Griffins Report: Grand Rapids Fighting for a Playoff Spot

The Grand Rapids Griffins are currently battling for a playoff spot while maintaining 5th place in the AHL’s Central Division.  With only 14 games remaining, the Griffins have a record of 27-27-8.

The following Griffins players are currently playing with Detroit: Calvin Pickard, Taro Hirose, and Joe Veleno.  Chase Pearson was returned to the Griffins on Monday and is expected to play next weekend.

Here is a breakdown of the Detroit prospects since our last update three weeks ago.

Player Preview: Jared McIsaac

https://twitter.com/griffinshockey/status/1508088961415229446?s=20&t=OBQz1m1LEB68EnmHZTn4WQ

Jared McIsaac celebrated his 22nd birthday on Sunday.  The rookie defenseman is having a very good first full season of professional hockey playing for Grand Rapids (AHL).

In 61 games, McIsaac has scored five goals, 17 assists, 22 points, and a -9 rating.  McIsaac also leads all Griffins defensemen with 108 shots on goal.

McIsaac is currently in the second year of his three-year entry-level contract with Detroit.  He earns a salary of $70,000 to play in the AHL.  McIsaac will be a RFA at the end of the 2022-2023 season.

Detroit Red Wings Prospects Update

Jonatan Berggren remains second in Griffins scoring.  In his last seven games, Berggren  scored one goal, six assists, seven points, and a -3 rating.  In 56 games overall, Berggren has 15 goals, 29 assists, 44 points, and a -16 rating.

Riley Barber recently returned from injury while playing with Detroit.  In 13 AHL games during March, Barber scored five goals, eight assists, 13 points, and a -2 rating.  In 36 games overall, Barber has 13 goals, 19 assists, 32 points, and a -11 rating.

Kyle Criscuolo played eight games for the Griffins in March.  He recorded three assists and a -4 rating this month.  In 48 games overall, Criscuolo has scored 12 goals, 20 assists, 32 points, and a -10 rating.

Ryan Murphy continues to be the top scoring defenseman for the Griffins.  In eight games this month, Murphy scored one goal, five assists, six points, and a +1 rating.  In 53 games, Murphy has scored 11 goals, 18 assists, 29 points, and a -7 rating.

Chase Pearson was recalled to Detroit and played his first NHL game last Thursday.  During March, Pearson played 10 games for the Griffins.  He scored two goals and had a -5 rating.  In 47 games, Pearson has scored seven goals, 10 assists, 17 points, and a -18 rating.

Dan Renouf played 13 games with the Griffins in March.  He scored one goal, two assists, three points, and had an even +/- rating.  In 49 games this season, Renouf has two goals, 10 assists, 12 points, and leads the Griffins with a +14 rating.

Wyatt Newpower recently return to the Griffins lineup after missing five weeks with an innjury.  In the two games since his return, Newpower had one assist, a +1 rating and two shots on goal.  In 41 games this season, Newpower has scored three goals, six assists, nine points, and a +2 rating.

Donovan Sebrango played 12 games and was held without a point in March.  In 55 games overall, Sebrango has one goal, five assists, six points, and a +2 rating.

Seth Barton was recently recalled from Toledo (ECHL).  In four games since his return to the Griffins, Barton had two assists, a -3 rating, and four shots on goal.  In nine games this season, Barton has one goal, two assists, three points, and a -4 rating.

Calvin Pickard was recently recalled to Detroit when Red Wings backup goaltender Thomas Greiss was injured.  In his last six games, Pickard had a record of 3-2-1.  In 43 games, Pickard now has a record of 21-16-6, with a 2.58 GAA, a .918 SV%, and one SO.

Victor Brattstrom played six games since our last post.  During this stretch, Brattstrom had a record of 1-3-2.  In 20 games overall, Brattstrom has a record of 6-10-4, with a 3.55 GAA, a .890 SV% and one SO.

This Week

Grand Rapids play three games this week starting with two home games against the Texas Stars on Friday and Saturday.  Both games will start at 7:00 PM ET and will be played at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.  On Sunday, the Griffins travel to play the Milwaukee Admirals.  Game time is 6:00 PM ET at UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena in Milwaukee, WI.