Red Wings’ youth excited to show skills, return to game action at 2026 NHL Prospect Tournament

DETROIT -- The NHL Prospect Tournament gives the Detroit Red Wings’ hopefuls a chance to showcase their development in a highly competitive environment, and the 2026 edition – which kicked off at BELFOR Training Center inside Little Caesars Arena on Saturday afternoon – is no different.

“I felt a lot better throughout the game, but I think that’s just because you’re playing hockey again,” goalie Trey Augustine said after Detroit’s 4-3 shootout win over the Dallas Stars later that night. “There’s nothing like playing games…It’s good to get a couple games before we get to Training Camp in about a week.”

Augustine is among the Red Wings' contingent of recent draft picks, free-agent signees and tryouts who make up this year's tournament roster, which is also set to battle the Pittsburgh Penguins (7 p.m. on Sunday) and Columbus Blue Jackets (2 p.m. on Tuesday).

Behind Detroit’s bench for the fourth straight NHL Prospect Tournament, Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Dan Watson noted he’ll be in “evaluation mode” over these next few days.

“I will say that for sure,” Watson said. “I’m looking to see what their skillsets are, maybe what roles they can fill. I saw [Dylan] James and [Kienan] Draper there -- they were the first ones over the boards for penalty kill. Everyone’s got a role to fill in GR, and I’m just trying to see where everyone’s going to fit and what they can bring to our team.”

Although these games don’t count in the standings, they matter a great deal to all the youngsters who are trying to take the next step. And with only four preseason contests before the NHL’s newly expanded 84-game regular-season schedule in 2026-27, that leaves less room than before to make a strong impression.

“It’s great to get those games and come into Camp as ready as you can be,” defenseman Anton Johansson said. “You have games under your legs, and you know what it’s all about.”

Johansson and forward Nate Danielson are two on this roster with a good deal of professional experience – Johansson has appeared in 178 pro games since 2019, while Danielson has played in 117 since 2017.

As a result, Watson is counting on them to help set the tone for the rest of the group.

“They got to be leaders,” Watson said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. They’re thrust into these leadership positions now. Even Anton, this is his first Prospect Tournament, but he’s still looked upon as a guy who knows what we, as a staff, want and what the organization wants because he’s been around it. And so, these guys are leaned upon heavily to make sure that the guys know the schedule, they’re on time for everything, they understand the systems, they understand the structure we want to play with and how we want to play, sort of the mentality side of it. You can already see they’re taking that leadership seriously, and I think it’s good for their growth and their development in those types of roles.”

For a player like Danielson, getting as much early action as possible is important considering he sustained a season-ending injury with the Griffins in February.

“He needs this,” Watson said. “It’s been seven months since his last competitive game. We want to give him the best chance heading into Camp, and so I think this is a great warm-up for him, great opportunity to compete against other people other than summer hockey skates, so I think this is big for him. I thought he looked good tonight.”

Watson also complimented forward Carter Bear’s play on the ice against the Stars.

“He has no problem going to the hard areas,” Watson said. “Whether it’s digging along the wall, in the corners, around the net front -- just look at the goal he scored. He took that from below the goal line. A lot of times, you’re going to be facing some physicality around the net. He has no problem going there, and you saw some of the speed, the skill he brings. But he’s also responsible, and I think he’s going to be a really good player. He’s just, again, learning the pro style of hockey. But with him, it’s his willingness to do the hard things.”

All Red Wings games in the 2026 NHL Prospect Tournament will be streamed live on DetroitRedWings.com, free to watch for fans in the Red Wings’ television territory (state of Michigan + Lucas County, OH).