Detroit Red Wings

The Daily: Griffins Headed Back to Playoffs; Bruins Dump Vets

Published

3 weeks ago

March 31, 2025

The Detroit Red Wings are hoping to qualify for the playoffs while their Grand Rapids Griffins farm team is already preparing to play in the postseason.

That’s not much consolation for Detroit fans, but it is important for the Red Wings organization. Part of the development process for key draft picks such as Sebastian Cossa, Nate Danielson, Shai Buium, William Wallinder and others is to make sure they are playing meaningful, high-pressure games every season.

The Griffins haven’t played since Wednesday, but the Springfield Thunderbirds’ triumph over the Iowa Wild Saturday guaranteed them a place in the playoff field. Grand Rapids is currently in third place in the Central Division with nine games remaining before the season ends April 20. They play the fourth-place Chicago Wolves Wednesday in Grand Rapids.

This is Grand Rapids’ 19th playoff appearance in 29 seasons (65.5%). Griffins’ coach Dan Watson has made the postseason in both of his seasons as head coach.

The Red Wings are undoubtedly pleased with the job Watson has done this season, particularly with keeping the team competitive with constant Red Wings call-ups. Maybe more important, key prospects such as Elmer Soderblom, Wallinder, Buium and Amadeus Lombardi have all shown leaps in their development this season.

Watson has work to do preparing the team for the playoffs. With Soderblom, Austin Watson (no relation) and Dominik Shine, and others, going to Detroit, the Griffins have had difficulty scoring goals. Over the past 14 games, they have averaged 2.71 goals per game. Over the past six games, the Griffins have given up 2.33 goal.

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Detroit prospect Rudy Guimond has played 17 games for Moncton in Quebec Maritimes Junor Hockey League action, and one all of them. He posted a shutout in his first QMJHL playoff game against Quebec Saturday.

Will the Red Wings sign Trey Augustine this week? Michigan State sophomore has nothing left to prove as a prospect.

Red Wings Extra

Coach Todd McLellan’s Red Wings face the St. Louis Blues on the road Tuesday (8 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network). The Blues are the NHL’s hottest team with nine consecutive wins. St. Louis has given up 13 goals (1.44 goals per game) in those nine victories. On St. Louis vulnerability: the Blues rank 29th in penalty killing (73.5%). Of course, the St. Louis percentage is still superior to Detroit’s penalty killing percentage of 68.5%. By the way, the Red Wings are 39-for-114 (34.2 percent) on the man advantage under Todd McLellan.