This week's prospect check in features two of Detroit's top offensive prospects in the European hockey leagues and begins our look into what may be the biggest hole in Detroit's development pipeline, the left side of the defense. Make sure to check out Part 1 of the series to see how some of the Red Wings more local prospects are doing.
Eddie Genborg (2025, #44)
Genborg was drafted by the Red Wings this past year in the second round after splitting time with Linkoping’s under 20 and top team in the Swedish Hockey League. With the U20 club, Genborg had 19 goals and 15 assists for 34 points in 28 games, along with a goal and two assists in three playoff games with the team. With the top club, Genborg had 2 goals in 28 games, though it should probably be mentioned that all of this production was made before the 6’2” forward turned 18. So far this year in his age 18 season, Genborg has 13 points with with his new team, Timra IK. With 7 goals and 6 assists is second on the team in total points. Genborg is a physical winger who has upped his offensive production this season. Draft projections had him as a bottom six forward, but his draft +1 season could be showing some intriguing hidden upside. At the very least, he looks to be a pest for Red Wings’ opponents in the future.
Jesse Kiiskenin (2023, #68)
The Red Wings traded for winger Kiiskenin nearly two years ago now, acquiring his rights from the Nashville Predators in exchange for defense prospect Andrew Gibson. Some were surprised by the move at the time given the glaring hole the Red Wings have along the left side of the blue line. However, Kiiskenin had something of a breakout season last year with HPK in Finland’s top league, Liiga. In 46 games Kiiskenin had 44 points with 14 goals and 30 assists. Kiiskenin took that scoring touch to the U20 World Junior Classic with 6 goals and 1 assist in 7 games, helping Finland achieve silver and being voted as one of the top 3 players on the team.In the summer, the Red Wings signed Kiiskenin to a three year deal. So far this season Kiiskenin has 6 goals and 7 assists in 20 games which projects as a slight dip in production from last year, but Kiiskenin could still potentially sneak into the back end of the AHL season if he has a solid showing across the pond.
Anton Johansson (2022, #105)
Johansson (no relation to Red Wings’ Albert Johansson) is a big Swedish defenseman with some offensive prowess to his game. That won’t necessarily show up on the scoresheet, but Johansson’s ability to control the game through his puck movement combined with his physicality gives him a chance for Detroit’s bottom pair. Last year the nearly 6’5” defenseman had 5 goals, 5 assists, and 50 penalty minutes in 46 games with Leksands of the SHL. After concluding his season in the SHL, he hopped across the Atlantic to help Grand Rapids finish out their season in North America. In 11 regular season games with the Griffins, Johansson had 5 assists and would add another in the Calder Cup Playoffs. In 13 games with Leksands this year, Johansson has a goal and 3 assists and has (so far) lowered his penalty minutes to less than one per game at 11.
Next Week:
On the docket for next week will be part 3, the conclusion of this early season prospect check in, which should have a look into some of Detroit's goalies of the future and some quick hits on some other players not already covered.