Detroit’s group of young forwards is making its case the old-fashioned way at the NHL Prospects Tournament: by going right through traffic and heading straight to the net.
Jesse Kiiskinen has been one of the clearest examples. The Detroit prospect didn’t just stand out with his play; he grabbed attention with his own description of how he attacks the game.
Asked about his habit of driving to the net, Kiiskinen said: “That’s like a big part of hockey. I like net-front battles.
Sometimes you get hurt, but maybe I’m that crazy Finn that wants to go there.”
That kind of edge has shown up throughout the Red Wings’ prospects group at Little Caesars Arena. Kiiskinen, Carter Bear and Sutter Muzzatti have all been noticeable because of how they work in and around the crease, while former Swiss League standout Theo Rochette has shown he can handle the puck in traffic near the net.
Muzzatti, who stands 6-foot-6 and is the son of former NHL goalie Jason Muzzatti, said he realized early on that using his size around the goalmouth could make him effective. “It’s definitely a big part of my game,” Muzzatti said.
That sort of willingness to battle in front would be a useful addition for Detroit, even if none of these players is ready for The Show just yet.
The Red Wings close out the tournament today against the Columbus Blue Jackets at 3:30 p.m. Trey Augustine is the likely starter in goal for Detroit, and the game will be streamed live on DetroitRedWings.com.
The tournament itself is also set for a change. It will no longer be permanently based with the Red Wings.
The Pittsburgh Penguins will host in 2027 with Detroit, Columbus and Dallas in the field, followed by Columbus in 2028 and Dallas in 2029. That rotation would bring the event back to Detroit in 2030.
Former Detroit goalie Cam Talbot also has attainable bonuses built into his deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
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For Detroit, the change matters because the people making the calls now have to keep the machine moving while the larger picture remains unsettled. Horcoff is in position to manage the everyday work that comes with the job, from roster choices to cap questions to the personnel side of hockey operations, and the timing leaves the Red Wings in a spot where one major organizational decision could carry a lot more weight than usual. [Read more 🡒]
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For Detroit, the appeal is straightforward: a big-bodied prospect who can bring some grit and presence to the mix while likely starting out with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Muzzatti still has to prove he can translate that style to the pro level, and this camp is the first step in finding out how far his game can go within an organization looking for useful depth. [Read more 🡒]
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The bigger question around Dower Nilsson is less about whether the talent is there and more about how it shows up shift to shift. Watson sees a highly skilled player and wants to keep pushing for a little more assertiveness, a little more shooting instinct and a more consistent edge to his game. With defenseman Will Murphy and winger Luka Arkko both sidelined by injuries, the Red Wings have had fewer pieces available to sort through, which only makes Dower Nilssons final impression in this setting more important. [Read more 🡒]