The Daily: Griffins Have Intriguing Roster; Pens Like GR Alum

It’s useless to even guess what kind of team the Detroit Red Wings will have in 2025-26 before GM Steve Yzerman has completed his offseason refurbishing. But let’s give the Grand Rapids Griffins credit for already showing excitement for the team they will put on the ice next season.

It’s still May, but the Griffins have already announced that their season home opener will be Oct. 17 against a still-to-be-determined opponent.

Detroit’s minor-league affiliate knows, regardless of what the Red Wings will do, the Griffins will have a collection of intriguing players, including players who will probably be in the NHL by next season.

If neither Axel Sandin Pellikka or Michael Brandsegg-Nygard make the Detroit Roster, the Griffins will likely have four first round picks. Nate Danielson and Sebastian Cossa are among those who probably will start with the Griffins and could end up with Detroit  later in the season.

The Griffins will begin the home portion of their 2025-26 AHL schedule with Opening Night presented by Huntington Bank on Friday, Oct. 17, at Van Andel Arena, one of six home dates that have been confirmed by the AHL #GoGRG

DETAILS >> https://t.co/YO6rIZrwFc pic.twitter.com/s2ngcwW0sN

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) May 14, 2025

Second-round pick William Wallinder is ready to push for a job in Detroit. Other second rounders Antti Tuomisto and Shai Buium will also be on the Griffins’ defense. Anton Johansson is another Red Wings defensive prospect that has impressed the Red Wings.

Amadeus Lombardi, Carter Mazur and Emmitt Finnie are also among Detroit’s highest-rated forwards.

Depending upon who makes the Detroit team in the fall, the Griffins will start next season with 10 or more players who seem well up the path toward playing in the NHL. The Red Wings prospect is starting to sort itself out. Defenseman Eemil Viro saw the handwriting on the wall and signed with a Swedish team.

For the past two seasons, GM Shawn Horcoff has also done a quality job of stocking the team with a AHL veterans who make a difference.

Red Wings in In Case You Missed

Jeff Blashill will draw upon some of his experiences with the Red Wings in dealing with the young Chicago Blackhawks.

Tomas Tatar, whose NHL career was launched with the Detroit Red Wings, is leaving the New Jersey Devils to play in Switzerland for Zug.

Former Detroit player Frans Nielsen has received a Hall of Fame recognition.

Red Wings Extra

Former University of Michigan player Steven Kampfer, who signed with the Red Wings in 2022-23 but never played for them, officially retired from the sport. He played 44 games for the Griffins that season. The two-way defenseman played 231 NHL games in his career with the  Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins. Kampfer was a member of the 2011 Bruins team that won the Stanley Cup. He is 36

Hockey Now Network

Florida: Injured Sam Reinhart, A.J. Greer and Niko Mikkola all skated before the Panthers left for Raleigh, but it’s unclear whether they will play Game 5. Florida Panthers. 

Montreal: How far could the Montreal Canadiens move up if they traded both of their first-round picks? Marc Dumont explores that question. Montreal Canadiens. 

Philadelphia: Ian Laperriere, stepping down as the Phantoms coach will join the Flyers front office as a hockey operations adviser to GM Danny Briere. Philadelphia Flyers. 

Pittsburgh: Chatter suggests the Penguins have considerable interest in Todd Nelson. He’s a former Grand Rapids Griffins player and head coach. Pittsburgh Penguins.