3 Red Wings Prospects Who Will Graduate to NHL This Season

Nate Danielson is one of the Red Wings prospects who should graduate to the NHL club this year

The Detroit Red Wings are hoping to snap their playoff drought this coming season, nine years and counting. But to do so, their boost will have to come from within. Other than adding John Gibson between the pipes (yes, a pretty significant add), the Wings didn't do much else this offseason.

But as noted by Max Bultman of The Athletic, they should have three top prospects ready to contribute at the NHL level, in some form or another, in 2025-26.

Carter Mazur, Forward

A day this past March that was supposed to be celebrated by Mazur and his family and friends instead ended in a devastating moment. Just one minute into his NHL debut, the gritty forward suffered a season-ending upper-body injury. But he isn't letting that deter him from making sure he earns a spot in the bottom six this fall.

“I was called up for a reason,” Mazur recently told DetroitRedWings.com. “My game is still there. It’s not a career-ending injury, but the thought of that happening with all my family and friends there is still brutal."

Mazur added 15 pounds of muscle this summer, which he hopes will help him avoid the injury bug, which also cost him a couple of months earlier last season while in the AHL. He posted 15 points in 20 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

With "a nose for the net, willing to dig out pucks for second chances and boasting an impressive shot," writes Bultman, he can see Mazur having "a nice path to a bottom-six role" this season—IF he can stay healthy.

Nate Danielson, Center/Forward

The Wings' No. 5 prospect, who was the 9th overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Danielson has the 200-foot game and hockey IQ that should earn him a role with Detroit this season, likely as a middle-six center.

When, however, is the question.

"He’d need a big camp to make the team for opening night," writes Bultman, "...but it’s easy to imagine him getting a look at some point this season and earning his keep when he does."

Sebastian Cossa, Goaltender

The team's No. 3 prospect made one NHL appearance last season, a 45-minute relief effort in December, but it felt like he would be ready to get a real shot at sharing a role between the pipes in the Motor City this season... That is, until the Wings acquired Gibson. But with 38-year-old Cam Talbot as the backup, Bultman expects the 6'6" Cossa to get a real look this season.

"If he can show he’s ready for the next level, it’s realistic to think he could get a handful of games in 2025-26... and be ready to share the net with Gibson in 2026-27."