Alexey Marchenko

Following his first full season in the NHL, Marchenko kept busy in the offseason by representing Russia at the IIHF World Championship. He served his country well, producing a goal, two assists, and a plus-12 rating on the way to a bronze medal. A true rink rat dedicated to improving his craft, Marchenko accepted an invitation to participate in the World Cup of Hockey ahead of the 2016-17 season. Given that Kyle Quincey left as an unrestricted free agent in the summer, the onus is on Marchenko to prove that he can handle consistent minutes. Even though he’s 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds, we’re talking about a guy who gets knocked off the puck more than the Wings would like, so he’ll need to get stronger. There’s plenty to like about him long-term, but he’s likely to endure growing pains while adjusting to a new defensive boss in Doug Houda. Marchenko is the type of player you can probably snag off the waiver wire once you’ve stocked up on more established options in the draft.