Prospect Info: Grand Rapids Griffins 2015-16, Part II

[TheRatPoisoner]

Only caught the 3rd because it took me that long to find a stream, but Svechnikov looks like he's real strong on the puck. Really interested to see how he produces for a full season with the Griffins. Dude looks like he could wind up being a solid pick.

Think Nelson was running a kid line of Lil'Bert-AA-Mantha -- those guys look like they might have some serious chemistry together.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

Only caught the 3rd because it took me that long to find a stream, but Svechnikov looks like he's real strong on the puck. Really interested to see how he produces for a full season with the Griffins. Dude looks like he could wind up being a solid pick.

Think Nelson was running a kid line of Lil'Bert-AA-Mantha -- those guys look like they might have some serious chemistry together.

He didn't need to play any other game though.

 

[Christien]

Game 5 highlights



Athanasiou's speed is just ridiculous. So hard for defenders to contain him.

 

[TheMule93]

Our young guys have some great stat lines these playoffs

Mantha: 8 games - 10 pts (4g, 6a)
Bertuzzi: 8 games - 8 pts (7g, 1a)
Sproul: 8 games - 8 pts (1g, 7a)
Athanasiou: 5 games - 5 pts (2g, 3a)

 

[Filppula]

My goodness Athanasiou is ridiculous, that speed is just crazy. Creates so many chances. That line is awesome, Bert crashing the net and capitalizing on AA's speed.

 

[SpookyTsuki]

Our young guys have some great stat lines these playoffs

Mantha: 8 games - 10 pts (4g, 6a)
Bertuzzi: 8 games - 8 pts (7g, 1a)
Sproul: 8 games - 8 pts (1g, 7a)
Athanasiou: 5 games - 5 pts (2g, 3a)

Bertuzzi would be a great third liner. Chips in alittle and is a playoff beast

 

[19 for president]

The more I see AA, the more I think he is going to be a game changer at the NHL level. Unlike Larkin, who originally received the comparison, AA is Helm with hands. I think he is going to be a fantastic PKer that really makes teams nervous at the line, and if he scores on 1 in 5 breakaways, he is going to put up 20+ goals a season. He may never be a complete player offensively (IE learn to use his teammates) but he is going to be a guy that teams have to develop game plans to play against, which will open up his teammates. AA has the hands that very few players with his speed do.

 

[Mount Suribachi]

That breakaway by AA....wow. I call it a breakaway, not sure it counts when it goes from a 1 on 2 to a 1 on 0 from blueline to blueline haha

 

[jolly roger]

The more I see AA, the more I think he is going to be a game changer at the NHL level. Unlike Larkin, who originally received the comparison, AA is Helm with hands. I think he is going to be a fantastic PKer that really makes teams nervous at the line, and if he scores on 1 in 5 breakaways, he is going to put up 20+ goals a season. He may never be a complete player offensively (IE learn to use his teammates) but he is going to be a guy that teams have to develop game plans to play against, which will open up his teammates. AA has the hands that very few players with his speed do.

I hope you send your analysis to Blashill !!

 

[Lampedampe]

Interessting to see Svechnikov play center, did he do it all game? Basing that on the Pre-game line-up.

 

[joe89]

Well if you believe in miracles now is probably the time. Game-wise Griffins shouldn't have been down 3-0, so it would only make sense if they crawled back. Halfway now and the pressure should be on the other side to close. With a game at home such a good chance to force a G7.

 

[Run the Jewels]

Our young guys have some great stat lines these playoffs

Mantha: 8 games - 10 pts (4g, 6a)
Bertuzzi: 8 games - 8 pts (7g, 1a)
Sproul: 8 games - 8 pts (1g, 7a)
Athanasiou: 5 games - 5 pts (2g, 3a)

My biggest concern this summer is whether we can keep Todd Nelson. I would be shocked if he isn't given at least an interview for a HC gig in the NHL. He's had a massive impact in only one season. The Griffins were awful at the start of the season but the metrics showed they were better than how they were playing. In my ideal scenario he'd be the other assistant coach however I don't know if he wants to be an assistant. I'm a big fan and would be inclined to overpay him like they did Blashill just to keep him as the HC in Grand Rapids as a potential replacement somewhere down the line if things go south in Detroit.

The more I see AA, the more I think he is going to be a game changer at the NHL level. Unlike Larkin, who originally received the comparison, AA is Helm with hands. I think he is going to be a fantastic PKer that really makes teams nervous at the line, and if he scores on 1 in 5 breakaways, he is going to put up 20+ goals a season. He may never be a complete player offensively (IE learn to use his teammates) but he is going to be a guy that teams have to develop game plans to play against, which will open up his teammates. AA has the hands that very few players with his speed do.

It will be truly impressive if he can do that with 7 minutes of ice time per game!

 

[HisNoodliness]

My biggest concern this summer is whether we can keep Todd Nelson. I would be shocked if he isn't given at least an interview for a HC gig in the NHL. He's had a massive impact in only one season. The Griffins were awful at the start of the season but the metrics showed they were better than how they were playing. In my ideal scenario he'd be the other assistant coach however I don't know if he wants to be an assistant. I'm a big fan and would be inclined to overpay him like they did Blashill just to keep him as the HC in Grand Rapids as a potential replacement somewhere down the line if things go south in Detroit.



