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I missed the first game last Friday (caught the highlights), but watched the games Saturday night and last night and the Griffins have looked really good. Mantha doesn't belong in the AHL, he'll be up soon enough. The goal in his first game as well as all three last night were all on the power-play, bombs from the point. I wouldn't want him on the point in Detroit, but I would love to see him on the right half boards, to be the sniper on that side of the ice. But of course he will be used as the net front because he's BIG... His goal in the second game was his only even strength goal, but showed off his speed and skill to beat the defender (who was at least 2-3 steps ahead of him) to a loose puck and go in on a breakaway and picked his corner. Very nice goal. He also had a 2-on-1 with Lorito in the second game where he made a perfect saucer pass over the sprawling defender, but Lorito rang it off the pipe. I've been very impressed with Mantha's overall game and the progress he's made, he looks dominant out there on most shifts and rarely loses puck battles. He still doesn't back-check as hard as he fore-checks but I'm okay with that, we need some more offensive minded players. F*** having every single player play defensive minded hockey... Aside from Mantha, the only other players that really stood out in both games were Callahan and Russo. I still think Callahan should be on the Wings over Miller / Ott. He brings all the same intangibles, relentless on the fore-check, plays with a bit of an edge, can kill penalties, but could also provide a bit of offense. Russo is definitely our best defender down there, he's a very good two-way defenseman. His offense is what usually gets him noticed but his defensive game is probably a little underrated. Svechnikov was all over the ice Saturday night, and had so many unbelievable opportunities, before finally burying one in the third period. I didn't really notice him much last night for whatever reason though. Same goes for Bertuzzi. Although Turgeon didn't get much ice time, I'm impressed with him every time he's on the ice. I don't think he'll ever be a great offensive player, but I'm thinking he could be another Sheahan type, defensive center with offensive upside. I really wasn't impressed with Sadowy in either game, hopefully it's just a matter of adjusting to the pros. I wasn't ever really high on Hicketts, mainly because of his size, but man does he ever continue to impress. He's very quick and deceptive, and his hockey IQ is off the charts. He made one massive hit behind his own net on a guy twice his size in the game Saturday night. He may actually have a shot in the NHL. I've been high on Coreau since last season, and he continued to impress in training camp and pre-season this year. He had a bit of a rough game last night, but still made some key saves. Great start to the season for the Griffs and I expect they'll keep rolling. Nice to see them get victories over two former long-time teammates Ferraro and Hoggan too.

Helm is exactly where he should be. Centering the third line. With you on the others, though. Sheahan should be on the fourth.

Here are some pics from yesterday: Gordie Howe Entrance Stairway Red Carpet tunnel: For those who have never been to Detroit, the buildings in the background of this pic are in Canada! We entered insanely early, but it looked SO cool it was worth it:

Since the prospects section didn't mention the AHL by name I figured I'd put this in here. I don't know about other people, but I follow the Griffins pretty closely throughout the year to see how guys are doing. So, to kick things off. Anthony Mantha has 5 goals in 3 games so far, just scored a hat trick tonight against Iowa. As Blashill would say, "not an elite player at the AHL level"

Sheahan should go down to 4th and AA upto 2nd with Neilsen. Keep 3rd line the way it is

You have to admit Lefty, it would be quite funny if Vanek has a monster season proving you right, but does it on a line with Helm and Nyquist

Agreed that Sheahan is being misused. He should be topping out on the third line, but I'm not breaking up Nyquist-Helm-Vanek at this point. Sheahan would be far more effective on the fourth than Ott or Miller. I hate seeing AA on the fourth as well, but at this point I think I'd like to see: Abdelkader-Nielsen-Mantha Tatar-Larkin-Zetterberg Nyquist-Helm-Vanek AA-Glenny-Sheahan While his contract may be your point of contention Richdg, but Helm's pretty key to winning games these days as he's tied for the lead in goals scored and is just behind Green and line-mate Vanek in points. ...and you gotta win regular season games to win anything else.

Isn't Helm in the 3rd line, and looking good at it right now to boot? With you on Sheahan, he shouldn't be seeing top six in my opinion.

BTW Mantha with the Hat trick tonight, gives him 5 goals in 3 games. Why isn't he in Detroit?

The Griffins were down 3-1 to Iowa at one point, but Mantha didn't like that much. They just won 4-3, Coreau is now 3-0 on the season. Callahan has 4 points in the three games as well. Lots of good happening down in GR.

Oh the irony!

Yeah that was one good one he got in, but he was slippin and falling alot. Dig those blades in.

Of course he is playing like a man possessed. At 32 this is his last chance for one more big payday. That said even if he does light it up this year giving him more than a two year deal would be a mistake.

Sounds eerily similar to last year

Pulkkinen scored his first as a MInnesota Wild last night.

Ducks are off too a rough start eh? 7 goals in 4 games... Struggling offensively, sitting with 8 defensemen, and arguably their best still unsigned... Maybe they should trade one of their defensemen for a top 6 winger...

Hicketts is a guy who has all the tools and the right mindset to be an NHL player despite his size.

Two hockey fights in final home opener of an arena named after Joe Louis the boxer. Love it. Nope no bad seats in the Joe at all.

Can't complain too much. At least the team is sticking up for one another. That hasn't happened in YEARS. Also Neil/Abdelkader was a definite draw. Neil may have landed more, but Abby landed at least one very nice shot. If the zebras got out of the way, it would have been a much better fight.

it very much looks like Phaneuf is in fact getting away with his s***. this league is continue to amaze ...

One of these days you're gonna have to tell us about your Brendan Smith connection. Can only fools us for so long. By the way, so far I am liking what we have seen from Brendan mostly.

He very well could be, he is playing like a man possessed. It gives me hope.

Vanek has been a very pleasant surprise so far. If he keeps it up, just mostly of what he's done so far he is the steal of the year in my opinion.

Just got back from the game, great way to kick off the final year at JLA! The PP was definitely looking good tonight. Obviously Green is not going to score like this every game, but this is what we have needed since Lidstrom retired, a PP QB that has a shot from the point. I thought Zetterberg looked pretty good, not sure how it came off on TV, but he was getting into the corners, battling for the puck and winning those battles. While he has definitely slowed down, he still has something left in the tank. Good move switching him to the Wing. That outlet pass to Helm was awesome. Vanek was also very impressive. I was not a huge fan of the signing as I wanted to Mantha or AA in that spot, but if he continues to play like this I'll have to give Holland credit for this one. I'll give some props to Lefty as well, you wanted this signing and have talked it up for months now.... so far so good! Even E looked good. Ill take what he gave us tonight out of a third pairing guy anyday. Offensively Sheahan didn't look great, made a few blunders. I would like to see him on the fourth line for Miller, and AA in that spot.

Sadly, that's what I thought before I entered college............