Rank our griffins d prospects

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I get it, and yeah it seems odd that a developmental team would give a spot to a non-prospect over one with decent potential.

But we also have 5 decent prospects who all run out of waiver exemption after next season, plus two kids on the roster, plus two vets under contract and worth keeping. All of our prospects aren't going to play in Detroit even if they all prove to be good enough. Two or three maybe.

Believe me, I agree. I doubt Kronwall, Ericsson, DeKeyser and Smith will be going anywhere (outside Smith being part of a package for a legitimate upgrade). After that, I think Ouellet and Sproul have the inside track on the last two spots.

However, I'd still like to see how the other three guys pan out, and I think the best way to do that is by getting them as much playing time as possible. I doubt any of them are going to push Ouellet out, but one of them could at least challenge Sproul. Really, it just comes down to finding out what the team has in these five guys. Two will likely make it, and another could be used as the 7th defender (my hope is Marchenko). In an ideal world, the other two should be part of a package to get an upgrade somewhere.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

One less prospect to rank…

Ansar Khan retweeted

Pete Wallner ‏@petewallner 15m15 minutes ago

Can also confirm through Red Wings that @griffinshockey D Mattias Backman has returned to Sweden.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Yeah, because Scott Czarnowczan is definitely an upgrade over Backman... Rare mismanagement by the Wings on this one in my opinion, although I guess none of us know the full story about what was really going on there...

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Yeah, because Scott Czarnowczan is definitely an upgrade over Backman... Rare mismanagement by the Wings on this one in my opinion, although I guess none of us know the full story about what was really going on there...

He's a downgrade if only for having to spell his name.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

So uh... how about that whole getting him playing time and seeing what he has to offer thing... worked out well. *cough*

That's unfortunate.

[Ekmanc 586]

Might be for the best. If he goes back gone he'll be a leader on his team and play 25minutes in every situation and he'll likely get some looks on the national team too.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

By my calculations that's 13-ish chances.

Which isn't much for a guy who has played his entire career on big ice. Bäckman has quite a good resumé and if we can't even make room for him to get some security and learn in the AHL we are going to end up regretting it.

13 games plus camp and practices. If he's not one of the Grifs 6 best be should stop complaining and do something about it. If he go home we'll regret it about as much as we regret Ryno, Almquist, Larsson, and the other prospects bwho bailed because they couldn't handle earning ice time.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Xo has been sent down to make room for tom mccollum, who will back up Peter Mrazek against the avs.

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2014/12/red_wings_jimmy_howard_day-to-.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Ekmanc 586]

13 games plus camp and practices. If he's not one of the Grifs 6 best be should stop complaining and do something about it. If he go home we'll regret it about as much as we regret Ryno, Almquist, Larsson, and the other prospects bwho bailed because they couldn't handle earning ice time.

Way to be nuanced... This kid has a lot more upside than any of the ones you mention.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

13 games plus camp and practices. If he's not one of the Grifs 6 best be should stop complaining and do something about it. If he go home we'll regret it about as much as we regret Ryno, Almquist, Larsson, and the other prospects bwho bailed because they couldn't handle earning ice time.

Way to be nuanced... This kid has a lot more upside than any of the ones you mention.

Upside is meaningless unless it's reached

[Ekmanc 586]

Upside is meaningless unless it's reached

Well no s***...

That's exactly why he should be given more of a chance. He was one of the top defenders in the SHL before he left and he will be a great defender here too once he settles into it but you need to be given some form of confidence from your coach.

[Guest DeGraa55]

Well no s***...

That's exactly why he should be given more of a chance. He was one of the top defenders in the SHL before he left and he will be a great defender here too once he settles into it but you need to be given some form of confidence from your coach.

But at the same time you need to EARN it.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

But at the same time you need to EARN it.

Let's say that Backman wasn't performing up to snuff in practices, and the 13 games he played in. That's fine - he wasn't doing enough to stay in the line-up on a consistent basis. My issue with the situation right now is that Evans has played in 20 games, and has contributed nothing on offense. I understand his role on the team, but Backman was essentially sitting while Evans has been racking up PIM's.

Earning it or not, I just can't understand the logic behind letting a player who could potentially contribute to your team in the future sit over an AHL veteran who's got zero points and no future in the organization.

I'm sure Backman played his role in the situation - perhaps a poor attitude, sense of entitlement, being homesick, etc., but now a player this team was pretty high on going into the season is back in Sweden, and I can't see him coming back to GR. The chances he makes the Red Wings out of camp, from the SEL are pretty much slim to none. It's a situation that could have been avoided, IMO.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Let's say that Backman wasn't performing up to snuff in practices, and the 13 games he played in. That's fine - he wasn't doing enough to stay in the line-up on a consistent basis. My issue with the situation right now is that Evans has played in 20 games, and has contributed nothing on offense. I understand his role on the team, but Backman was essentially sitting while Evans has been racking up PIM's.

Earning it or not, I just can't understand the logic behind letting a player who could potentially contribute to your team in the future sit over an AHL veteran who's got zero points and no future in the organization.

I'm sure Backman played his role in the situation - perhaps a poor attitude, sense of entitlement, being homesick, etc., but now a player this team was pretty high on going into the season is back in Sweden, and I can't see him coming back to GR. The chances he makes the Red Wings out of camp, from the SEL are pretty much slim to none. It's a situation that could have been avoided, IMO.

So he should have earned his playing time, but he should have been given playing time even if he wasn't earning it, while Evans, who despite his lack of an NHL future who has been doing his job, should have been benched.

The bottom line is that Backman didn't do enough to prove he was good enough to play in the AHL. End of story.

[Buppy 1,720]

For the record, he played 18 out of 25 games this year.

The primary purpose of the AHL may be to develop players, but they are also trying to win. Learning that the team comes first, how to compete, how to win, are also important parts of development.

If the kid couldn't handle being scratched for 7 games he had no real chance anyway. Maybe he'll grow up a bit, improve some more, and try again next year. Or maybe like tons of other picks his chance is over.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

So he should have earned his playing time, but he should have been given playing time even if he wasn't earning it, while Evans, who despite his lack of an NHL future who has been doing his job, should have been benched.

The bottom line is that Backman didn't do enough to prove he was good enough to play in the AHL. End of story.

So Evans' job in the AHL > Backman's job in the AHL + his potential job at the NHL level.

Perhaps I'm underestimating the importance of a plug, who's scored zero points at the AHL. It's fantastic that Blashill feels he's got more intangibles, or brings leadership to the team, or whatever... but I think it's a very short-sighted strategy. Grand Rapids is what... 10th or 11th in the West? What exactly are they winning, and how is Brennan Evans helping? How does Backman playing in his spot hinder their "success" this season?

I admit, Backman leaving is a short-sighted move on his part. As much as he's responsible for his development, management is just as responsible, if not more. He's a suck for leaving, but I truly believe this is an example of mismanagement as well. To say that the onus is on a 22 year-old kid for leaving, what he feels to be a situation that is hindering his potential, is kind of ridiculous, IMO.

Backman's playing in the SEL and likely not coming back - that's partially on him, but there's more to it in my view. This team can't or won't move Kindl, and won't sit Brennan Evans. Both contributed to this situation.

Edited December 20, 2014 by Jesusberg

[Dabura 12,232]

Upside is meaningless unless it's reached

Let's trade Mantha.

[Buppy 1,720]

So Evans' job in the AHL > Backman's job in the AHL + his potential job at the NHL level.

Perhaps I'm underestimating the importance of a plug, who's scored zero points at the AHL. It's fantastic that Blashill feels he's got more intangibles, or brings leadership to the team, or whatever... but I think it's a very short-sighted strategy. Grand Rapids is what... 10th or 11th in the West? What exactly are they winning, and how is Brennan Evans helping? How does Backman playing in his spot hinder their "success" this season?

I admit, Backman leaving is a short-sighted move on his part. As much as he's responsible for his development, management is just as responsible, if not more. He's a suck for leaving, but I truly believe this is an example of mismanagement as well. To say that the onus is on a 22 year-old kid for leaving, what he feels to be a situation that is hindering his potential, is kind of ridiculous, IMO.

Backman's playing in the SEL and likely not coming back - that's partially on him, but there's more to it in my view. This team can't or won't move Kindl, and won't sit Brennan Evans. Both contributed to this situation.

Making a big deal over nothing.

Sproul's been scratched. Jensen's been scratched. Jurco was scratched. Glendening spent part of a year in Toledo. Ton more examples if anyone cared to look for them.

Sometimes players get scratched. That's reality. It's not like it was every game, or even long stretches of games. If he couldn't handle sitting occasionally while learning a new system and adjusting to his first season in America, then he wasn't going to make it, no matter how coddled he was.

He was a longshot to ever make the Wings (much less be a player of any impact) the day he was drafted. With the guys ahead of him, probably even more of one this year despite the promise he's shown. If he never comes back it's no great loss.

The team is not, and should not be, in the business of babying every two-bit prospect we come across.

[nyqvististhefuture 1,002]

Ahhh come on man! Just saw backman left for Sweden ! Why couldn't we just let him play and trade a veteran with no future in detroit , yes I know Grand Rapids want to win but it's also there to help develop our guys and he did come down from his home country sweden and left behind everything

There's no chance he's coming back to the nhl f*** .... We might as well try and convince a team to take him In a trade that can offer him a chance cause he will never be a redwing

I don't know if he ever would of been a wing but another young European going back home during the ahl season ... Sucks

[Son of a Wing 1,644]

You're not gifted anything as a pro. Check out the Oilers if you want to see the product of that.

[kipwinger 8,756]

I don't see anybody lamenting the fact that Big Richard Nedomlel wasn't getting his opportunity to shine with the Griffins as a result of being buried behind other guys.

That's probably because he's kept his head down, worked hard, and waiting for his opportunity. Not cried about it like an entitled s***head and then ran back to Europe.

Screw Backman. I'm excited to see what Richard can do. Put him on a pair with Sproul. Let Nedomlel be the stay at home, Stuart type, and let Sproul fly.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Can't really blame Backman. Evans blows and is a career AHL player, Backman should be given the opportunity over him. Backman was huge for us in the playoffs last year, and Babs loved what he saw from him all last year.

[Guest DeGraa55]

Can't really blame Backman. Evans blows and is a career AHL player, Backman should be given the opportunity over him. Backman was huge for us in the playoffs last year, and Babs loved what he saw from him all last year.

Evans provides that veteran leadership people always cry about. You know so we don't eco me the oilers.

And it says a lot about Blackman if he couldn't even earn a start over a CAREER ahl player.

[DatsyukianDekes 2,428]

Evans provides that veteran leadership people always cry about. You know so we don't eco me the oilers.

And it says a lot about Blackman if he couldn't even earn a start over a CAREER ahl player.

He did last year and was probably our best dman in the playoffs, he wanted to be a regular this year.

Sure he wasn't off to a good start this year but he is better then Evans for sure.

This is more of a roster mismanagement by Holland then Backman being a "sore loser". Kindl / Lashoff shouldn't even be on this team, XO should be up full time.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

Can't really blame Backman. Evans blows and is a career AHL player, Backman should be given the opportunity over him. Backman was huge for us in the playoffs last year, and Babs loved what he saw from him all last year.

He had several opportunities. He apparently didn't do anything in camp, practice, or 18 AHL games to prove he was better than a career minor league plug who hasn't scored a point this year.