Prospect Info: Grand Rapids Griffins Discussion

[SoupNazi]

Upcoming new season, new thread.

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[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Ahhh.....that new thread smell.

 

[lilidk]

It's going to be very good team

 

[waltdetroit]

so folks don't need to look up the roster. Possible Grif players this year. Competition for spots is tough this year

F Austin Czarnik (DET) (not waivers-exempt)

F Cedric Lacroix (GR)

F Chase Pearson (DET) (not waivers-exempt)

F Cross Hanas (DET)

F Dominik Shine (GR)

F Drew Worrad (GR)

F Elmer Soderblom (DET)

F Joe Veleno (DET)

F Joel L'Esperance (GR)

F Jonatan Berggren (DET)

F Kirill Tyutyayev (GR)

F Kyle Criscuolo (DET) (not waivers-exempt)

F Marco Kasper (DET) in Rogle

F Matt Luff (DET) (not waivers-exempt)

F Pontus Andreasson (DET)

F Taro Hirose (DET) (not waivers-exempt)

F Trenton Bliss (GR)

F Tyler Spezia (GR)

D Albert Johansson (DET)

D Brian Lashoff (GR)

D Donovan Sebrango (DET)

D Eemil Viro (DET)

D Jared McIsaac (DET)

D Seth Barton (DET)

D Simon Edvinsson (DET)

D Steven Kampfer (DET) (not waivers-exempt)

D Wyatt Newpower (DET)

G John Lethemon (GR)

G Jussi Olkinuora (DET)

G Sebastian Cossa (DET)

G Victor Brattstrom (DET)

 

[golffuul]

Take Kasper off this list...he's playing for Rogle

 

[Henkka]

Söderblom - Veleno - Berggren
Hirose - Criscuolo - Shine
Luff - Czarnik - L'Esperance
Andreasson - Pearson - Hanas
--------------------------
Tyutyayev - Spezia - Bliss
Lacroix

LD Sebrango - RD Kampfer
LD Lashoff - D Johansson (LhD, only I know who would prefer right side of our lefties)
LD Viro - RD NewPower
LD McIsaac - RD Barton

G Olkinuora
G Cossa
(G Lethemon)

That offence is really waiting for Red Wings injuries. When Fabbri is early out, Veleno is probably at NHL. Then if we are really lucky and everybody is full healthy at NHL (rareley happens) Veleno could be pushed down.

Could see guys like Spezia, Bliss, Lacroix, Barton and Lethemon will see some time at Toledo.

 

[golffuul]

Söderblom - Veleno - Berggren
Hirose - Criscuolo - Shine
Luff - Czarnik - L'Esperance
Andreasson - Pearson - Hanas
--------------------------
Tyutyayev - Spezia - Bliss
Lacroix

LD Sebrango - RD Kampfer
LD Lashoff - D Johansson (LhD, only I know who would prefer right side of our lefties)
LD Viro - RD NewPower
LD McIsaac - RD Barton

G Olkinuora
G Cossa
(G Lethemon)

That offence is really waiting for Red Wings injuries. When Fabbri is early out, Veleno is probably at NHL. Then if we are really lucky and everybody is full healthy at NHL (rareley happens) Veleno could be pushed down.

Could see guys like Spezia, Bliss, Lacroix, Barton and Lethemon will see some time at Toledo.

Would be interesting to see Elmer/Swoleno/Berggy playing together for the season in the AHL and coming up together to make a 3rd line, either after the TDL or at the start of next season. Kind of like a detroit version of Tampa's "triplet line".

 

[NickH8]

Söderblom - Veleno - Berggren
Hirose - Criscuolo - Shine
Luff - Czarnik - L'Esperance
Andreasson - Pearson - Hanas
--------------------------
Tyutyayev - Spezia - Bliss
Lacroix

LD Sebrango - RD Kampfer
LD Lashoff - D Johansson (LhD, only I know who would prefer right side of our lefties)
LD Viro - RD NewPower
LD McIsaac - RD Barton

G Olkinuora
G Cossa
(G Lethemon)

That offence is really waiting for Red Wings injuries. When Fabbri is early out, Veleno is probably at NHL. Then if we are really lucky and everybody is full healthy at NHL (rareley happens) Veleno could be pushed down.

Could see guys like Spezia, Bliss, Lacroix, Barton and Lethemon will see some time at Toledo.

Czarnik and Luff are going to be top 6 guys like Terry or Barber. Both around a point per game in the AHL with some NHL games last year. Le'esperance I could see being 3rd line but not any lower. Shine probably plays a bottom 6 role, which suits him a lot better.
Also, McIsaac is at least in the top 6. Viro and Newpower are not better than him.

Soderblom - Veleno - Berggren
Hirose - Czarnik - Luff
Andreasson - Criscuolo - L'Esperance
Hanas - Pearson - Shine

I think that will be the forward lines to start. Obviously the AHL is super fluid so guys are gonna get called up, injured, etc. and guys like Shine, Hanas, and Andreasson will probably be playing up.

 

[Henkka]

That's just very stacked team. Even the 4th line is so much stronger than that last season crap.

Griffins will be back at to AHL contender status.

 

[SantosHalper]

Soderblom - Veleno - Berggren
Hirose - Czarnik - Luff
Andreasson - Criscuolo - L'Esperance
Hanas - Pearson - Shine

This offence...

LD Sebrango - RD Kampfer
LD Lashoff - D Johansson (LhD, only I know who would prefer right side of our lefties)
LD Viro - RD NewPower
LD McIsaac - RD Barton

...and this defense, perfect balance i would say. Do or die time for Simon if he can't get this team to succeed, it's time change the coach in GR too.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

This offence...

...and this defense, perfect balance i would say. Do or die time for Simon if he can't get this team to succeed, it's time change the coach in GR too.

Pretty much. But even when he had a decent team in 2019-2020 he didn't do much with it. I'm hoping we see something better from the Griffins this year. The last time the Griffins had a positive goal differential was 2017-18 under Todd Nelson who went to Dallas as an assistant coach.

 

[Henkka]

This offence...

...and this defense, perfect balance i would say. Do or die time for Simon if he can't get this team to succeed, it's time change the coach in GR too.

I'm waiting Grönborg to join after this season...

 

[Mister Ed]

I wonder if Andreasson plays a couple of games in Detroit or is he behind Hirose and Berggren?

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

I wonder if Andreasson plays a couple of games in Detroit or is he behind Hirose and Berggren?

I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a cup of coffee. I'm excited to see how he develops. Maybe he's a Pius Suter level player?

Is he expected to play center or wing in Grand Rapids?

 

[Cake Eater]

I wouldn't be surprised to see him get a cup of coffee. I'm excited to see how he develops. Maybe he's a Pius Suter level player?

Is he expected to play center or wing in Grand Rapids?

Can’t see him being a 4th liner like someone posted above. You’re not that good in the SHL and a 4th liner in a similar league.

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

Can’t see him being a 4th liner like someone posted above. You’re not that good in the SHL and a 4th liner in a similar league.

He was rookie of the year in the SHL and had a very strong playoffs on a team that made it to the finals. He might only end up one of those AAAA type players like Hirose. But right now we don’t know.

 

[waltdetroit]

They must have had a plan for Andreasson before they signed him, where they thought he'd fit in or whether just to create a better Grifs team. Maybe even a replacement for Fabbri if he has a dominate camp

 

[OgeeOgelthorpe]

They must have had a plan for Andreasson before they signed him, where they thought he'd fit in or whether just to create a better Grifs team. Maybe even a replacement for Fabbri if he has a dominate camp

I would imagine top 6er in Grand Rapids and if that isn't working out then loan him back to Lulea.

Pontus Andreasson Contract, Cap Hit, Salary and Stats - CapFriendly - NHL Salary Caps

 

[jaster]

Too many guys like him have come over under similar circumstances over the years and never become anything. He's going to have to burst on to the scene and clear some big hurdles in pretty short order for him to even be on my radar.

Otherwise, I expect him to be a pretty solid skill addition to a GR squad that could use it, and maybe see a few games in Detroit, before he meanders on over to another NHL organization next season if he's still chasing an NHL dream by then. If not, back to Sweden.

 

[Henkka]

There has been discussion about the veteran-limit and rule at Albert Johansson -topic.

I did found this info:

Teams can only dress a maximum of five veteran players (goaltenders not included) in a game.

What constitutes AHL veteran player?

• Must have played over 320 NHL, AHL or “elite-level” European regular season games

Additionally teams may dress one “veteran-exempt” player – one who has played between 261-320 NHL, AHL or high-level European regular season contests. I call this one the “Wild-Card Vet”.

C Austin Czarnik, 369 pro games
C Kyle Criscuolo, 322 pro games
-----------------
RW Dominik Shine, 288 pro games
-----------------
RW Matt Luff, 256 pro games (will fall just under the 260 game limit)
RW Matt L'Esperance, 216 pro games
W Taro Hirose, 180 pro games
W Jonatan Berggren, 169 pro games
C Chase Pearson, 150 pro games
LW/C Tyler Spezia, 130 pro games
W Elmer Söderblom, 90 pro games
F Pontus Andreasson, 53 pro games
C Drew Worrad, 11 pro games
LW Kirill Tyutyayev, 9 pro games
W Trenton Bliss, 3 pro games
W Cross Hanas, 0 pro games

F/D Cedric Lacroix, 49 pro games

LD Brian Lashoff, +500 pro games
RD Steven Kampfer, +500 pro games
-----------------------
D Albert Johansson, 141 pro games
LD Eemil Viro, 134 pro games
LD Donovan Sebrango, 96 pro games
LD Jared McIsaac, 81 pro games
RD Wyatt Newpower, 79 pro games
RD Seth Barton, 24 pro games

Some europeans also have CHL (Champions Hockey League) games, but I don't know does that count as European Elite games. Imo, it should be. But those amounts are so small, that I think that doesn't effect anything for anybody's vet-status.

So, Griffins will have only 4 AHL-veterans. And the limit is five + one between 261-320 game range.

They could add one, like sending a guy like Robert Hägg down if needed.

 

[waltdetroit]

There has been discussion about the veteran-limit and rule at Albert Johansson -topic.

I did found this info:


C Austin Czarnik, 369 pro games
C Kyle Criscuolo, 322 pro games
-----------------
RW Dominik Shine, 288 pro games
-----------------
RW Matt Luff, 256 pro games (will fall just under the 260 game limit)
RW Matt L'Esperance, 216 pro games
W Taro Hirose, 180 pro games
W Jonatan Berggren, 169 pro games
C Chase Pearson, 150 pro games
LW/C Tyler Spezia, 130 pro games
W Elmer Söderblom, 90 pro games
F Pontus Andreasson, 53 pro games
W Drew Worrad, 11 pro games
LW Kirill Tyutyayev, 9 pro games
W Trenton Bliss, 3 pro games
W Cross Hanas, 0 pro games

F/D Cedric Lacroix, 49 pro games

LD Brian Lashoff, +500 pro games
RD Steven Kampfer, +500 pro games
-----------------------
D Albert Johansson, 141 pro games
LD Eemil Viro, 134 pro games
LD Donovan Sebrango, 96 pro games
LD Jared McIsaac, 81 pro games
RD Wyatt Newpower, 79 pro games
RD Seth Barton, 24 pro games

Some europeans also have CHL (Champions Hockey League) games, but I don't know does that count as European Elite games. Imo, it should be. But those amounts are so small, that I think that doesn't effect anything for anybody's vet-status.

So, Griffins will have only 4 AHL-veterans. And the limit is five + one between 261-320 game range.

They could add one, like sending a guy like Robert Hägg down if needed.

Not that it matters much but you can have more than 5+1 goalie on the team, but only 5+1 can dress for the game. In years Past, GRG has done a rotation with 3 D. Also the total games played to be considered a vet is counted only at the beginning of the year. If you pass the total during a year, you are not considered a vet.

"So, Griffins will have only 4 AHL-veterans" typo there are already 5

 

[jaster]

There has been discussion about the veteran-limit and rule at Albert Johansson -topic.

I did found this info:


C Austin Czarnik, 369 pro games
C Kyle Criscuolo, 322 pro games
-----------------
RW Dominik Shine, 288 pro games
-----------------
RW Matt Luff, 256 pro games (will fall just under the 260 game limit)
RW Matt L'Esperance, 216 pro games
W Taro Hirose, 180 pro games
W Jonatan Berggren, 169 pro games
C Chase Pearson, 150 pro games
LW/C Tyler Spezia, 130 pro games
W Elmer Söderblom, 90 pro games
F Pontus Andreasson, 53 pro games
W Drew Worrad, 11 pro games
LW Kirill Tyutyayev, 9 pro games
W Trenton Bliss, 3 pro games
W Cross Hanas, 0 pro games

F/D Cedric Lacroix, 49 pro games

LD Brian Lashoff, +500 pro games
RD Steven Kampfer, +500 pro games
-----------------------
D Albert Johansson, 141 pro games
LD Eemil Viro, 134 pro games
LD Donovan Sebrango, 96 pro games
LD Jared McIsaac, 81 pro games
RD Wyatt Newpower, 79 pro games
RD Seth Barton, 24 pro games

Some europeans also have CHL (Champions Hockey League) games, but I don't know does that count as European Elite games. Imo, it should be. But those amounts are so small, that I think that doesn't effect anything for anybody's vet-status.

So, Griffins will have only 4 AHL-veterans. And the limit is five + one between 261-320 game range.

They could add one, like sending a guy like Robert Hägg down if needed.

Seems that open vet spot was intended to give the Wings and Griffs some flexibility. Although, there were times in the past that GR was over the vet limit and they had to scratch a vet every game. Not ideal, but it's been done.

Edit: Oops, looks like walt beat me to it.

 

[Henkka]

If I try to build some lines...

RW Matt Luff (1.03 ppg AHL), point per game player at AHL, many NHL games.
W Berggren (0.91 ppg AHL)
RW L'esperance (0.79 ppg AHL)
RW Shine (0.45 ppg AHL)

C Czarnik (0.97 ppg AHL) also NHL experience like Luff
C Criscuolo (0.68 ppg AHL)
C Pearson (0.36 ppg AHL)

LW/C Spezia (0.49 ppg AHL)
LW/C Andreasson (0.78 ppg at SHL including playoffs)

LW Hirose (0.91 ppg AHL)
LW Söderblom (0.66 ppg SHL including playoffs + champ league)

This is insanely stacked group of forwards. 11 best scorers, also some role players in the mix. I think Cross Hanas will get that 12th spot and will play, even though he doesn't have any pro experience. Time to start collecting that is today.

So there's some options.

If we go with the Swedish-line:

Söderblom - Andreasson - Berggren
Hirose -- Czarnik -- Luff (Top line)
Hanas - Criscuolo - L'esperance
Spezia - Pearson - Shine

If there's no swedish line and guy like Spezia goes in the middle:

Hirose -- Czarnik -- Luff
Söderblom - Criscuolo - Berggren
Andreasson - Spezia - L'esperance
Hanas - Pearson - Shine

Imo, this last one looks more balanced group.

Tyutyayev - Worrad - Bliss is a depth line.

 

[lilidk]

He was rookie of the year in the SHL and had a very strong playoffs on a team that made it to the finals. He might only end up one of those AAAA type players like Hirose. But right now we don’t know.

He did huge step last season, let's see if it continues

 

[waltdetroit]

I'm pretty curious about the plan for defense in GR. The right side seems pretty clear with Kampfer, Barton, and Newpower. But the left side has Lashoff, Sebrango, McIsaac, Johansson, and Viro. At least one of them going to Toledo?

In pre-covid years, GRG usually kept 8 D on the roster, at least until December