Detroit Red Wings Clips May 5, 2015 Detroit Red Wings PAGE 2 Ticker: Hire Babcock? Not my job, says Comcast chairman PAGE 3 Wings' Babcock, Holland have 'nice talk' on car ride PAGE 4 Griffins' Blashill waits in Wings for NHL opportunity PAGE 8 Niyo: Red Wings' to-do list goes beyond Babcock PAGE 11 Red Wings prospect Dylan Larkin is minus-2 but USA beats Russia in World Championship PAGE 12 3 Red Wings' off-season questions: On Mike Babcock, Jeff Blashill and Jimmy Howard PAGE 14 Howard not being dealt anywhere this offseason PAGE 16 Griffins' playoff success bodes well for Red Wings' future PAGE 18 Rest? Griffins prefer 'battle ready' with Rockford waiting in second round PAGE 20 Red Wings prospect Anthony Mantha says he's underachieved, but 'It's not over yet'
Ticker: Hire Babcock? Not my job, says Comcast chairman By Steve Schrader, Detroit Free Press 11:52 p.m. EDT May 4, 2015 Are the Philadelphia Flyers truly interested in going after Red Wings coach Mike Babcock? Don't ask Ed Snider, chairman of the Flyers' parent company, Comcast-Spectacor. "This is Ron Hextall's bailiwick, not mine," Snider told the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He's the guy who is going to make the decision. If Ron Hextall decided he wanted to hire a certain person and I told him he couldn't, then I shouldn't have Ron Hextall as my GM, right? "I don't ever veto a GM's choice. It's my job to be informed, and I ask a lot of questions, but don't bring me into the coach's decision." But a former Flyer, NBC's Jeremy Roenick, didn't hesitate to compare Babcock and another reported candidate, former San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan. "I love Todd, but he doesn't yell or scream enough," Roenick told NJ.com. "I wish he was a little bit more mean... kind of like Babcock." Roenick also played for McLellan at San Jose. Quick tweet Darren Rovell, ESPN.com: "Mayweather will make more from Saturday night's fight than the top-10 picks of the 2015 NFL Draft will make combined over the next 4 years." Quick hits Jimmy Fallon, on the NFL giving up its tax-exempt status: "On the bright side, the Philadelphia Eagles can still write off Tim Tebow's salary as a charitable donation." So they say Kentucky Derby winner American Pharoah wore ear plugs? Last year it was California Chrome and Breathe Right strips. For next year's sleep aid, how about one of those airplane neck pillows? Bottom line Red Wings senior vice president Jim Devellano, quoted by foxsports.com's Keith Gave, on top prospect Anthony Mantha's first pro season: "Very, very, very disappointing. And I say that with a lot of sadness. Coming out of junior, we had such high hopes for him." Mantha, whose debut was delayed when he suffered a broken right tibia in the prospects tournament, scored 15 goals and 33 points in 62 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 05.05.2015 2
Wings' Babcock, Holland have 'nice talk' on car ride By Helene St. James, Detroit Free Press 9:16 p.m. EDT May 4, 2015 Ken Holland and Mike Babcock had what Holland described as "a nice talk" about Babcock's future during the weekend. The two carpooled Sunday to watch Detroit Red Wings farm team the Grand Rapids Griffins rally from a 2-0 series deficit to advance out of the first round of the AHL playoffs. One of the topics discussed by Holland, the general manager, and Babcock was in regard to Babcock's coaching future in Detroit. Babcock, 52, is in the final year of a contract that expires June 30. "We talked about his situation, and now, we need a little time I'm going to use the word 'stew' to stew over what we talked about," Holland told the Free Press today. "Then, in a few days, we'll talk again. And eventually, that will lead to some decision. I don't have a handicap on the situation. We drove over and back, had a nice talk." Holland said he would "give myself the month of May and hope it's concluded by then or close to it." He leaves Saturday for the Czech Republic to catch the world championships. There are several NHL teams with coaching vacancies (Buffalo, Philadelphia, San Jose and Toronto) sure to be interested if Babcock becomes available, along with some teams that don't have coaching vacancies (Edmonton, Pittsburgh) but could be enticed by Babcock. In comments last week, including immediately after the Wings lost in Game 7 to Tampa Bay, Babcock wondered who will replace Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk down the road in other words, about the future of the team's competitiveness. Babcock got to evaluate some of the answer to that as he watched the Griffins. Earlier in the year, he also got to watch Dylan Larkin, the Wings' 2014 first-round pick who is playing for Team USA at worlds. "Mike Babcock knows the Detroit Red Wings and what we've got just as well as I do," Holland said. Holland said Friday that money would not be an object in retaining the coach. Babcock is looking for at least $4 million per season, double what he made on his last contract. It would make him the highest-paid coach in the NHL, considerably topping the $2.75 million Chicago's Joel Quenneville is believed to be earning. Detroit Free Press LOADED: 05.05.2015 3
