OLP's 2024-25 Grand Rapids Griffins Prospect Season Recap

Introduction

Well, here we are. You’ve now found my recap, posted on an old ass blog website my friends and I made years ago with what we thought were edgy journalistic takes like using fancy stats to make strong cases for defensive defensemen in the NHL, and “Is Drew Doughty a Generational Player?” (Thankfully, I was not a contributor to the latter, but it sounds like it has a nice HF ‘ring’ to it, doesn’t it?). This is the season ending recap of Griffins prospects that I thought I’d never be doing if you asked me in October. I started this near the end of December as I had time off from work. I had great support and feedback from those following the Griffins on the HF Wings board, so I decided to continue all the way until the end and make this thing a reality. 

Since committing myself to regularly watching a league other than the NHL for the first time, I’ve see at first sight that players, and especially prospects, go through inconsistent stretches over the course of a full season. To that point, strictly statistics, and even highlight packages (or both) don’t tell you the full story of what a player is really about – how do they impact the game and are they consistent at it? Are they just a flash in the pan, or are they the real deal? Even then, watching a full season of players can be hard to decipher how good they really can be. Unless you’re watching Macklin Celebrini obliterate college as a 17 year old. I’ve tried to detail what I thought were important shift-by-shift events in my game reports this year to visualize how the scenario unfolded for each player. You'll have noticed that some games for players were more active than other games, naturally.

Some prospects I cover here were only on board with the Griffins for a limited amount of games due to joining after finishing the season in their respective leagues, so I’ll do my best to summate their play with limited viewings. While I’ve appreciated what I’ve seen from the Griffins that have stepped in over the past 2 months, the season started in October and some of those full-time players have gone through elevated stretches of play, and then some inconsistent or poor stretches of play. The newbies have not had the chance yet to showcase if they can sustain a high level of play at the AHL level for months on end. My list of players here is a ranking of who I think are the prospects that have played games for them this season. Adjusting my biases of the players I’ve seen more of versus the ones I’ve seen less of, I have tried to keep my ranking consistent.

I won’t do player comparables here for the sake of how difficult it is to pin one player to be like another. Watching so many games, you get the feel that each player really is unique in their own way and how they impact a hockey game. Anyways, enough intro. I hope you enjoy my painfully mid writing attempt in recapping the 2024-25 season of the Grand Rapids Griffins prospects. Feel free to discuss my opinions and leave feedback for me on HF Wings. Cheers!

Players

C - Nate Danielson

Age: 20

Regular Season Stats: 71 GP – 12 G – 27 A – 39 P – plus4 – 33 PIM – 127 SOG

Playoff Stats: 3 GP – 1 G – 0 A – 1 P – minus4 – 9 PIM – 10 SOG

Roles Primarily Played: Top 6 C, PP #1/2, PK #1

Season Recap: Danielson came into this season having two AHL playoff games under his belt from last season, and like any other much anticipated high drafted prospect, spoke of the adjustment needed going right from WHL junior to pro hockey. Danielson was heavily relied on during the season due to injuries and callups to Grand Rapids’ most important forwards. Mazur and Lombardi missed significant time during the November/December/January stretch and Soderblom was called up mid-January. As a result, Danielson was tasked with carrying an all-situations workload as a 20 year old pro rookie. According to coach Dan Watson, a couple nights in January he was accounted for having logged 25+ mins of ice time during a mini-series with Manitoba. Considering he was still air-tight defensively over such a difficult stretch of hockey for the Griffins, he admirably still generated offense as much he could, despite it not showing on the scoresheet.

All season he was a rock defensively and essentially right off the hop established himself as one of the best defensive forwards in the entire league. He doesn’t waste energy and is cerebral in every move he makes. Impressive stat about him is that he led the Griffins with 4 SH assists, with the next closest player at 2. A remarkably consistent player that often showed impressive flashes of offense led me to believe he’s got a lot of untapped potential, much like Marco Kasper.

