Ranking the Top 10 Prospects in the Detroit Red Wings System

The Detroit Red Wings may pivot to a rebuild this off-season, and if that's the case, they've got a highly promising prospect pool.

Michael Brandsegg-Nygard of the Detroit Red Wings / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Detroit Red Wings are currently stuck in NHL limbo, with a roster that's clearly not good enough to compete for the Stanley Cup Playoffs given their decade-long drought, but one that's also not bad enough for them to acquire multiple top-five draft picks.

However, that doesn't mean they don't have a good, young group of prospects, and after adding another few intriguing pieces in the 2026 NHL Draft, the future of the organization is starting to take shape.

But just who are these key pieces of the future in Detroit? Let's take a look at the 10 most intriguing prospects of the future for the Red Wings and rank the 10 best prospects in the organization.

10. Anton Johansson - RHD

One thing that's clear when making a top prospects list in Detroit is the lack of high-end defensemen in the system, but in Anton Johansson, they have a physical threat who has also flashed immense offensive upside.

In 42 games at Sweden's top level in 2025/26, Johansson tallied 5 goals and 17 points, and given the size at 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, that's a well-rounded player who could easily one day make an impact in the NHL.

Originally a fourth-round pick of the Red Wings back in 2022, Johansson is now 22 years old and will look to play in the AHL full-time next season; with the team needing long-term depth on the blue line, he represents a key piece of the franchise's future.

Only time will tell if that offensive game develops enough for him to be more than a third-pairing guy at the professional level, but for now, his development is tracking well, and with his size, he could at least play a role in the NHL in the years to come.

9. Jesse Kiiskinen - Right Wing

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At No. 9, we have perhaps the most overlooked prospect in the Red Wings organization: Jesse Kiiskinen, another player who made his arrival in North America known in 2026/27, as the talented winger appeared in three games for the Grand Rapids Griffins to end the season.

That came after a World Juniors performance where he posted 6 goals in 7 games for Finland, and now he'll look to find a permanent AHL role in 2026/27.

A former third-round pick, Kiiskinen is tracking well for a player who spent most of last season in Finland's top league, where he managed 17 goals and 28 points in 54 games played. For him to take that jump to being NHL-caliber, he's going to need a few more years of development, but with a knack for scoring big goals and being a playmaker in the offensive zone and in transition, he's a player who could easily find a role at the highest level one day.

8. Eddie Genborg - Right Wing

Sweden forward Eddie Genborg Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Eddie Genborg was drafted in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft by Detroit, and he has already made himself known after posting 25 points in 43 games in Sweden last season before making the jump to the AHL for the final 11 games of the season.

Not only that, but he was a significant part of Sweden's gold medal at the 2026 World Juniors, where he scored 3 goals and 8 points in 7 games played, showing that he's capable of dominating the competition.

The step up from Sweden and the AHL to the NHL is a massive one, and it's one that takes some players a long time, but at just 19 years old (and won't be 20 until after the 2026/27 season), Genborg is showing signs of a player who could crack Detroit's roster sooner rather than later.

While his puck skills and skating still need some work, he's a monster in front of the net and uses his physicality over all 200ft of ice to make an impact, and if Detroit can work on those skills, they may have a long-term answer in their middle six.

7. Michal Postava - Goaltender

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Michal Postava Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The first of two goaltenders on this list, Michal Postava, out of Czechia, joined the Red Wings ahead of the 2025/26 season as an undrafted player, and immediately, he showed in the AHL why he could have a future in the NHL.

In 25 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, Postava posted a ridiculous 1.71 GAA and a .937 save percentage, and after just one season, he could genuinely push Daniil Tarasov for the backup spot behind John Gibson.

In the Calder Cup Playoffs, Postava was just as good, and given that he's still only 24 years old, there's time for him to develop, given the later prime of goaltenders, so while he's not a big name and wasn't a huge draft pick, he's a name for Red Wings fans to keep a close eye on.

6. Nate Danielson - Center

Detroit Red Wings center Nate Danielson Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Last season, the prospect who got the most ice time in the NHL with the Red Wings was former first-round pick Nate Danielson, and while his role was limited, he did show some upside across 28 games played.

In that time, the 21-year-old posted 2 goals and 7 points, and after tallying 15 points in 18 AHL games, the team will have a true decision to make on him heading into 2026/27.

The main reason for that is that Danielson is already too good for the AHL, but with no clear, open space in the top nine (as he shouldn't be anywhere near the fourth line), he may need to start there until a role is opened up.