Griffins' Blashill waits in Wings for NHL opportunity Gregg Krupa, The Detroit News 4:28 a.m. EDT May 5, 2015 Grand Rapids One thing of which Jeff Blashill is certain, he wants to coach an NHL team. Others are nearly as certain he will be good at it. But, like playing in the league, the proof is in the doing. If the Red Wings are looking to preserve their winning culture, something other franchises have long sought to replicate, based on Blashill's resume and appraisals of him, they could scarcely do better. He is intimately familiar with the Wings, as a former assistant hired by Mike Babcock and coach of the Griffins at a time when nearly half the current roster in Detroit developed in the AHL. He also has won immediately as a coach in juniors, college hockey and in what many hockey people consider the finest development league in the world, the American Hockey League. His players say they are consummately prepared. Communication is direct, clear and critical to success. It was Babcock who surprised many by hiring a largely unheralded Blashill as his assistant in 2011. "He's a good man and a good coach and he's going to get an opportunity in the National Hockey League," Babcock said, watching the Griffins rebounding from a two game deficit to beat the Toronto Marlies last weekend in the first round of the Calder Cup playoffs. "He's an intelligent guy. He speaks well, and he presents well. "I'm proud of him. He does a good job." General manager Ken Holland undoubtedly will receive phone calls from teams requesting permission to talk to Blashill, unless Holland turns to him first before the exclusive rights to hire Babcock expire June 30. Until that is decided, Holland says, teams pursuing Blashill can go fish. He does not want to lose Babcock and Blashill in the same late spring without giving Blashill vigorous consideration as Babcock's replacement. "I've said all along, I think Jeff is an NHL coach in the making," Holland said, between the second and third periods of the Griffins' big win. "I think he's done a fabulous job. He's been an important guy in our organization in overseeing the development for the future." Immediate impact 4
After three years as an assistant at Ferris State and six at Miami, Blashill took the coaching job for the Indiana Ice of the USHL, the premier junior league in the country. He not only selected Torey Krug in the draft, over the objections of others who counseled against the future Spartans and Bruins defenseman because he is small, the Ice won the Clark Cup, the USHL championship, for the first time in their fourth year of existence. Two years later he went to Western Michigan, which had no winning seasons in the previous eight and had not been to the NCAA Tournament for 14. Under Blashill, the Broncos went 19-13-10 and to the Tournament in his first and only season. Then, Babcock recruited him. After a season, Holland talked to Babcock about moving Blashill to Grand Rapids. After consecutive seasons of finishing seventh, sixth and fourth and out of the playoffs, Blashill helped bring their first Calder Cup in history in his first season. But success, even at all previous levels, does not dictate it in the NHL. Head start Another factor is desire. And Blashill, in his calm, understated, cerebral way, fairly burns with it. "My ultimate goal is: I'd like to be a head coach in the NHL," Blashill said, sitting his painted-cinder block office in the depths of Van Andel Arena. It is an ambition of long gestation. "I got a head start on coaching because in my mind I wasn't a good enough player," said Blashill, who spent the last two years, 1997 and 1998, on the bench at Ferris State. His coach, Bob Daniels, asked Blashill if he wanted to return after graduation as a volunteer coach. "It was something I had been thinking about, and that kind of pushed me over the edge," Blashill said. Daniels had long before noted his average-at-best goaltender was keenly intelligent and articulate. Blashill graduated with a 4.0 in finance. "Through four years, he just struck me as having a really good personality and a really good feel for team hockey and a good knowledge of the game," Daniels said. "He was very outgoing, and I think you need to be to be a successful coach." Relying on his seniors to help him coach, Daniels said, Blashill was impressive. "He was very clear and concise when he was imparting information to our players at that time. It hit me that, hey, this guy has what it takes to be a very good coach." Daniels said he is little surprised by Blashill's success except perhaps for the immediacy. 5
"It was amazing how quickly he turned around both Indy and the success he brought to Western Michigan," Daniels said. "And I think a lot of that is just due to he is an extremely detailed person and his exceptional ability to communicate. "Those qualities come out quickly." After all the plaudits for Blashill's coaching, Daniels responded to a question about his goaltending with a chuckle. "You know, a much better coach," he said. "I think his playing days probably highlighted the fact that you need to have a good goaltender to have a successful team." Shades of Babcock If not for coaching, Blashill says, his performances on the ice and in the classroom likely would have landed him in law school. But he would not be the first so-so goaltender to be a good NHL coach. As with catchers in baseball, goaltenders have a unique perspective on the game that informs their coaching. Babcock cast a wide net for assistants, in 2011. He caught Blashill, who struck many around the NHL as unknown. Now, many say when they hear Blashill speak, it is as if Babcock is talking. Blashill is bit less fiery than Babcock, according to a unanimous appraisal. Who is not? Saying they do not confuse fieriness with desire and forcefulness, his players say Blashill brings plenty of passion. His club was on a roll last weekend. Their high-flying, play-all-200-feet style is as much like the Red Wings as their detailed preparation. And for the first time in history, the Griffins rebounded from a 0-2 deficit in the playoffs to win a series. Task at hand Blashill, 41, was born in Detroit. He remained for about 18 months. His dad was a Detroit police officer who left to start the law enforcement program at Lake Superior State. He could return as coach, or he might go to another team. It would not be in the Red Wings style to stand in Blashill's way, if they sign Babcock, despite Blashill having two years left on his contract. As for their similarities, Blashill said it precedes working with Babcock. "I would say that Babs and I have real similar philosophies on how to play hockey," Blashill said. "I'd say we have real similar philosophies on how to coach and train people," he said. "I think that was one of the reasons that attracted Babs to me in the first place, in order to hire me." 6
Amid the maelstrom some perceive as swirling him, Blashill seems utterly calm. His task, he said, is the one at hand. Well done, it likely leads to better things. The Griffins players talked about their high level of confidence, particularly at this juncture of the season, and the degree to which their coach will prepare them. Blashill seemed utterly in the moment. "I've always believed like doing the best job you can in the job you are in, and thinking about not what's next but what's right now," he said. "And that if you do a great job in what's right now, other things take care of themselves." He sounded like Babcock when he said it Babcock, without the fierceness. Detroit News LOADED: 05.05.2015 7
Niyo: Red Wings' to-do list goes beyond Babcock John Niyo, The Detroit News 4:16 a.m. EDT May 5, 2015 Detroit Ken Holland hasn't had much luck in the free-agent marketplace in recent years. Lots of empty shelves and picked-over produce, not to mention a few overturned shopping carts. The Red Wings general manager hasn't had much luck with the trade market, either, returning home to find some of the deals weren't quite as advertised broken eggs, expired milk, and so on. And so it should come as no surprise to hear Holland already is dreading his next trip to market, paring down his list long before he leaves the house. The biggest free-agent choice isn't his, necessarily. Holland is waiting on Mike Babcock, standing in line waiting for his number to be called or not as the Red Wings coach mulls his options after playing out his own contract. The two talked at length during on a trip to Grand Rapids last weekend to watch the AHL's Griffins advance in the playoffs, and they'll talk again this week before Holland heads to the Czech Republic for the World Championships. But beyond that elephant in the room when you start hearing rumblings about "compensation" you'll know we're getting closer there are other questions the GM has to answer this offseason. Preferably with something more than a resigned shrug, or a tired shake of the head as Holland reminds us all about the way things used to be. That's what the fans heard last week as the team tied a bow around "another wasted year" as Niklas Kronwall put it ("almost") and Holland and Babcock wasted little time in suggesting they'd done all they could. And perhaps all they can do. 'Those days are over' That's an exaggeration, of course. It's also an understandable argument, given the fine line between right and wrong in their line of work. If Tomas Tatar or Darren Helm buries a prime chance late in the second period of Game 7 in Tampa last week, maybe it's Steve Yzerman getting heat for a young team that fell well short of expectations. And Babcock rethinking his moving-van options. Instead, it's Holland being asked to take stock again after getting bounced from the playoffs in the first round for the third time in four seasons. "It's harder now to win the Cup for the Detroit Red Wings than it was 15 years ago when there was no salary cap and we had a bunch of superstars in their prime," Holland said. "Those days are over." But they've been over for years now, and the days of that excuse resonating with most Red Wings fans are gone as well, I imagine. Which is why Babcock's pending free agency is only the beginning of Holland's concerns this summer. Maybe even the least of them. 8
