from The Athletic,
Who’s the hottest for each team?
The Athletic posed that question to its NHL staff, stipulating that while very recent call-ups are eligible, the prospects should not be current full-time NHLers.
In response, we heard about top picks ready to make the leap, hidden gems earning bigger opportunities and players on the precipice of making an NHL impact. Here are the picks.
Carter Mazur: A 2021 third-round pick, Mazur was one of the biggest surprises in the Red Wings’ farm system last season, and he’s taken it to another level in 2022-23. Building off a strong showing at the summer world juniors, Mazur is on a goal-scoring tear at Denver, where he has 12 goals in 12 games for the Pioneers. That led the country entering the weekend. Mazur is a multidimensional player who brings a high baseline of competitiveness and physicality to the ice, which — combined with the scoring touch he’s shown since the draft — makes him a highly intriguing prospect. He looks like a future top-nine piece for Detroit. — Max Bultman
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from Nate Brown of Detroit Hockey Now,
It wasnt long ago that Michael Rasmussen seemed like an enigma to the fanbase and analysts. The Detroit Red Wings ninth pick in the 2017 NHL Draft wasnt finding the net, and at times didnt seem like the player Detroit thought it was getting as a top-10 pick.
What a difference a year makes.
Rasmussen had a strong second half to close out the 2021-22 season and then parlayed it into an even stronger start to this season. Hes been one of the most consistent players on the roster and though he might not always show up on the scoresheet, hes making the small plays that have led to some big results for Detroit.....
He may not put up buckets of goals but hes following in the footsteps of role players from Detroits successful past. Rasmussen has grown more into his frame and been stronger driving to the net. Hes unafraid to jump in front of a shot and finds himself playing in the tense moments of tight games.
Hes even seen the metrics fall in his favor.
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from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,
Maybe there are no must win NHL games in November. But there are definitely should win NHL games this early in the season. The Red Wings have one of those contests tonight in Columbus. If the Detroit team wants fans to believe it is an improved team, it has to consistently beat teams beneath them in the standings.
If the Red Wings win this game, they close out the road trip with a respectable 2-1-1 record. They will be 1-2-1 if they lose in regulation. That would be disappointing, considering that three of the four teams didnt make the playoffs last season.
We have a chance to make this a pretty good road trip, Red Wings forward David Perron told Bally Sports after they beat the San Jose Sharks.
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