5 Detroit Red Wings prospects who could crack the 2024-25 lineup
The Detroit Red Wings could look to get much younger in 2024-25.
The Detroit Red Wings were close to a playoff spot during the 2023-24 season but came up just short. Some of the players involved in the success last year are set to become free agents.
That leaves the Red Wings with holes to fill. They may want to fill those skates from within and use their cap space on a big-ticket item.
Five of the prospects that Detroit should look at could improve, and replace, their depth immediately. While four of the five have yet to make their NHL debut, they give the Red Wings hope for the future. Detroit's biggest problem is defense and goaltending depth, which they could find in free agency.
For the forward position, they do have talented players who can produce in the offensive zone and be a new energy to the forward group. Here are the five players who could make an impact on the Red Wings next season:
Amadeus Lombardi is a prospect for Detroit to consider in 2024-25
The 113th pick of Detroit in the 2022 NHL Draft, Amadeus Lombardi has taken massive steps in his development. He has made quite the transition from the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.
While his offensive production may not be there yet, his overall game has taken off and made him a top-six player. If Patrick Kane or David Perron do not re-sign, Lombardi could be one of the players to fill that void.
Last season for Grand Rapids, Lombardi had five goals and 21 assists for 26 points in 70 games.
Marco Kasper is a great young player with a high ceiling in the NHL
Marco Kasper was drafted eighth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft and has been in the AHL with the Griffins since then. He made an impact last season, scoring 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points in 71 games.
He played one game in Detroit with the Red Wings during the 2022-23 season but his season was cut short due to injury.
He is full of talent and is one of the young forwards that Detroit sees as a part of their future. He may make the team out of training camp and his chances may further increase if Kane or Perron do not come back.
Albert Johansson is someone that the Red Wing could use on defense
Selected 60th overall by Detroit in the 2019 NHL Draft, defenseman Albert Johansson has developed into a solid NHL prospect and one who could be on the roster as soon as this season.
His overall game has improved and he showed his progress at training camp last season which gives hope to his chances this upcoming year.
With free agents on the defensive end, he may be one to watch in training camp as he continues to climb the ladder on his way to the NHL.
His offensive game could help his push to play second power play quarterback, scoring six goals and 15 assists for 21 points in 66 games last season for the Griffins.
Sebastian Cossa is someone that could be a goalie in the NHL soon
Goaltender Sebastian Cossa made quite the transformation last season as he became the go-to man between the pipes and the top goaltending prospect in the Red Wings organization.
After early season struggles, he transformed into one of the best young goaltenders in the AHL and led the Griffins to the playoffs after a successful season.
During the 2023-24 season, he complied a record of 22-9-9 with a 2.41 goals-against-average, a .914 save percentage, and two shutouts. With the backup situation in Detroit in question, Cossa could be in that spot if he performs strongly enough in training camp.
Nate Danielson is someone that could make that big jump to the NHL
Forward Nate Danielson is the newest prospect and one that may be ready for NHL action sooner rather than later.
After nearly making the Detroit roster out of training camp last season, he was sent back down to the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League before he was traded to the Portland Winter Hawks, where he stole the show.
He would be a big addition to the Red Wings because they lack center depth and he could instantly provide offense. He may come into play if Andrew Copp and J.T. Compher are not brought back. At 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, he also brings size to a lineup that is not the biggest in the league.
A lot of these promotions depend on the free agency picture. If Perron, Kane, Jeff Petry, and Justin Holl all leave, that immediately opens spots for these young players.
The Red Wings may be pressed to take actions like this if there is no money left. Detroit has a projected cap space of $24.6 million for the 24-25 season.
However, forward Lucas Raymond and Defenseman Moritz Seider are due for contract extensions. They will likely take up more than half of the cap space. Those players listed above could come into Detroit and make an instant impact on a roster that could see several changes this off-season.
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