Red Wings prospect Axel Sandin-Pellikka mentioned in controversial prospect rankings list made by NHL Network. 

On Wednesday, NHL Network released their top 25 prospects in the league with some notable omissions that caught the eyes of many. The Detroit Red Wings only had one name on the list with defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka at 21st overall. 

It's time to take a look at the next generation of stars!

Introducing our list of the Top 25 Prospects! pic.twitter.com/1W9xS23R14

— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) September 9, 2025

The list was curated by the Network's Research Department, which seems a bit confusing as most of the players on the list are pulled from this last year's draft mixed in with the same few names that every NHL prospect expert or insider has mentioned over the past few years. There's more players in the AHL and farm systems that are starting to show promise of being an impact player at the NHL level and are neglected for recency bias.

Detroit has several players in their prospect pipeline that were drafted higher, have better numbers at the junior level and have already shown more promise in their early development than some of the mentioned players. An example of this is Jacob Fowler over Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine. 

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features. 

3 Red Wings Prospects That Could Make NHL Debut This SeasonExploring three Detroit Red Wings prospects that could make the jump to the NHL in the 2025-26 season.

The numbers of the Boston College netminder in Fowler are certainly impressive with a 57-13-3 record and a 1.90 goals against average. However, Augustine has routinely been Team USA's choice for a starting netminder in world tournaments as he's been on four different national teams compared to Fowler's one appearance in which he was outplayed by Augustine and started less games. Augustine was also taken ahead of Fowler in the same draft class, going 41st overall to the Red Wings while Fowler wasn't picked until the third round at 69th overall by the Montreal Canadiens. 

Another example could be Nate Danielson, who was the ninth overall pick in the 2023 Draft and is already pushing for a main roster spot this upcoming season. He's significantly further into his development and has shown signs of being an impact player with his seamless transition to pro hockey this past season. 

Putting up nearly 40 points as a rookie isn't easy and yet he remains off the list while Nashville's Brady Martin is at the 25 spot. It's hard to predict Martin's future as a young 18-year-old that has only played two seasons of junior hockey, Meanwhile, at 18 years old, Danielson put up 78 points compared to Martin's 72 last season. 

There are still plenty of question marks surrounding younger players especially when it comes to potential regression or not living up to expectations, even for top-five picks. Martin, for example, was drafted early largely due to his playing style, which drew comparisons to Florida’s Sam Bennett. With Danielson, there’s little left to question as he’s proven himself to be a high-end prospect, ready to compete for an NHL spot this season, and based on how smoothly he transitioned to the AHL, he could make an immediate impact. 

There are other names besides Danielson and Augustine that have been held off the list with the majority of the hockey community on X questioning it's legitimacy. Some are calling it just a graphic to help entertain hockey fans as the regular season nears with others calling the rankings "rage bait" meaning the post was just to incite a reaction out of viewers. The controversial rankings have certainly been effective in generating off-season conversation.

Red Wings’ Alleged Interest in Former Norris Trophy Winner Refuses to Go AwayWhile the Detroit Red Wings were among the more active teams in free agency this summer, none of their acquisitions can realistically be considered a major addition. 

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Two former New York Rangers players have landed professional tryouts (PTOs) with the same team.

According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Tyler Motte and Ben Harpur have signed PTOs with the Florida Panthers. 

A few PTOs to share, with training camps closing in:#GoHabsGo G Kevin Mandolese#FlaPanthers F Tyler Motte#FlaPanthers D Ben Harpur

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) September 10, 2025

Motte spent this past season with the Detroit Red Wings, where he posted four goals, nine points, 72 hits, and a minus-11 rating in 55 games. Now, he will be looking to impress during his PTO with the Panthers to help his chances of landing a contract for the season.

Motte had two brief stints with the Rangers as a trade deadline rental, where he posted five goals, 10 points, 57 hits, and a plus-1 rating in 33 games. 

Harpur, on the other hand, spent each of the last two seasons exclusively with the Rangers' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. In 29 games with the AHL club in 2024-25, he posted one goal, five points, and 48 penalty minutes. 

Harpur last played at the NHL level with the Rangers during the 2022-23 season, where he recorded one goal, six points, 57 blocks, 63 hits, and an even plus/minus rating. 

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The key to being a successful team in the big leagues is depth in all positions. One of the most crucial and effective positions is the center position. They facilitate the offense, they play on both sides of the ice, and they’re in the dot for faceoffs.

Last season, the AHL saw a handful of centers stand out, and they likely caught the attention of their NHL clubs. Here are a few AHL centers with a chance to make it to the NHL next season. 

Luca Del Bel Belluz, Cleveland Monsters

Luca Del Bel Belluz has played parts of two seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Cleveland Monsters. In the AHL last season, he saw a big jump in offensive production. 

In his first year in Cleveland, he scored nine goals and 31 points in 58 games, finishing sixth on the team in scoring. Last year, the 21-year-old registered 27 goals and 53 points in 61 appearances, good enough for third-best on the Monsters’ roster.

Despite playing 16 NHL games across those two years, Del Bel Belluz has played his way into the conversation of playing even more games with the Blue Jackets next year.

Alex Steeves, Providence Bruins

Alex Steeves has been a top player in the AHL for several seasons now. Since signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs organization in 2021, he has played four seasons with the Toronto Marlies. 

In each of those seasons, Steeves has been a top-three scorer on his team. Last year was his best, as he scored 36 goals and 62 points in 58 games, finishing second in the AHL in goals and eighth in points. In addition, Steeves became the Marlies’ all-time leader in goals (105) and points (216).

With those accolades and consistency, Steeves should be destined to get a full NHL season with the Boston Bruins, who signed him in free agency to a one-year deal. 

Bradly Nadeau and Ryan Suzuki, Chicago Wolves

Bradley Nadeau and Ryan Suzuki are both in a similar position when it comes to where they stand for the Chicago Wolves and their chances with the Carolina Hurricanes. 

These centers, who are also capable of playing the wing, finished one point away from each other last season in the AHL. Nadeau scored 32 goals and 58 points in what was his rookie season, while Suzuki recorded 12 tallies and 59 points, leading the Wolves in scoring.

One distinguishable attribute between these two players is that Nadeau, 20, is far younger than Suzuki, 24. If either of these players gets an honest look in the NHL, it could all depend on how management sees the situation. One could be called up because they have more experience, or the other may get that opportunity because they have shown more promise at a younger age.

Check out our AHL to KHL signing tracker and AHL Free Agency signing tracker.

Former Detroit Red Wings forward Cross Hanas has made a surprise appearance at the Dallas Stars’ training camp, reportedly attending on a professional tryout (PTO) agreement. The 23-year-old winger, once considered a promising prospect in the Red Wings organization as a second round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, is now looking to earn a spot in Dallas after becoming an unrestricted free agent this summer.

His name is Cross Hanas and we will miss him 🥺🫶 pic.twitter.com/FjLkK93kR7

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) September 10, 2025

Hanas spent the 2024–25 season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, Detroit’s AHL affiliate, where he tallied 9 goals and 8 assists over 58 games. While his production showed flashes of skill and playmaking ability, it wasn’t enough to secure a long-term commitment from Detroit. The Red Wings declined to extend him a qualifying offer as a pending restricted free agent, making him available to other teams.

Now in Dallas, Hanas is aiming to reignite his career in a new environment. The Stars, known for giving young players a shot, could offer the change of scenery he needs. Whether he earns a contract remains to be seen, but his presence in camp signals both a second chance for him and a low-risk look at untapped potential for Dallas.

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced their rosters for the 2025 Prospects Challenge in Buffalo, which takes place Sept. 11-15.

And there is one particularly notable omission from the roster. 

