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Detroit Red Wings: A Handful of Griffins a Phone Call Away

By Bob Heyrman

CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 02: Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Matt Puempel (73) is congratulated by Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Matt Lorito (28), Grand Rapids Griffins defenceman Filip Hronek (13), Grand Rapids Griffins center Ben Street (10), and Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Eric Tangradi (26) after scoring a goal during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Cleveland Monsters on February 2, 2018, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - FEBRUARY 02: Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Matt Puempel (73) is congratulated by Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Matt Lorito (28), Grand Rapids Griffins defenceman Filip Hronek (13), Grand Rapids Griffins center Ben Street (10), and Grand Rapids Griffins left wing Eric Tangradi (26) after scoring a goal during the first period of the American Hockey League game between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Cleveland Monsters on February 2, 2018, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Detroit Red Wings
(Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Brian Lashoff played in 75 games for the Detroit Red Wings in 2013-14.  Since then, “Lash” has played very sparingly only appearing in 17 contests for the Wings.

Lashoff turned 28 years old this past summer.  Lashoff will be relied on to help this crop of young defenders develop in the minors.  Lashoff a stay at home defenseman can be called up to Detroit if injuries start to mount up.

It seems unlikely Lashoff gets the call with all the young defenders Detroit is eager to mix into their line-up.  The health of Niklas Kronwall is a concern, but you can’t assume an injury. Anything can happen to anyone at any time.  Detroit will have Nick Jensen hanging around as a depth guy.  Luke Witkowski is a swing-man who can play forward or defense whenever he is called upon.

Brian will find himself falling down the list but remains there if needed.  Lashoff a guy who can be trusted to make the safe play but generates absolutely no offense to speak of what so ever.  Brian is entering the final year of his contract and will become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of this season.

Brian Lashoff will be able to offer advice to the young players like Villi Saarijavi, Gustav Lindstrom, Joe Hicketts this season in Grand Rapids while they wait for an opportunity to head to Detroit.

Lashoff takes a regular shift for the Griffins as a top 4 defender, his special teams start and end as primarily a penalty killer.  Last season with Grand Rapids, Lash scored 5 goals and added 10 assists totaling 15 points.

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