August 31-in-31: Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have been in rebuild mode for a few years now. Picking in the top 10 is an alien concept in Detroit, but now they have had two consecutive number six picks in a row with Moritz Seider (2019) and Filip Zadina (2018), as well as a number nine overall in 2017 when they selected Michael Rasmussen.

Notable Graduating players

This is not an exhaustive list as it covers mostly just the prospects graduating who have a higher potential fantasy impact. Also, these are not all set in stone but are the most likely scenarios.

Joe Veleno – QMJHL to AHL

Taro Hirose – NCAA to NHL

Ryan Kuffner – NCAA to AHL

Filip Hronek – AHL to NHL

Joe Hicketts – AHL to NHL (requires waivers to be sent down)

Filip Larsson – NCHC to AHL

Gustav Lindström – SHL to AHL

Evgeny Svechnikov – AHL to NHL (requires waivers to be sent down)

Question marks:

Michael Rasmussen – not guaranteed to be full time just yet and waiver exempt

Dennis Cholowski – still working on the defensive side of the game and will have competition in camp

Evgeny Svechnikov – finally healthy but is he ready for the show?

Filip Zadina – took a while to adjust in his first year of pro, will he adjust quicker to the next level?

Risers

Taro Hirose

Leading the NCAA in scoring followed up by putting up seven points in your first 10 NHL games will get you noticed. Pencil Hirose in for a middle six assignment with the Wings to start the season. Temper your expectations on the rookie’s point-per-game pace. Hirose would be a good option in mid to deep points only leagues and a pretty good bet for 35-40 points with a decent chance to hit close to 50 if everything goes right.

Filip Hronek

Hronek got better and better last season and seized the opportunity he earned. He has proven he is not only an NHL player but has likely cemented himself in the Red Wings top four for years to come. A sleeper candidate in most leagues and a must own in deep ones.

Joe Veleno

With nothing left to prove in junior Veleno will compete for a spot in camp. Most likely he spends time in Grand Rapids before becoming a regular in 2020. He is going to be a good one

Filip Zadina

Zadina would be best served to make the permanent jump to the NHL this year to continue to develop while playing with better players. It remains to be seen however if the coaching staff agrees with me. He may end up back for another year in the AHL.

Oliwer Kaski

A dark horse to make the team out of camp, Kaski is also more likely to start in Grand Rapids while he acclimates to the North American style of game. Could be one of the first call ups and has offensive upside.

 Fallers

David Pope

No one has fallen further off the radar for the Red Wings than David Pope. A year ago Pope was looking like a potential middle six option. He has slipped down the depth chart, and will need to step up this year to dig himself out of a hole.

Vili Saarijärvi

Saarijärvi is another prospect with potential who has not done himself any favours and now sits further back in the system. He was a healthy scratch for almost all of the Griffins playoff games and needs to have a big bounce back season this year to get himself back in the mix for consideration with the big boys.

Prospect Depth Chart – Fantasy upside

Top Twenty Fantasy Prospects

This list is a combination of fantasy ceiling and proximity to a full time NHL job.

1. Filip Zadina
2. Joe Veleno
3. Filip Hronek
4. Dennis Cholowski
5. Taro Hirose
6. Michael Rasmussen
7. Evgeny Svechnikov
8. Oliwer Kaski
9. Jared McIsaac
10. Moritz Seider
11. Jonatan Berggren
12. Joe Hicketts
13. Filip Larsson
14. Albin Grewe
15. Ryan Kuffner
16. Antti Tuomisto
17. Vili Saarijärvi
18. Alec Regula
19. Gustav Lindstrom
20. Jesper Eliasson

For a complete review of the Red Wings 2019 draft click here: https://dobberprospects.com/31-in-31-detroit-red-wings/

Mark Hiller