‘We all want to prove something’: Red Wings conclude 2026 NHL Prospect Tournament

DETROIT -- And just like that, with the Detroit Red Wings' 3-2 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets at BELFOR Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena on Tuesday afternoon, the 2026 NHL Prospect Tournament is officially a wrap.

"I thought the competitiveness and intensity increased every game," Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Dan Watson said. "Happy our guys stuck together and were able to get two out of three wins. They should be proud of the work they put in ... Proud of how (the overall tournament) was displayed here in Detroit."

As it does each fall, this round-robin event offers Red Wings prospects an ideal opportunity to learn from coaches in a one-on-one or small-group setting before the more experienced players arrive for Training Camp.

"It's hard because you feed them so much information," Watson said. "You want to play with some structure. You can't just let them go out there and run around. At times it'll look like that, which it will for all teams, but it's more about the details, the habits they play with, see how much information guys can handle. And I thought our guys, for the most part, looking back at the last two games of video, did a good job. Were there things to clean up? Absolutely. There's going to be mistakes. That's what this game is all about. So, for them it's about moving forward."

Forward Carter Bear was one of many who pointed to the intensity over the past few days as a driving force behind prospects working hard to show what they're capable of.

"It's good to finally go play hockey," Bear said. "It's been a little while. Obviously, it's highly competitive out there. We all want to prove something. Everyone is here for a reason, so we're trying to set a point for it. Everyone wants to battle hard and earn respect around here."

There's been a lot for the youngsters to unpack, but there's even more to prove in the days ahead.

"Everyone that gets invited here has a chance," Bear said. "I want to prove something on my side too. So, for me, I just want to keep my head down and work my ass off. That's all we really can do as well as playing within the systems and all that."

Now, the competition at BELFOR Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena is about to really kick into high gear.

"Everyone has got to show up," Watson said. "You don't have a day to kind of be casual and not show up. You have got to make sure you're on top of your game right from day one of Training Camp ... And then you have a short period of time to show yourself against NHL hockey players. So, for anybody that's looking to make the team, they better be ready to go and have that intensity from the first meeting on."

Detroit, like the NHL's 31 other clubs, is working with four fewer preseason games and two more regular-season contests — a ripple effect on preparation and roster decision-making that, Watson said, impacts American Hockey League affiliates as well.

"Just all the rules and regulations, who you can dress ... I think our guys will still get in games, but that's why we're going to do two exhibition games in Toledo against Cleveland," Watson said of how the expanded regular season impacts the Griffins. "They're going to get their game reps. We'll practice for four days and head right back to Cleveland to start the season. They're going to get enough reps in where they feel comfortable and confident, but it does change a little bit for us."