Top 20 Detroit Red Wings Prospects To Watch In 2019-20

Jesper Eliasson, Växjö Lakers HC, 6 Games Played in 2018-19

When fans think about the Detroit Red Wings top goaltending prospects, some of the names that come to mind are Keith Petruzzelli and Filip Larsson, but Jesper Eliasson is a prospect that could become a name to be added to the mix over time.

With Larsson having the highest ceiling, Petruzzelli needing to show a lot of improvement to be considered a solid prospect, but Eliasson is currently the middle ground between the two.

In 2018 the Red Wings selected the Swedish goaltender in the third round of the draft. Eliasson is a nineteen-year-old netminder who will be spending his 2019-20 season with the Almtuna Is of Allsvenskan.

He stood 6-foot-3, 209 pounds and was a solid goaltender depth draft pick by the Red Wings. Drafting a goaltender can always be tricky, and the Red Wings have a good reputation with the transformation of Swedish talent, so that could have been the motive behind the selection of Eliasson.

Eliasson is a goaltender who is a quick blocker but may not have the most athletic of frames. Plenty of scouts say the same things about him, unathletic but speedy to block the puck, and in need of development. Finding anything on this kid besides stats is pretty tough, he has not made a lot of noise, and the Detroit Red Wings will hope for this to change as time goes on. He can see development into a reliable goaltender with his size and quickness at the forefront of his game.

In 2018-19, Eliasson played for the Växjö Lakers HC where he played in only six games for the SHL team but 33 for the SuperElit club. With SuperElit Växjö Lakers HC he posted a 2.43 goals-against average, and a .919 save percentage. Eliasson put up substantial numbers with the SuperElit club and this season he looks to show improvement with Almtuna IS. This season will be vital for him to show strides of development in the Swedish leagues before coming over to the organization’s affiliates.

Early Expectation: With most information unavailable and 2018 draft profile details pointing to improvement being needed, Eliasson is in a similar spot to Petruzzelli. If Eliasson can use 2019-20 to show signs of improvement, then he can jump into the scope of the organization. But right now he’s on the outside like Petruzzelli hoping to create buzz around himself.

Eliasson has size on his side, but lacks the athleticism. If he can make strides in becoming an all-around goaltender, it will bode well for his future in the organization.