3 Grand Rapids Griffins eyeing a spot on Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have a robust group of prospects. Various public scouts who cover the National Hockey League (NHL) teams and prospects have the Detroit Red Wings ranked in the top half of the league, some as high as first or second, while others rank the Detroit Red Wings pipeline in the teens. However, the consensus is that the Detroit Red Wings have a promising group of young players.

Many prospects are gaining experience overseas, but a handful are finding their way closer to home. The American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings, the Grand Rapids Griffins, started red hot this season. Things have cooled, while the Grand Rapids Griffins regain their form, but there have been players with consistent, impactful play throughout the season. 

A couple of these names are familiar to fans. They’ve been covered frequently since being drafted, but another name is sticking out to me lately while tuning into Grand Rapids Griffins games. I think all three should give upper management pause when considering their next call-up. Based on recent play, I kind of hope it’s sooner rather than later that a player is recalled as the Detroit Red Wings are falling off a bit.

These names may not be as exciting as a trade, say for Elias Pettersson, but they can provide cost-effective play while possibly helping improve the Detroit Red Wings overall. It’s likely not all of these three players will see NHL action this season. However, they should get a closer look within the next season to season and a half. 

Three Grand Rapids Griffins players who are knocking on the Detroit Red Wings door

1 Elmer Söderblom

From day one of the season, Elmer Söderblom has played like a completely new player. 

He’s playing physically, getting pucks back, moving his feet consistently, and creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. 

Söderblom has always been an offensive guy, focusing more on creating offense than concerning himself with one-on-one battles or trying to play physically. It’s quite the contrast to the big, North American brutes we are used to seeing in the NHL. I thought it was just something in Söderblom’s DNA where he was more artistically, and creatively inclined. Also, I mistakenly misudged Söderblom thinking he didn’t understand how big or strong he was in comparison to the rest of the AHL (in some ways a more physically demanding league than even the regular season NHL at times). 

Bob Kaser, who recently helped cover a Detroit Red Wings broadcast, clarified that my assumptions were incorrect. Söderblom understands that he is a big man. So big, in fact, that he was (maybe still is to some degree) afraid of injuring people.  It’s an understandable fear to have. I’ve seen him take on huge beasts in the NHL and keep them back with one hand easily. Even at times, he’s sent them flying with one hand. It reminds me of Wanda Maximoff facing Thanos in a couple of Marvel movies. He’s just that powerful. 

It’s been a treat to watch Söderblom grow. From prospects I’ve watched, I think he’s one of the biggest transformations. No longer timid or seemingly anxious on the ice, Söderblom is becoming a force to handle on the ice. Even to begin the season when he wasn’t producing on the scoresheet, Söderblom was earning looks and chances for himself and his team with regularity. We all knew it was a matter of time before the puck started to reflect his diligence. 

In 38 games played, he’s scored five goals and earned 12 assists for a combined 17 total points. His penalty minutes are higher than he’s ever had in his entire career (according to EP Prospects), which comes with the territory of being a big man whom others get angry with a lot. Söderblom has had to stand up for himself pretty regularly this season. He also plays on a line with a guy who has earned 71 penalty minutes and is one fight away from being suspended (too much fighting, I guess). 

Considering Söderblom hadn’t even scored his first goal until December 7, 2024, an over-time winning goal, he’s certainly picked up the pace on the scoresheet:

Although scoring is important, I place more importance on how a player is playing. If he’s scoring, it’s great, but if it’s cheating for offense or just lucky bounces it’s not going to last. Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good. A false sense of security isn’t so good, though. If it’s a guy who is playing on the right side of the puck and is consistent in his on-ice play, then I reckon the odds of producing consistently are more plausible.

To me, Söderblom could help the team right now and would possibly be an upgrade. As much as I appreciate guys like Tyler Motte (I hope his face heals quickly!), Christian Fischer, and Michael Rasmussen, after seeing Söderblom’s undeniable impact on the game in the AHL and knowing he’s translated his game to the NHL before, I think he’s worth recalling. I’m not hoping for any injuries, but a trade could help the team. I think Söderblom could start at the bottom of the lineup and instantly make it more of a scoring threat, then work his way up the lineup and special teams (of which, he’s been doing everything for the Grand Rapids Griffins).

It would leave a depleted Grand Rapids Griffins team even more in a bind, but I think the team has the perseverance to push through. Additionally, I think the Detroit Red Wings are losing their momentum and Söderblom is just the guy to help bring some of it back. Not for playoffs’ sake but for the morale of the team.

2 Sebastian Cossa

Next up on the totem pole is who’s ready to make the jump to the NHL full-time the soonest, Sebastian Cossa graces the list.

A monster in every sense of the word (except his gentlemanly attitude off of the ice), Cossa is a nightmare for opponents. He’s improved his positioning and reading play and makes adjustments with blinding ease. Whenever he strays too far or is just off in his positioning, his stellar athleticism shines. 

At this point, I feel like I’m copying and pasting everything that I have said previously about Cossa. I guess I can add more context to his season.

