No. 19: Red Wings Needs Are Opportunity for Dower Nilsson

Editor’s Note: This is the 19th installment of a Detroit Hockey Now series assessing the Detroit Red Wings’ prospects’ path to the NHL. The emphasis will be on what their chances are of playing regularly in the NHL and when we can expect to see them wearing the Winged Wheel.

NHL Draft status: 73rd, 2023

Detroit Hockey Now Ranking: No. 19 Red Wings prospect

Hgt./Wgt: 6-0, 185 pounds

Age/Experience: 21, playing first season with the Grand Rapids Griffins

When Noah Dower Nilsson signed his entry level contract with the Detroit Red Wings, he called it an honor to be with such a storied franchise.

This is a committed player, someone who made it his goal to play in the NHL. He comes across as a person with confidence in his ability.

With his skill level, and the Red Wings need to create a stable of offensive contributors, it feels as if the Red Wings will give him a chance to show what he can do.

Without knowing who the new Director of Hockey Operations will be, it’s impossible to guess what the team’s position on prospect development will be going forward. But the new person undoubtedly will be aware of the criticism the franchisee team has taken for not giving players a legitimate opportunity to show what they can do at the NHL level.

Perhaps the next group of players coming up through the pipeline, including Dower Nilsson will earn some games at the NHL level before the Red Wings decide their future.

In 48 games for Frolunda HC, he put up six goals and 10 assists for 16 points. He added two goals and two assists for four points in six postseason games.

Over the past two seasons, playing against Sweden’s top players, Downer-Nilsson has 10 goals and 26 points in 83 games.

Three Reasons Why Dower-Nilsson Will Play in the NHL

Strong offensive skills, strong shot, with quick release.

Sees the ice well and that supports clever playmaking ability.

Good hands around the net, in traffic, has instincts to take advantage of the loose change arround the net.

The young Swede has had more than his fair share of injuries in his young career. Is he durable enough?

He added pounds and strength in the past year and that should help. But part of taking the last step to the show is proving you can stay healthy over the course of a now 84-game NHL regular-season.

Also, needs to be more focused when he doesn’t have the puck. He also lacks explosiveness in his skating and needs to work on adding more power to his stride.

At 21, Dower Nilsson probably will spend at least a season and a half adjusting to North Americawn hockey. That puts him in Detroit later in 2027-28 season.

The Red Wings need scorers and centers. Dower Nilsson has played some center.

But it all depends on his production. Strong numbers could expedite his rise.

He certainly will need to embrace coaching instruction on how to be a better two-way player. Dower-Nilsson boasts a quick stick.

He can strip players of the puck. Quality defensive play could also reduce his time in the AHL