RSS
Home
Catching up with the Red Wings top prospects
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Darren Helm celebrates goal (AHL News)
In The Hockey News annual Yearbook published to coincide with the start of training camp every season, the publication identifies each organizations top 10 prospects.
Overall the publication graded the Detroit Red Wings prospects a B- and ranked them 14th out of the 30 NHL teams in the fall. Their assessment in the Yearbook was as follows “Prospect pipeline keeps churning them out. Check the names of Detroit’s late picks in ’07 and ’08 and you’ll find a future superstar.”
Let’s catch up on how the top five prospects as identified in the publication are doing this season.
- Jakub Kindl, D, 21 years old, 6’3”, 206 lbs
Current team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
26 GP, 4 G, 10 A, 14 PTS, 28 PIM, -9
Regarded as a potential top four defenseman in the NHL with tremendous puck moving skills. Is well ahead of last season’s scoring pace, however his +/- rating continues to be a concern. According to hockeysfuture.com which, in addition to grading a player’s potential, assigns a probability rating that a player will meet that potential, Kindl could drop from a top two defenseman to a third pairing player. For the complete Jakub Kindl profile on hockeysfuture.com click here.
- Jonathan Ericsson, D, 24 years old, 6’5”, 220 lbs
Current team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
22 GP, 0 G, 7 A, 7 PTS, 28 PIM, +5
Although his offensive numbers are down from last season’s pace, his defensive play has been stellar. He has taken on a greater leadership role as an alternate captain as well. Is in his third season in Grand Rapids after being the last player selected in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft and has progressed steadily every year, including this year. Last year played in the AHL all-star game and is again deservingly on the ballot this year. For the complete Jonathan Ericsson profile on hockeysfuture.com click here.
- Jimmy Howard, G, 24 years old, 6’1”, 208 lbs
Current team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
15 GP, 5-7-2 record, 2.99 GAA, 0.891 SP
By all accounts Howard has all the tools to be a starting goalie in the NHL, however both The Hockey News and hockeysfuture.com bluntly assess why he has not challenged for a spot in Detroit. “Hasn’t shown enough consistency in the AHL,” states The Hockey News. “Howard will need to work on his consistency as it’s his biggest downside so far. He will also have to cover the upper part of the net more effectively and increase his rebound control,” added hockeysfuture.com. For the complete Jimmie Howard profile on hockeysfuture.com click here.
- Brendan Smith, D, 19 years old, 6’2”, 184 lbs
Current team: University of Wisconsin (WCHA)
17 GP, 5 G, 9 A, 14 PTS, 38 PIM, -2
The Badgers got off to a slow start but Smith and the rest of the talented D at Wisconsin have led the team to a 9-1-1 stretch heading into the winter break on their schedule. Smith attended Team Canada’s training camp in Ottawa in hopes of representing his country at the Under-20 World Championships starting Boxing Day, but was one of the players who was cut on Monday. For the complete Brendan Smith profile on hockeysfuture.com click here.
- Darren Helm, C, 21 years old, 5’11”, 185 lbs
Current team: Grand Rapids (AHL)
23 GP, 7 G, 13 A, 20 PTS, 4 PIM, -3
In his second season with the Griffins Helm ranks second in team scoring just one point behind Ville Leino. Was nominated for the CCM/AHL player of the month award in November. He has established himself as the first forward to get called up to Detroit and has twice received the call this season and played three games. In his last game in Detroit he saw regular duty and played 14:43. For the complete Darren Helm profile on hockeysfuture.com click here.
For more info: hockeysfuture.com has great information about a number of propsects for each NHL team including a unique grading system that combines ability and probability of fulfilling their ability.
More About:
Detroit Red Wings ·
Hockey ·
Grand Rapids ·
Jonathan Ericsson ·
Jakub Kindl ·
Darren Helm ·
Jimmie Howard ·
Brendan Smith
Related Articles:
Comments
_350.JPG)
Miikka Kiprusoff stopped 40 shots and the Calgary Flames shutout the Detroit Red Wings 3-0. It was the second consecutive game at home that the Red …
_350(1).JPG)
Red Wings 1933: The Red Wings acquired Cooney Weiland from the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Carl Voss. 1972: Current Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood …
 350.JPG)
- Anaheim Ducks Examiner - Liz Brownstein
- Atlanta Thrashers Examiner - Phil Foley
- Boston Bruins Examiner - Mark Marino
- Buffalo Sabres Examiner - Richard Carl
- Calgary Flames Examiner - James Duplacey
- Carolina Hurricanes Examiner - Lance Jenkins
- Chicago Black Hawks Examiner - Dieter Kurtenbach
- Colorado Avalanche Examiner - Brian Thompson
- Columbus Blue Jackets Examiner - J. Justin Boggs
- Dallas Stars Examiner - Adam Amick
- Florida Panthers Examiner - Rick Menning
- Los Angeles Kings Examiner - Jonathan Moncrief
- Minnesota Wild Examiner - Charlie Beattie
- Montreal Canadiens Examiner - Heather Engel
- Nashville Predators Examiner - Jim Diamond
- New Jersey Devils Examiner - Joe Rizzo
- New York Islanders Examiner - Lee Forman
- New York Rangers Examiner - Rob Cristino
- Philadelphia Flyers Examiner - Chris Shafer
- Phoenix Coyotes Examiner - Anthony Perez
- Pittsburgh Penguins Examiner - Shawn McCullough
- San Jose Sharks Examiner - Nikolas DeMordaunt
- San Jose Sharks Examiner - Michael Duca
- St. Louis Blues Examiner - Vincent Brennan
- Tampa Bay Lightning Examiner - Althea Pashman
- Toronto Maple Leafs Examiner - Andrew Kavanagh
- Vancouver Canucks Examiner - Daniel Fung
- Washington Capitals Examiner - Michael Hoffman
- Washington Capitals Examiner - Dmitry Chesnokov
- NHL Examiner - Chris Morgan