This season, Cossa was meant to be the consistent starter for the Grand Rapids. Since Ville Husso and Jack Campbell have spent a good chunk of the season playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins but haven’t seemed to take away as many starts as I worried about (see Elite Prospects for more). So far this season, Cossa has played in 22 games and had a 2.31 goals against average (GAA), a .917 save percentage (SV%), and a record of 12–7-3. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but Cossa is just about as ready for The Show as a goalie can get. Husso is slaying the competition (rightfully so, with eight games played, a 1.86 GAA, .935 SV%, and a 6-1-0 record). Campbell has also provided great help with a 2.15 GAA in 6 games played, along with a matching .917 SV% and a 2-3-2 record. 

Cossa likely needs the rest of the season in the AHL to continue to hone his craft and get consistent playing time but come training camp in Fall 2025, he’ll be shaking the Detroit Red Wings down for a spot on the opening night roster. 

Something that seems super important to Cossa, too, is getting back into the playoffs and going for a deeper run with his Grand Rapids Griffins. They didn’t get far as anyone hoped or thought they would, so I think it left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. Cossa is the leader for this new playoff run, so here’s to hoping to make his last one a good one.

3 Shai Buium

The first thing I noticed Saturday night in the Grand Rapids Griffins win over the Cleveland Monsters was Shai Buium’s skating. I would say it wasn’t a problem (or at least comparatively speaking to the rest of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)), but it also wasn’t a source of strength in his toolkit.

I read Max Bultman’s article citing the Grand Rapids Griffins head coach Dan Watson and his discussion about Buium’s skating. Basically, Buium has worked on it. However, it’s something that he needs to continue to build if he wants to make the NHL (in much nicer, typical Watson terms—he’s really good at not sugar-coating things but delivering words in a respectful, effective way). Buium works with the skating coach every chance he gets.

From my viewing, it’s paying off for Buium. Even from the start of the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins, it’s clear that Buium has put in the work on his skating. He won’t ever be Simon Edvinsson or even smooth-skating William Wallinder, but he doesn’t have to be. Buium has a bright mind that’s constantly scanning and finding the best plays or positioning on the ice. 

It’s something that Watson has praised Buium for and something that earned him consistent playing time with the University of Denver Pioneers. Although it took Watson a bit to warm up to Buium, he came around on Buium like I knew he would (everyone eventually does). Of course, Buium has grown as a player since opening night for the Grand Rapids Griffins this season. He’s always been a hard worker who is disciplined and dedicated to his craft. 

His reading of the tea leaves has come a long way, too. He had a great foundation in college hockey to build from, as he always had a good knack for where to go and what to do on the ice. With the higher tempo of the AHL, it understandably took time for Buium to settle. Now that he understands the pace of play, coupled with his improved skating Buium is becoming an impressive player.

Buium’s always fascinated me. He doesn’t really seem to fit into a prototypical mold of a defenseman. I haven’t really found anyone else who I can look to and say, oh, I see how his play style inspired Buium or what we might be able to expect from him in the NHL. He’s still a bit of an unknown for me in that sense, as he plays a bit differently from everyone that I have seen. 

He’s steadily increased his playing time from what I can gather and is earning time on the specialty teams.

The way Buium has grown from his time at the University of Denver until now, I have no doubts he’ll be in the Detroit Red Wings lineup sooner rather than later. He’s possibly leapfrogging some other prospects on the proverbial totem pole, too. 

Eventually, Buium will help the Detroit Red Wings on the second or third pair. He might not be a regular on the power play, but I imagine he should get a long look at it (he’s a very creative, offensively-minded defenseman who is great at keeping pucks in, so it’s worth a long look) and likely helps on the second penalty kill unit. 

Bonus Pick Eemil Viro

I’ve been wanting to write about Eemil Viro for some time now but haven’t found the right time or article to include this tidbit. Figured now is as good of a time as any to include Viro.

Viro isn’t small relative to average humans, but in terms of the Detroit Red Wings pipeline on the backend, he’s tiny. Compared to the rest of the AHL, he’s on the smaller side, too. It’s why I call him the little engine that could.

There might be flashier names that bring Detroit Red Wings fans to watch the Grand Rapids Griffins games, but Viro is spunky. I’ve yet to see him take a shift off. At times, Viro might not be the most effective or efficient player on the ice, but I can’t ever fault his work ethic. 

When we add in his magnetic personality, Viro easily becomes a guy to root for. 

Of all the prospects playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins, outside of the big four (Söderblom, Cossa, Buium, and Nate Danielson), I think Viro is the guy who shows the most promise and NHL upside. He’s made me a believer that it’s only a matter of time before he joins the Detroit Red Wings full-time. 

Even if he is just a bottom-pair defenseman who can create energy and positive momentums on his shifts, he would be a fun player to watch. He might have a higher ceiling, though, so I’m excited to see his career play out.

On a side note, Danielson is a promising young forward who will make his Detroit Red Wings debut sooner than later, too. I think he needs a little more time than Söderblom and Cossa. I think he and Buium will fight for the third overall spot. Danielson has played very well, all things considered, in his first professional season. He has a very bright future. I just wanted to focus on how far Buium has come in such a short span of time.

This next wave of prospects will be interesting to watch. I’m excited to see what they can bring to the next few seasons, with these being the big names so far who are not injured. Once Carter Mazur and Amadeus Lombardi return, they might top this list or be the second/third option after Söderblom.

Who are you most happy to see sprout their Wings?