The Daily: Red Wings Have Two on Top Prospect List; Trade Talk

TSN’s Top 50 NHL-affiliated prospects list, compiled by Craig Button, included two Detroit Red Wings players, although not in the order Detroit fans might have guessed.

Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Simon Edvinsson, generally considered Detroit’s top prospect, was ranked 25th. Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka was listed at No. 8. Sandin Pellerin was drafted with the 17th pick last summer and has played remarkably well.

Skelleftea player Sandin Pellikka received an “A” grade from Button, meaning he projects to be a top pairing defenseman, while Edvinsson has a B grade. His projection would be as a top 4 defenseman. Edvinsson has been as high as No 3 on a previous year’s Button list.

Edvinsson is closer to the NHL than Sandin Pellikka, but Button undoubtedly sees a higher ceiling for Sandin Pellikka.

Goalie Sebastian Cossa did not make the list, even though the Red Wings are pleased with his progress, particularly his play over the past two months. His absence is made more noteworthy by the presence of Minnesota goalie prospect Jesper Wallstedt who was drafted after Cossa in the 2021 draft. Button ranked Wallstedt 18th on his latest list.

Another candidate for the list would have been center Nate Danielson who is playing well (21 points in 16 games) for Portland in the Western Hockey League. But he didn’t make the cut

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Former Detroit Red Wings player dies at 91
• Detroit defenseman Ben Chiarot is the self-proclaimed “OT Assassin.”
• Goalie Sebastian Cossa is making steady progress as a Detroit prospect.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings play the St. Louis Blues today at noon in a matinee game at Little Caesars Arena. Who’s hot: Patrick Kane scored the game-winning goal with 1:18 remaining in overtime. Kane netted the 15th overtime goal of his NHL career (regular season and playoffs combined), which is the third most by a U.S.-born player behind Johnny Gaudreau (16) and Max Pacioretty (16).

Hockey Now Network

Boston: Jimmy Murphy has trade talk about the Boston Bruins.

Philadelphia: A former Philadelphia Flyers player made scoring history in the Kontinental Hockey League.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski has Pittsburgh Penguins trade talk. He asks the question about whether the Vegas Golden Knights really need Reilly Smith?