GROwl

No, the CBA still allows conditioning stints. A year ago, Chris Chelios came to GR for a few games before returning to the Wings when he had fractured his foot. This season, Grand Rapids first saw Michael Nylander on a two week conditioning assignment (he has now returned on a regular AHL assignment). In both Chelios' and Nylander's case, it was announced as being player-requested as opposed to being "sent".

Seen this guy for years playing against Grand Rapids when he was with the Marlies. He's actually much bigger than Nick and plays pretty physical. Would be a good pick up for the Wings.

I second the invitation and the recommendation. We took the kids a few years ago and had a fabulous time. The kids got autographs from all the Griffins, had a ride on the sleds, and saw a great game. When we went, Matt Ellis stood by the door and personally thanked everyone for attending and supporting the Sled Wings. Even the wives and girlfriends were there helping out. First class event.

...and career.

The special jerseys were great...unfortunately the second period was terrible. Did you stay after for the jersey auction. Mursak's, if I remember correctly, went for the highest at like $950 or so. They held back about a half dozen or so for 2/20/2010 game. Don't know why.

Exactly. You can't make it a one season (or a partial season) commitment and expect to become NHL caliber ... goalie or skater.

Agreed. Wings have been having some back luck lately with Scandanavian prospects. They don't like the idea of playing in the AHL first. Stefan Liv at least finished the season. Johan Ryno and Dick Axelsson didn't even make to Christmas (twice Ryno went home early). Ville Leino also made it through the year...but said no way would he spend a second year in GR. The Wings need to have a better orientation system before the prospects are brought over to North America. McCollum at least doesn't have cultural differences to deal with. He can focus on hockey. Part of McCollum's deal is that he is so young-barely old enough to play in the AHL. Maybe another year in Juniors would have done him good. He let in another quick set of three ugly goals last night after coming in to relieve Larsson. For both of their sake, I'll agree defense was woefully lacking with the makeshift team the Griffins put together...

This kid played in GR last Spring after his Junior season was over. We were really impressed with him and disappointed that he was too young to come to GR this year (until Spring again). Physical, but not crazy.

Axelsson is signed through 2011. However, unless he plays phenomenally in Sweden, he's done with the Wings. Dick was sent home early last Spring during the Griffins playoffs and he left the team earlier this month to return to Sweden...doubt he'll be given a third chance.

The guys who I've talked with don't mind the drive to Detroit at all...its the ride back to GR that sucks (as well as the paycut by coming back to the AHL)!

I was at GR's game last night. Ritola was the only one who had any fire in him. Too long of a Christmas break for some of the boys! Actually when I saw in this morning's newspaper that Ritola has been recalled but no details about it, I thought that the GR Press was finally getting around to reporting last week's recall!

Ritola was the only Griffin who played for 60 minutes. The rest gave some effort at various times, but not consistently. I thoght it was very welcoming of Kindl to spend a good part of the warmup chatting with Chelios. What was the deal with Nylander? He wasn't there for warmups or the first period. The Griffins played with only 17 skaters on the bench until period two when Nylander joined the team. Did he oversleep?

Last time I saw Ryan was at the October 30 game. He was sitting with this wife and an older couple...maybe his parents or inlaws. Ryan was still using crutches at the time from his September surgery. I've heard since that he stopped using the crutches and hopes to start skating in January will a possible return in early February. Yes, he will need to clear waivers to return to the GR lineup permanently...though he may be sent to GR first on a conditioning stint for two weeks.

It was announced in yesterday's Griffins broadcast that it was Tatar's last game with the Griffins until January. The kid has had 7 goals and 8 assists in his past 14 games.

Its actually not that unusual. We also have Patrick Rissmiller this year here in GR who is on loan from the Rangers. Last year, we had three players (Garrett Stafford, Aaron Gagnon and Landon Wilson) from the Dallas Stars. Whenever the fit isn't right for one reason or other with the main AHL affiliate, the NHL club has the right to contract with a secondary AHL affiliate for one or more of their players. Detroit did it last year with Randall Gelech by assigning him to Rochester when there wasn't a good spot for him in GR. The NHL club can also assign the player to a league in Europe. (That's what Axelsson seems to want for himself ...to be re-assigned to the SEL). When Nylander was here in October, he didn't have to pass through waivers either to or from GR since it was a conditioning stint. He will have to this time to come to GR. Assuming no other NHL team wants to pay 100% of his remaining contract, he'll start playing in GR once he clears. He then has to stay a minimum of two weeks before Washington can try to unload 50% of his salary by putting him on re-entry waivers (a la Sean Avery a year ago). They can also just choose to keep him in GR.

Excellent. Now Tomas Tatar can go to the World Juniors without leaving a hole...and maybe Dick "Healthy Scratch" Axelsson will be allowed to go back home.

I was at the Griffins' game this past Saturday. I was amazed at the lack of effort on Dick's part compared to the last two times I had seen him play (about a month ago). At the earlier games, he was a monster - a huge presence on the ice. Driving to the net on every play, right in the opponents' face. On Saturday, he was non-existent. On Friday, I'm told that he was a healthy scratch. If he doesn't want to be here...let him go. He's only taking away ice time for the young kids that want to play.

I think the Brad Lebda was wishful thinking. How about a guy with Brad Stuart's defense skills and Lebda's speed? Or in Meech's case...lets have DMac teach Derek Meech some toughness and tenacity. It was a hint directed to Babcock...

Ozzie must be feeling somewhat better (unless you believe in the conspiracy and confusion theory)...as of last night, Daniel Larsson told my spouse that he didn't think he'd be going back to Detroit soon. I guess he found out differently today.

Ville Leino comes from a town further north in Finland than Stockholm, Sweden is (I believe). Yet that was one of Leino's complaints last year. Of course, I'm pretty sure Leino also whined about not having enough time to find a wife between all the practices, games and the travel schedule in the AHL. So, maybe he's not the best example here. (Said with tongue-in-cheek).

Hilarious. I like how the Goalie grabbed whatever was remaining and hid it in his glove so the Coach didn't toss that onto the ice too. Makes me wonder what it was!

Sad thing is, winter isn't even upon yet. Wait til Dick gets treated to our lake effect snow here in West Michigan. The 4 hour bus trips regularly turn into 6 hour ones. The sun doesn't come out for a week. Then he'll really start missing home. And the Griffins are on a 9 game winning streak and feeling pretty good. Just wait til they go through some bad times! Maybe Kronwall or Ericsson need to give him a motivational phone call.

He's doing fine; he's starting to generate more excitement on the ice. Its only a matter of time before the goals begin coming. Persistence will payoff soon.

I just got another email note from the Griffins. Daniel Larsson is backing up Jimmy Howard in net tonight.

I just received an email from the Griffins saying that they just signed the Muskegon goalie Sebastien Centomo to a PTO. With two goalies in Detroit, two in GR already, and Jordan Pearce in Toledo, why would they do this? Did someone get hurt or sick in Detroit/GR causing an emergency need or is this a more permanent replacement of one of the 5?