The Detroit Red Wings are entering an important stage of preseason with several of their top prospects making a strong case for NHL opportunities.
Detroit’s camp roster has been trimmed to 28 players, and a number of highly regarded youngsters remain in contention. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, Axel Sandin-Pellikka, Nate Danielson, Anton Johansson, Carter Mazur, Carter Bear and William Wallinder are among those competing for opportunities.
Not all of them will make the opening roster, but their performances are giving Detroit’s management an encouraging problem to solve. With questions surrounding Dylan Larkin and concerns about the team’s overall depth, the emergence of several prospects could provide some much-needed optimism.
Brandsegg-Nygard Showing His Physical Side
Brandsegg-Nygard and Sandin-Pellikka both earned spots with Detroit out of camp during the 2025-26 season. Neither, however, was able to remain with the NHL club for the entire campaign.
Brandsegg-Nygard played only 14 games, producing one assist while averaging 12:31 of ice time. Even with limited offensive production, he showed plenty of physicality and gave the organization a glimpse of his potential as a power forward.
His recent preseason performance against Pittsburgh offered another reminder of what he can bring. During Detroit’s 7-4 victory over the Penguins on Tuesday, he scored twice in 12:43 and delivered eight hits.
Sandin-Pellikka Continuing to Make His Case
Sandin-Pellikka appeared to be on track for an extended NHL stay last season before eventually being sent to Grand Rapids following the trade deadline.
The defenseman has once again impressed during preseason. He’s been trusted with top-four minutes and contributed a goal along with two blocked shots in Thursday’s victory over Buffalo. He also found the back of the net against Pittsburgh earlier in the week.
His ability to handle significant minutes could make his roster battle particularly interesting as Detroit gets closer to opening night.
Danielson Looking to Put Injuries Behind Him
Nate Danielson is another prospect worth monitoring closely.
Injuries disrupted his 2025-26 campaign and limited him to 28 games with the Red Wings. He finished that stretch with seven points, including two goals, and added an assist in Tuesday’s preseason victory.
A healthy season could give Danielson an opportunity to show why Detroit selected him so highly and potentially establish himself as a regular NHL option.
Johansson Delivers a Statement Performance
Anton Johansson also gave Detroit’s coaching staff plenty to think about.
The defenseman appeared in eight regular-season games for the Grand Rapids Griffins last season, collecting six points and scoring twice.
He then produced an eye-catching performance against Pittsburgh, recording four assists while playing 22:27. A performance like that could earn him additional opportunities as the Red Wings continue evaluating their defensive options.
Mazur Could Address Detroit’s Depth Concerns
Carter Mazur is another prospect who could eventually provide help at the NHL level.
His progress was also affected by injuries last season. He appeared in only 16 regular-season games with Grand Rapids but made the most of them, scoring 11 goals and recording 16 points.
That production earned him an eight-game opportunity with Detroit. He wasn’t able to register a point during that stretch and was primarily used in a bottom-six role, but another strong preseason could put him back into the conversation.
Bear and Wallinder Still Have Work to Do
Carter Bear and William Wallinder face a more difficult path toward securing NHL jobs, but their presence this late in camp is significant.
Remaining in the mix suggests that both players have caught the attention of the organization. Even if they ultimately begin the season elsewhere, their development will be worth following throughout the year.
A New Generation Could Change Detroit’s Direction
The Red Wings have experienced a turbulent offseason. Dylan Larkin’s trade request becoming public, combined with Steve Yzerman’s departure as general manager and Shawn Horcoff stepping into the interim role, has created considerable uncertainty around the organization.
Against that backdrop, the progress of Detroit’s young players provides another storyline to watch.
The Red Wings have accumulated considerable talent in their prospect pool, and several of those players are now pushing for NHL opportunities. If their preseason performances translate into meaningful contributions during the regular season, Detroit could have more internal solutions to its roster problems than previously expected.
