The Left Wing Lock

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The Detroit Red Wings have invited ten free agents to round out their roster for the NHL Prospect Tournament beginning in Traverse City on September 16th.

Among those auditioning are two-way forward Mathew Santos and power forward Luke Coleman (pictured). Also included on this years roster are a handful of players inked to AHL contracts including Mike Borkowski, Kyle Criscuolo, and Matthew Caito.

Following is a review of the invitees (listed alphabetically).

• Mike Borkowski – The 6-foot, 182 pound forward finished his final season with Colgate University before signing a tryout contract with Binghamton of the AHL. The Ontario native signed an AHL deal with Grand Rapids over the summer.
• Justin Brazeau – The 6-foot-4, 192 pound winger is described as a two-way power forward in the making. The Ontario native was mostly used on the bottom two lines last season for North Bay thus accounting for his mere 13 points in 65 OHL games. Brazeau has some intriguing tools including his size and ability to drive the net but he hasn’t been able to put everything together which is why he was over in this years NHL draft.
• Matthew Caito – The 5-foot-11, 190 pound defenseman was signed out of the University of Miami by the Griffins in the off season. Caito is an undersized offensive defenseman who adds to the Griffins depth.
• Dylan Coghlan – The 6-foot-2, 190 pound defenseman plays a “mature no-nonsense game” according to the Red Line Report. The 18 year-old was a draft re-entry who was passed over for the second time. Coghlan is a strong skater with a good first pass who may still have some upside as he develops.
• Luke Coleman – The 6-foot-2, 193 pound winger is projected as a power forward with some offensive skills. The Red Deer, Alberta native is a late bloomer who attracted some interest from scouts leading up to the 2016 entry draft but he was ultimately was passed over.
• Jeff de Wit – The 6-foot-3, 189 pound center has shown flashes of ability but hasn’t been consistent enough throughout last season while playing for Red Deer of the WHL.  de Wit has some offensive tools yet only managed 7 goals and 22 points in 70 games last season causing him to fall out of the 2016 draft. The big forward needs to improve his defensive game and be more consistent but gaining experience at the Red Wings Development camp may be exactly the boost he needs.
• Stephen Dhillon – The 6-foot-4, 182 pound netminder was limited to just 24 OHL games last year for Niagara because he was playing behind the leagues best goalie in Alex Nedeljkovic. His limited playing time is likely why he was passed over in last weekends entry draft. According to the Red Line Report “he’s a long-term projection with big upside who is a long, long way from being a finished product.”
• Connor Hicks – The 6-foot-4, 199 pound goalie was ranked the 20th best North American goalie (out of 30) heading into last weekends draft but wasn’t selected. The 19 year-old was limited to just 30 games last season for Hamilton and his lack of playing time was not enough viewing time for NHL scouts.
• Luke Kirwan – The 6-foot-2, 230 pound forward was involved in a mid-season trade to the Flint Firebirds in the middle of the player revolt. The trade did little for the strong skating forward who netted just 12 points in 32 OHL games and eventually was passed over in last weeks NHL draft. The Dewitt, New York native is another player who projects as a power forward but hasn’t put all the pieces together.
• Mathew Santos – The 6-foot, 209 pound forward is coming off his overage season with North Bay of the OHL. In 64 games he scored 29 goals and 69 points in 64 games. The 21 year-old is hard working winger who plays a sound defensive game. Santos was an OHL walk-on in 2012 and worked his way up the roster but is now seeking a professional contract.