DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings are loaded with promising prospects on defense.

Four of them were the best blueliners in their respective league last season – Danny DeKeyser (CCHA's best defensive D-man with Western Michigan), Ryan Sproul (OHL with Sault Ste. Marie), Xavier Ouellet (QMJHL with Blainville-Boisbriand Armada) and Nick Jensen (WCHA with St. Cloud State).

It's easy for Adam Almquist to get lost in the shuffle, but he has distinguished himself during his first NHL training camp. He might have positioned himself as the first defenseman to be recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins at some point this season.

“That's what I'm working for, try to get better every day and keep working and playing good,'' Almquist, 22, said. “Hopefully, I'll get a chance.''

Red Wings coach Mike Babcock likes what he's seen from Almquist, noting his tremendous hockey sense and high skill level.

The primary knock against Almquist is his size.

“He's 5-11½ they tell me, and 170 pounds,'' Babcock said. “If he can work at it and get to 187 pounds, with his skill set he may be able to play (in the NHL).''

Detroit defenseman Jakub Kindl went as far as to liken Almquist to a left-handed shooting version of Brian Rafalski.

“He looks really good; he shoots the puck really good, too,'' Kindl said. "He’s a good player and very smart with the puck.

"He looks really good on the power play. He looks really calm with the puck. No panic at all.''

Almquist scored a pair of power-play goals in his NHL preseason debut last week in Pittsburgh. He remains on the Red Wings roster for now and likely will play in one or two more exhibition games before being sent back to Grand Rapids.

“It's my first camp, it's been fun,'' Almquist said. “It's a little bit new, everything. It's going good. I know there's so many good players here, you have to expect it's going to be intensity and good players making good plays all the time. You have to be prepared and make the best out of every day.''

Almquist was the Griffins' second-leading scorer among defensemen last season (10 goals, 21 assists), his first year in North America.

The Red Wings took note of Almquist's skill level when he played in Sweden – his vision, his hands, his shot and his ability to quarterback the power play. His size precluded him from being drafted higher in 2009. The Red Wings selected him in the seventh round, 210th overall.

“I need to get stronger, get a little heavier and just keep working hard every day and try to get better at everything,'' Almquist said.