Jeremy Laura: Griffins finally return to action, Detroit sports and 3 exciting prospects

I'll be watching the game tonight... need Berggren to keep piling up the points so his trade value goes up. I'm assuming at this point it will happen eventually... but maybe both sides can still work out a deal. Hate to see young talent leave the organization... unless the trade gives us more value than Berggren brings to the team. These playoffs are great experience for our top prospects... Kasper, Johannsen, Mazur, Cossa... etc.. I don't really consider Edvinsson a prospect anymore since he's a bonafide NHLer at this point. But it's good for him too.

I'm wondering if any of you out there that watch Grand Rapids regularly have any good insights on Marco Kasper's timeline. I really enjoyed the energy he brought in his one-game stint with the Wings last year but I see he does not put up many points with the Griffins still. What do you see his role on the Wings being at some point? Does he have the ability to put up points or is he more of a bottom-six energy player? If more points are the expectation, I'm guessing he is still a year or so away. If not, is it possible that he is ready to make the big jump next season?
Again, any insights would be appreciated!

I'm excited to see what another year of growth and maturity has done for Danielson, especially considering he seemed to have a strong camp already last year. Sandin Pellikka appears to have some elite skills and could be the PP QB of the future. It sounds like we might have to wait another year to see him in North America for a full season though.
I agree that Edvinsson is no longer a prospect, and I'm excited to see him in Detroit for the full year next season but I also believe he is still just scratching the surface of his potential. I may be way off but I believe his ceiling is somewhere in the future Norris Trophy conversation down the road. It may take some time until his offensive game catches up to his size but I am super optimistic that he will get there.
This will be an interesting off-season but with the young talent in the system, the future is incredibly bright!

I'm wondering if any of you out there that watch Grand Rapids regularly have any good insights on Marco Kasper's timeline. I really enjoyed the energy he brought in his one-game stint with the Wings last year but I see he does not put up many points with the Griffins still. What do you see his role on the Wings being at some point? Does he have the ability to put up points or is he more of a bottom-six energy player? If more points are the expectation, I'm guessing he is still a year or so away. If not, is it possible that he is ready to make the big jump next season?
Again, any insights would be appreciated!
- Diller

I’ve really liked Kasper, but it feels like he can “disappear” at times. He has a good shot when he uses it, likes to lean into his stick, almost looks off balance. From what I understand you can change the angle of the shot that way and make it tough on the goalie. Hoping he pushes forward and becomes more and more of a presence

I'm wondering if any of you out there that watch Grand Rapids regularly have any good insights on Marco Kasper's timeline. I really enjoyed the energy he brought in his one-game stint with the Wings last year but I see he does not put up many points with the Griffins still. What do you see his role on the Wings being at some point? Does he have the ability to put up points or is he more of a bottom-six energy player? If more points are the expectation, I'm guessing he is still a year or so away. If not, is it possible that he is ready to make the big jump next season?
Again, any insights would be appreciated!
- Diller

Imo it would be best for Kasper to develop his entire game as the top guy getting boatloads of mins in GR next year than being a bottom 6 energy guy in DET. Plenty of guys have underwhelming seasons their first year in NA.

Imo it would be best for Kasper to develop his entire game as the top guy getting boatloads of mins in GR next year than being a bottom 6 energy guy in DET. Plenty of guys have underwhelming seasons their first year in NA.
- Feds91Stammer

I agree on minutes. If he’s looking at bottom 6 relegation in the NHL it’s better to get top line mins in GR. It’s going to be an interesting draft/offseason/camp.

I don’t want to do another “broadcast buzz” article. This is just a heads up. Some of you found out that Bally is off of Comcast. You can now subscribe to your local team and the MLB is pushing that streaming service (still called Bally but run by Amazon/Diamond). the fall leagues are starting to panic (NBA/NHL) and the Pistons announced a new community partnership with Amazon today: https://www.crainsdetroit...ium=email&utm_content=RaR


I have a feeling the Wings may do something similar but right now leaving NBC may be one of the worst fumbles of Bettman’s tenure (and that’s impressive). ESPN/ABC/and possibly TNT all look to be heading to D+/Hulu. ESPN said all of their contentment will be streaming at some point in 2025

I'm wondering if any of you out there that watch Grand Rapids regularly have any good insights on Marco Kasper's timeline. I really enjoyed the energy he brought in his one-game stint with the Wings last year but I see he does not put up many points with the Griffins still. What do you see his role on the Wings being at some point? Does he have the ability to put up points or is he more of a bottom-six energy player? If more points are the expectation, I'm guessing he is still a year or so away. If not, is it possible that he is ready to make the big jump next season?
Again, any insights would be appreciated!
- Diller

I would expect him to at least start the next season in the AHL, then make the NHL full time by 2025-26.

I am reasonably confident that he will develop into a smart, reliable, all-situations NHL player. I am pessimistic about his offensive upside. I see him as more of a really good 3C who might be a serviceable two-way 2C for at least a couple years at his peak. Think, like, Martin Hanzal.

I would expect him to at least start the next season in the AHL, then make the NHL full time by 2025-26.

I am reasonably confident that he will develop into a smart, reliable, all-situations NHL player. I am pessimistic about his offensive upside. I see him as more of a really good 3C who might be a serviceable two-way 2C for at least a couple years at his peak. Think, like, Martin Hanzal.
- Sven22

I think shy of injury you’re probably dead on. Unless someone gets hurt in camp or in conditioning that seems the likely route

Sorry to go off topic. Sheng Peng of SJ Hockey Now is saying the Sharks will hire Blashill as their next coach. Would he be a good fit there?

Sorry to go off topic. Sheng Peng of SJ Hockey Now is saying the Sharks will hire Blashill as their next coach. Would he be a good fit there?
- Minnyhock

Many here will disagree but he’s a decent coach that was stuck with a dogpoop roster in Detroit.

Many here will disagree but he’s a decent coach that was stuck with a dogpoop roster in Detroit.
- Feds91Stammer

Appreciate the input. Thanks.

Many here will disagree but he’s a decent coach that was stuck with a dogpoop roster in Detroit.
- Feds91Stammer

Stammer, I think you’re right. He had success at multiple levels. When I wrote for a college hockey blog, I interviewed Blashill’s college coach at Ferris Bob Daniels. Bob raved about him. I also spoke to Rico Blasé Who was at Miami of Ohio and had been at Ferris. Same. I finally got to Jeff (was when he was coaching at Western) and he was driving to Ann Arbor to see the USNDP kids practice. He took a long time to talk to me and helped the WMU have a fantastic season. He never stopped working. The Detroit hockey scene is a tough nut. Bad decisions were made to stretch the playoff streak. I was blessed to have spoken to those coaches and learned a lot about how tight the hockey world is.

Appreciate the input. Thanks.
- Minnyhock

I’ll add to it. At one point San Jose and Detroit were the only post cap teams that were making the playoffs. SJ knows they’re in a different place now. It’s a clean slate and probably a better market.

https://twitter.com/TheWH...tatus/1790569922499649864

Enjoy!