5 Detroit Red Wings prospect updates (Grand Rapids Griffins face elimination)

It was a cool, crisp spring night in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan. My mom and I were on our way back to Skunkette (my car that I thought looked cool, like Darth Vader, until I saw the skunk coloring—now I can’t see anything else when I look at her).

This time, it was a different parking garage than the last fiasco, but elevators in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, can sense fear. 

Before we got to the elevator, we ended up in a stairwell. In hindsight, we should have taken my previous advice. However, we were on the fourth floor with bad knees that demanded an alternative route, so to the elevator we went. 

As we approached the gates of the dungeon—I mean elevator, the smell of cigar smoke engulfed our poor nostrils. The smell only intensified as the elevator doors opened. I guess it was another sign to turn back while we could. Did we listen? Of course, not. 

Fortunately, my mom pressed the correct button (I don’t have button-pressing privileges on elevators anymore) and we arrived at the fourth floor. There was only a slight problem. The elevator doors wouldn’t open. 

Another unfortunate fact? My mom gets claustrophobia (scared of confined spaces—in her case, it gets worse when it’s warm, which the elevator was nice and toasty). 

I turned to my best skill set. It’s a skill that my late cousin complained about endlessly in our many matches of Tekken Tag. Rather than learn the buttons to press to use specific moves, I mashed buttons. Sadly, I only ever beat my cousin once with this method, but things worked out better for the elevator button mashing.  

We were able to get out on the third floor (the doors opened and everything, it was like they were rolling out the red carpet when in reality the jaws of the trap released us). We’ve never waddled so fast in our lives. 

All I can say is that getting stuck in an elevator certainly puts things in perspective. What I once viewed as a disappointing trip to Grand Rapids turned into a revelation. In a night where we could have fallen four stories in an elevator, or still be stuck in it, things aren’t so bad after all.

For the Grand Rapids Griffins, though, they seemed to have lost their spark midseason. 

Whether it was the call-ups, injuries, a poorly constructed roster, or maybe something else, they haven’t looked quite right. The three-to-four goaltending rotation only made matters worse. After promising the net to Sebastian Cossa, the return of Ville Husso demanded a split in games, impacting both goalies. Although Husso soared in his role, Cossa didn’t.

Detroit Red Wings star goaltending prospect, Sebastian Cossa, serves as backup in game two for the Grand Rapids Griffins

In the second half of the season, Cossa hasn’t progressed as we would hope. He is far from alone in this category, but it’s worth noting that Cossa is facing a steeper climb than previous seasons. 

As Griffins fans, we’ve been spoiled. As Red Wings fans, we’ve had the privilege to watch Cossa grow without too many setbacks or too long plateaus. In reality, development never goes so smoothly for anyone in any line of work. The fact that Cossa really hasn’t had many setbacks (except maybe not stealing the starter’s net for the World Junior Championships for Team Canada). 

I’m actually excited to see how Cossa rebounds from this season (and if he gets more chances in the postseason) as I think this step back will only make him stronger. 

Axel Sandin-Pellikka, the Detroit Red Wings’ blue-chip prospect, from middle pairing defenseman to top defender for the Grand Rapids Griffins

After his record-breaking season in Sweden, Red Wings fans, including myself, were doing metaphorical backflips (I’m not capable of actual backflips). No offense to the other prospects, but he was literally the reason I dragged my poor mom to Grand Rapids for game one in the first place. I had already attempted to watch him play live at the Four Nations in Plymouth, Michigan, but he didn’t end up playing in that game. Thus, I had to wait a couple of years to watch him live (and he was worth the wait)

In two playoff games, Sandin-Pellikka hasn’t recorded his first goal (or point, but in the regular season, he earned an assist). As the playoffs forge on (hopefully longer than three games), Sandin-Pellikka will likely get more comfortable (acclimating to life in North America, his role within the team, and the style of play).

Since joining the Griffins, Sandin-Pellikka has floated between the top and middle pair on defense. He’s rotated between fellow Swede William Wallinder, two-time champion Shai Buium, and Brogan Rafferty. Monday night, he found himself back with his fellow Swede on the top pair. Hopefully, he can stay with a consistent defensive partner, as switching young players’ defensive partners isn’t helpful to their development.

In an ideal world, Sandin-Pellikka would be paired with a veteran defenseman. While Wallinder is in his third season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, he’s still not a veteran in my book. However, he’s the most reliable defenseman the Griffins have available in their lineup. As such, I hope we see Wallinder with Sandin-Pellikka with Wallinder for game three.

As for Sandin-Pellikka’s overall play, I’ve seen him steadily adjusting to the North American game. In particular, the American Hockey League (AHL) is a brutal, unforgiving league. Of course, the NHL playoffs are on another level in terms of physicality, skill, and everything in between, but on any given night, I think a regular-season AHL game could give the NHL a run for its money in terms of physicality. Veteran players abound who are undisciplined and let their anger take control, dishing out brutal hits that aren’t seen in the NHL much these days outside of the playoffs. 

For this reason, I was concerned with Sandin-Pellikka and how he would transition to the AHL. Frankly, I wished that he skipped the AHL entirely. After watching him in his first two playoff games in the AHL, I am thrilled to report that my concerns were unfounded. 

Sandin-Pellikka isn’t a menace or a brute by any stretch of the imagination. However, he is sneaky with his assertive play. He knows how to use his stick for more than pucks. A skill that seems to be a lost art these days, with smaller players who seem to forget about it, Sandin-Pellikka uses the heck out of his stick on his opponents. Subtle jabs or cross checks that go unnoticed because he’s smart with his timing and placement means he’s not a guy who is going to just take the opponents’ crap.

On top of this, he’s slippery. It’s the kind of slippery that a lot of smaller guys try to be, but it’s hard to achieve. 

Highest drafted Norwegian finds his footing for the Grand Rapids Griffins

I won’t lie, I thought Sandin-Pellikka would have a harder adjustment period to the AHL. On the other hand, I thought Michael Brandsegg-Nygård was built for the AHL and North American game in general. 

Yes, the speed of players and the game is quicker, but whenever I’ve seen Brandsegg-Nygård play, he’s always seemed like a North American-style player to me. This inkling only grew the more I watched him play in Sweden. 

He would often be penalized for plays in Sweden that would’ve earned a high five in North America (especially in the AHL). 

While the two might have swapped with Sandin-Pellikka, possibly having the hotter start out of the gate, Brandsegg-Nygård has grown more comfortable in his role with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Earning his first two points reflects his improved play. 

At the same time, I know there is a lot more of Brandsegg-Nygård to give. He’s still not sure of how far to push the envelope, and I know it will be fun watching him reacquaint himself with the physical side of his game. Instead of having to tone things down, the Griffins on the brink of elimination need every ounce of bite Brandsegg-Nygård can muster. If he adds points in addition to his bite, the team will be even happier. 

Brandsegg-Nygård seemed to have earned an elevated role later in game two. Something that should have happened sooner, but I understand why the coaches waited so long. 

With this newfound place in the lineup and confidence from the coaches, I think we’re going to see Brandsegg-Nygård play his game. I can hardly wait.

New budding bromance for the Grand Rapids Griffins defense

Last season saw the rise of a bromance on ice. Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson made a formidable pairing. Although they weren’t constantly together, they typically played off of each other well. So well, in fact, that for a good chunk of the Detroit Red Wings’ 2024-25 campaign, Trent Yawney (defensive coach for the Wings) rekindled the bromance. 

In Grand Rapids, there is a new bromance budding. One, I’ve been on the edge of my seat, impatiently waiting (I mean, what else am I going to do when I watch another crumbling March for the Red Wings?).

Shai Buium has always been a favorite of mine since Detroit traded up in the 2021 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Level Draft to select him in the second round at 36th overall. 

Whenever I watched Buium, I walked away more intrigued than the last. He’s a bit of an unknown, even still to this day to me. 

His NHL comparables don’t really exist in my mind. Rather, he’s a strong two-way defenseman who brings a bit more offensive pop when he’s at his most confident. Yet, he’s not somebody most notice as he tends to stay in the shadows. When any fan seeks him out, though, they’re rarely disappointed.

He’s also delivered some of my favorite hits of any Wings prospects. Buium doesn’t seek a hit out, but when the option presents itself, he knows how to use his momentum to his advantage. Although I love a good hit as much as any barbarian, I loathe when a player abandons his other job duties to hit someone (unless it’s the two names that keep targeting my captain, Dylan Larkin, then all bets are off).

Buium is an interesting half to the new bromance emerging. The other half intrigues me just as much.

Anton Johansson has taken the Griffins by storm since joining the team in the middle of March. Maybe not the most consistent player (I mean he is only 20 years old and drafted in 2022, so he’s still a young player), but what he lacks in consistency, he makes up for in personality. 

Johansson is a fiery, lanky defenseman who isn’t quite as physical as I anticipated. Likely still adjusting to North America, Johansson will break out of his shell the more the playoffs go on (and hopefully it’s for many more games). Almost a mirror to Brandsegg-Nygård, I think his time in Sweden and international play has toned down his wild side. However, the AHL playoffs are a great opportunity for him to let loose (within reason, that is) and have some fun.

I’m not sure where Johansson ends up next season. His contract in Sweden makes things a bit obvious: Sweden or the NHL. However, it seems like the Griffins might be his best option for his sheer development path. I have to wonder, can the Detroit Red Wings finagle a deal that lands him in Grand Rapids full-time next season? Likely not, but my false hope continues.

We’ll check in on some other prospects with the Griffins at a later time. 

Game three is Friday, May 9, in Austin, Texas, where the Griffins will fight for their playoff lives at 8 p.m. ET. Streaming is available in the US through FloHockey.