The Detroit Red Wings have many prospects who aren’t signed yet, but I think there are three who are most likely to get contracts soon.
Given the depth of prospects the Detroit Red Wings have, it’s not surprising that many of them don’t yet have contracts. Typically, prospects drafted beyond the first round don’t sign contracts until a year or two after their draft year. Those who do have contracts are mostly with the Grand Rapids Griffins, although some are still waiting. I believe some of these prospects deserve contracts sooner rather than later.
Recently, the Red Wings have signed a number of prospects at the end of each season. After the 2022-23 season, they added Carter Mazur, Amadeus Lombardi, William Wallinder, and Nate Danielson. They repeated this pattern after the 2023-24 season by signing Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Emmitt Finnie, Shai Buium, Carter Gylander, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård. This approach seems like a strategic move to accelerate the final stages of their rebuild.
Nonetheless, there are still several promising prospects who deserve an entry-level contract and a chance at professional hockey, though it’s understood that not all will receive contracts.
Here are three players I believe should be the next to receive a contract.
Trey Augustine has been stellar at MSU
Trey Augustine was selected 41st overall in the second round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and quickly emerged as one of the top goaltending prospects. He soon became a leading contender to Sebastian Cossa and has solidified that status. With superior technical skills compared to Cossa at the time of his draft, Augustine is consistently in the right position at the right time.
Trey Augustine has won gold at the World Juniors! 🥇 #LGRW pic.twitter.com/h8tp9YCZnx
— Winged Wheel Podcast (@WingedWheelPod) January 5, 2024
Last season at Michigan State University, Augustine posted an impressive .915 save percentage across 35 games. His performance was even more remarkable during the U20 World Junior Championship, where he achieved a .936 save percentage and won gold. He also recorded a .929 save percentage at the World Championships, serving as the backup goaltender against NHL players and other professionals from around the globe.
Augustine will return to Michigan State University for the upcoming season, but it seems likely he will be a top candidate for an entry-level contract soon. We might see him in the NHL or at least with a contract from the franchise in the near future.
Red Savage has a cool name and the numbers to back it up
Red Savage was selected 114th overall in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and quickly gained attention. Known for his deceptive handling and skillful transition play, he has earned a reputation for targeting high-danger scoring opportunities and possesses a mechanically-sound wrist shot, making him a potential scoring threat when set up.
Currently, Savage is committed to Michigan State, where he plays alongside fellow Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine. Last season, he tallied 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points in 38 games, averaging about 0.75 points per game. While his statistics may not stand out as exceptional for a prospect, they are still respectable.
Although some might question his stats as indicative of a top prospect, it’s worth noting that the Red Wings lack players with pure offensive talent. While he’s not a defensive liability, he’s not suited for penalty killing. However, he could be a valuable asset on the second power play unit and a solid middle-six winger.
Dmitri Buchelnikov is killing it over in Russia’s KHL
Dmitri Buchelnikov was selected 52nd overall in the second round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and has demonstrated impressive offensive skills. Known for his speed and ability to connect with his linemates, he has earned a reputation as a flashy and skilled winger.
Dmitri Buchelnikov(2nd round’22)
All goals from 23/24 season
VHL SKA Neva: 3 goals
KHL Admiral: 13 goals #LGRW #RedWings pic.twitter.com/vZqDyK53WR— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) July 12, 2024
Buchelnikov has been playing in Russia, moving between various pro leagues before finally joining the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the premier league in Russia and one of the top leagues globally. Last season in the KHL, he notched 13 goals and 16 assists for a total of 29 points in 55 games.
While Buchelnikov is considered one of the most promising offensive prospects for the Red Wings, there remains a possibility that he might not make the transition to North America due to the difficulties Russian players face in moving to the NHL. Should he join the NHL, he has the potential to become a top-six forward, a type of player the Red Wings have been lacking for over a decade.
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