Red Wings land in 3rd place in latest TSN ranking

While the current Detroit Red Wings' situation isn't ideal, a major selling point for fans hoping to see their team break their lengthy postseason drought is the bevy of exciting prospects within the system.

To that end, TSN recently published their annual NHL team ranking of 'Core 4 U-24 players'. The Red Wings slotted into the third spot, behind their divisional rival Montreal Canadiens at No. 1 and the San Jose Sharks in second place.

With his first selection since taking over the position of Red Wings general manager in April 2019, Steve Yzerman selected Seider with the sixth pick in the 2019 Draft.

While the move surprised many, Seider proved to be the correct decision by Yzerman when he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie for 2021-22.

Raymond was taken with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 Draft, though there was considerable controversy when the Red Wings fell to fourth in the Draft Lottery despite owning the worst record by a considerable margin in 2019-20.

Both players were signed to eight-year contract extensions by Yzerman after the completion of their rookie deals.

21-year-old Swedish defenseman Simon Edvinsson is also playing in his first full NHL season on Detroit's blue line, while Marco Kasper has since joined the team from the AHL and has scored twice in the last three games.

And waiting in the wings are a bevy of young, talented prospects. Among the players who will eventually hit the ice wearing the Winged Wheel include the following:

-Nate Danielson (9th overall pick in 2023)
-Sebastian Cossa (15th overall in 2021)
-Michael Brandsegg-Nygård (15th overall in 2024)
-Axel Sandin Pellikka (17th overall in 2023)