The Daily: Cossa’s Time To Shine for Griffins; Why Sullivan is Out

Goalie Sebastian Cossa (2021). Center Nate Danielson (2023). Defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka (2023). Wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygard (2024). These four Detroit Red Wings’ first round draft picks and Grand Rapids Griffins players are probably more important to the organization than some of the players on the current roster.

The same might be true for second rounders such as William Wallinder, Shai Buium and Antti Tuomisto.

That’s why Detroit the Grand Rapids Griffins’ playoff series against the Texas Stars, starting with Game 1 tonight in Grand Rapids seems to critical to the franchise’s ongoing rebuilding effort.

The Red Wings would prefer to have their top prospects arrive in Detroit with some history of winning. This will not be an easy best-of-five series for the Griffins who lost five of eight games against the Stars in the regular-season, including two in overtime.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

Expect the Red Wings  to keep Justin Holl and J.T. Compher this offseason.

Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman needs to find another David Perron to improve his team’s offensive depth.

Bob Duff explains it’s ludicrous to think the Red Wings are considering trading captain Dylan Larkin.

Red Wings Extra

Detroit prospect Rudy Guimond’s Moncton Wildcats, holding a 2-0 series lead, play Game 3 tonight against Rouyn-Noranda in their best-of-seven Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League semifinal. Goalie Guimond, 22-0 for the Wildcats in the regular-season and playoffs, has been sharing the net with Mathis Rousseau (15-5) during the postseason. It is Rousseau’s turn to start.

Hockey Now Network

Florida: Now the Panthers are starting to look like the championship Panthers. They rally to win Game 4 against Tampa Bay and take a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series. Florida Panthers. 

New Jersey: GM Tom Fitzgerald’s confidence in New Jersey’s offense was misplaced. New Jersey Devils.

Pittsburgh: Dan Kingerski explains why coach Mike Sullivan had to be fired Monday. Pittsburgh Penguins.