Axel Sandin-Pellikka leads a deep Detroit contingent as Scott Wheeler’s latest rankings affirm the franchise’s rebuilding strength, showcasing six rising stars destined to bolster the roster.
On Tuesday, The Athletic's Scott Wheeler released his top 100 drafted NHL prospects rankings, and the list was headlined by several recently drafted players who have yet to suit up for an NHL game.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Gavin McKenna topped the list with San Jose Sharks forward Ivar Stenberg, taken right after McKenna in the 2026 Draft, slotting in at second on the list.
Despite falling all the way to seventh overall on draft night, Seattle Kraken defenseman Chase Reid still landed at No. 5 on Wheeler's list, making him the third-highest ranked player from the 2026 class behind McKenna and Stenberg. Rounding out the top four were a pair of 2025 draftees, with Philadelphia's Porter Martone at third and San Jose's Michael Misa at fourth.
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The Detroit Red Wings were one of the most represented organizations on the list, with six prospects making the cut. Defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka was Detroit's lone top-50 selection, while three more Red Wings prospects landed inside the top 66 with Carter Bear at 59th, recently drafted forward JP Hurlbert at 64th, and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård rounding out the group in the 66th spot.
Further down the list, center Nate Danielson checked in at 85th overall, with forward Max Plante rounding out Detroit's group at 89th.
Having six players featured continues to reinforce just how deep Detroit's prospect pool has become, and Wheeler's rankings serve as another data point suggesting the Red Wings' rebuild is trending in the right direction as the organization looks to finally finish off their turnaround and build a sustainable contender for years to come.
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