Forward prospect Rutger McGroarty - who was acquired from the Winnipeg Jets last summer and debuted with Pittsburgh last season - will not participate in the Prospects Challenge due to an undisclosed injury. 2025 draftees Bill Zonnon and Peyton Kettles will also miss the Challenge because of injury.

McGroarty, 21, missed the last few games of the NHL season as well as the remainder of the AHL season and playoffs due to a lower-body injury sustained in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks on Apr. 8. It is not known whether or not his current injury is an extension of the one he sustained previously.

The injury statuses of McGroarty, Zonnon, and Kettles will be updated by GM and POHO Kyle Dubas prior to the onset of training camp.

The roster for the Prospects Challenge includes 24 players (14 forwards, eight defensemen, two goaltenders), with some returning players and eight 2025 draft picks. Forwards Ville Koivunen and Tristan Broz as well as defensemen Owen Pickering and Harrison Brunicke are a few of the players returning, while draftees such as goaltender Gabriel D'Aigle, forward Ben Kindel, and defenseman Quinn Beauchesne will be making their Prospects Challenge debuts.

Top-20 Penguins' Prospects 2025: Young Forward Keeps Getting Better And BetterHeading into the 2025-26 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins have shifted the focus to youth and development.

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Here is the full roster for the Prospects Challenge:

Forwards:
- Tristan Broz
- Atley Calvert
- Jordan Charron
- Kale Dach
- Brayden Edwards
- Max Graham
- Avery Hayes
- Travis Hayes
- Ben Kindel
- Gabe Klassen
- Ville Koivunen
- Ryan Miller
- Nolan Renwick
- Carter Sanderson

Defensemen:
- Quinn Beauchesne
- Harrison Brunicke
- Finn Harding
- Daniel Laatsch
- Brady Peddle
- Owen Pickering
- Emil Pieniniemi
- Chase Pietila

Goaltenders:
- Gabriel D'Aigle
- Sergei Murashov

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4 Penguins Who Could Surprise In 2025-26It’s no secret that the expectations for the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t exactly sky-high this season. The team is somewhere in the midst of a rebuild, and there is uncertainty regarding the futures of several players on the roster.

The Penguins are one of five teams participating in the annual event, with the others being the Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, and Boston Bruins. They will play in three games, including their first against the Bruins on Friday at 3:30 p.m. and their second against the Blue Jackets on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

Pittsburgh will conclude the challenge - same as last season - against Buffalo on Monday, Sept. 15 at 12:00 p.m. The Penguins will look to follow up on their performance in last season's challenge, when they were the only team to finish a clean 3-0. 

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ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Blues announced their roster and training camp schedule, which is slated to get started with on ice sessions on Thursday, Sept. 18.

Practices will be held at Centene Community Ice Center and run through Friday and Saturday before beginning the 2025 preseason schedule with a road game against the Dallas Stars on Saturday, Sept. 20.  

Ice times for the first three days of camp and the full 2025 preseason schedule can be found below.  All camp practice sessions will be free and open to the public. 

Blues 2025 Training Camp On-Ice Schedule (practice times subject to change)

Thursday, September 18 & Friday, September 19

Early Group

9:30 a.m. (USA Rink)

10 a.m. (NHL Rink)

Late Group

11:30 a.m. (NHL Rink)

Noon (USA Rink)

Saturday, September 20

Non-Playing Groups

9:30 a.m. (Group A – NHL Rink, Group B – USA Rink)

10:15 a.m. (Scrimmage – NHL Rink)

Game Group

11:30 a.m. (NHL Rink)

6 p.m. – Blues at Stars

Blues 2025 Preseason Schedule (all times central)

September 20: Blues at Stars – 6 p.m. 

September 21: Blues at Blue Jackets – 4 p.m.

September 27: Blues vs. Blackhawks – 6 p.m.

September 30: Blues vs. Stars – 7 p.m.

October 2: Blues vs. Senators – 7 p.m.

October 4: Blues at Blackhawks – 6 p.m.

Training Camp Roster: