It’s finally here. The Detroit Red Wings prospects tournament kicks off in just a couple of weeks on September 15th.
Detroit’s first game will be on September 16th. The five-team event will also include top prospects from Toronto, Columbus, St. Louis, and Dallas.
Following that, the Red Wings training camp begins on September 22nd.
The future is bright in Detroit, and that will be on full display later this month.
Let’s look at the top-six prospects in the Detroit Red Wings organization.
Honorable mention: William Wallinder, Theodor Niederbach and Eemil Viro
(Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
6. Albert Johansson, 21, defense
The Detroit Red Wings selected Albert Johansson with the 60th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Level Draft.
Since being selected by the Red Wings, the left-handed defender has steadily improved. Over the past three seasons, Johansson has played with Farjestads BK Karlstad of the Swedish Hockey League.
In his first season, Johansson recorded 13 points in 42 games; he’d follow that up with 19 points, including eight goals the following season. The 21-year-old scored five goals and totaled 25 points over 52 games last season.
Johansson is preparing for his first professional season in North America with Detroit’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Tony Ferrari of Dobber Prospects had this to say about Johansson;
A strong, intelligent two-way defenceman who skates with a fluid stride. Not afraid to block shots, make some hits, and has a decent point shot. The offense is starting to come along.
The young defender stands a slender 6 feet tall, weighing around 175-pounds. He’s a bit light and will need to add some muscle before he’s ready to make an impact at the NHL level.
Had the Detroit Red Wings not bolstered their blueline in free agency by adding veterans Ben Chiarot, Olli Maatta, Mark Pysyk, and Robert Hagg, Johansson quite possibly would have made a push to begin the season in Detroit.
Despite Pysyk being injured and Hagg likely destined to start the season in Grand Rapids, Johansson will be hard-pressed to make Detroit’s roster from day one.