The Daily: Detroit Draftees Fuel Griffins Success; NHL Trade Talk

If you want multiple reasons to care about the Grand Rapids Griffins‘ playoff performance, we give you Jonatan Berggren, Albert Johansson and Simon Edvinsson. All three will be with the Red Wings next season.

Tim Robinson wrote theDetroit Hockey Now story about how Berggren, who has delivered all season for Grand Rapids, did it again Saturday when he scored in overtime to give the Griffins a 3-2 triumph in Game 1 of their five-game American Hockey League playoff series against the Rockford IceHogs. Hard-working Amadeus Lombardi forced overtime by scoring with under five minutes left in the third period. He was the No. 3 star in the game. Berggren was No. 1.

Sebastian Cossa, the Red Wings’ goalie in waiting, made 20 saves to earn his first AHL postseason win.   Detroit coach Derek Lalonde recently had high praise for Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson who seems to have the Griffins understanding what it takes to be a good professional. Marco Kasper had four shots on goal in the game and Carter Mazur assisted on Berggren’s game-winner.

The Red Wings believe that Watson, who coached last season in Toledo, is doing a quality job in preparing prospects to take the next step.

“I have full trust in what he’s doing down there,” Lalonde said. “I watched closely all year and I’ll them throughout. It’s exiting they’re going to be in a playoff situation. I’ll be monitoring very closely.”

Amadeus Lombardi to send #GRvsRFD into overtime🚀@griffinshockey | #CalderCup pic.twitter.com/ZWUvDZOL8Z

— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) April 28, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• First-Year coach Dan Watson has played a significant role in helping the Grand Rapids Griffins become a winning team. The Griffins are off to a good start in the AHL playoffs.
• Detroit coach Derek Lalonde will serve as an assistant coach for USA at the World Championships in Czechia.
• Moritz Seider (Germany) and Lucas Raymond (Sweden) would need a big insurance policy before they could play for their countries in the World Championships. They both will be RFsA and would need protection from catastrophic injury. Those kind of policies are pricey.

Red Wings Offseason

Nate Danielson (drafted ninth overall by Detroit in 2023) posted three assists to help the Portland Winterhawks earn a 5-3 win against Prince George in the Western Hockey League playoffs. The Portland win tied up the series 1-1.

Great move at the red line and zone entry by Nate Danielson(1st round’23)for his first of two assists so far tonight🍏 #WHL #LGRW pic.twitter.com/nnE6KJKNeq

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) April 28, 2024

Hockey Now Network

Boston: So much for the Boston Bruins goalie rotation. Coach Jim Montgomery started Jeremy Swayman in Game 4 and the Bruins took a 3-1 lead in their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Florida: The Florida Panthers knew it couldn’t be that easy to dispatch the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning step up in Game 4 and the series now goes back to Sunrise.

Nashville: To be ready for tonight’s Game 4, the Nashville Predators have to figure out what went wrong in Game 3.

New Jersey: Who the New Jersey Devils should view as a possible trade targets this offseason.

Philadelphia: Jonathan Bailey explores reports that Russia is going to impose a passport ban that could impact Russian NHL players and prospects. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: The Pittsburgh Penguins‘ early trade bait list may include Reilly Smith and Rickard Rakell.

San Jose: Defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic doesn’t believe the San Jose Sharks will buy out his contract.