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kipwinger

All Purpose Grand Rapids Griffins Thread

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This has probably already been discussed, but here ya go:

Holland planning to scout prospects this week [Detroit Free Press]

After spending most of last week meeting with team scouts in Las Vegas, Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said he plans to watch the Grand Rapids Griffins play three times this week.

The AHL's Griffins host the Chicago Wolves on Wednesday, the Utica Comets on Friday and the Iowa Wild on Saturday. All three games start at 7 p.m.

Among the players on Holland's radar are forwards Landon Ferraro and Anthony Mantha and defenseman Ryan Sproul.

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Holland knows what he's got with Callahan, Marchenko, and to a lesser extent Pulkkinen. However, Sproul, Mantha, and Ferraro seem like (until recently) they're still in flux. I imagine that's why he's scouting them. He already knows who his most NHL ready guys are, but why not take a look at the next in line guys and see how they've progressed?

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Khan's got a full article up on Holland looking at the Griffins now: http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2015/01/all-star_break_provides_red_wi.html

"Ferraro has had a really good year," Holland said. "Callahan's had a pretty good year. Calli was here up until we made our last cuts. He's a guy we'd be comfortable calling up if we had to."

Nice to see they're comfortable with Callahan. Just not sure where he fits in next season, unless they cut ties with Andersson.

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Just curious, for those who watch Griffins hockey regularly, does Callahan still play with an edge?

I know he's toned down the extra-curricular stuff, but is he still a pest?

Yes and no. He doesn't ever fight, but he's not a pest. You don't see him trying to get under people's skins the way a traditional pest (Maltby, Glendening) would. But that's because that isn't his role on his team. He's a first line power forward in GR and plays that game. He's most comparable to Abdelkader on our current team. He's a physically tough, strong, and in your face type of player. He hustles. He competes. He's aggressive. He's "heavy". And at the NHL level he'll probably be an agitator. But in GR he's a top line guy. So he doesn't act too "pesty", despite his style of play.

Edited by kipwinger

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Yes and no. He doesn't ever fight, but he's not a pest. You don't see him trying to get under people's skins the way a traditional pest (Maltby, Glendening) would. But that's because that isn't his role on his team. He's a first line power forward in GR and plays that game. He's most comparable to Abdelkader on our current team. He's a physically tough, strong, and in your face type of player. He hustles. He competes. He's aggressive. He's "heavy". And at the NHL level he'll probably be an agitator. But in GR he's a top line guy. So he doesn't act too "pesty", despite his style of play.

I figured something close to this. He's basically the net front presence down there from what I've seen, but I've only been checking out games more recently.

I'm wondering if he could tweak his game to suit our 4th line, as I know it would be a change from what he's doing down there. I know Detroit's got a lot of depth at forward right now, but I'd love to see a 4th line of Miller-Glendening-Callahan. At the very least, I still think he's an upgrade over Andersson.

Edited by Jesusberg

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I figured something close to this. He's basically the net front presence down there from what I've seen, but I've only been checking out games more recently.

I'm wondering if he could tweak his game to suit our 4th line, as I know it would be a change from what he's doing down there. I know Detroit's got a lot of depth at forward right now, but I'd love to see a 4th line of Miller-Glendening-Callahan. At the very least, I still think he's an upgrade over Andersson.

I'm sure he can. And to be honest, despite his projections, I don't think he'll be completely limited to the fourth line in the NHL. His passing is underrated, and he's got pretty good hands in close. He's got some offensive upside because of this. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't think he'll be a top six guy or anything, but I also don't think he couldn't produce on the third line eventually. I mean, I never thought Abby had any offense in him and look at him now.

I think the important thing for Callahan is that he's got a good frame (he's bigger than he's listed on the Griffins website IMO), he's physically and mentally tough, he works really hard, AND he's not a dummy. He understand the game, and how to get better.

I certainly think he could steal Andersson's spot. He's just got to get the opportunity, and do the things Babs likes. Andersson has a job because Babs' trusts him to be responsible defensively. If Callahan gets his chance and can do that, PLUS be physical and produce a little bit, he'll make the team next year.

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Whoever doesn't believe that Callahan has a future in the NHL (on the Red Wings) clearly haven't watched this kid enough. He is definitely an upgrade over Andersson right now, and I think if given the chance, he would be better than any of our options on the 4th line in a very short time. The kid flat out competes. He's the exact type of player Babcock loves, and I'm honestly a little surprised he wasn't given the Glendening treatment by Babs. I will be shocked if Callahan doesn't make the team next season out of training camp. He is better than Andersson in literally every facet of the game...

