Red Wings prospects Simon Edvinsson and goaltender Sebastian Cossa helped the Griffins reach the playoffs in 2024.Brad Repplinger/Rockford IceHogs
The Detroit Red Wings’ 2023-24 season was unusual in at least one way – they began the year with no rookies or even second-year players on the roster.
That won’t be the case next season or the following years. The team figures to get progressively younger with more recent draft picks making it to the NHL and sticking around.
Here’s a look at a half-dozen Red Wings prospects and projections of when they’ll be on the roster (with draft year and position):
Jonatan Berggren, RW (No. 33 in 2018): He appeared to have arrived in 2022-23 when he tallied 15 goals and 13 assists in 67 NHL games. But there was no room for him in the Red Wings’ top nine and he doesn’t have the checking ability to play on the fourth line, so he spent most of the season in Grand Rapids, where he flourished (team-leading 24 goals and 56 points in regular season and five goals and 10 points in the playoffs). He’s no longer waiver-exempt, so he’s guaranteed of being on the NHL roster.
Albert Johansson, D (No. 60 in 2019): Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde called Johansson a “puck-moving machine.” He might have gotten a look with the big club late in the 2022-23 season if not for an injury. After two seasons in Grand Rapids, he is ready for the NHL. He has to be, he’s no longer waiver-exempt. But he will face a lot of competition from veterans to crack the lineup.
Timeline: 2024-25 season.
Elmer Soderblom, LW (No. 159 in 2019): He impressed with his size (6-8) and skills during 2022 training camp and the preseason and made the season-opening roster. Hampered by an injury, he lasted only 21 games (five goals, three assists) before being sent to Grand Rapids. He had 13 goals and 16 assists in 61 games last season for the Griffins but needs another year of development, which will be his final waiver-exempt season.
Timeline: 2025-26 season.
William Wallinder, D (No. 32 in 2020): A big defender (6-4, 204) who skates and moves the puck well, he’s coming off his first AHL season (three goals, 12 assists in 65 games). There is no rush to bring him up. He’ll likely spend two more years with the Griffins before competing for an NHL job.
Timeline: 2026-27 season.
Simon Edvinsson, D (No. 6 in 2021): He was destined to start the season in Grand Rapids after the Red Wings acquired three veteran defensemen last summer. Promoted in mid-March, he did well in 14 pressure-packed games with a playoff spot on the line, in a top-four role with Jeff Petry. The 6-6 puck-mover clearly is NHL-ready even though he’s exempt from waivers for two more seasons.
Timeline: 2024-25 season.
Sebastian Cossa, G (No. 15 in 2021): He made progress his first pro season with ECHL Toledo in 2022-23 and continued to grow this past season in Grand Rapids (22-9-9, 2.41 goals-against average, .913 save percentage). He turns 22 in November and it generally takes goalies longer than skaters to develop. He’ll spend another season in the AHL before making a serious push for an NHL job.
Timeline: 2025-26 season.
