Six days before the start of 2025-26 NHL season, the Detroit Red Wings are still considering keeping three more youngsters
Forward Carter Mazur, goalie Michal Postava and defenseman William Wallinder were all sent to Grand Rapids Monday, leaving coach Todd McLellan with 25 players on his roster. The breakdown: nine defenseman, 14 forwards and two goalies.
Young defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka, plus forwards Michael Brandsegg Nygard and Emmitt Finnie are still on the roster. Nate Danielson is another young player still in the mix. However, he’s officially on the injured list, but the Red Wings saw him as a candidate to make the roster before he was hurt.
The Red Wings will start the season with eight defensemen, 13 forwards and two goalies on their 23-person roster. That means that the Red Wings are likely to cut one more forward and one defenseman. To keep all three of the youngsters, the Red Wings would have to cut a veteran forward and defenseman.
Holl Vulnerable?
GM Steve Yzerman has said often that if a young player shows he deserves to be on the team it’s his job for find a spot for him. Last season, Yzerman sent veteran defenseman Justin Holl to the AHL. McLellan made it clear this week that the third pairing defensive spots were unsettled. Moritz Seider, Ben Chiarot, Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson have cemented their roles in the top four.
The veterans without a guaranteed spot are Erik Gustafsson, Trevor Hamonic, Jacob Bernard-Docker and Holl.
McLellan has had praise for 2023 first-round pick Sandin Pellikka who can offer the team some offensive attack skills, and another point man for the power play.
Finnie has speed and offensive skill, while Brandsegg-Nygard boasts a big shot and some physical play. The Red Wings have experimented with playing Finnie with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond.