Red Wings Face Decision With Tuomisto

Discussing Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Antti Tuomisto, Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman insists he’s maintaining hope that the Finnish defender will one day be an NHL player.

The thing is, it’s evident that Yzerman isn’t 100% sold on that idea. He still is harboring concerns about Tuomisto’s ability and he doesn’t mind sharing those concerns. They don’t know that he can skate consistently at an NHL level.

“For Antti, it’s still again working on the pace to keep up, especially as a defender,” Yzerman said.

Antti Tuomisto played a quiet yet solid style of defense for the Grand Rapids Griffins during the 2024-25 season.

By the end of the regular season, Tuomisto led all defenders with 27 points. #GoGRG #LGRW @TheAHL pic.twitter.com/PnKKGp83VU

— Graced By Rain (@GracedByRainPod) April 27, 2025

That being said, there’s still lots to like about Tuomisto’s game. First of all, he’s a right shot, as coveted among NHL defensemen as situational left-handers are in an MLB bullpen.

He can shoot the puck at an NHL level. His point blast is a powerful one. He led Griffins defenders with 27 points. Tuomisto is 6-foot-4 and 194 pounds and as the old saying goes, you can’t coach size into a player.

“Antti’s big and strong,” Yzerman said. “Physical, great shot, passes the puck really well.”

Another concern about Tuomisto is that he’s already 24. His NHL window is closing faster than some other Red Wings defense prospects.

Oh, and here’s the biggest concern of them all right now when it comes to Tuomisto. He’s a restricted free agent.

Will Red Wings Sign Tuomisto?

Now, it’s not like some team is going to offer sheet Tuomisto. Yet, the Red Wings must make a determination that they still view him as at the very least, a project worthy of further investment. Are they willing to give him multi years on a new pact? Is Tuomisto prepared to settle for a shorter deal, confident he’ll prove himself to the Detroit brass?

Griffins coach Dan Watson, who sees Tuomisto on the ice every day, believes there’s enough showing in Tuomisto’s game to view him as a worthwhile investment.

“He’s been steady for us defensively,” Watson said. “He’s been steady for us moving pucks, and that’s one of his biggest attributes, the way he sees the ice and can distribute the pucks. He makes great passes. He sees it extremely well.”

#CLEvsGR | Cleveland continues to give the puck up and Antti Tuomisto takes advantage with a wired shot into the top corner

4-0 Griffins in the first period pic.twitter.com/XOO2nq35BW

— Andrew Rinaldi (@GR_Rinaldi_) December 31, 2024

Watson also acknowledges the elephant in the room, Tuomisto’s footspeed.

“I think he’s still working on his feet, his mobility, but he understands that and knows that,” Watson said. “So he puts himself in position to have success defensively. Again, with the length of a stick, his angling, the way he is around our net, he’s got that intensity that maybe that he lacked a little bit last year. That’s growing and you have to build on that. That’s just not something that happens overnight. You have to do that consistently.

“I do see more consistent intensity, inside our own zone when he doesn’t have the puck, and that’s going to help him. He’s going to have to defend. He’s have to learn to defend really hard if he wants to make it to the next level, which he is. And then again, just be that puck distributor that he is.”

Will be enough to turn Tuomisto into an NHLer? Still too early to say.

Will it be enough to get him another Detroit contract? Probably so.