Some thoughts on some of our prospects after another year of camps.
Zadina - Likely top 6 winger. Could still be a top liner, but I doubt he ever surpasses Mantha or outproduces Athanasiou. There's also a chance he completely fizzles out and goes the way of a Yakupov.
Veleno - 3C at worse. Possible 1C. But I'm thinking 2-3C. The book on Veleno was that he was a solid two-way C who lacked offensive skills. Sometimes, I guess I see that. Other times, I'm all aboard the hype train. Offensively, it seems like he plays the perimeter a bit too much instead of driving. My bigger questions, right now, are about his defensive positioning - only because his D game was supposedly so mature.
Cholowski - He has some skills and he can skate. His defense is not good. He's also one of the softest defenseman I've ever seen. Probably should never be more than a 2nd pairing (paired with a good defensive D) or third pairing guy who plays the PP. Also - there's a chance his defense just doesn't improve and he totally fizzes out.
Hronek - Everyone seems to think he's awesome. But he, too, still has serious defensive issues that are going to need to be ironed out if he's to reach his potential. Unlike Cholowski, Hronek has some physical bite in his defense. Might be a top pairing guy with a good LD. But if that defense doesn't improve he might have to fall back to a 3rd pairing guy with some PP duties. His willingness to play physical defense is a sign to me that he's no risk of completely bombing out.
Seider - Could be a Parayko type and play huge minutes. Could be a first pairing guy, especially if you have an offensive minded LHD on the other side. Definitely see PK for him. Don't see a lot of powerplay upside, honestly (not that he's awful in the skills department). At worst he's a dependable third pairing, first unit PK guy. But I think he's into a 25-point, 24-minute 2nd pairing guy.
Rasmussen - Never should have spent all year in Detroit when it was clear he couldn't skate and possess the puck at the same time. Bad message to have a kid in the NHL year all year and then boot him to GR next year to learn a new position. One I don't think he'll ever master. Rasmussen still has potential top line ability. Could be our James VanRiemsdyke one day and a major powerplay contributor with some work on his skating, puck handling and core strength. At worst? I suppose there's the chance he flames out completely if he can't improve his speed and develop a game away from the net. At best, 35-goal PP specialist who owns the boards and netfront. Likely? Third line winger and PP specialist who scores 25 goals.
Lindstrom - Still young, but not very impressive. His willingness to battle gives me some home he will fight to improve. 3rd pairing or best. Skating is a major issue.
Regula - Alec is going to get major icetime and score lots of points in London this year. However, I'm not sure he's got NHL skating or ability. I don't see him as future Red Wing. But I reserve the right to change my mind.
Smith - Givani has very uneven efforts, some holes in his game and consistency issues. With improved acceleration, I can see him as an energy line guy who hits and wears down defenses. Not sure he's got PK ability, which could hurt him. At best, third liner who scores 15 goals. At worst, AHLer. Likely: Gets a few cups of coffee. Probably doesn't stick, at least in Detroit, with the number of young forwards we have.
Svechnikov - I see him like Rasmussen. Netfront skills are not as good. But neutral zone skills are better, even though Ras is a better skater. Has size and strength and skills to win board battles and netfront battles. Has potential upside to be a 25-goal goal top six winger who plays the PP. At worst? Two years from the KHL. Likely? 15-goal third line winger who can play up the lineup and work the 2PP unit.
Ehn - Often forgotten - and he's a bit older than the rest, so maybe that's not a surprise. Ehn has the speed and size to be a fourth line defensive/energy/pk guy. He already is that. But he can be a good one. Right now he's barely hanging on to a job. But I think he's got upside as a 3C in that Eller mode - but not as good. He could peak at 30 points one year.
On the other guys - I want to see them more in tournaments and exhibition seasons.
