Checking In On Every Red Wings Forward Prospect

Left Wing:

Carter Bear: The newest name to the pipeline is 2025 first rounder Carter Bear. The high motor forward has a great release and falls into that “junkyard dog” category. He’s a gritty, relentless competitor who will stop at nothing to help his team. 

• WHL Stats(D): 56gp 40g 42a, 82p, 6’0” 180lbs
• Player Comparison, Brandon Hagel WHL stats(D): 72gp 13g 34a 47p

Dmitri Buchelnikov: The 2022 second rounder is still playing in Russia, although his development is getting more and more exciting. A smaller winger, but a dual threat offensively. The potential is elite. He won fastest skater in the KHL All-Star Game and led Vityaz in points at just 21. 

• KHL stats(D+3): 65gp 15g 39a 54p, 5’10” 170lbs
• Player Comparison, Nikolaj Ehlers NHL stats (D+3): 82gp 25g 39a 64p

Michal Svercek: Another 2025 pick, Svercek fell into the Red Wings lap. Another Yzerman-type pick, high motor, high compete with a decent skill ceiling. He lacks the size you want to see from that kind of player, but can overcome it if his skill game continues to impress. He split time between the Swe-Jr and Swe-HL this past season. 

• SweHL stats(D): 17gp 1g 2a 3p, 5’10” 178lbs
• Player Comparison, Calle Jarnkrok SEL stats(D): 33gp 4g 6a 10p

Carter Mazur: Mazur played one NHL shift before getting injured. Mazur is gritty and has the ability to be a consistent bottom-six scoring threat who can rough it up. Mazur is a bottom-of-the-lineup grinder in the best way possible. He would be a fit for all 32 NHL teams. If Mazur can stay healthy, he’s likely to earn a roster spot out of camp and contribute right away. 

• AHL stats(D+4): 20gp 8g 7a 15p, 6’0” 188lbs
• Player Comparison, Jason Dickinson AHL stats(D+4): 58gp 9g 21a 30p

Eddie Genborg: Add one more to the tally of 2025 draftees. Genborg has the fullest frame of anyone mentioned. He’s big and physical, all things you want in an NHL bottom-six guy. His offence is still developing, and that may make or break his chances at making an impact at the NHL level. 

• SHL stats(D): 28gp 2g 0a 2p, 6’2” 205lbs
• Player Comparison, Matt Martin OHL stats (D): 66gp 25g 13a 38p

Dylan James: James has a lot to do with little time left to cement himself in an impact role, even in the AHL. You want more from the 40th pick, at least for them to become an AHL player. Dylan James is a Yzerman pick of being a two-way guy, but just lacks the talent to bring him to a better league at the moment. There is still a little time for James, but the clock is now on.

• NCHC stats(D+3): 38gp 14g 8a 22p, 6’0” 185lbs
• Player Comparison, Jaret Anderson-Dolan AHL stats(D+3): 53gp 8g 20a 28p

Charlie Forslund: A big body, Swedish power-forward from the 2024 draft, the 6th round pick still has time to develop. It’ll be a long road for Forslund, if he ever does make it to North America, but sixth-rounders are hardly ever blue-chip prospects. If he sees North American ice, it’ll be a success story. 

• Swe-Jr stats (D+1): 44gp 9g 14a 23p, 6’3” 212lbs
• Player Comparison, Derek Grant BCHL stats(D+1): 35gp 25g 35a 60p

Kevin Bicker: I’m already losing my mind with how many times I’ve had to hyphenate two-way player. Anyways, the 2023 fifth-rounder is another one of them. Decent frame, but nothing to write home about. Also mentioned to be a solid skater. Similar to the last few guys, if they see North American ice, it’s a win. 

• DEL stats (D+2): 20gp 0g 5a 5p, 6’0” 174lbs
• Player Comparison, Andreas Athanasiou now AHL stats (D+2): 2gp 1g 2a 3p

Centers:

Nate Danielson: A fast skater with a high IQ, Danielson is exactly what Yzerman has been seeking out. Danielson is a competent passer, but his shot still needs to get more powerful. Danielson can play in all situations and, at worst, will be an everyday NHLer. If he can grow as a finisher, Danielson can grow into a legitimate 1B center. 

• AHL stats (D+2): 71gp 12g 27a 39p, 6’2” 190lbs
• Player Comparison, Roope Hintz AHL stats (D+2): 70gp 20g 15a 35p

Max Plante: Plante is really starting to excite Red Wings fans. Despite being listed at center on Dobber Prospects, his smaller size and incredible playmaking ability are better suited for the wing. Plante is a capable finisher but really excels as a playmaker, one of the very few in Detroit’s system. 

• NCHC stats (D+1): 23gp 9g 19a 28p, 5’10” 181lbs
• Player Comparison, Mattias Maccelli SM-liiga stats(D+1): 43gp 13g 17a 30p

Amadeus Lombardi: There is legitimate upside with Lombardi. Despite being undersized, his hands are NHL level. He’s a versatile scorer who can score off the wrist, snap, and slap shot. His once weak defensive game is improving under Watson’s coaching. The question with Lombardi is if the hands and offense will translate to the next level. 

• AHL stats (D+3): 44gp 19g 21a 40p, 5’11” 178lbs
• Player Comparison, Tyler Johnson AHL 2013 stats (undrafted): 75gp 31g 37a 68p

Emmit Finnie: It’s getting harder and harder to deny that Finnie might end up being something at the NHL level. For a seventh-round pick, even making it to the AHL level is quite impressive. Finnie was torching the WHL and even surprised people when he wasn’t invited to Team Canada’s tryout. He has an NHL frame, which is a step up from a lot of the boom-or-bust players. 

