Detroit Red Wings: Young Players Waiting in the Wings
By Mike Rizzo
The Grand Rapids Griffins, after a slow start, are on a roll and that bodes well for the Detroit Red Wings.
The Detroit Red Wings minor league affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins are on a roll winning 14 straight games. The Griffins got off to a slow start but thanks to a 14 game winning streak they are third in the Central Division.
This bodes well for the Red Wings as they have several prospects playing for Grand Rapids. Prospects like Xavier Ouellet, Ryan Sproul, Andreas Athanasiou, Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha are playing well for the Griffins.
Dan Cleary, yes that Dan Cleary, is playing for the Griffins (hopefully he stays there). He has six points in 19 games so he’s not lightning it up by any stretch, but in my opinion he’s only down their for the young guys to learn from and he will not be called up.
Hot shot prospect Anthony Mantha who had a rough year last year and got off to a slow start this year has rebounded lately. Mantha had such a rough year last year that Red Wings Senior Vice President Jimmy Devellano called it “very, very, very disappointing”.
A harsh criticism considering Mantha was hurt for the first half of the season. Seeing as Anthony Mantha is starting to come around is a very good sign for the Red Wings organization. He is currently fourth on the Griffins in goals with seven.
A guy that has passed Mantha on the prospect list is Andreas Athanasiou, who in my opinion, is going to replace Darren Helm next season as the Red Wings 2nd to 3rd line center. Athanasiou is having a good season in Grand Rapids and may even get called up to the main club soon.
The Red Wings have a lot of depth for the first time in a while and that could make the trade deadline very interesting around here. Could the Red Wings move Mantha? I think it’s possible but they would have to be blown away by the trade. (cough*Stamkos*cough)
Another Griffin who is still a couple years away is Tyler Bertuzzi, Todd Bertuzzi‘s nephew. He hasn’t scored much this year, only two goals, but he is more of a grinder then a scorer. He is a player not many fans were excited about until the last couple seasons.
During the last couple of years Bertuzzi has developed into a very gritty player who Red Wings fans will love.
Next: Detroit Tigers Sign Utility Man Mike Aviles
Keep an eye on some of these Griffins, they will be the next generation of Red Wings players.