As a follow up to the [Prospect Pool Rankings](https://www.reddit.com/r/DetroitRedWings/s/1LwBzqEgAS), Wheeler has [ranked his Top 75 Drafted players](https://theathletic.com/5303482/2024/03/04/top-nhl-prospects-2024-matvei-michkov?source=user-shared-article) (plus 40 honorable mention). DET, CBJ, and NSH lead the way with five ranked prospects each of the 115 total listed. Four teams don’t have a prospect on the list: NYI, OTT, FLA and VGK. Also, NYI and OTT don’t have a prospect among the 40 honorable mentions. FYI, suggests no goalies ranked in this list.
Detroit breaks down as (Rank – Name – Position Rank – Tier)
* **11. Simon Edvinsson** (LHD2 -Tier 3)
* **24. Axel Sandin-Pellikka** (RHD4 – Tier 3)
* **40. Marco Kasper** (C14 – Tier 4)
* **42. Nate Danielson** (C15 – Tier 4)
* **HM. Carter Mazur** (NR – Tier HM)
All of the scoring reports apply from the protects prospect pool rankings! (But here’s a recap of my summaries)
* **Simon Edvinsson**: Soft hands that you just can’t teach on big guys like him. Awareness and playmaking has grown and skating has always been good but also now more refined. Tenacious and has continued steady development towards being an everyday top-6 defenseman next year in NHL. Will be a good and “different” player at the NHL level if he keeps his assertiveness up.
* **Axel Sandin Pellikaa**: Has at one point or another exceeded expectations and stood out at each level he’s played. SHL scoring has there, and his U18 exploits are well documented as one of the best of the year. Solid physically on defense and skating propels him through the neutral zone. Has chance to be a high-end offensive D at NHL level and defensive capabilities to get top 2/4 pairing time.
* **Marco Kasper**: Still just 20, everyone he’s played with and for loves his game. Plays 200-ft game like a pro even if he’s not an elite offensive forward which normally gets all the hype. Plays centrally and should translate to the NHL as a C, but expect more middle-6 ceiling than not. Might have a shot to be an all-situations contributor.
* **Nate Danielson**: Wheeler has vocally always preferred Benson where Danielson went, but acknowledges the growth and Danielson. Not totally “Dynamic” but scouts love his projectability. 3C floor with regular middle-6 time to be expected. More “200-ft” talk here than I’d expected.
* **Carter Mazur**: Hard and heavy game, especially for being not very big. Plays well in all three zones and loves to get centrally and to net-front. Great on the puck and in battles, with grit. Fringe top-6 players, but likelihood to play for some time at NHL level.
FYI, overall top 10:
**TIER 1**
* **1. Michkov (RW1)**
* **2. Nemec (RHD1)**
**TIER 2**
* **3. Clarke (RHD2)**
* **4. Will Smith (C1)**
* **5. Gauthier (C2)**
* **6. Benson (LW1)**
* **7. Perreault (LW2)**
* **8. Nikishin (LHD1)**
* **9. Kent Johnson (LW3)**
* **10. Jiricek (RHD3)**
Edvinsson tops Tier 3.
Enjoy!
#LGRW
by bandofgypsies
6 Comments
Lol at OTT
Have to say, love the balance in our pool. We still know we lack elite F but ASP absolutely showing huge potential on value so far. As good or better than most the ranks.
Danielson seems very low on this list. He was shutting down Bedard in the preseason. I think he surprises people and makes the team next year.
Also second reminder that this over rank specifically excludes Goalies, which will be coming in a separate Top 15 list for their position (unlike before which was a 50 skaters and separate list of 10 goalies, we now get 75 skaters and 15 goalies breakdowns).
Need a star forward. Couldn’t get a top 3 pick. That will hurt this team going forward. Need at least a couple superstars
Flyers getting a guy like Matvei Michkov at #7 is exactly the type of luck we needed in a rebuild but never really got.