• WHL stats (D+2): 55gp 37g 47a 84p, 6’1” 191lbs
• Player Comparison, Sean Monahan NHL stats (D+2): 81gp 31g 31a 62p

Alexandre Doucet: For an undrafted player, Doucet is coming on well. Despite being listed on Dobber as a center, I feel like I see him playing the wing almost all the time. He plays a team-centric game and fits into the play well, although it feels like he just blends in a lot. His shot is one of his strengths, although creating it with skating and offensive IQ is something I haven’t personally seen. 

• AHL stats (undrafted): 64gp 7g 14a 21p, 6’0” 192lbs
• Player Comparable, Austin Czarnik AHL stats (undrafted): 68gp 20g 41a 61p

Ondrej Becher: I’ll try to leave bias out of this because I think Becher is quite solid. Becher was drafted as an overager but is playing quite well. Becher is a plus playmaker who has a very well-rounded game and an NHL potential frame. With limited power play time, Becher has shown he may be able to play in the bottom six at the next level. 

• AHL stats (D+1): 59gp 10g 10a 20p, 6’1” 184lbs
• Player Comparable, Jesperi Kotkaniemi NHL stats (D+1): 79gp 11g 23a 34p 

Noah Dower-Nilsson: An exciting SHL talent, it will take a lot for him to make it over. Dower-Nilsson is producing at a decent level in the SHL, he plays a skill game and is a dual threat to score or pass. Still has a lot to go until he is NHL-ready. 

• SHL stats(D+2): 35gp 4g 6a 10p, 6’0” 183lbs
• Player Comparable, Colin Blackwell ECAC stats (D+2): 11gp 5g 1a 6p

Grayden Robertson-Palmer: Pencil him in for another Yzerman pick. The undersized playmaker has a good engine and competes well. A late pick, similar to the other late picks mentioned, you’re lucky if you get anything. 

• N/A draft stats, 5’11” 197lbs
• Player Comparable, Jonatan Berggren Swe-JR stats(D): 38gp 18g 39a 57p

Red Savage: I want nothing more than to see a guy named Red Savage, who captains Michigan State to play for the Red Wings. Despite his size, Savage is pretty physical by all reports. He’s a leader, as he captains Michigan State. Savage strikes me more as a pro’s pro, a guy who plays hard but ultimately is unlikely to make it to the NHL level. 

• Big-10 stats(D+4): 22gp 10g 10a 20p, 5’11” 185lbs
• Player Comparison, Sheldon Dries UCHC stats (undrafted): 36gp 16g 14a 30p

Right Wing: 

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard is a player I was really high on in his draft. A physical monster with an elite release, MBN projects to be a legit second-line power forward. He spent most of his time in Sweden this season, but was a point per game in the AHL playoffs.

•  SHL stats (D+1): 42gp 5g 6a 11p, 6’1” 194lbs
• Player Comparison, Carter Verhaege OHL stats (D+1): 65gp 28g 54a 82p

Jesse Kiiskinen: A similar vein to MBN, Kiiskinen has an incredible shot. The Finnish forward was named one of their three best players at this year’s World Juniors. Kiiskinen projects to be a steady bottom-six scoring threat who plays the rest of the game at a solid level. He is likely to be in Grand Rapids this coming season. 

• SM Liiga stats (D+2): 46gp 14g 30a 44p, 6’0” 183lbs
• Player Comparison, Josh Anderson OHL stats (D+2): 59gp 27g 24a 51p

Brent Solomon: The 2025 4th rounder is a complete offensive forward. He’s a threat to shoot from anywhere, and his release is quite fast. Solomon needs to round out his two-way game to start getting high-level consideration, but there is plenty of time for Solomon to develop. 

• USHL stats (D): 8gp 4g 2a 6p, 6’0” 173lbs
• Player Comparison, Danton Heinen BCHL stats (D): 57gp 29g 33a 62p

Ethan Phillips: A bullet-fast skater, and Phillips has to be with his frame. The undersized wing shows all the typical traits of players of his build: great skater, great shot, and offensive threat. The floor is always low for small guys like him, but as with guys like Caufield and DeBrincat, NHL potential was there. However, Phillips is unlikely to reach pro games given his age. 

• NCHC stats (D+6): 29gp 9g 14a 23p, 5’9” 155lbs
• Player Comparison, Filip Zadina NHL stats (D+6): 72gp 13g 10a 23p

Kienan Draper: The son of Kris Draper is pretty much out of time in the Red Wings system. Call it a favour, call it hope, but Draper got his chance, and it is likely up. The two-way winger was drafted five seasons ag,o and with his deal ending, it’s likely he goes unsigned. 

• Big-10 stats (D+5): 33gp 7g 2a 9p, 6’2” 205lbs
• Player Comparison, Kris Draper (the Detroit staff member version): N/A

Sam Stange: Taken in the same draft as Draper, Stange is different, as he may have a shot. Stange is built to be your typical fourth-line grinder. However, Stange was a Hobey Baker finalist, so he may have done enough to buy himself enough time to get a chance at the AHL or another contract. 

• ECHC stats (D+5): 36gp 16g 18a 34p, 6’1” 201lbs
• Player Comparison, Martin Frk ECHL stats (D+5): 29gp 23g 15a 38p

And that concludes every forward prospect that Dobber Prospects has listed. If I haven’t watched the player (and believe me, some I haven’t), I got my comparables from Elite Prospects and Dobber Prospects, so I’ll link the wonderful work they do there below. Defencemen and Goaltenders are next. Any questions, concerns, or comments can be dropped in the little comment box below. 

Detroit Red Wings

https://www.eliteprospects.com

More to Read:

Opinion: These 2026 Red Wings Free Agents Should Return