Andy Pred 48 337 Report post Posted May 25, 2008 I was just going through the Wings prospects and latest signings and it seems that the Griffs could have a very youthful speedy looking roster for next year. I would summise and say that it could be a very young looking D too. Depending on which of last years Griffs the Wings offer contract's to as I believe that Ference and Stafford are UFA's this summer. Quincey has to make the Wings roster as he is out of options to be sent back. Ericsson is not, but I feel that if it was upto Babs then the big Swede will be with the parent club and Quincey will be lost to waivers. Don't think the front office will let that happen thou, so I see Jonathan starting the season as a Griff at least. Kindl will be back as a Griff and needs to tighten up his decision making for sure. He could be the perfect partner for Ericsson on the 2nd unit. The young lad Pyett will add more skill to the 3rd pairing for sure next season.There is also an outside chance that big hitting Belarus prospect Kolosov could be signed by the Wings to. I'd like to see both Brad and Garrett back next year to, for that experience that the rest of the D will lack. Up front could be the most exciting factor for Griffs fans. Cullen Corazzini Lemieux and Hartigan are all out of contrac this summer, with C Oulahen becoming an RFA. Will the Wings retain any of these guys? Tardif ,Gelech, McGrath and Ritola are all signed on 2 way deals thru to end of next year at least and unless one of them has a hell of a camp I see them all wearing a Griffs shirt next season. Some of the Wings top prospects will also be becoming Griffs next year. Can Helm keep hold of the Wings spot he has at present? Or will he be heading a list that could include Abdelkader, Emmerton, Mursak, Axelsson and Finish league scoring leader Leino to Van Andel? With the addition of some veteran leadership up front to keep the kids in check, it could be a free scoring season all round. In net we could see an all Swedish tandem, well maybe. Howard looks like he'll be heading to the Wings and with Berkhoel a UFA could the Griffs have top prospect Larsson vying for the #1 spot with Liv, who may have another crack at the NHL after another great year in Sweden, probably not.The kid Larsson looks certain to come over and maybe Berkhoel will be re-signed to mentor the rookie. All in all, the Griffs have the makings of an entertaining roster next season, on paper that is. Lets hope the do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjradio 0 Report post Posted May 26, 2008 Liv maybe reconsidering coming back to North America, however... IMHO, I don't think that he will. Now I am not saying that there is no chance that he won't come back. There is a chance that he may have gotten the initial shock of the north american game out of his system. But if he's given the chance at the number one, then he might come over, which also means that he's going to be the first one called up of Osgood or Howard are out. There is a good article on Griffins Central (www.griffinscentral.com) Let the Rebuilding Begin Again It's a little outdated, but still a lot of good info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
josh 0 Report post Posted May 28, 2008 Liv maybe reconsidering coming back to North America, however... IMHO, I don't think that he will. Now I am not saying that there is no chance that he won't come back. There is a chance that he may have gotten the initial shock of the north american game out of his system. But if he's given the chance at the number one, then he might come over, which also means that he's going to be the first one called up of Osgood or Howard are out. There is a good article on Griffins Central (www.griffinscentral.com) Let the Rebuilding Begin Again It's a little outdated, but still a lot of good info. yea i mean they won all but the championchip p.s are u a Member from 2k hockey.net? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted May 28, 2008 yea i hope that "hat trick dick", cory emmerton, jan mursak, and pyett come to GR next year. I go to GV so i'll be able to see them all the time =D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjradio 0 Report post Posted June 2, 2008 yea i mean they won all but the championchip p.s are u a Member from 2k hockey.net? Yup, I found the theme from PASS Sports in our music library and remixed it in the same manner as PASS used and posted it on 2khockey.. I heard the Griffins use that theme during an intermission and was so shocked when I heard it at Van Andel. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
josh 0 Report post Posted June 5, 2008 Yup, I found the theme from PASS Sports in our music library and remixed it in the same manner as PASS used and posted it on 2khockey.. I heard the Griffins use that theme during an intermission and was so shocked when I heard it at Van Andel.good job it sounds great and how about those wings 11 time cup champions!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henkka 0 Report post Posted July 29, 2008 Probable roster: Ritola - Emmerton - Haydar Mursak - McGrath - Pare Gelech - Helm - Abdelkader Lemieux - Oulahen - Tardif (Leino) Leino could replace McGrath at 2nd line, if he stays at North America. Ericsson - Pyett Kindl - Galvin Kolosov - Josza Howard Larsson I think the core is quite ready, 13+6+2 players signed including Leino. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zata fan 40 6 Report post Posted July 31, 2008 looks better to me than last year Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Dump-N-Thump Report post Posted August 5, 2008 I like it because it's filled with prospects that could potentialy make our team.. I read on MLive that Macnamara is looking for a gritty, get your nose dirty type forward and a top flight defensmen still.. Right now i live about 20 minutes away from GR, i might think about getting Season Tickets.. Its between Griffins and Fury.. Not sure if i wanna support local hockey that could be going out of business or hockeytown west. I may just be a weekday warrior, I kinda hate when its crowded at the van andel.. On wensdays/thursdays its usualy prety empty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted August 5, 2008 now that i have a car up at grand valley this year, my buddies and i will make it to many games....im excited to see how much more our team produces this yr we added four really good offensive guys, one already ahl proven in haydar...then we add emmerton and mursak, them and hat trick dick are like the only real strong offensive guys in the wings system now that grigs is gone oh and leino is a beast Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scotty 0 Report post Posted October 5, 2008 Don't get your hopes up to high about the Griffins. Last year everybody thought they were going to score like it was going out of style and win the Calder Cup without breaking a sweat. The success of this season for Grand Rapids will depend on how quickly the 1st year pros do (Larsson, Pyett, Kolosov, Emmerton, Mursak, Leino, Abdelkader, etc.). Howard not letting soft goals in every other shot would help. Alot. One more thing: "Hat Trick Dick" is playing in Sweden this year!!! He will not be in Grand Rapids until next year at the earliest!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coyote0106 2 Report post Posted October 6, 2008 (edited) Don't get your hopes up to high about the Griffins. Last year everybody thought they were going to score like it was going out of style and win the Calder Cup without breaking a sweat. The success of this season for Grand Rapids will depend on how quickly the 1st year pros do (Larsson, Pyett, Kolosov, Emmerton, Mursak, Leino, Abdelkader, etc.). Howard not letting soft goals in every other shot would help. Alot. One more thing: "Hat Trick Dick" is playing in Sweden this year!!! He will not be in Grand Rapids until next year at the earliest!!! It seemed like last year everyone said the team looked good on paper. This team will be able to do much more than last year (but then again, just about any team could). The salary cap is REALLY going to help the Griffs, because we're going to get the likes of Helm and Leino. And as much as Howard did let in some bad goals, he saved our necks alot of times, too. Edited October 6, 2008 by Coyote0106 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ti-girl 0 Report post Posted October 7, 2008 Why would Helm be centreing the third line? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites