The Daily: Griffins Lackluster in Playoff Loss; A Line For Sullivan

GRAND RAPIDS– When a rebuilding NHL team has an AHL team with four first-round picks and three second rounders on its roster, the last thing it wants to see is that minor-league affiliate, Grand Rapids Griffins, shut out 4-0 by the Texas Stars in Game 1 of their playoff series.

Sebastian Cossa, Detroit’s goalie of the future, was pulled after giving up four goals in the first 29 minutes of the game.

“We looked slow, we looked tired,” Griffins coach Dan Watson said. “We didn’t look fast, we didn’t look quick at all. So we need to probably take a breather tomorrow and have a really good solid practice on Thursday to regroup mentally. We will have some meetings tomorrow and just bring the group back in and talk about tonight and then turn that page quick and be ready for Game 2.”

Make no mistake, this was a disappointing performance by all involved, The two teams have played nine times this season, and Texas has won six of them, including two by overtime.

“A lot of times we were one and done one shot and it was their puck and now they were breaking out,” Watson said. ” We just weren’t quick enough on the second pucks, on the rebounds, on loose pucks. They were winning all those races. So it was about winning those types of battles, winning those types of puck races to try to maintain some sort of possession.”

It is not what you want to see when you are counting on players from this team making an impact on the Red Wings as early as next season. Amadeus Lombardi did generate five shots on goal, and defenseman Axel Sandin Pellikka had three shots. Elmer Soderblom also showed three.

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

GM Steve Yzerman and captain Dylan Larkin have discussed Larkin’s feelings about the minimal movement from the team at the trade deadline.

The last active member of the Red Wings 2008 Stanley Cup team is finally retiring.

Bob Duff writes that all indications are that defenseman Justin Holl and J.T. Compher will be with the Red Wings next season. At the risk of sounding like a therapist, how does that make you feel?

Red Wings Extra

With the Red Wings adding top prospects to the Griffins’ roster, and Austin Watson and Elmer Soderblom coming back from the Red Wings, some other prospects and good players have to sit.

“You see the players sitting out — Antti Tuomisto (Eemil) Viro, (Nikolai) Knyzhov, like even on our back end, sitting those three defensemen (isn’t) easy,” Watson said. “The forwards up front, (Cross) Hanas and (Alex) Doucet. Johannes isn’t available right now due to an injury. But we have guys that have been here, they’ve played. But that’s what playoff hockey is and we have to make tough decisions and we’ll make more tough decisions before (Game 2) Monday.”

Hockey Now Network

Florida: Aaron Ekblad draws another suspension, this one two games for an illegal hit. Florida Panthers. 

New Jersey: Depth defenseman Santeri Hatakka has signed with a Swedish Hockey League team. New Jersey Devils.

Philadelphia: NHL draft lottery will be May 5. Flyers have fourth-best odds. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Teams are lining up to talk to Mike Sullivan about being their coach. Former Penguins player is no longer Vancouver’s coach. Pittsburgh Penguins.