The Daily: Young Red Wings Don’t Need GPS to Drive to the Net; Tournament Will Rotate

It’s usually a memorable effort or playing style that endears a prospect to a team’s management and coaching staff. Sometimes it can involve a goal, or an assist, a hit, even a blocked shot.

But Detroit prospect Jesse Kiiskinen managed to get everyone’s attention with a quote.

Asked about his penchant for driving to the net, Kiiskinen said: “That’s like a big part of hockey. I like net-front battles.

Sometimes you get hurt, but maybe I’m that crazy Finn that wants to go there.”

The self-described crazy Finn is one of a handful of young Detroit players who are showcasing their NHL potential at the NHL Prospects Tournament at Little Caesars Arena. The tournament wraps up today with the Red Wings playing the Columbus Blue Jackets at 2 p.m.

The game will be streamed live on DetroitRedWings.com.

Trey Augustine is the likely starting goalie for the Red Wings squad.

Kiiskinen, Carter Bear and Sutter Muzzatti have been noticeable among Detroit prospects by their forceful presence around the net. Former Swiss League standout Theo Rochette has shown an ability to handle the puck in traffic around the net.

Six-foot-six Muzzatti, son of former NHL goalie Jason Muzzatti, said he figured out early that using his size to get to the net makes him impactful. “It’s definitely a big part of my game,” Muzzatti said.

Players willing to battle in front for goals would be a welcome addition to the Detroit group., although none of those players are ready for The Show.

The NHL Prospects Tournament is moving away from the Red Wings being the permanent host. The Pittsburgh Penguins will host the tournament in 2027 with the Red Wings, Blue Jackets and Dallas Stars rounding out the field.

The tournament will be in Columbus in 2028 and go to Dallas in 2029. That would put the tournament back in Detroit in 2030.

Former Detroit goalie Cam Talbot has attainable bonuses built into his deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.