Detroit Red Wings Top 20 Prospects

Jun 26, 2015; Sunrise, FL, USA; Evgeny Svechnikov poses for a photo with team executives after being selected as the number nineteen overall pick to the Detroit Red Wings in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft at BB&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The dog days of summer are finally here for hockey fans. All the excitement of the draft has finally evaporated and Free Agent Frenzy has passed. As of now, NHL teams are holding their prospect development camps to get an idea of how their new shiny toys stack up versus their other prospects.

October appears to be a light-year away. Fortunately for you, Frozen Futures has you covered. Each day we will be going over the Top 20 Prospects for a team in the NHL. From Arizona to Winnipeg, we have you covered.

The Detroit Red Wings were one of few teams who did not acquire a new #1 prospect after the NHL Draft. Even though Evgeny Svechnikov is a great addition to the prospect pool, 2014 first round pick Dylan Larkin is still a better prospect.

Larkin, just a freshman at Michigan last year, is a gifted power player who could be an NHL All-Star with the Detroit Red Wings. Larkin signed his ELC with the Wings this offseason so he will be with the Red Wings organization next season. He will be tested in training camp to see if he has what it takes to play with the NHL squad.

"“Larkin has shown he can be an elite-level power forward in addition to showing a high level of offensive ability. His ability to take the puck hard to the net allows for unique scoring chances most players would not be able to get because of a lack of size and strength.” – Future Considerations"

2015 first round selection Evgeny Svechnikov is an offensive genius and has the skills to put up impressive points. After being selected in the 2nd round of the CHL Import Draft by the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, Svechnikov wasted no time in making a name for himself in the QMJHL. He earned a spot in the CHL Top Prospects Game and All-Rookie Team after a 78 point season (32 goals, 46 assists).

"“Incredibly skilled offensive winger. Has a remarkably accurate shot to go along with some magic hands. Could be better defensively, but his game is based around his acute sense of what is happening on the ice in the offensive zone. All-in-all, a deadly player who possesses good size, elite-level skill, and smooth skating.” – Joe Curtis, Elite Prospects"

Teemu Pulkkinen is one of the Wings older prospects at the age of 23; however, still has some upside. Pulkkinen just experienced his first full NHL season last year and scored his first NHL goal. He spent a considerable amount of time in the NHL after proving that he is outgrown the AHL. Pulkkinen finished first in the league in goals (34) in 46 games.

Xavier Ouellet is the only defenseman inside the top 5. Ouellet, like Pulkkinen, has seen some shifts for the Red Wings. He has spent most of his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL. Ouellet, 22, showcases strong two-way play and has offensive capabilities as well.

The #5 slot is edged out by Tyler Bertuzzi by a hair. The Wings have multiple prospects that could have been in the #5 spot like Andreas Athanasiou or Anthony Mantha, but Tyler Bertuzzi showed what people thought was a big improvement; however, as I pointed out back in May, Bertuzzi had the skill all along and just brought it into a bigger audience in the AHL.

Another noteworthy prospect, Dominic Turgeon, slipped outside the top ten after a so-so performance with the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks. His 18 goals and 25 assists kept him out of a higher spot along with the impressive performances of Landon Ferraro and Jake Paterson.

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Come back to Frozen Futures for the next Top 20 Prospects on the Edmonton Oilers