Because all parties seem to agree this Red Wings team isn't good enough to win a Cup. And despite what Holland and others keep saying, it's going to take more than internal growth to change that. It's going to take some cap creativity, and probably a bit more conviction, from the front office and ownership. The Red Wings still desperately need to add a top-four defenseman preferably one who can man the point on the power play by trade if not via free agency. They need another big body or two to help free up the undersized scorers they do have up front as well. In short, they still need things they don't have, and can't seem to find on their own. "But the days of anybody going on the free-agent market July 1st and buying this guy and that guy those guys aren't even available anymore," Holland said. "You've got to draft, you've got to develop that's where it starts." That can't be where it ends, though, because there are still too many holes to plug, still some mistakes to correct. "Is there a trade to be made?" Holland asked, rhetorically. "Is there a free-agent move to be made? Is there a deadline-deal to be made?" Odd men out Yes, yes, and yes? That's what I'm getting at: Beyond that youth movement one that might be easier to accelerate with Jeff Blashill behind the Red Wings bench there is plenty of work to do this summer. For starters, Holland must try to find a way to unload Stephen Weiss, a free-agent flop who started slow in Detroit two years ago and never really recovered, finishing the playoffs as an unhappy, healthy scratch. Weiss has three years left on the five-year, $24.5 million deal he signed in July 2013 at a cap hit of $4.9 million making him difficult to deal. But not impossible, particularly if he's packaged with some younger talent in exchange for another hefty contract like, say, Dion Phaneuf's in Toronto. Tomas Jurco, or perhaps Teemu Pulkinen, both of whom will be restricted free agents this summer, would draw some interest, though probably not enough. Defensemen on the roster Brendan Smith and Jakub Kindl could be moved, especially if Babcock returns. Ryan Sproul is another blueline prospect who seems to have gotten lost in the Red Wings organizational shuffle. (And by the way, you can't insist your team's draft position precludes you from landing elite prospects as Holland and Babcock continually have, despite what we see in Dylan Larkin, for example and then in the next breath tell us first-round picks are untouchable.) Likewise, you can't ignore the other $5 million odd-man out. Holland already has said the Wings intend to hang on to goaltender Jimmy Howard, who lost the No. 1 job this spring to rookie Petr Mrazek and seems unlikely to win it back the way Mrazek played in the playoffs. 9
That might be a matter of semantics now. Player exit interviews are this week as uncomfortable as a few of them might be and Howard's no-movement clause softens after July 1. So while a trade seems unlikely before the NHL draft, it's still possible this summer. Or by the trade deadline next season, assuming Mrazek picks up where he left off this spring. Then again, Holland's deadline deals have mostly backfired lately. Marek Zidlicky and Erik Cole this season, David Legwand a year ago. The free-agent signings of Weiss and Daniel Alfredsson two summers ago were hailed at the time both hands raised here but produced little, too. And the year before that, when the pursuit of Ryan Suter and Zach Parise proved to be a Wild goose chase and left Holland signing the likes of Mikael Samuelsson and Carlo Colaiacovo, well, that's sort of what he's talking about now. "We've been the bridesmaid a few times over the last 2-3 years," he acknowledged. "But the players on July 1, they're support players. They're not franchise players, they're not cornerstone players. They're nice pieces." Maybe so, but here's the deal: Whether Babcock stays or goes, standing pat simply won't do. Detroit News LOADED: 05.05.2015 10
Red Wings prospect Dylan Larkin is minus-2 but USA beats Russia in World Championship Brendan Savage on May 04, 2015 at 5:55 PM, updated May 04, 2015 at 5:56 PM Dylan Larkin didn't have his best game Monday at the World Championship in the Czech Republic. But that was OK because the Detroit Red Wings prospects and Team USA got the result they wanted. The United States won its third straight game as four players scored while goaltender Connor Hellebucyuk of the Winnipeg Jets made 15 saves in a 4-2 victory over Russia. Larkin, who played for the University of Michigan last season, had two shots on goal and a minus-2 rating in 14:55 of ice time. Trevor Lewis of the Los Angeles Kings, Tory Krug of the Boston Bruins, Marco Arcobello of the Arizona Coyotes and Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders scored for the Americans while Seth Jones of the Nashville Predators collected two assists. Arcobello gave Team USA a 3-1 lead midway through the third period before Lewis' empty-net goal sealed the victory with nine seconds left. Sergei Plotnikov and Anton Belov scored for the Russians, who got 16 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Americans' next game is at 1:15 p.m. Thursday against Belarus. Michigan Live LOADED: 05.05.2015 11
3 Red Wings' off-season questions: On Mike Babcock, Jeff Blashill and Jimmy Howard Ansar Khan on May 04, 2015 at 6:04 AM, updated May 04, 2015 at 6:06 AM DETROIT Who'll be behind the bench for the Detroit Red Wings in 2015-16 and who'll be in goal when the season starts? Here are three questions regarding the Red Wings: 1. Will Mike Babcock return next season? That's tough to say at this point. When he didn't sign before the season, he seemed poised to leave. When the team exceeded his expectations up until March, he seemed enthusiastic about the future and it appeared he might stay. Then, after another firstround playoff loss, he seemed discouraged and ready to move on. My guess is Babcock won't be back. He likes the young talent on the roster and in the system and probably feels the Red Wings will be good for many years (a playoff team). But does he believe they can seriously contend for a Stanley Cup? It sure didn't sound like it from his remarks following the first-round loss to Tampa Bay, when he expressed concerns about the age of the team's best players (Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg, Niklas Kronwall) and how it appears they have no superstars in waiting. He'd probably like final say in personnel decisions but has quite a bit of input in Detroit and could probably live with that. He has no interest in being a general manager, he's a lifelong coach. Money is not an issue because he's going to be the highest-paid coach in the history of the NHL wherever he lands, whether it's Detroit or elsewhere. It's silly to think he will go only to the highest bidder and wind up in a hopeless situation (Buffalo). Of all the possible landing spots, Pittsburgh, with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, would provide the best opportunity to win now. But the Penguins said they're not replacing coach Mike Johnston. Edmonton must be intriguing as well for Babcock, who would have the chance to coach the certain 2015 first overall pick Connor McDavid and a wealth of talented young forwards (Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakupov). The young stars Babcock lamented aren't in Detroit are probably among that group of Oilers. Toronto, Philadelphia and San Jose also have coaching vacancies and St. Louis might have one soon. 2. If Babcock leaves, will Jeff Blashill be the next coach? He would be the logical successor and the odds-on favorite, given his success during three seasons as head coach of the Grand Rapids Griffins (including the 2013 Calder Cup championship). This would ensure the smoothest transition. 12
Blashill has played a huge role in the development of many young players in the organization. They all credit Blashill and liked playing for him. Eleven Red Wings on the season-ending roster played for Blashill in Grand Rapids Tomas Tatar, Gustav Nyquist, Riley Sheahan, Luke Glendening, Tom Jurco, Joakim Andersson, Landon Ferraro, Teemu Pulkkinen, Alexey Marchenko, Danny DeKeyser and Petr Mrazek. And Blashill has coached many more future Red Wings, like Anthony Mantha, Andreas Athanasiou, Xavier Ouellet, Ryan Sproul and others. The Red Wings also like Todd McLellan, an assistant under Babcock for three seasons here before his seven-year stint as head coach with the San Jose Sharks, which ended last month. Blashill, whose Griffins advanced to the second round of the AHL playoffs Sunday after coming back from a 2-0 deficit against the Toronto Marlies, would be in high demand in the NHL coaching market. If Babcock leaves, the Red Wings have too much invested in Blashill to let him walk away. 3. Will the Red Wings look to move Jimmy Howard? No. General manager Ken Holland said he's not looking to move Howard. Holland wants Howard to have a good summer of training and come to training camp motivated to win his job back from Petr Mrazek. He is hoping a good, healthy competition will push both goalies to be their best. Many forget that Howard arguably was the team's first-half MVP and was its lone All- Star Game selection before his groin injury on Jan. 10. For whatever reason, he wasn't the same when he returned. As well as Mrazek played, the Red Wings want to see if he can carry the load for a full NHL season, playing 60-65 games. It wouldn't be surprising to see Mrazek and Howard split the workload. If Mrazek establishes himself as the clear No. 1 the first half of the season, the Red Wings might be inclined to move Howard at the trade deadline. However, his contract (four years at a cap hit of $5.3 million) and a limited market for goalies could make it difficult to deal. Michigan Live LOADED: 05.05.2015 13
Howard not being dealt anywhere this offseason By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily Posted: 05/04/15, 7:01 PM EDT DETROIT >> Jimmy Howard isn t going anywhere this offseason and he s not going to be asking to be moved either. Wings general manager Ken Holland wants Howard and Petr Mrazek, who surpassed him on the depth chart to be the team s goalie in the playoffs, to battle for the starting job next season. My message to these guys was pro sports is a competition, Holland said. The competition starts again in September. If you think you didn t finish good here, it s your responsibility to get out in the summer time and compete for a job and compete for ice time and if you think you ve finished pretty good I d get in a gym so you can continue on from where you re at. Howard was easily the Wings MVP in the first half of the season and was their only representative on the All-Star team. He went 16-7-7 and had a 2.08 goals-against average and.921 save percentage. But a little over an hour after he was named to the All-Star game, he tore his groin and he was sidelined for more than a month. Everything was going really well prior to that point, Howard said. We do a job where injuries happen and you can t use them as an excuse one bit. I m not going to use it as an excuse. When you come back and you re healthy, you need to perform and I didn t. Howard was never the same goalie after that, going 4-4-2 in his in 11 starts over the final month of the season. We think between Petr Mrazek and Jimmy Howard we re set (in goal), Holland said. We thought he was having a real good season. He got hurt. Petr Mrazek came in and went 10-1-1 I think. Jimmy came back and didn t get it going right off the bat. We didn t wait for him to get it going so we went back to Petr. Then we went back to Jimmy and back to Petr. Then Mike Babcock made a decision to go with Petr in the playoffs and he played great in the playoffs. I don t want to say it s the most challenging (season I ve had) but it s probably one of the tougher ones, Howard said. For the first time in my life, in my career, I wasn t the guy that was in the net at the end. It was tough that way but Petr did an excellent job, Howard continued. He s a great kid. He s going to be a great goalie for a long time and he s only going to get better, but personally it was tough. And the game that really solidified Howard s seat on the bench was his final regular season start in Montreal when he allowed three soft goals in an overtime loss. 14
That s professional sports, it s all about competition, Howard said. You ve got to compete every single day for your job and for what you get out there. Howard played one period against Tampa Bay, relieving Mrazek in a 5-1 loss in Game 2. Mrazek, 23, was one of the Wings best players in the playoffs, posting a 2.11 GAA and.925 save percentage. He blanked the NHL s highest-scoring team twice. He earned the right to play, Howard said of Mrazek. Howard, who finished the season 23-13-11 with a 2.44 GAA and.910 save percentage, has four years remaining on his contract at an average of almost $5.3 million per season. Mrazek, whose salary cap hit is just under $800,000, will be a restricted free agent after next season. If you re going to sit on your laurels we want Jimmy Howard to take the job, Holland said. It s a competition. We need great goaltending. We need the two of them to compete. Mrazek began the season in Grand Rapids, but was forced to play pretty much the whole year in Detroit due to injuries to Howard and backup Jonas Gustavsson, who will not be back next season with the Wings. We re getting better, Holland said. We re only going to get better. One of the ways we re going to get better is our players are going to compete against one and another and compete against themselves. Macomb Daily LOADED: 05.05.2015 15
Griffins' playoff success bodes well for Red Wings' future KEITH GAVE MAY 04, 2015 11:45a ET Teemu Pulkkinen had five goals and eight points in 31 games in Detroit this season. The Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings' top minor-league affiliate, rallied from an 0-2 deficit to win their opening-round Calder Cup series and extend their season. But the reviews are mixed regarding the development of several players the Wings are banking on for the future. The defense looks strong, with several players coming. But up front most of the franchise's best prospects are already in Detroit. And one player, former No. 1 pick Anthony Mantha, has not come close to meeting expectations. "Very, very, very disappointing," said Wings Senior Vice President Jim Devellano, who saw the Griffins play their final three games, including Sunday's 3-1 win, over the Toronto Marlies. "And I say that with a lot of sadness. Coming out of junior, we had such high hopes for him." In his first professional season after a splendid junior career, Mantha, a 6-foot-5, 195- pound left wing, had 15 goals and 33 points in 62 games in the regular season. He has one assist in five playoff games. On the brighter side, after leading the American Hockey League in goal-scoring this season with 34, left wing Teemu Pulkkinen picked up where he left with six goals in five playoff games. That's 40 goals in 51 AHL games this season. He had five goals and eight points in 31 games in Detroit this season. Pulkkinen is a pure shooter with an overpowering shot, and the Wings hope his success in the AHL will translate into a 20-25 