3 Best Detroit Red Wings prospects in the AHL playoffs (so far)

“Listen to these words, ‘Ooh child, things will get easier. Ooh child, things will get brighter,’ now bring it down hard.”

Just as the Grand Rapids Griffins organization left a sour taste in fans’ mouths without providing enough rally towels, their game on the ice fell short as well Wednesday night. 

Though the Van Andel Arena wasn’t packed, it was loud enough. “Let’s go Griffins” and the famous, “You suck” chants at the opposing goaltender echoed throughout the game. Even a resounding, “Refs you suck” couldn’t pump up the players.

It was a stinker of a game. Quite the opposite of the game 1 of the series, which saw a questionable first half give way to a stellar second half of the game.

Maybe Sebastian Cossa being knocked over as he surrendered a goal shook his confidence, or the previous loss at Van Andel, a rare occurrence this season, let doubt creep into his mind. Maybe Albert Johansson and Simon Edvinsson are still searching for the magic that made their bromance come alive midseason. Could the Grand Rapids Griffins have underestimated their opponents? Very likely.

Possibly Jonatan Berggren is still adjusting to the extra attention he’s garnering from the opposition with little to no help from his teammates. Any dash of hope or confidence shattered in an instance with a cross-check, hip check, or hold as his enemies pleased. 

In the past 2 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins, these are the 3 Detroit Red Wings prospects that have excelled (plus a bonus). Here’s who and why, plus a bonus.

Who have been your standouts from the first 2 games?

Bonus: Radim Šimek

I was going to include Radim Šimek on the list of prospects, but I heard the negative noodles before typing. 

“A 31-year old is not considered a prospect at any position in hockey.” 

Aside from being personally offended at anyone thinking 31 years of age is “old,” I have to say that you are likely right. However, it takes nothing away from Šimek’s performance in the last 2 games (and since he’s joined the Grand Rapids Griffins, quite frankly).

When we traded for him I thought and felt many things. Confusion. Frustration. With the predominant question being, but why? We have countless left handed defensemen who are really good. So good, in fact, that we had to say goodbye to a promising one in Donovan Sebrango already. We don’t have a need for another veteran player taking a slot from a young defenseman.

Luckily for me, I’m constantly proven wrong. Especially in the context of the Detroit Red Wings, thanks to general manager Steve Yzerman.

The Detroit Red Wings system desperately needed a quality veteran defenseman since former Grand Rapids Griffins captain (and legend) Brian Lashoff retired. He can only do so much behind the bench as a defensive coach. It seems that the Grand Rapids Griffins found their answer in Šimek.

He plays a hard, effective game that surprises me at times. From keeping pucks in the zone, to heavy hits, to taking hits to make a play, to the effort, to making plays, and everywhere in between, Šimek is just the player this organization needed. We got him just in the nick of time.

Antti Tuomisto

Speaking of defensemen, Antti Tuomisto has had a quiet 2 games. There was a 2-minute tripping penalty in the opening minute of game 1, however, it was a questionable call at best. 

He hasn’t been on the ice for a goal (both for or against). I can feel disappointment from some fans, but try to remember the Grand Rapids Griffins gave up 5 goals on Wednesday night and 2 in the prior game. Maybe Tuomisto was lucky, or maybe he completed his objective.

Pizzazz is great for certain players, while other players work in the shadows. Every now and then, Tuomisto lays a thunderous hit or blasts a shot from the point. For the most part, though, Tuomisto is a defensively-responsible, smartly-positioned player who puts his team before himself. All these aspects shined throughout both games to those fans who paid attention.

His skating has significantly improved since being drafted in 2019, but he’s not winning foot races. Instead, he must play conservatively and pay close attention to the game to find success on the ice. 

Thus far, the future looks bright for Tuomisto both in the near and far future. 

Marco Kasper

The first few Grand Rapids Griffins games I attended, I tried focusing on certain players. When it came time for Marco Kasper, I was stoked. 

Rögle buddies of mine had pumped up Kasper for so long I knew it was going to be entertaining watching him play. Learning his style and his quirks, it’s always fun with new players.

Something strange happened when I tried to focus on Kasper. For the life of me, I couldn’t.

Partly, it was my ADHD kicking in where I saw Berggren dancing or Edvinsson hypnotizing me with his skating for the umteenth time stealing my attention. 

Another part, Kasper was still finding his groove in the American Hockey League (AHL). 

Personally, I think Grand Rapids Griffins head coach, Dan Watson, took a while to learn Kasper’s style and the best linemates for him. As a new coach to the league with so many new players, it was completely understandable. Midway through the season both Watson got the hang of things.

From the second half of the season on, Kasper found a new level. He’s always had the effort, but now he’s finding the best ways to be effective on the ice. 

Especially in the playoff games thus far, Kasper’s breaking pucks out of his own zone, clearing his goaltender’s crease as well, if not better, than Grand Rapids Griffins defensemen, and mucking it up with anyone and everyone he can.

In the offensive zone, Kasper works just as hard. He’s winning board and one-on-one battles, while working his opponents over. I think it’s part of the reason Berggren and Kasper played so well together in the regular season. It’s also why I am impatiently waiting for Watson to put them back together again (or maybe staple Amadeus Lombardi to Kasper’s wing). He’s crying to put in the elbow grease with his pops of flare (as his shot and passing is underrated in this league) alongside Berggren or Lombardi.

I’m not sure when the offense will come for Kasper, but I know he’s playing the right way, and it’s a matter of time. In the 2 games thus far, Kasper has finished with 2 penalty minutes and a plus/minus rating of minus-1.