Detroit Prospects Make Impact in Griffins’ Strong Start

Ville Husso’s return to the Grand Rapids Griffins adds a seasoned goalie to an American Hockey League team showing more ambition than was anticipated before the season began.

The Red Wings sent Husso back to the Griffins Wednesday after goalie Alex Lyon was deemed recovered from his recent injury. Husso joins a Grand Rapids team that is 9-3-1 after beating the Rockford IceHogs 5-2 Wednesday afternoon at Van Andel Arena. The Griffins own the AHL’s fifth-best record.

It’s impossible to know how long Husso will be with GR. However, for as long as he is there, the Griffins tandem of Sebastian Cossa (6-3-1, 1.99 goals-against average and .935) and Husso (3-0, 1.23, .958) will be among the AHL’s best.

Grand Rapids’ next game is Friday, at home, against the Chicago Wolves.

Here are Detroit prospect contributing to the Griffins’ early success:

Center Amadeus Lombardi

Lombardi, 21, is second on the team in scoring with 10 points in 13 games.  He’s on pace for a 50-plus points this season. That’s a higher production than Marco Kasper showed last season, particularly early in the season.

It’s still too early to project Lombardi’s NHL’s potential. But the Red Wings appreciate the energy Lombardi brings and his work ethic. He is smallish by NHL standards, but could will his way into the Show.

Wing Cross Hanas

An injury knocked Hanas off the NHL track in 2022-23. It felt like he still trying to recover last season when he managed only eight goals and 16 points in 58 games.

Texas native Hanas is back on the right path this season with four goals and six points in 13 games. That’s a 20-goal pace. Hanas has 21 shots on goal. Only three Griffins (Lombardi, Joe Snively and Dominik Shine) have more.

Center Nate Danielson

Danielson hasn’t roared out of the gate. But with four points in his past five games, including a two-point game Wednesday, it looks as if Danielson is starting to find his way.

His development is important because the franchise needs to find more young top six forwards. He was drafted ninth overall in 2023.

Defenseman William Wallinder

Before going on the injured list, Wallinder was plus-5 in his first five games. The Red Wings believe he has taken another step toward being a competent NHL blueliner.  He won’t be a top pairing contributer, but he has size, some skill and he continues to improve defensively.