goal-scorer in the NHL. The Wings also have been impressed with the play of center Tomas Nosek, a defensive specialist who scored 11 goals and 34 points and finished a team-leading plus-30 in 55 games this season. "He's a terrific young two-way player -- a 200-foot player," Devellano said of Nosek, a 22-year-old Czech who should find his way to Detroit sometime next season. Another young forward developed in Grand Rapids is speedy winger Landon Ferraro, promoted to Detroit for the final three regular-season games and all seven playoff games against Tampa Bay. But because he played in those 10 games the Wings were not able to send Ferraro back to Grand Rapids, as he would have to clear waivers. And because of the way Ferraro performed on a line with Luke Glendening and Drew Miller, most of the 29 other teams would snap him up quickly off the waiver wire. Detroit's brightest NHL prospects are on defense, where three players who spent time with the Wings this season are continuing to develop and excel in the AHL: Alexey Marchenko, Xavier Ouellet and Brian Lashoff. Another, Nick Jensen, is also developing 16
nicely, the Wings say. Marchenko and Jensen are right shots, which improves their chances of breaking into Detroit's lineup. One guy who looked like an NHL prospect at mid-season has been backsliding, however. Ryan Sproul, a fleet, 6-foot-3, 185-pound right-shot defenseman with a big shot from the point, was a healthy scratch in Grand Rapids' final two games against Toronto after Marchenko returned from Detroit. Sproul was Detroit's second-round pick (55th overall) in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. But there are still four NHL keepers on the Griffins' defense. "They're all solid guys, and they give us some depth on defense for sure," Devellano said. "The problem is that none of them are the answer to Nicklas Lidstrom." In fact, none of the four are projected as top-pair defensemen. Some could be 3-4 defensemen on the high side. All will be 5-6 defensemen in the NHL, Devellano said. In other words, there are no Lidstroms or Brian Rafalskis coming. "Where do you get that big guy, that first or second defenseman who can produce points?" Devellano asked. "That's our problem. The only place you get those guys is (high) in the draft. And simply because of where we draft we don't get those guys." That's the down side of success, what coach Mike Babcock means when he says, "we win too much." Meantime, coach Jeff Blashill's Griffins continue on to the Western Conference semifinals in a best-of-seven series with the Rockford IceHogs. Games 1 and 2 are Wednesday and Friday, both 7 p.m., at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids. It's a 2-3-2 format. The teams finished just a point apart in the regular season. Grand Rapids won the Midwest Division title with 100 points (46-22-6-2) to Rockford's 99 (46-23-5-2). foxsports.com LOADED: 05.05.2015 17
Rest? Griffins prefer 'battle ready' with Rockford waiting in second round By Peter Wallner / MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI What's better when preparing for the next round of the Calder Cup Playoffs: Two days off or six days off? Griffins coach Jeff Blashill said it is two, which, of course, is what his team faces against Rockford. But, he also reasoned that idle time isn't necessarily productive time. "I think we're going to be battle ready," Blashill said. "I think to some level there's a slight advantage to us having played five games and we'll be right ready to go into the mode of high-compete level." The Griffins, after eliminating the Toronto Marlies on Sunday with three consecutive wins, will host the IceHogs beginning 7 p.m. Wednesday at Van Andel Arena in the West Conference Semifinals. On Monday, they got the day off. The IceHogs, meanwhile, have been idle since Wednesday, April 29, after they tore through Texas in a three-game sweep. Any rest will come in handy for the Griffins coming off a physical series against the Marlies, with an equally rugged Rockford team up next. What encouraged Blashill against Toronto was the Griffins' discipline to play physical but not be readily goaded into a penalty. "I thought we got better at that as they series went along," he said. "It's like a boxing match where you get hit, you got to hit back. But you can't let that be the focal point of your team. "Your focus has to be on winning, but you have to have physicality. You have to be willing to take hits to make plays but you have to make sure they're paying the same price." The home-ice advantage for this two-three-two format second round was determined on the final day of the regular season as the No. 2-seeded Griffins won the Midwest Division with 100 points (46-22-6-2), one more than No. 4-seed Rockford (46-23-5-2). In eight regular-season meetings, the Griffins went 4-3-0-1, including 2-1-0-1 at home. They are similar on special teams each time converted 17 percent of its power play chances, while the Griffins' 86.4 percent penalty kill rate edged the IceHogs' 86.0 percentage. 18
