Red Wings Top 25 Under-25

Fall 2016 Update

Now a few weeks into the 2016-17 season, the Detroit Red Wings have produced a 6-6-1 record. Through their first 13 games, the Red Wings have seen significant contributions from their younger players — most notably Dylan Larkin, Andreas Athanasiou, and Tomas Tatar.

Including the players currently on the Red Wings roster, Detroit has a deep prospect cupboard that fans should be excited about. Apart from Larkin, Tatar, and Anthony Mantha, the Red Wings have several prospects who could become significant contributors to future Red Wings success.

With that being said, let’s take a look at the future of Hockeytown — Detroit’s top 25 players under 25-years-old:

Top 25 Under-25

Here’s how Detroit’s best 25-and-under players stack up when considering the Traverse City Prospects Tournament, World Cup of Hockey, Red Wings training camp, and early 2016-17 season performances, plus career trajectory thus far. Included is their current ranking, change from the summer ranking, plus their 2016-17 team and individual statistics.

Dropped from the last ranking: Teemu Pulkkinen (15), Zach Nastasiuk (25).

Red Wings Positional Rankings

When considering Detroit’s prospect positional depth, the Red Wings are particularly deep at center and right-handed defense. Those two positions each feature five players from the Top 25 chart.

Red Wings Prospect News

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Givani Smith – After a strong showing at the BioSteel preseason camp, Givani Smith has had a fantastic start to his post-draft season with the Guelph Storm. Through 15 games, Smith has produced nine goals and 16 points, leading the Storm in the former category. He was also selected to participate in the upcoming OHL vs. Russia series.

Martin Frk – When Martin Frk was claimed on waivers by Carolina, Red Wings fans were in an uproar over losing yet another promising prospect for nothing, even though Detroit would be fine without him. We good now? When Carolina waived Frk, Detroit claimed the Czech winger and assigned him to Grand Rapids, where he’ll join an already-strong Griffins team.

(James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports)

Injuries – A few Red Wings up-and-comers have yet to play this season. Axel Holmstrom, Tomas Jurco, and Vili Saarijarvi have not suited up so far during the 2016-17 season because of their individual injuries. Jurco may be close to a return in Detroit, though.

Filip Hronek – In his first season competing in the OHL, defenseman Filip Hronek has impressed Red Wings management and fans alike by producing 12 points in his first 13 games with the Saginaw Spirit. In addition to creating offense, Detroit is hoping Hronek can bulk up his 170-pound frame. Despite being “undersized,” Hronek is leading the Spirit in points thus far.

Anthony Mantha – Though he made an impact during the preseason, Anthony Mantha was assigned to Grand Rapids before the regular season started so he could receive the most ice time available. Surely, Mantha wished to stay, but has made the most of his opportunity in the AHL. The great nephew of Red Wings legend Marcel Pronovost scored seven goals in his first seven games with the Griffins.

Tyler Bertuzzi – On Monday morning, the Red Wings announced that they’ve recalled Tyler Bertuzzi from Grand Rapids and placed Thomas Vanek on long-term injured reserve.

UPDATE: The #RedWings today recalled LW Tyler Bertuzzi from the @griffinshockey and placed LW Thomas Vanek on LTIR retroactive to Oct. 25th. pic.twitter.com/Y0xWtSbvJL

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) November 7, 2016

Calling up Bertuzzi over Mantha likely means that Bertuzzi will play on the fourth line. Detroit’s view is that Bertuzzi is better suited for the fourth line than Andreas Athanasiou, Darren Helm, or Riley Sheahan—players who would be pushed to the bottom line if Mantha was recalled for a top-six role.

What’s your take on the Detroit Red Wings prospect pool? Comment below with your thoughts on the Red Wings’ prospects and their potential NHL futures.