All Purpose Grand Rapids Griffins Thread

[PumpkinEscobar 136]

I can't wait for little Bert to join the Griffins once his season is over...hopefully some of the Europeans join him

[dirtydangles 1,328]

Do you guys think Janmark or Melen will come over next year? I'm pretty intrigued by these guys.

[kipwinger 8,521]

Melen is always hurt. He seems to have good skill at lower levels, bit he can't stay in the lineup long enough to prove anything. I'd be real surprised to see him inGR. Janmark seems like a good bet though.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

GR winning 6-1 after 2 tonight. I'm wondering when we'll see Landon Ferraro again. As excited as I am for Athanasiou, he's gonna be a top 6 center in the future. Ferraro projects to be a bottom six guy, after taking a step back last year, he has 21 goals for the Griffins this season (2nd to Pulks for context). Andersson is what he is, a fill in PKer/faceoff guy. But he provides, NOTHING, else. Since it seems like Franzen will be out for the year, I'd like to see him get a crack on the 3rd/4th line. You can never have too much speed, and he's got the kind of wheels that fit with our team.

[BottleOfSmoke 5,965]

Melen is always hurt. He seems to have good skill at lower levels, bit he can't stay in the lineup long enough to prove anything. I'd be real surprised to see him inGR. Janmark seems like a good bet though.

HOW DARE YOU

[Ekmanc 586]

Janmark will most likely be in GR next season, I don't see him playing another year for the indians.

[krsmith17 7,191]

Ekmanc, you're Swedish aren't you? Do you ever catch any of Janmark or Holmstrom's games? From their stats, highlights and the scattered article I read, I think both are going to be great players, and Holmstrom looks to be yet another late round gem. Any insight on either of them?

Edited February 26, 2015 by krsmith17

[Buppy 1,720]

Mrazek with a 2nd straight shutout and 3rd in 4 games. Meile up to 3rd in AHL scoring, Ferraro tied for 2nd in goals (though he's played more games than the guys he's tied with). Griffins have won 8 in a row, 10-0-2 in their last 12. The team has really turned things around from the early season struggles.

[FifeHockeyNut 57]

Do you guys think Janmark or Melen will come over next year? I'm pretty intrigued by these guys.

I hope Janmark comes over, I watched him play on Monday, he got three primary assists on all his team's goals and led the team in shots was clearly the man of the match.

[amato 3,210]

Mrazek with a 2nd straight shutout and 3rd in 4 games.

AHL = easy mode now.

I'm so excited for mrazeks career.

[Nightfall 871]

Mrazek with a 2nd straight shutout and 3rd in 4 games. Meile up to 3rd in AHL scoring, Ferraro tied for 2nd in goals (though he's played more games than the guys he's tied with). Griffins have won 8 in a row, 10-0-2 in their last 12. The team has really turned things around from the early season struggles.

I have been watching and going to a lot of Griffin games and I can tell you that chemistry was a big part of why the Griffins struggled. This is why we need a great coach at the AHL level. Blashill is not going to be down in Grand Rapids much longer, and his coaching has helped the Griffins get to where they are now. This team is going to challenge for a Calder cup again this year. Just watch.

[FifeHockeyNut 57]

I have been watching and going to a lot of Griffin games and I can tell you that chemistry was a big part of why the Griffins struggled. This is why we need a great coach at the AHL level. Blashill is not going to be down in Grand Rapids much longer, and his coaching has helped the Griffins get to where they are now. This team is going to challenge for a Calder cup again this year. Just watch.

I agree a cup run is on the cards!

[martinezsvsu 240]

3-2 OT win over rockford tonight

highlights

http://www.sendtonews.com/#!highlight/story/ZPGv9HdeYw

[Smite 399]

Another big win 13-0-3-0 in the last 16 games. They are rolling

Athanasiou had a beauty.

[rick zombo 3,739]

The Griffins are 13-1-3 since Lashoff was sent down.

[Desert Rat 78]

This is just coming from what I've seen via small YouTube highlights but it looks like Jensen is really playing well down there.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

This is just coming from what I've seen via small YouTube highlights but it looks like Jensen is really playing well down there.

He's a ridiculously good skater.

[amato 3,210]

Athanasiou had a beauty.

Not safe for work.

[kipwinger 8,521]

Question for everyone, in your opinion has Athanasiou passed Mantha on the prospect depth chart? He was nearly as good in Juniors, he's been considerably better in the AHL, and while not as big as Mantha he's still got excellent size, speed, and skill for the NHL game.

Thoughts?

[amato 3,210]

I don't think so. Manthas size will be huge for the wings.. I'd maybe put them at about the same level but Mantha also started a couple months behind because of his leg so it's hard to say, imo. I think next season will be a good indicator of where Mantha is. Either way, it seems like they both have a potentially bright future in Detroit. Tons of upside to both of them.

[krsmith17 7,191]

I would put them as 1a and 1b right now as far as our forward prospects go. I've been extremely high on Athanasiou for a couple years now, and there's no question that he has had the much better start to his pro career. Mantha, I think will be a great player as well, he's just taking longer to adapt to the pro game. I think they will be 1 and 2 in scoring for the Griffins next season and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they are both top 5 in the league.

The thing for me is, I think they are both very different players but both will be just as effective in their own way, but I think Mantha is slightly overrated, while Anthanasiou is slightly underrated league wide and even by some Wings fans... All the talk has been about Mantha and Larkin, but I am just as high on Athanasiou as either of those two for sure.

[kipwinger 8,521]

Athanasiou has played fewer games than Mantha. He missed 20 some games with a broken jaw. But I'd agree that it's tough to tell what either of them would be doing right now if they hadn't dealt with significant injuries this year.

[amato 3,210]

Athanasiou has played fewer games than Mantha. He missed 20 some games with a broken jaw. But I'd agree that it's tough to tell what either of them would be doing right now if they hadn't dealt with significant injuries this year.

Ah I forgot about that. I feel like a leg injury is tougher to come back from.. at least athanasiou could keep his legs in shape a little. But yeah, who knows.

[Jesusberg 1,256]

I would put them as 1a and 1b right now as far as our forward prospects go. I've been extremely high on Athanasiou for a couple years now, and there's no question that he has had the much better start to his pro career. Mantha, I think will be a great player as well, he's just taking longer to adapt to the pro game. I think they will be 1 and 2 in scoring for the Griffins next season and I wouldn't be at all surprised if they are both top 5 in the league.

The thing for me is, I think they are both very different players but both will be just as effective in their own way, but I think Mantha is slightly overrated, while Anthanasiou is slightly underrated league wide and even by some Wings fans... All the talk has been about Mantha and Larkin, but I am just as high on Athanasiou as either of those two for sure.

I agree with this. I've been watching more Griffins games as of late, and I think Mantha's starting to come around. In particular, I liked his goal against Rockford the other night. He's a big body and I'd much rather see him in front of the net than playing perimeter hockey. I think he's really starting to adapt to the physicality.

I think AA is as "safe" of a prospect as Detroit has in its system right now. I'm looking forward to seeing what Mantha-AA can do together from here on out.

[number9 3,297]

AA is faster and only a bit smaller. Not like Mantha uses his size anyway.

I think AA has passed him