(Editor’s Note: This is the third installment in Detroit Hockey Now’s Tomorrow’s Red Wings series about some Detroit Red Wings’ prospects)

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman doesn’t over-hype his prospects. That’s not his style. He patiently waits for draft picks to earn their place before saying too much.

That’s why it seems telling that Yzerman seems more willing to speak about Carter Mazur’s potential.

“We signed him and he’s played a half dozen games in GR and he looks like a real good prospect,” Yzerman said. “Is he ready to play next year? Maybe. Maybe not. But he looks like a good prospect.”

Not over the top. But it is certainly an optimistic tone.

“He looks like an NHL player,” Yzerman said. “He skates well, he’s got good hands, he knows where to go on the ice.”

Extended highlights of Carter Mazur's pro debut with the Grand Rapids Griffins #GoGRG #LGRW pic.twitter.com/MVJ4aNt6E7

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) March 30, 2023

Feisty Forward

What you hear from scouts is that Mazur already carries himself like a pro on the ice. He is expected to mature into a Tyler Bertuzzi style forward. Feisty. Skillful. Hard driving.

He helped Denver win an NCAA championship as a freshman and scored 22 goals and registered 37 points in 40 games as a sophomore. He added three goals and three assists for Grand Rapids in six games.

“He’s gonna be on our team and I think he’s gonna be a real good player for us sooner than later,” Yzerman said. “Is it September, October? I’m not sure.”

young man as well, so we have optimism for him.”

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Analysis:  The Red Wings are excited about Mazur’s potential. He has some push-back in his game and enough skill to play in the top six forward group. The only question is how soon he will be ready.

Forecast:  It seems like Mazur will come to training camp with a chance to make the team. He will have to play impressively well to cash in on the opportunity. Yzerman is crystal clear that prospects have to earn their place on a roster.

The post Tomorrow’s Red Wings: Mazur Half-Step Away From NHL? appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

(Editor’s Note: This is the second installment in Detroit Hockey Now updates of some of the Detroit Red Wings’ top prospects)

The Swedish Hockey League is not a young man’s league. Thirty-six of the SHL’s top 50 scorers this season were 28 or older. Henrik Lundqvist’s twin brother, Joel, is on that list and he turned 41 last month.

That’s why it is a noteworthy accomplishment that Red Wings prospect defenseman William Wallinder (drafted 32nd overall in 2020) was the highest scoring SHL player under the age of 21. He doesn’t turn 21 until July 28.

“William Wallinder had a real good year,” Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said. “He’s developed nicely over in Sweden.”

The Red Wings viewed Wallinder as a raw talent when they drafted him. But they believed the 6-foot-3 defender could be molded into an impact performer. He was top pairing D man for Rogle BK this season, and sometimes logged more than 23 minutes per game.

First look at William Wallinder skating for the Grand Rapids Griffins #LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/TDwOToOYGV

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 2, 2023

He finished 63rd overall in the scoring race with seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points. This was Wallinder’s second season with Rogle BK. Moritz Seider also played for Rogle BK and posted 28 points in his only season there.

The Red Wings signed Wallinder as soon as his Swedish team was eliminated from the SHL playoffs. They wanted him to play several games for the Griffins.  However, he was only able to play one game before becoming injured. The Griffins don’t provide information about injuries.

“Expect him to be back over here next year but he’s worked hard and come a long way,” Yzerman said.

Wallinder is a big, puck-moving defenseman with an evolving defensive game.

“He’s got a lot of work to do still, but he is a prospect,” Yzerman said. “His skating has really improved, as has his puckhandling and his play. He was in a very good program in Rogle in Sweden. We’ve got Nik Kronwall and Nick Lidstrom close by watching him and working with him to the extent that they can. He’s developed nicely. He’s maturing as a young man as well, so we have optimism for him.”

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Analysis: The Red Wings are excited about Wallinder’s progress. However, he’s not a finished product. He needs more polish to his game.  Based on what we are hearing, he’s not yet ready for NHL defending. Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson are ahead of Wallinder, just based on their experience

Forecast: Unless Wallinder takes a giant step early in the season, he probably will spend the entire season in the AHL  But at some point, the Red Wings could have three Swedes (Edvinsson, Johansson and Wallinder) in their top six.

Red Wings Intrigued by Amadeus

The post Tomorrow’s Red Wings: Wallinder Made Big Progress in 2022-23 appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings’ fascination with Flint Firebirds center Amadeus Lombardi goes well beyond his rockin’ first name.

“Amadeus Lombardi had an awesome year in Flint,” Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman said Friday. “He’s really a good little player. He’s very creative.”

The Aurora, Ontario native made his pro debut Friday night with the Grand Rapids Griffins and picked up his his first point with a slick pass on a Taro Hirose goal. The Griffins lost 2-1 to the Rockford IceHogs.

“All things considered, I thought he played very well tonight,” Griffins coach Ben Simon said.

AMADEUS LOMBARDI!

First professional point in his first professional game, a pretty set up to Taro Hirose! #LGRW #GoGRG pic.twitter.com/Jpw6VjpWl9

— IcehockeyGifs (@IcehockeyG) April 14, 2023

“I am just trying to play my game and see what happens,” Lombardi said.

Adjusting to Pro Game

He said he noticed immediately that speed and strength of the AHL will require him to step up his game. He didn’t sound concerned about it.

“It’s going to be a little bit of an adjustment, but I am very excited for it,” Lombardi said. “I am trying to get my feet wet, play as well as I can, and just gather experience, but I think I can bring some positive energy, and on the ice, some speed, playmaking ability,  just trying to play my game and see what happens.”

Amadeus Lombardi (drafted 113th overall in 2022) is fast, spunky and skilled. Ontario Hockey League coaches voted him the smartest player in his division. Coaches also voted him second in stickhandling and playmaking. He was third in the OHL scoring race with 102 points.

Doesn’t Play Small

“He’s 5-9. 5-10, 170 pounds,” Yzerman said. “That doesn’t matter. He’s real competitive. Is he in there running guys over, knocking guys out? No. But he drives to the net, he somehow gets to the corners first, he makes plays, he’s very creative. He’s a very entertaining player.”

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Lombardi seems driven to succeed. His Firebirds lost their first round playoff series to the Saginaw Spirit, but not because of Lombardi. He posted five goals in seven games.

“Can he take that to the American League or the NHL one day? I hope so,” Yzerman said. “He certainly has the ability to do that. He’s going to have to adjust to playing against bigger, stronger, faster guys but had a really good year and is a fun player to watch. We really hold out optimism for him to be one of those guys that’s on the smaller side who just has it to be an NHL player. Time will tell but I’m kind of excited by the potential that he has.”

Analysis: The Red Wings are intrigued about Lombardi’s potential as an offensive catalyst. This will be an important summer for him to add some muscle in the weight room.

Forecast:  Likely to spend next season with the Griffins, and maybe get a call-up for games at the end of the season.

The post Tomorrow’s Red Wings: Yzerman Singing Amadeus’ Praises appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.