Biggest Strengths: Watching him create transition offense from anticipating and breaking up plays behind his goal line makes me think that is going to translate very well with players that can move the puck and a system that appreciates utilizing a quick strike counter attack if it needs to. Even if that’s not feasible, he’s so good at getting the puck into the hands of his team, and will compete hard on the boards to do so. He’s fast skater that utilizes powerful strides with little effort. That combined with really good edges, he can cut in and out of space near defenders or in tight spaces where they are draped over him. The puck is on his stick a lot.

Biggest Area of Growth: He eventually started to use his shot more often and get into the lanes toward the net for tips or high rebounds. His shot itself is a strength but getting it off from high percentage areas and being in the right spots to score goals is key and are sometimes overlooked elements of goal scoring. He also began playing physical and finishing checks consistently over the course of the 2^nd half.

Needs Improvement:  Taking charge in the offensive zone more consistently. Things like attacking the middle off the rush with his speed and protecting the puck with his size and handling. He played on the perimeter with the puck too often for my liking, but I’m also optimistic that he’s going to break out when playing with NHL talent. He showed very good signs, even dominant offensive games when situated next to guys like Mazur. It was few and far between and he stayed mostly with Watson and Snively. Good players, but have aged out from being NHL regulars due to deficiencies in their game.

2025-26 Outlook: I know many want to pencil him as a Griffin to start next season, but I don’t see how that does him any good. He’s spent this year developing his offense as much as he could, and now it’s time to get him next to skilled enough wingers and push the pace of play to another level and challenge him. He is already more than NHL ready defensively, he just needs a strong summer spent in the gym to leverage his size in corner, board and 50/50 battles. Should be slotting in as a 3C to start, if all goes according to plan and of course pending an active Detroit offseason or lack thereof.

Future Pro Projection: NHL Top 6 center, capable of contending for the Selke trophy perennially. PK #1, PP #2. Potential to move into top line role.

Future in Detroit? Unquestionably, and I think he makes opening night roster October 2025. This dude is part of the core.

D - Axel Sandin-Pellikka

Age: 20

Regular Season Stats: 2 GP – 0 G – 1 A – 1 P – minus2 – 2 PIM – 5 SOG

Playoff Stats: 3 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 P – minus1 – 0 PIM – 7 SOG

Role Primarily Played:  Top 4 D, PP #1

Season Recap: The hype around the arrival of ‘ASP’ was real this season. He exploded offensively and his accolades in 2025 were as follows;

·       SHL Most Goals by a U20 defenseman (12)

·       SHL Most Points by a U20 defenseman (29)

·       Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year (Årets Junior)

·       U20 WJC All-Star Team

·       U20 WJC Best Defenseman

ASP was eliminated after another stellar SHL playoffs with fellow Wings prospect Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. He came into his first AHL game showcasing his adept play with the puck on his stick and immediately boosting the GR PP#1 as its QB. He picked up his first point during his AHL debut but remained scoreless until the struggling Griffins were eliminated from playoff contention. What ASP displayed in his brief first North American stint was a glimpse into the exciting future he brings to Motown on the blueline, adding a sorely needing dynamic offensive element.

Biggest Strengths: Ability to generate offense from inside the offensive zone at the blueline. Quick feet, head up, soft hands, and a hard quick shot. The ability to fire pucks from the point and get them through traffic will be greatly welcomed onto the Detroit blueline, soon.

Biggest Area of Growth: Noticed in the few games he played that during the final two playoff games he was focusing on the defensive elements of his game like gaps and using his body to seal off a man from the puck. He looked solid there.

Needs Improvement: He will struggle with defending the cycle if they get him running around too much, as he tends to lose position if there’s a lot of opposition movement. Must simplify his defensive game there. I would probably want him to gain some speed on his pivoting going forwards to backwards and the speed in which he skates backwards. Maybe even some added forward straight line speed would make him a even more of a breakout weapon.

2025-26 Outlook: He might be on the Wings opening roster but that might have to be done with a strong overall camp, in particular on the defensive side. He has a spot to walk right onto probably PP#2 and a bottom pair role to start the year. I’m not sure I see them keeping him in GR, but we know this how this franchise operates when it comes to prospects.

Future Pro Projection: NHL Top 4 D, PP#1 QB, 60 point upside

Future in Detroit? Oh yes, and they will shine his shoes on the way in the door for his first game. 2025 sometime.

G - Sebastian Cossa

Age: 22

Regular Season Stats: 41 GP – 21 W – 15 L – 5 OTL – 2.45 GAA - .911 SV% - 1 SO

Playoff Stats: 2 GP – 0 W – 2 L – 0 OTL – 4.51 GAA - .868 SV% - 0 SO

Role Primarily Played:  #1G

Season Recap: Cossa came into this season looking to build on a successful 2023-24 campaign as starter of the Griffins. He started off very hot, as did the Griffins team did itself. He maintained a steady level of play all the way until about February and that also coincided with the Griffins really struggling overall as a team. They faltered down the stretch and you could see that Cossa was also fighting consistency himself.

The 6’7 goaltender, drafted 15^th overall in 2021, comes with expectations as big as he is tall. This season, some have not liked the lack of consistency needed to make the next jump. This has led some to believe that his performances this year indicate he’s stagnated. Personally, I don’t believe that to be the case. The downgrade from last year in terms of talent on the Griffins roster and particularly the back end, was not in favour for Cossa. Still though, he does need to find that consistency that got him hot out of the gate for the first couple months of the season. Cossa, when dialed in, is an excellent goaltender capable of swallowing up rebounds and calming his team down with a big, timely save.

Biggest Strengths: Quickness getting across the crease. For a goalie so huge, he can make some incredibly athletic saves and recover from them quickly. Can make that massive game-changing save and lock right back in.

Biggest Area of Growth: Thought he was able to settle in quite well after a bad goal. I’m a big believer in the mental side of the sport and I think that Cossa was able to shake off what he would’ve wanted back. You didn’t really see him falter at his strengths, even if it was a weakness of his that was exploited for a goal, for instance.

Needs Improvement:  I’m no goalie scout, but it appeared to me that his high glove could be a weakness still. Not to mention in tight with 5-hole goals. He was often left bailing out GR a lot as the defensive struggles continued throughout the season, but I think the aforementioned concern needs to be addressed. Additionally, puck handling, from what I see, isn’t where he’s most confident. Some mental lapses and errors in execution have caused hiccups at times.

2025-26 Outlook: Likely starting in GR, he will be relied on heavily if the Wings are running a young, inexperienced lineup and defensive system again. Nothing wrong with him shoring up the parts of his game that need fine tuning. Heck, maybe he’s actually worth a backup roster spot in Detroit right now. Personally, if we had the space for it, I’d say yeah…why not. Can’t judge him until we’ve given him some rope and see what he does with.

Future Pro Projection: NHL #1 Goalie, playing 50+ games

Future in Detroit? Yes, sometime in 2026 might have a cup of coffee waiting for him due to an injury (Talbot ain’t getting any younger). Trey Augustine will have plenty of time to continue developing and I don’t see a goalie trade happening involving either of these two.

RW - Michael Brandsegg-Nygard

Age: 19

Regular Season Stats: 2 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 P – minus1 – 2 PIM – 4 SOG

Playoff Stats: 3 GP – 2 G – 1 A – 3 P - plus1 – 4 PIM – 5 SOG

Role Primarily Played:  Bottom 6 RW, PP #2

Season Recap: Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, coming from SHL Skelleftea with Sandin-Pellikka, had hype attached to his name as the Red Wings most recent 1^st round draft pick. Chosen 15^th overall in 2024, one year out from his draft had him relocating to NA to play with the Griffins and join for their playoff push. He already had a strong SHL playoff tallying 4 goals and 6 points in 11 games. MBN had two regular season games to get the feel for how he can use his tools at this new pro level. He then stepped up in the playoffs, leading GR in goals with 2, and in points with 3. He has once again given the impression that when the importance of play increases, he steps up.

Biggest Strengths: Shot attempts are prominent with him. As a stationary triggerman, he can get a shot off quick and accurately from normal and awkward placements. Not to mention, he is adept at drifting into soft spots around the offensive zone, always making himself an option for pass or shot. They’re different types of scorers but like Debrincat, MBN finds spots and ways to get a shot off on goal, and from respectable ranges and angles.

Biggest Area of Growth: Noticed him getting comfortable with playing his normal game during playoffs and throwing the body. First couple, naturally, were figuring out the pace. I’m surprised he was getting so many chances on goal this quickly into his AHL career, but it’s a testament to his unique package that one day will be valued on Detroit.

Needs Improvement:  First step quickness. I think he gets up to top speed decently, but this level is faster and he will need some added quickness so that he can separate from a player with speed or race to win loose puck battles. I would say his pass reception needs a bit of work too. His mitts are not as soft, so combined with his slower footsteps it takes an extra split-second corralling the puck. For him to be relied on in scoring situations when he hits the NHL, him developing those parts of his game will be crucial.

2025-26 Outlook: AHL to start and possibly through the season gets a callup. After which I would be surprised if they sent him down again. Roster makeup is largely in question coming into next season.

Future Pro Projection: NHL 2^nd line RW. Physical goal scorer that dominates on the boards, capable of thriving as a PP half-wall triggerman or bumper.

Future in Detroit? Absolutely. 2025-26 at some point, probably in the new year.

LW - Carter Mazur

Age: 23

Regular Season Stats: 20 GP – 8 G – 7 A – 15 P – minus2 – 8 PIM –59 SOG

Playoff Stats: N/A

Role Primarily Played:  Top 6 LW, PP #1/2, PK #2

Season Recap: What a turbulent, injury-riddled season for the up-and-coming young Michigan native. Mazur came into the season having addressed his strength concerns and bulked up to 188lbs. He started off by playing 3 games for the Griffins and then suffered an injury that kept him out until Jan 23rd, missing 3 months of play. He played 17 more games for GR, playing in all situations and being consistently one of the best Griffins each night he played. Tallied a total of 13 points in those 17 games before earning a much anticipated callup to Detroit.

Sadly, in the 2^nd shift of his NHL debut, he suffered an upper body injury that landed him back on the shelf and missing what was the remainder of his season. Mazur has been anticipated for quite some time and we can only hope he has a healthy offseason as it would suck to see a legit NHL prospect for us go down that path.

Biggest Strengths: Mazur has an impressive skillset but I felt most importantly he’s really smart. Makes it easier for his teammates to find him, and possesses a very good first touch on the puck to either get a quick shot off or find another passing option.

Biggest Area of Growth: He was very much NHL ready so I’ll just say he was consistent and remarkably good in his short time this season, elevating every line he was on.

Needs Improvement: Well, he just needs to stay healthy. Nothing left to prove at the AHL level and his skillset could really help Detroit right now. The rigors of NHL defensemen grinding him down leave me worried for his long term outlook.

2025-26 Outlook: Should be penciled into the Detroit Red Wings opening night lineup on the 3^rd line. Hoping for his health to hold up as I think we’ve all been rooting for this underdog for a while.

Future Pro Projection: NHL middle 6 winger, capable of scoring 40+ points, potential PP2 option

Future in Detroit? 2025-26.

C - Amadeus Lombardi

Age: 21

Regular Season Stats: 44 GP – 19 G – 21 A – 40 P – minus13 – 10 PIM – 79 SOG

Playoff Stats: 3 GP – 1 G – 1 A – 2 P – even – 0 PIM – 7 SOG

Role Primarily Played:  Top 6 C, PP #1

Season Recap: Amadeus Lombardi started the season looking to build on good 20 year old season in the AHL amassing 26 points in 70 games while playing behind the great depth that the team had last year. This time around, he was higher up in the lineup and counted on to drive offense, doing just that. He started off  his season strong, and then hit a wall with injury missing 2.5 months. He returned and picked up right where he left off.

A consistent offensive threat virtually night after night, he became harder and harder to contain given his dogged nature and quick strike attack. Lombardi generates offense in various manners whether it be off the rush, retrieving from a dump in, or cycling with wingers that are fast physical forecheckers, like Dom Shine for example. He grew impressively this year and answered to the knocks on the door against him. Truly a player that does not give up on a play, and I wonder if he took lessons playing next to Shine so much. Finishing the season strong, his stock as a Red Wing prospect grew in my eyes and has gained attention as a potential NHLer as soon as next season.

Biggest Strengths: Edgework and quick feet allow him to be super elusive. He gave defenders problems all season with his speed and shiftiness, utilizing soft hands in tight if he needed to. Around the net area he attacks with purpose and will put it all on the line to get that puck to the goal. Has the ability to slither around the boards and come out on top in puck battles despite his strength disadvantage. I also can’t neglect to point out how much of a puck hound he is. He was seen frequently hunting down puck carriers and stealing pucks or just disrupting them, wherever he was on the ice.

Biggest Area of Growth: Improved defensive play down the middle after he had a short stint playing LW late in the season revived my confidence that he can be a center long term. Earlier on and when he came back from injury, I thought he was caught behind the play in his zone covering his man too late in dangerous areas, giving up chances and even goals against. A switch seemed to flip, and he led the charge offensively whilst being solid on the defensive side.

Needs Improvement: Sounds cliché, but probably some added core strength would go a long way so that he doesn’t get pushed off pucks more than he should. Another criticism I had about him was holding onto the puck too long. Quite a few times at ES or on the PP he ran himself out of space when there was a safer play to make. Despite the nice goal totals, he needs to improve a bit on how he gets set for a shot, and the power behind it to beat goalies from range in the NHL.

2025-26 Outlook: He might actually force the Red Wings to put him on the opening roster, but maybe it’s more likely he starts in GR and is one of the first callups to the team.

Future Pro Projection: NHL middle 6 C/LW, PP#2

Future in Detroit? Yes, and it could be as soon as 2025-26 at some point.

D - William Wallinder

Age: 22

Regular Season Stats: 62 GP – 2 G – 17 A – 19 P – minus4 – 10 PIM – 75 SOG

Playoff Stats: 3 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 P – minus3 – 0 PIM – 2 SOG

Role Primarily Played:  Top pair D, PP #2, PK #1

Season Recap: Wallinder, completing a respectable AHL rookie season last year, spent the year learning to adjust his game from the larger SHL rinks he played 3 seasons in prior. In GR he played behind the depth that the team had last year to get his feet wet in North America. This season, he was expected to fit into a role where he would be heavily relied on. Wallinder played lots of minutes. While he was eventually pushed off the PP units once Johansson and Sandin-Pellikka arrived, he was still logging PK #1 minutes and still playing on the top pair at ES.

Wallinder’s season was a rocky one, if I’m quite honest. He went down with injury after 5 games to start the season, and missed a month of time. Returning to play, from my viewings, something was wrong with him. In the defensive zone he was overplaying his position, getting easily eaten alive by forecheckers who would knock him on his ass, losing battles, and indecisive with the puck. Even starting a breakout he was loose with plenty of ice to scan around, but then would hold onto the puck and run himself out of space, or get stripped when trying to make a move. He looked a bit better at this late in the season, I will note that.

He eventually started to string together better games more often. I would say his 2^nd half was good, not great, but it’s better that he learned from what were frequent mistakes and hopefully he can carry that into next season to finally take that next step. He’s a defender that the organization is counting on still and Yzerman alluded to Wallinder’s continued development in a positive light during the end of season press conference next to coach Todd.

Biggest Strengths: Skating, and his overall mobility for a 6’4 defender. He can pivot and keep up defending against the rush, to which he’s adept at using his reach and sealing off the attacker.

Biggest Area of Growth: He was “Bambi” for an early chunk of the season, and then he started to get pissed off. I stopped seeing him get pushed around in the corners, instead going into battles looking to pin off his opponent using his big frame. His compete level notably increased, and I would say it led to his better 2^nd half of the season. As well, his ability to move the puck under pressure became consistently better down the late stretch of the season, versus the panic he seemed to often operate with earlier on in the year. Something mentally for him appeared to have changed and I noticed his body language changed for the better as a result. He looked more comfortable out there defending himself and standing up for teammates.

Needs Improvement: To be blunt, a lot. If I can summarize ‘a lot’, I would say that he may one day struggle to truly put everything together and be able to crack an NHL roster. You see him having flashes of impressive play, but you see those flashes in spurts at different times and in different doses. He has been often prone to overskating and relies on his athleticism to defend, while it worked out for him and he dialed back. He is a decent puck transporter, but is not particularly a good passer and doesn’t get the puck up ice if he doesn’t have room to go for a skate. He would defer to his partner to move the puck up ice too much for my liking, indicating he’s just not seeing the ice or he wasn’t confident in himself. He needs to improve his shot selection as he’s been known to be a “shinpad shooter” off the point.

All in all, the decision making leaves a lot to be desired for me. He will make impressive plays that scratch the surface of something special, then have a complete brain fart and cost the team a goal or a high danger chance against all in the same game. This is a pretty frequent thing with Wallinder, hence why I am still very skeptical of his NHL potential.

2025-26 Outlook: He will be in Grand Rapids to start the season, playing on the top pair likely next to Anton Johansson, if he so does stay in North America. Possibly just PK usage.

Future Pro Projection: Bottom pair NHL defenseman, potential PK #2 option. Boom or bust, potentially Europe-bound in a few years.

Future in Detroit? Potentially. Yzerman and co. seem to still like him and I don’t blame them. If they want to be patient and iron out this player to be a shutdown defender, I’m all for it. We know big defenders are more raw and take extra time to develop, so he might not get roster consideration until 2026-27.

D - Shai Buium

Age: 22

Regular Season Stats: 67 GP – 2 G – 23 A – 25 P – plus2 – 22 PIM – 80 SOG

Playoff Stats: 3 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 P – minus3 – 0 PIM – 5 SOG

Role Primarily Played:  Bottom 4 D, PP #1/2

Season Recap: Shai Buium was a rookie AHL defenseman this season for the Griffins coming off a successful 3 years at Denver that included winning a national championship with his brother, Zeev. Shai was known for putting up points and running a powerplay, and he did just that this season. He moved himself into a prime spot as PP #1 QB for a good chunk of the year, after knocking Wallinder down from that spot. Buium was solid in his play up until mid-January where his play took to another level and especially so defensively. About a month stretch of him being the Griffins best defender on most nights, it looked that he was pushing the limits of his play and elevating his status as a prospect for the franchise. However, as the Griffins endured scoring and defensive struggles themselves, his play dipped a bit as a result. Still, he carried on very solid play all throughout the ice and despite some hiccups he has left quite a bit to look forward to in 2025-26 as he takes the next step forward in his development. Ideally, he will be tasked with PK duties, adding to the load of defensive responsibility he naturally will have to take. We will see if he gets stronger and quicker over the offseason to combat that challenge.

Biggest Strengths: He’s big skilled defenseman. Nifty hands in tight, and can facilitate short area passing plays with other skilled players, often resulting in good scoring chances. When defending the forecheck off a dump in, he’s got his head on a swivel to check for an option and will either chip it to a partner, or leverage his body positioning to shake off the forechecker, depending on how much time he has, and make the right play that he sees out there. He was relied on as a defensive conscience when next to Rafferty, a common partner for him this year, yet could produce transition offense by firing stretch passes with accuracy or even sensing that he can jump into the rush himself.

Biggest Area of Growth: Thought he was getting a lot better at not hesitating to shoot and getting the puck on net. Defenders respecting his shot would go a long way for him holding down the fort for PP #1 next season.

Needs Improvement: Foot speed, big time. He was caught and beat easily to loose puck races and if he couldn’t use his size and reach, he was a goner. He will need increased leg strength as he also appeared tired and lost somewhat of a step down the final stretch of the season. Cannot be relying on his hands to get himself out of danger more than he should. Too many risky plays were made for my liking that otherwise better footspeed would have saved him from.

2025-26 Outlook: Top 4 minutes on Grand Rapids, PP #1/2, potentially PK #2

Future Pro Projection: NHL bottom pair D, potential PP #2 QB, potential PK #2

Future in Detroit? Potentially in 2026-27 at some point during the season. I could see him being a trade chip too as part of a large trade.

D - Anton Johansson

Age: 20

Regular Season Stats: 11 GP – 0 G – 5 A – 5 P – plus1 – 12 PIM – 13 SOG

Playoff Stats: 3 GP – 0 G – 1 A – 1 P – minus3 – 0 PIM – 8 SOG

Role Primarily Played:  Top 4 D, PP #2, PK #1

Season Recap: Anton Johansson came over from completing his 3^rd SHL season and joined the Griffins late in their season, beginning on the 3^rd pair. After a game or two and he was moved up to the 2^nd pair. Despite struggling heavily in his own zone at times, he never looked mentally rattled and began taking matters into his own hands - he shot right up onto the top pair earning the trust from the coach and playing very well for just his first taste of NA hockey. He was cast onto the PP, knocking off Wallinder, and stayed on the 2^nd unit once ASP arrived to take over the 1^st unit. “AnJo” found himself on a pair next to Wallinder at ES, and was then added to the #1PK unit with his partner, playing admirably and challenging his defensive responsibilities. This is a raw, rangy defenseman at 6’3 and almost 200 pounds, yet you can see the tantalizing skillset he showed us already in a small sample size.

Biggest Strengths: Skating, as he covers a lot of ice and can be a threat in all 3 zones. Possess a hard, accurate stretch pass. Very good stickhandling ability and is coordinated very well to dance with his feet and evade forecheckers or defenders. He also has a good point shot and looks to head fake and move his feet to create a new angle past a defender to shoot on goal. His head is always up too.

Biggest Area of Growth: Ability to defend in his zone and particularly in the corners. He was having some real adventurous games and then began establishing position on his forechecker, then moving the puck under heavy pressure to a safe, open man. Even using his footwork to evade players, if needed.

Needs Improvement: Makes some risky plays with the puck in the defensive zone but even in the short time he played, you can see him approaching his routes to the puck and puck management itself, differently. Can maybe shore up a bit of accuracy on the stretch passes as he does get them off quick but a few were just a bit off the mark.

2025-26 Outlook: He has rumoured to be potentially returning to the SHL for next season, but that decision will be made over the summer, he said. Personally, I would be surprised if he wasn’t in the AHL for the Griffins next season. He is an exciting prospect to watch for next season and may shoot up my rankings if the consistency is there.

Future Pro Projection: NHL bottom 4 D, potential PP #2, potential PK #2

Future in Detroit? I think so. Rostered in 2027-28 and playing next to his brother I think could form a heck of a complimentary 3^rd pairing in the Winged wheel.

C - Emmitt Finnie

Age: 19

Regular Season Stats: 10 GP – 1 G – 4 A – 5 P – minus4 – 0 PIM – 9 SOG

Playoff Stats: 3 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 P – even – 0 PIM – 5 SOG

Role Primarily Played:  Bottom 6 LW, PP #2

Season Recap: Finnie capped off a successful individual season and junior career as captain for the WHL Blazers with 84 points in 55 games, 18 more points than his next closest teammate. To highlight that however, the Blazers missed the WHL playoffs and Finnie came right to Grand Rapids for his 2^nd stint in pro hockey. He must have done his AHL adjusting last year because he came right in and didn’t look out of place each shift he was out there, clocking in 5 points in 10 regular season game. This statline was achieved playing in the bottom 6, even earning some PP2 time. Finnie was generating chances with his speed and as well holding onto the puck and creating possession off the cycle. Defensively, he is often the first man back, support his defensemen and the puck itself. Based on his senses, he covers important areas of the ice well and is counted on in defensive situations in the AHL already before his 20^th birthday.

Biggest Strengths: Off-puck awareness in all 3 zones, and foot speed. Good along the boards keeping possession and not giving up on plays.

Biggest Area of Growth: I have to say how impressed I was at him from the get-go following the pace of AHL player right from junior, still as a 19 year old. I thought he did not look behind the play once.

Needs Improvement:  Will need to refine his finishing ability and start attacking high danger areas more and doing so using speed.

2025-26 Outlook: Grand Rapids, middle 6 C/LW, PP #1/2, candidate for PK duties

Future Pro Projection: NHL bottom 6 C/LW, PK specialist

Future in Detroit? 2027-28. Yes I believe his is a player that the organization really values and he can fit into a shutdown role in the bottom 6.

C - Ondrej Becher

Age: 21

Regular Season Stats: 59 GP – 10 G – 10 A – 20 P – minus15 – 8 PIM – 62 SOG

Playoff Stats: 2 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 P – minus1 – 0 PIM – 2 SOG

Role Primarily Played:  Bottom 6 C, PP #2

Season Recap: Becher was a pro rookie this season after getting drafted as a double overager in 2024 by Detroit. Beginning the season, he looked timid and unsure of the pro game until he gained the feel for the pace after 25 games or so. Then, he didn’t look back. He earned himself regular time on the PP2 unit and capitalized on it with 4 PP goals, good for 6^th on the team. Becher played in the bottom 6 with a myriad of wingers at his side and playing a mature, yet ironically still raw, two-way game. He will look to take the next step when given a bigger role next season, as one hopes he breaks out in a similar way that Lombardi did this year.

Biggest Strengths: Becher is a surprisingly skilled, and cerebral player. Not known for being a sniper, he scored 10 goals as a rookie simply by getting to the dirty areas. He plays behind the net in the dirty areas in either end of the ice. Sneaky attacker when carrying the puck in transition or playing it off the boards, and pulls tricks from a magic bag almost like a certain #13 would do (I hope everyone understands what I mean by that). Will attack the middle of the ice and displays a creative mind for how he goes about his offense. Defensive IQ is pretty good, and the puck support is quite good and can generate breakout from it.

Biggest Area of Growth: He began growing confidence to dictate offense and attack with fancy moves like putting the puck in defenders’ feet or stickhandling through their triangle. Really surprised me to see him make AHL players look silly on some nights.

Needs Improvement: First step and separation speed to add to his skills repertoire and take another step offensively. Decision making with the puck on occasion led to stinkers in the defensive zone. He lacks a truly standout trait that may unfortunately hold his ultimate potential back.

2025-26 Outlook: Middle 6 C in Grand Rapids. PP #1/2 duties. Possible PK #2.

Future Pro Projection: Boom or bust bottom 6 NHLer.

Future in Detroit? I doubt it, but if so, 2027-28 would be his first taste.

D - Antti Tuomisto

Age: 24

Regular Season Stats: 67 GP – 3 G – 24 A –27 P – plus2 – 54 PIM – 109 SOG

Playoff Stats: 2 GP – 0 G – 0 A – 0 P – plus1 – 2 PIM – 4 SOG

Role Primarily Played:  Top pair D, PK #1, PP #2

Season Recap: Tuomisto, spending his 2^nd year in Grand Rapids, has had big expectations as the expected callup defenseman to Detroit hopefully at some point in the season. The hope was that he took that next step and forces the hand of Detroit management to bring him into action during what was a turbulent season. Tuomisto was on the top pair all year and played a steady role, contributing defensively at 5 v 5 and PK, and early on some on the PP units. As a 24 year old defenseman, his work as the defensive anchor for GR was consistent and appreciated, but I didn’t see quite the growth I would have wanted to warrant him a callup to the big club. At his age, despite defensemen needing additional time to development, time is running out to shore up the parts of his game holding him back from making the jump

Biggest Strengths: Prominent physical play where he’s capable of containing players around the boards in his own zone and separating man from puck. Gap control to defend against a rush attempting to enter his zone is quite good.

Biggest Area of Growth: He became quite involved on the PP and increased his total points output by 10 over last season, albeit in 17 more games.

Needs Improvement: Foot speed is the glaring weakness. During the year-end press conference, Steve Yzerman directly commented on this part of Tuomisto’s game when he was asked about potential Griffins defensemen making the jump to the NHL. He can get beat when crossing over or slow on his pivots. He’s also getting beat to loose pucks and 50/50 battles against fast players even at the AHL level. I wish his shot was more of a weapon. It’s hard, but he’s not a major scoring threat. Hence my concern in his 3 goals this season even with PP time.

2025-26 Outlook: He is an RFA this offseason and I would think the hope is to re-sign him for one or two years and have him in GR. He will likely remain there for one more year.

Future Pro Projection: Euro league top pair D.

Future in Detroit? It’s now or never for Tuo. Sadly, my money is on him not quite getting that chance this season.