playing the season with the Griffins. He spent the majority of last season with Rogel BK of the SHL, totaling seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points, and 10 penalty minutes, in 57 games. While Wallinder is offensively talented,  he can also be a shut down defenseman against the opposition.  He uses his size to shut down passing lanes and play a physical style, while using his offensive skills to sauce an outlet pass. He may be used primarily as a shut down defender when he reaches the NHL.

Wyatt Newpower

Wyatt Newpower is another big defenseman at 6-foot-3 and 207 pounds. Newpower spent the entire 2022/2023 season with Grand Rapids, totaling two goals and five assists for seven points, and 68 penalty minutes, in 59 games. A nasty defenseman to play against, he gives the Detroit Red Wings a physical defenseman in the pipeline. He, like Wallinder,  can be a shut down defenseman but, unlike Wallinder, is strictly defense. Newpower could be a crucial player in the bottom pairing for Detroit because every team needs a defenseman with little to no offense but can be reliable in the defensive end. Needs to solidify his overall game before getting the call to the Detroit Red Wings.

Sebastian Cossa

Goaltender Sebastian Cossa is the top goaltending prospect. His pro debut did not start out amazing. In fact, the first month of the season went the complete opposite of what Cossa wanted. He was letting pucks in that he would normally stop and he looked out of place. He was then sent to the ECHL Toledo Walleye where he struggled at first but then he went on a tear. By January, he was one of the best players in the entire Red Wings organization and he looked like the 15th pick of the 2021 NHL Draft. He turned around his game quickly and he showed why he was picked so high for a goaltender. Cossa is a massive goaltender at 6-foot-6 and 210 pounds but he is incredibly quick for his size and has good rebound control. Last season, he spent most of his season in Toledo, posting a 26-16-1 record with a 2.56 GAA, and a .913 save percentage. With Grand Rapids last season, he went 1-1 with a 5.57 GAA and a .783 save percentage. There is no secret he needs more time in the AHL to get his adjustments set and he can get used to NHL-similar style of play. He is on Detroit’s radar after last season and, if he can play well in Grand Rapids, may be looking at a stop or two with the Red Wings sooner than later.

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