Ultimately, Danielson's upside is much lower than other players ahead of him on the list, but the floor is also very high, and while he may never blow anyone away with the production in the NHL, he's going to be a very good two-way player for years to come.

5. Max Plante - Forward

USA’s Max Plante Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect

Max Plante was listed as a center in his draft year, but since then he's primarily played on the wing, and while that's his projected position in the NHL, that versatility will help him fill many roles at the next level.

Back in 2024, he landed in Detroit in the second round, and in 2025/26, he took a massive leap forward, winning the Hobey Baker Award on the back of a season that saw him tally 25 goals and 52 points across 40 games for the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

That type of production in college hockey in a loaded conference isn't something you see often, and while that may not translate to being a top-six player in the NHL, fans are understandably excited about his potential.

At 5-foot-10, 181 pounds, the size may hold him back as well, but with the offensive upside and the playmaking abilities, we could see him in the NHL in the near future after he chases an NCAA Championship with his brothers in 2026/27.

4. Carter Bear - Left Wing

Between 2017 and 2023, the Red Wings had seven straight drafts of top-10 players, and with Raymond, Seider, Edvinsson, and Kasper drafted during that time, that may have served them well for their future. However, they need to add talent outside of that top-10 area, and in 2025 they're hoping they landed an elite-level talent at No. 13 in Carter Bear, who has been dominating the WHL for years now.

Across the past two seasons, Bear has combined for 76 goals and 159 points in 109 regular-season games with the Everett Silvertips, and in 2025/26, he helped lead them all the way to the WHL Championship and an appearance at the Memorial Cup.

While he's not as highly thought of as other forwards drafted in the past few years, the Red Wings won't mind Bear flying under the radar, and with so much offensive upside, the hope is that he can be a true difference maker as he makes the jump in competition.

3. J.P. Hurlbert - Left Wing

JP Hurlbert reacts beside NHL commissioner Gary Bettman Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

J.P. Hurlbert was the Red Wings’ latest addition to their prospect pool, and given that the team gave up goaltender Sebastian Cossa to get him in the 2026 NHL Draft, hopes are high for the Texas native. Last season with the Kamloops Blazers in the WHL, Hurlbert posted 42 goals and 97 points in 68 regular-season games, so it's easy to see why the Red Wings fell in love with him as a prospect.

Sure, there are question marks over his skating and whether or not he has the power and speed to be a top-six player in the NHL, but even at 6-foot-0, 185 pounds, he has the physicality to be someone who can hold up against NHL opposition.

He is committed to the University of Michigan for the 2026/27 season. That jump in competition could be a great thing for Hurlbert's development, and if that goes well, he's a player who could contribute for years in Detroit.

2. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard - Right Wing

Detroit Red Wings forward Michael Brandsegg-Nygard Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Red Wings are lacking many things at the moment, and beyond the duo of Alex DeBrincat and Lucas Raymond, perhaps their biggest missing piece is another star winger, something they hope that 20-year-old Michael Brandsegg-Nygard can become.

Last season, MBN got his first taste of hockey at the NHL level, and while he had just one assist across 14 games, he dominated in the AHL, posting 20 goals and 44 points in 60 games played.

Now, he's expected to take the leap to the NHL full-time next season, and given that he's got the size to compete at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, along with the immense skill, he could play a role in the middle six if given the opportunity.

If that doesn't happen, though, he's still just 20 years old and has time to develop in the NHL, but given the trajectory we've seen from him thus far, it's a matter of when, not if, he develops into a good, productive player at the top level.

1. Trey Augustine - Goaltender

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At the 2026 NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings made one splash move, and that was to deal one of their most promising young players in Sebastian Cossa, and in the process, the team acquired Hurlbert, who found himself rather high up on this list.

Perhaps the reason the team was confident in making that trade was due to Trey Augustine, who made his debut with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins last season after three fantastic campaigns at the NCAA level with Michigan State.

In his final college season, Augustine was lights out across 34 games, tallying a 2.11 GAA and a .929 save percentage, and while he had just two games in the AHL to end out the year, those will serve him well as he potentially takes over in the starting role ahead of the 2026/27 season.

At 21 years old, Augustine has time on his side given how long it usually takes goaltenders to mature in the NHL, and if the team can be patient with him, he could take over right when they become a team ready to contend.

Only time will tell if Augustine's tools work at the next level, but given that he's 6-foot-1 with tremendous reactions and skill in the net, there's no reason why he can't be the next great Red Wings netminder in the NHL.