I think his 6'0", 195lbs. stature is pretty accurate but I agree that he definitely plays bigger. He is a prototypical 4th liner. He hits everything, blocks shots, kills penalties, great speed, a very good wrist / snap shot and underrated hands and passing. I love this kid, and I hope he makes the jump sooner rather than later...

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At the game tonight. Cally is such a little spit fire so far..

Was wondering though, is the ahl schedule like the nhl schedule in that every team plays each other twice? Or even once? I couldn't find anything online

Other notes: the power play looked great on the one we have. Pulk and Mantha have great hands haha. Pulk looks calm under pressure too. Good game so far imo

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I'm watching it online, great game so far.

No, not every team plays every team... unfortunate for me, I don't get to see the Griffins live at all here in St. John's...

I'm not sure exactly how the schedule works though. I know that the Marlies (who are also in the Western Conference with the Griffins) play here in St. John's (that is an Eastern Conference team) a few times a year. I'm not sure why the Griffins NEVER make the trip out here...

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... Was a great game... Still lots of time left though...

Athanasiou looks amazing as expected. He hasn't missed a step after the injury. He looks even faster in the past couple games (if that's even possible...)


And just like that Athanasiou scores a goal on a beauty pass by Mantha.

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... Was a great game... Still lots of time left though...

Athanasiou looks amazing as expected. He hasn't missed a step after the injury. He looks even faster in the past couple games (if that's even possible...)

And just like that Athanasiou scores a goal on a beauty pass by Mantha.

Athanasiou makes Mantha better. You can tell who drives the play on that line. Athanasiou has been back for like three games, and Mantha got a goal and two assists in that time lol.

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Absolutely. Athanasiou is unreal. For anyone that doubts this kids talent, I'd highly recommend catching a couple Griffs games.

I think Mantha will be a good pro, and still has the potential to be a stud, but there's no question that Athansiou has had the much smoother transition from junior to pro, and right now is the more dominant player.

I've been pretty impressed with both Nosek and surprisingly Tvrdon as well...

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Absolutely. Athanasiou is unreal. For anyone that doubts this kids talent, I'd highly recommend catching a couple Griffs games.

I think Mantha will be a good pro, and still has the potential to be a stud, but there's no question that Athansiou has had the much smoother transition from junior to pro, and right now is the more dominant player.

I've been pretty impressed with both Nosek and surprisingly Tvrdon as well...

Watching the game and was just going to mention this. Hooking penalty wasn't all his fault - he was put in a bad position. He's hard on the puck and uses his frame well.

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Pulk has looked amazing all game long. Guarantee he's up next year.. Mantha and Athanasiou are definitely developing some great chemistry.. The kind of chemistry that we saw with tater, nyquist, sheahan, and jurco all coming up to the wings

& tie game!!! Kind of hope I get to see some of new OT format..

Edited by amato

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Saw the game online athanasiou was really impressive and mantha showed some flashes of brilliance and I got no doubt those 2 will be in our lineup in 2-3 seasons

As for pulkkinen I'd personally make room for him right now and give him the rest of the season and give him time to get going for the playoffs , where else we gonna trade for a guy with Pulkkinen's shot?

We need every valuable asset right now to help us win while pavel and hank are with us and I think with Pulkkinen's shot and maybe on a 3rd line playing against other teams bottom 6 in the playoffs could really provide us with a few valuable goals

Edited by nyqvististhefuture

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Griffins roll over the Wolves tonight 5-1. Another unbelievable game for Athanasiou with a goal and 2 assists, the most impressive was the assist he made on Zengerle's goal. He has unbelievable hands, and is so strong on the puck. I cannot wait for this kid to crack the Red Wings lineup. I think it will be a lot sooner than people would think. Mantha also had a very strong game with a goal (empty net) and an assist. Tvrdon continues to impress me, he had another very good game with a nice goal on a shot coming down the wing, and an assist, and also got robbed point blank on two great opportunities... Pulkkinen had a good game as well, with a goal on a breakaway, and ripped it just wide on another couple chances. Kindl had a decent game, wish he would stay down in Grand Rapids though...

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Nosek and Tvrdon were hyped a lot before their respective injuries. Glad to see them both find form after all that business.

People who don't think Callahan will amount to anything either haven't seen him play or are stupid.

There's a part of me that thinks Mantha is not going to be anything he was predicted to be.

EDIT: I'm stupid

Edited by number9

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Nosek and Tvrdon were hyped a lot before their respective injuries. Glad to see them both find form after all that business.

People who don't think Callahan will amount to anything either haven't seen him play or are stupid.

There's a part of me that thinks Mantha is not going to be anything he was predicted to be.

Then that makes you stupid

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