It will be truly impressive if he can do that with 7 minutes of ice time per game!

Don't even joke about AA not getting more ice time...we need him and Mantua to be big parts of this team so badly.

Also I think if we can keep Nelson this season it gives us a great safety net if Blashill doesn't perform this year. If at the end of this season Zetterberg has played more minutes than 16-17 a game (tops) we need to fire Blashill and Nelson could be an excellent replacement.

 

[TheRatPoisoner]

My biggest concern this summer is whether we can keep Todd Nelson. I would be shocked if he isn't given at least an interview for a HC gig in the NHL. He's had a massive impact in only one season. The Griffins were awful at the start of the season but the metrics showed they were better than how they were playing. In my ideal scenario he'd be the other assistant coach however I don't know if he wants to be an assistant. I'm a big fan and would be inclined to overpay him like they did Blashill just to keep him as the HC in Grand Rapids as a potential replacement somewhere down the line if things go south in Detroit.

Since ya brought it up, I just scanned a few articles and I think you might be right. Both Anaheim and Calgary GMs have apparently said they're considering hiring AHL coaches, so maybe Nelson's on their radar.

Oiler fans seem like they have nothing but good things to say about him, even after the **** show of a season they had where he took over after Eakins got fired. That right there speaks volumes.

 

[Tatar]

My goodness Athanasiou is ridiculous, that speed is just crazy. Creates so many chances. That line is awesome, Bert crashing the net and capitalizing on AA's speed.

Still waiting for AA Helm Larkin 3v3 overtime line in the NHL

The Lightning line

 

[Inspiration]

Still waiting for AA Helm Larkin 3v3 overtime line in the NHL

The Lightning line

Using Larkin, Athanasiou and/or Helm together seems to get mentioned quite a bit on these boards, but that doesn't seem to make much of sense to me. The blue lines really slow down the game for players without the puck, so I find there are diminishing returns to the benefits of speed as you start to play your fastest players together (not that adding more skating is bad, just that it's probably more effective when it's spread throughout your lineup). I'd rather have a fast guy on each line that you can run zone entries and exits through and then surround them with your other players who have complementary skillsets.

 

[Vatican Roulette]

Using Larkin, Athanasiou and/or Helm together seems to get mentioned quite a bit on these boards, but that doesn't seem to make much of sense to me. The blue lines really slow down the game for players without the puck, so I find there are diminishing returns to the benefits of speed as you start to play your fastest players together (not that adding more skating is bad, just that it's probably more effective when it's spread throughout your lineup). I'd rather have a fast guy on each line that you can run zone entries and exits through and then surround them with your other players who have complementary skillsets.

IMO its about how you you that speed. In overtime, after a turnover by them, the high guy changes for AA. That allows you to throw a pass and left AA use his speed to burn the other team.

 

[Pavels Dog]

Our young guys have some great stat lines these playoffs

Mantha: 8 games - 10 pts (4g, 6a)
Bertuzzi: 8 games - 8 pts (7g, 1a)
Sproul: 8 games - 8 pts (1g, 7a)
Athanasiou: 5 games - 5 pts (2g, 3a)

Yep that is good to see. The right guys getting it done for the Griffins.

 

[Frk It]

Our young guys have some great stat lines these playoffs

Mantha: 8 games - 10 pts (4g, 6a)
Bertuzzi: 8 games - 8 pts (7g, 1a)
Sproul: 8 games - 8 pts (1g, 7a)
Athanasiou: 5 games - 5 pts (2g, 3a)

Not a spare part this playoffs

 

[HisNoodliness]

IMO its about how you you that speed. In overtime, after a turnover by them, the high guy changes for AA. That allows you to throw a pass and left AA use his speed to burn the other team.

Yeah I'd prefer Larkin-AA-Green. That way when Green picks up the puck he can ship it down ice and we have a breakaway or 2 on 0. Also Larkin is strong enough defensively to help Green and Athanasiou who are more offense first. All three have great finishing and passing ability. Second line could be Mantha-Center-DK. That center will inevitably be Z... Oh well. Then we have Nyquist/Tatar-Sheahan-hopefully Vatanen

 

[Tatar]

IMO its about how you you that speed. In overtime, after a turnover by them, the high guy changes for AA. That allows you to throw a pass and left AA use his speed to burn the other team.

My thoughts exactly. 3 speedy two way players

 

[Mijatovic]

Coreau looks really good.

 

[RabidBadger]

Well if you believe in miracles now is probably the time. Game-wise Griffins shouldn't have been down 3-0, so it would only make sense if they crawled back. Halfway now and the pressure should be on the other side to close. With a game at home such a good chance to force a G7.

Gutting out a win after being down 4-1 can summon some serious mojo, not to mention deflate your opponent. The game 3 win put The Griffs in a good spot.

 

[FireBird71]

Heading over tomorrow night....cannot wait

 

[Carl33]

Did Ryan Sproul find his game back?


before Christmas, he had few points...and he finish hard with 12-23-35 +22 and 8 pts in 8 Playoffs games,

what do you expect from him? a roster spot next year or a trade?

can't see him stay in the AHL next year again...detroit or anywhere in the NHL...he deserve an opportunity