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Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings’ Prospects Carrying Their Weight in Griffins Win Streak

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4 months ago

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carter mazur, detroit red wings
Carter Mazur boasts six goals in his past eight games (Photo courtesy of Iowa Wild/Grand Rapids Griffins)

If you are looking to solve the case of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ five-game winning streak, the evidence shows that the fingerprints of Detroit Red Wings prospects are all over it.

The Contributors

  • Jonatan Berggren (drafted 33rd in 2018) registered a goal and an assist Saturday night to help the Griffins down the Iowa Wild 4-1 for their fifth consecutive win.  The Swedish forward has two goals, three multiple games and seven points during the streak.
  • Carter Mazur (drafted 70th in 2021) also tallied his sixth goal in the past eight games in that win against Iowa. Mazur totals four goals, five points and 18 shots on goal in the five victories.
  • Marco Kasper (drafted eighth overall in 2022) assisted on Joel L’Esperance’s goal to give him six points in the five games. After a slow start, he now has 14 points in 31 games.
  • Amadeus Lombardi (drafted 113th in 2022) assisted on Berggren’s goal. He has three assists in the streak. Lombardi now has 12 points.

Tuomisto Rising

  • After an injury undermined the start of his first season in North American pro hockey, defenseman Antti Tuomisto  (drafted 35th overall) has established himself as a significant contributor on Grand Rapids’ defense. The 6-foot-5 Finland native has two goals and three points in the five games. If count the time he spent with the Toledo Walleye as part of his rehabilitation stint, Tuomisto has launched his North American pro career with seven goals and 10 points in his first 17 games.
  • Defenseman Albert Johansson (drafted 60th overall in 2019) picked up an assist to give him two goals and three points in the streak. He’s also +6. Johansson may not be a top pairing defenseman at the NHL level, but he’s going to play and be a dependable player. He’s +13 this season for the Griffins.
  • Prize prospect Simon Edvinsson (drafted sixth overall in 2021) is +4 during the streak and boasts three points.
  •  Goalie Sebastian Cossa (drafted 15th overall in 2021) is 2-0 during the Grand Rapids run. One of his wins was an impressive 29-save effort to best Jesper Wallstedt who was rated ahead of him in the 2021 draft year.

Last summer, Detroit GM Steve Yzerman made it point to say he wanted to make Grand Rapids a more competitive team. The Red Wings will continue to have top prospects playing for the Griffins. He wants to make sure their AHL experience includes playoff action.

With their recent run, the Griffins are 14-3-3-1, good enough for third place in the AHL’s Central Division.  One of Yzerman’s goals was to solidify the Griffins’ goaltending. The signing of veteran Michael Hutchinson, 33, has helped in that regard. He has given up only five goals in three wins during the streak.

 

 

 

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