Red Wings 30 in 30: Season outlook | Burning questions, reasons for optimism | Fantasy outlook
Here are the Red Wings' top five prospects, according to NHL.com:
1. Anthony Mantha, RW
How acquired: Selected with No. 20 pick of 2013 NHL Draft
Last season:Grand Rapids (AHL): 60 GP, 21-24-45; Detroit: 10 GP, 2-1-3
A 6-foot-5, 214-pound natural goal scorer, Mantha, 21, uses his size to get position in traffic around the net. He skates well for his size but needs to keep his feet moving.
There are 14 forwards on Detroit's roster, so Mantha will have to earn it to make the team out of training camp. But if he does, the Red Wings could use his goal-scoring ability and his size.
Projected NHL arrival:This season
2. Xavier Ouellet, D
How acquired:Selected with No. 48 pick of 2011 NHL Draft
Last season:Grand Rapids (AHL): 61 GP, 4-25-29; Detroit: 5 GP, 0-1-1
Ouellet is a 6-foot-1, 200-pound steady defender who, at 23, projects to be, at best, a No. 4, but more likely a good third-pair player. He played 30 games for Detroit over the past three seasons, with two goals, four points and a plus-2 rating. He makes a good first pass out of the zone and, generally, isn't really noticed on the ice to the untrained eye. That's good for a defenseman. Ouellet is likely to make the roster out of training camp.
Projected NHL arrival:This season