The Daily Faceoff’s ranking of the Detroit Red Wings’ 2025 prospect pool as 11th in the NHL is too close to average to make Detroit’s fan base very happy. The threat of missing of the playoffs for a 10th consecutive season is already too much for fans to process. Having a prospect group unable to crack the Top 10 just adds fuel to the frustration.

Steve Ellis of Daily Faceoff views Detroit’s situation as a mixture of pain and hope.

“The Red Wings might look like a mess on paper,” Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis writes, “with many not expecting the team to make the playoffs again in 2025-26. Last year saw the promotion of Simon Edvinsson, Marco Kasper, and Elmer Soderblom to the big club, with the first two playing significant roles throughout the season. That alone is good, and while there’s a real chance not a single new prospect will earn a full-time gig this coming year, there’s plenty of talent on the way up. ”

Ellis lists Detroit’s top three prospects as Axel Sandin Pellikka, Trey Augustine, and Sebastian Cossa in that order.

There is some good news for Detroit followers in the Daily Faceoff analysis. The Montreal Canadiens, ranked No. 2 for their prospect pool, are the only Atlantic Division team ranked ahead of Detroit. The Buffalo Sabres sit 16th, and the Boston Bruins are 21st.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Defenseman Anton Johansson is contractually obligated to return to his SHL team if he doesn’t play for the Red Wings. But he’s in his good situation in Sweden. His father is his team’s general manager.

Detroit prospect Ondrej Becher is accustomed to navigating the most challenging path to success. He’s hoping for a breakthrough season in Grand Rapids.

Pavel Datsyuk’s farewell press conference left the media laughing about his joke about the likelihood that the Red Wings will retire his number.

Red Wings Extra

Red Wings 2025 seventh-round pick Grayden Robertson-Palmer (204th, 2025) shows four points (one goal, three assists) for the Moncton Wildcats in two QMJHL preseason games. Noah Dower Nilsson (73rd, 2023) posted three shots on goal, no points, in 13:12 of playing time for Frolunda in a 5-2 Champions League game against Lausanne HC.

Hockey Now Network

Montreal: Marc Dumont writes that NCAA rule changes are impacting Montreal’s CHL prospects. Montreal Canadiens. 

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski identifies which Penguins have the most to gain, or lose, in the upcoming season. Pittsburgh Penguins. 

San Jose: Sheng Peng discusses the six steps the Sharks must take to return to respectability. San Jose Sharks.