Ted Kulfan's top Red Wings prospects

1. Anthony Mantha, LW, 6-4, 214 pounds, 2013 first round. 2015-16 STATS: Grand Rapids (AHL), 60 games, 21 goals, 24 assists, 45 points. ANALYSIS: Got a taste of the NHL and showed he wasn’t out of place. Mantha has size, scoring ability and is learning to compete every shift. Defense remains a work in progress. But Mantha will likely be on the Red Wings’ roster to begin the season.

2. Evgeny Svechnikov, LW, 6-2, 205 pounds, 2015 first round. 2015-16 STATS: Cape Breton (QMJHL), 50 games, 32 goals, 47 assists, 79 points. ANALYSIS: A big wing with an accurate shot and fantastic hands, Svechnikov is able to score in tight areas and doesn’t mind the physical play. He played well in a brief stay in the AHL playoffs for Grand Rapids. Will start the 2016-17 season with the Griffins, and isn’t far away from the NHL.

3. Xavier Ouellet, D, 6-1, 201 pounds, 2011 second round. 2015-16 STATS: Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL), 61 games, 4 goals, 25 assists, 29 points. ANALYSIS: Out of waiver exemptions, Ouellet likely (finally) will get a full-time opportunity with the Red Wings out of training camp in October. Ouellet plays a sound, two-way game and has looked comfortable in brief NHL appearances.

4. Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, 6-1 190 pounds, 2013 second round. 2015-16 STATS: Grand Rapids (AHL), 71 games, 12 goals, 18 assists, 30 points. ANALYSIS: Bertuzzi is fulfilling expectations, playing with energy and grit every shift and pitching in offensively. Bertuzzi had a second consecutive productive playoffs, scoring seven goals in nine games this season.

5. Axel Holmstrom, C, 6-0, 198 pounds, 2014 seventh round. 2015-16 STATS: Skelleftea (Sweden), 48 games, 8 goals, 15 assists, 23 points. ANALYSIS: Holmstrom has made good progress through the junior ranks and was named Sweden’s best junior player a year ago. He plays a gritty style, likes to go to the net, and has offensive ability. The main drawback currently is his skating; it would be a step slow at the NHL level.

6. Robbie Russo, D, 6-0, 190 pounds, undrafted free agent. 2015-16 STATS: Grand Rapids (AHL), 71 games, 5 goals, 34 assists, 39 points. ANALYSIS: Had an impressive rookie pro season with the Griffins. He’s capable of moving the puck and quarterbacking the power play. Russo has leadership qualities, uses his body, and could contend for an NHL job soon.

7. Joe Hicketts, D, 5-8, 174 pounds, undrafted free agent. 2015-16 STATS: Victoria (WHL), 59 games, 8 goals, 53 assists, 61 points. ANALYSIS: An exciting prospect who starred at the junior level. Hicketts captained Canada in the world juniors and has the playmaking and skating ability that can bring fans out of their seats. Lack of size is an issue, so he’ll need to get stronger.

8. Ryan Sproul, D, 6-3, 205 pounds, 2011 second round. 2015-16 STATS: Grand Rapids (AHL), 75 games, 12 goals, 23 assists, 35 points. ANALYSIS: Is out of waiver exemptions, and must be exposed to waivers in October if he doesn’t start the season on the Red Wings’ roster. Sproul has all the physical tools and has improved defensively. His offensive ability has never been questioned for this very intriguing prospect.

9. Tomas Nosek, C, 6-2, 210 pounds, undrafted free agent. 2015-16 STATS: Grand Rapids (AHL), 70 games, 15 goals, 15 assists, 30 points. ANALYSIS: Nosek doesn’t overwhelm with offensive ability, but does all the things that coaches love and has steadily improved as a pro. During a brief stay with the Red Wings, Nosek showed the ability to kill penalties and was sound defensively. He isn’t far from playing in the NHL.

10. Martin Frk, RW, 6-1, 194 pounds, 2012 second round. 2015-15 STATS: Grand Rapids (AHL), 67 games, 27 goals, 17 assists, 44 points. ANALYSIS: Finally showed this season the offensive ability many scouts were wondering whether Frk would achieve at the pro level. Frk has good size and is tough mentally, but now has to follow up next season with another productive campaign.

11. Nick Jensen, D, 6-0, 195 pounds, 2009 fifth round. 2015-16 STATS: Grand Rapids (AHL) 75 games, 3 goals, 16 assists, 19 points. ANALYSIS: Jensen is out of waiver exemptions and will either make the Red Wings or be exposed to waivers. He is stronger offensively than defensively, but it’s doubtful he’ll start the season with the Red Wings. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him back in Grand Rapids.

12. Vili Saarijarvi, D, 5-10, 163 pounds, 2015 third round. 2015-16 STATS: Flint (OHL), 59 games, 12 goals, 31 assists, 43 points. ANALYSIS: Survived a turbulent season in Flint with some impressive hockey. Saarijarvi doesn’t have much size but he skates well and can create offense from the blue line. Still learning to play defense, but is a genuine prospect with his ability with the puck.

13. Jared Coreau, G, 6-5, 235 pounds, undrafted free agent. 2015-16 STATS: Grand Rapids (AHL), 47 games, 29-15-1, 2.43 GAA, .922 save percentage. ANALYSIS: Coreau has steadily progressed through the organization and is beginning to show signs of being an NHL goalie. A big goalie with athletic instincts, Coreau still needs to work on technique and consistency.

14. Dominic Turgeon, C, 6-2, 196 pounds, 2014 third round. 2015-16 STATS: Portland (WHL), 72 games, 36 goals, 34 assists, 70 points. ANALYSIS: Turgeon has been a productive junior player and will begin his pro career in Grand Rapids next season. It’ll be interesting to see how Turgeon’s offensive game translates to the pros, but scouts feel he’ll be a real good penalty killer and he has fantastic instincts.