Red Wings Invite Big Swedish Defenseman to Training Camp

The Detroit Red Wings are providing Swedish defenseman Carl-Otto Magnusson with an opportunity that draft eligible players don’t often receive.

Snubbed in the 2025 NHL draft, Frolunda defenseman Carl-Otto Magnusson has been invited to participate in the Detroit training camp that begins Sept. 18 in Traverse City. Even if the Red Wings like him, they cannot sign him because he is still eligible for the 2026 NHL draft.  But they will have more detailed knowledge of him than other NHL teams.

Magnusson is a defense-first blueliner who primarily played Swedish junior hockey last season. The intrigue about him is that he is 6-foot-7, 225 pounds and possesses abilities that can be refined. Scouting reports suggest he knows how to take advantage of his size by using his long stick and blocking shots. He plays a safe game. Magnusson did dress for three games with Frolunda in the Swedish Hockey League.

The Moncton Wildcats may have linked minds with @Derek_N_NHL taking another of his favourites in Carl Otto Magnusson. The massive defender is a defensive stalwart and could help anchor Moncton's PK. We expected him to be an NHL pick.

Words courtesy @mckeenshockey pic.twitter.com/OlbyQVNjP4

— Brock Otten (@BrockOtten) July 3, 2025

Heading to Moncton

The QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats drafted Magnusson in the second round of the recent CHL Import Draft, and he’s already announced that he’s going to play for them. The Wildcats will have Detroit prospects Rudy Guimond (goalie) and Grayden Robertson-Palmer on their roster for next season.

The NHL’s Central Scouting ranked Magnusson 108th before last June’s NHL draft.  The Red Wings, who have coveted bigger defensemen since Steve Yzerman took over as GM, obviously liked Magnusson before the draft, but had too many other prospects ranked ahead of him.

Magnusson is a candidate to play for Sweden at this season’s World Junior Championship. He played in the Summer Showcase in Minnesota without generating a point. But the Red Wings saw enough to want to see him in their training camp.