Gustav Lindstrom

Lindstrom made the jump to North America in 2019-20, recording one assist in 16 NHL games and another five helpers in 45 outings with AHL Grand Rapids. The second-round pick from 2017 will need some time in the minors to continue earning experience in 2020-21, but he should see some action with the big club, too. He doesn't have a particularly impressive scoring record in the second-tier Swedish league, with 23 points in 87 games for Almtuna IS. He'll be on loan with that team until training camp opens in Detroit, but consider Lindstrom a longshot to make the Opening Night roster. Most likely, he'll be back in Grand Rapids for the bulk of the upcoming campaign.

As a Swede developing in the Red Wings organization, Lindstrom is in good hands. The Original Six club has had tremendous success grooming the likes of Hall of Famer Nicklas Lidstrom (different spelling) and current team captain Henrik Zetterberg, who's destined for the Hall himself. However, some scouts considered the right-shot defenseman a reach when the Wings took him in the second round (38th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. After producing eight goals, 15 assists, 60 PIM and a minus-9 rating over 87 games with the Allsvenskan league in his home country, Lindstrom is literally waiting in the Wings -- he'll be fine-tuning his game with Frolunda HC of the SHL in 2018-19.