The Griffins had the most goals in the league with 249, while the IceHogs allowed the third fewest at 180. "We battled them all year; they're a good team," said Griffins captain Jeff Hoggan. "We're going in there with a lot of momentum and a lot of confidence," said Tyler Bertuzzi, who recently joined the team and has not faced Rockford. "... I'm excited to get into the next series, rough it up a bit and do the things I do and hopefully we can pass that next round." 19
Red Wings prospect Anthony Mantha says he's underachieved, but 'It's not over yet' By Peter Wallner / MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI Anthony Mantha said his first pro season has not lived up to expectations, but the Grand Rapids Griffins forward also isn't ready to give up on his season yet. The Red Wings' heralded No. 1 pick in 2013 (20th overall) had 15 goals, 33 points and a plus-5 in 62 games during the regular season and contributed just one assist on four total shots on a minus-1 rating against Toronto in the first round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. Perhaps understandable numbers for a typical rookie, but certainly not the kind of numbers expected from the 20-year-old left winger who scored 57 goals and 120 points in 57 games for the Val d'or Foruers of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League in 2013-14. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock remarked Sunday that the season has been "a real eye-opener for him." "There's the big difference between pros and juniors," Babcock added, "and he's got some serious work to do this summer and we'll talk to him about that." Mantha didn't dodge that after the Griffins eliminated the Marlies. "Personally, I think I underachieved a little bit," he said. "Obviously, I would have liked, say 50, 60, 70 points. That was my goal at the start of the season. Obviously, I didn't achieve that, but it's not over. "I could have a great impact in the playoffs. Who knows? Only one goal could make a difference between winning a series or not. A block shot, one-on-one battles. It's not over and I want to show them I can still play great hockey." The Griffins open the Western Conference semifinals at home Wednesday against Rockford. Mantha's best game in the first round was pivotal Game Three. The Griffins, after losing twice at Toronto, came home and matched the physical play in a bruising battle with Mantha right in the mix with a number of hits. His lone assist came in the first game on a power play. 20
It is physical play and full attention to detail each shift that the 6-foot-4, 214-pound Mantha will need to work on in the off season. "I need to work on my strength, for sure," he said. "I need to work on a lot of aspects of my play, like getting quicker on my skates... I got better as the year went along but I need to keep growing for the summer." Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, when asked about Mantha, said his future will be determined by how he reacts to this season. "I think he's going through adversity," Holland said. "And I think when you (face) adversity in life and learn to deal with it, you become a better person and a better player. I'm sure he expected to score a lot of goals down here. "Lots of players down here (in the AHL) are going to be in the NHL in the next couple years. What he knows he has to do is go home and hit the gym hard in the summertime. You got to come to training camp in September determined that you're not getting a conversation that you're going back to Grand Rapids. And if you do, you build upon what you've done." It wouldn't be the first time a recent touted pick took a while to develop in the Detroit system. Tomas Jurco (35th overall in 2011) struggled mightily the first half of his first season in Grand Rapids, and Riley Sheahan (21st overall in 2011) underwhelmed his first year. Both reached the Red Wings. Conversely, Martin Frk, (49th overall pick in 2012), is still shuttling back and forth from Toledo of the ECHL. "I think that's why my managerial style is one of patience," Holland said. "Potential is a wonderful thing. But unless you fulfill your potential and it's a hard thing to fulfill your potential in the National Hockey League playing against men. That's how they eat. That's how they feed their families.they're not going to let some young players take their jobs without a fight. "So I think Anthony's going through some adversity, but he obviously has got some great assets, and now he's going to have to learn to improve in areas that the league says he needs to improve on." Last summer, there was talk Mantha could possibly stick with the Red Wings until a fractured right tibia during a rookie tournament in September shelved him for eight weeks. That set back his debut and he hasn't fully integrated within the system all season. He missed the last three games of the regular season after a hard check caused some concern over the leg. But Mantha said he is 100 percent for the playoffs. 21
"Obviously, I would have liked to score my first shift, first game but that's always the way it goes," he said of his start to the playoffs. "I just need to keep pushing and play even harder." 22