Prospect Info: Grand Rapids Griffins, 2024 - 2025 Season

[Our Lady Peace]

Skating is not his strength, but it is also disingenuous to suggest that every 6'5" defensemen in the NHL does, or needs to skate like Ed does. Tuo's skating issues are largely about explosiveness and power at this point. From a technical perspective his skating his more than fine. At his age it is fair to question whether he has the room to acquire any more explosiveness but he doesn't need to be elite to be considered an NHL prospect.

I never suggested every 6'5 defenseman needs elite skating ability. Tuomisto simply doesn't see the ice at an NHL pace. So with the tools he currently possesses, which are still fairly solid, I'm suggesting he would need something like his skating to stand out greatly

I don't consider him a player that will be of any use to Detroit's future. That doesn't mean he isn't an NHL prospect nor does it mean he no longer has room to grow. To me, he's not noteworthy. I would be happily proven wrong FWIW

Fact of the matter is, he turned 24 yesterday, is an RFA this year, and may or may not get re-signed. If he does, he will be in behind a bit of a RHD log jam as ASP comes over

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

I never suggested every 6'5 defenseman needs elite skating ability. Tuomisto simply doesn't see the ice at an NHL pace. So with the tools he currently possesses, which are still fairly solid, I'm suggesting he would need something like his skating to stand out greatly

I don't consider him a player that will be of any use to Detroit's future. That doesn't mean he isn't an NHL prospect nor does it mean he no longer has room to grow. To me, he's not noteworthy. I would be happily proven wrong FWIW

Fact of the matter is, he turned 24 yesterday, is an RFA this year, and may or may not get re-signed. If he does, he will be in behind a bit of a RHD log jam as ASP comes over

Theoretically if tuomisto becomes an NHLer he’s not behind any sort of logjam. ASP will be on the second pair and he would be bottom pair.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Also with Soderblom being called up, this is quite likely as well the time that Mazur returns to action

Andrew Rinaldi seems to think that it will be Thursday vs Manitoba that Mazur is back

If he isn't, the Griffins have a 6'8 sized hole to fill at LW

 

[OldnotDeadWings]

Four of this year's D could be gone in 14 months (2026 TDL) or sooner. The only things blocking Tuomisto are his own limitations and whether management thinks he can work through them or fits into team plans. Considering what Mo costs and what even management hopes it will cost to lock up Ed soon and ASP eventually, there is plenty of roster room for a homegrown big defensive D who can play in his own end and stay cheap for 7-8 years. Maybe even two of them That's what they've allocated a lot of draft resources into finding.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

One of the HockeytownWest Podcast guys was saying a couple weekends ago against Manitoba, Danielson played over 25 minutes in one of the games in that series. And that stat came straight from Coach Watson's mouth

He's been shouldering a really heavy workload, but lately they'd freed him up a bit. Being treated like, and thriving as an all-situations #1C. How many 20 year olds are doing that in the AHL?

The development arc is steep with this one

 

[Rzombo4 prez]

I never suggested every 6'5 defenseman needs elite skating ability. Tuomisto simply doesn't see the ice at an NHL pace. So with the tools he currently possesses, which are still fairly solid, I'm suggesting he would need something like his skating to stand out greatly

I don't consider him a player that will be of any use to Detroit's future. That doesn't mean he isn't an NHL prospect nor does it mean he no longer has room to grow. To me, he's not noteworthy. I would be happily proven wrong FWIW

Fact of the matter is, he turned 24 yesterday, is an RFA this year, and may or may not get re-signed. If he does, he will be in behind a bit of a RHD log jam as ASP comes over

I am not going to try to sell you on him. You are one of the few around here that actually takes the time to consistently watch the Griffins. That said, I personally have always liked his first pass. The plays may seems simple, but he delivers it hard and on-time (I can't explain it technically but my money says it has something to do with the spin of the puck off his stick...like a heavy pass (as opposed to a heavy shot). I have never had any issues with his decision making with the puck at any level. I have much more concern about Wallinder with the puck than Tuo.

My issues with Tuo relate to how his skating impacts small things you need to do well as a defensemen. How big of a gap do you play, how easily can you pinch without getting phuced, how quickly can you retrieve pucks in the defensive zone (this last one is big). Size and reach is always nice, but you still need to move your feet at some point. If you always play off of the puck carrier because you are afraid to get burned, you aren't going to make it. I think the Wings have a lot of time for him because massive, right-handed defensemen are always nice to have (especially with above average puck skills). The problem is that the further you get along with age, the harder it is to get better.

At the end of the day though they are all in the AHL (or destined for it) because at least one thing is off (temporarily or permanently). Wallinder with Tuo's passing and shot is an NHL defensemen. Cleveland with Tuo's puck skills is an NHL defensemen. Aljo with Wallinder's or Tuo's size is a really, really good NHL defensemen. Tuo with Wallinder's or Cleveland's skating is an NHLer of some capacity. Buium with Wallinder's skating is a good NHL defensemen. Sadly they aren't Mr. Potato Head.

 

[Oddbob]

I dunno if I would go that far. Same draft, Johansson didn't get a call up until this year and now he's in the top 4 and looking like he belongs. He might not be a high end guy but he has less pro experience than Johansson and might just take a little more time

Tuo has never been hyped by management like Aljo.

 

[SirloinUB]

Which Dmen are getting the PP reps in Grand Rapids?

 

[lhsgolf19]

Boom

 

[RED WINGS STOMP]

Cool, now do Lombardi.

 

[izlez]

Boom

 

[SantosHalper]

Great!
Mazur - Danielson - Watson
Snively - Dries - Shine
Hanas - Doucet - Gettinger
Rychlovsky - Seger - Becher
Johannes

I believe someone said that Lombardi will be back not long after Mazur, so week or two?
Mazur - Danielson - Watson
Snively - Lombardi - Shine
Doucet - Dries - Gettinger
Hanas - Seger - Becher
Rychlovsky, Johannes

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Which Dmen are getting the PP reps in Grand Rapids?

For about I wanna say like the last 6-7 games it's been only Buium on PP1 and then Wallinder + Tuomisto on PP2

 

[HoweFan]

Mazur is actually playing!!! I wonder if they will disclose his injury now

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Big comeback win! Griffins came alive in the 3rd as Moose dominated most of the first two periods and scored 4 unanswered goals

After a few shifts hey moved Mazur off the top line down to the 3rd line switching with Gettinger


Danielson: B+
• Pretty quiet offensively. Great defensively. Him and Buium link up here and there, often in tight space, and their skill/IQ together is so apparent when they do. They're gonna show up even better on the scoresheet when they're surrounded by actual NHL talent. Finished a few checks today playing notably more physical in that regard


Mazur: A-
• I'll say, he was quite noticeable and it seemed like he wasn't even trying all game lol. No adjustment time needed. Smart player. When needed, he was getting to the hard areas like the boards and net front. Wins puck battles and can make a quick play off of it

Such nice pace to the game, you can see that he'd be knocking hard for a callup had he played the full season thus far. He was all over the Rafferty goal shift, almost effortlessly, and made a slick pass to keep the blueline, then eventually a swift pass to start the goal play. 3rd assist there

Big shot block when the game was 5-3 with 5 mins left. Shortly after has a grade-A scoring chance but shot it just over the net


Wallinder: A-
• Good on the first two PKs, he was actually battling and getting body position in front better too. Nice job playing the man when defending the rush. He was getting quite a few looks in the offensive zone and they were good reads by him to get them. Having trouble handling passes but did make the most of his plays

I noticed he was taking better looks when under pressure and sending the puck up the boards from his zone


Buium: A+
• Best player in the game. This is not the first time either lately, he continues to play damn good hockey. Talk about adjusting to pro hockey... I have eaten all the crow on this kid...

Where do I start? Great reads to start a breakout. Good at maintaining pressure along the boards, particularly with skating and keep his stick active when the player changes directions on him

He has excellent vision with the puck, and he showcased that in particular to catch Becher dropping back for his eventual shot and goal. Nice feed to Doucet who fed Rafferty for the goal very shortly after. So many plays he starts by feeding the high forward or even carrying down low himself


Becher: A-
• He was really good with his decisions and handling of the puck. Made a great read to drop into the high slot and fire home a one-timer goal. He was good defensively around his net too


EDIT: they changed the 2nd Buium assist to Mazur

 

[HoweFan]

Geez what happened. Last I saw it was 1-3 and getting outshot badly. Big comeback guys. Nice report on Mazur.

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

Big comeback win! Griffins came alive in the 3rd as Moose dominated most of the first two periods and scored 4 unanswered goals

After a few shifts hey moved Mazur off the top line down to the 3rd line switching with Gettinger


Danielson: B+
• Pretty quiet offensively. Great defensively. Him and Buium link up here and there, often in tight space, and their skill/IQ together is so apparent when they do. They're gonna show up even better on the scoresheet when they're surrounded by actual NHL talent. Finished a few checks today playing notably more physical in that regard


Mazur: A-
• I'll say, he was quite noticeable and it seemed like he wasn't even trying all game lol. No adjustment time needed. Smart player. When needed, he was getting to the hard areas like the boards and net front. Wins puck battles and can make a quick play off of it

Such nice pace to the game, you can see that he'd be knocking hard for a callup had he played the full season thus far. He was all over the Rafferty goal shift, almost effortlessly, and made a slick pass to keep the blueline, then eventually a swift pass to start the goal play. 3rd assist there

Big shot block when the game was 5-3 with 5 mins left. Shortly after has a grade-A scoring chance but shot it just over the net


Wallinder: A-
• Good on the first two PKs, he was actually battling and getting body position in front better too. Nice job playing the man when defending the rush. He was getting quite a few looks in the offensive zone and they were good reads by him to get them. Having trouble handling passes but did make the most of his plays

I noticed he was taking better looks when under pressure and sending the puck up the boards from his zone


Buium: A+
• Best player in the game. This is not the first time either lately, he continues to play damn good hockey. Talk about adjusting to pro hockey... I have eaten all the crow on this kid...

Where do I start? Great reads to start a breakout. Good at maintaining pressure along the boards, particularly with skating and keep his stick active when the player changes directions on him

He has excellent vision with the puck, and he showcased that in particular to catch Becher dropping back for his eventual shot and goal. Nice feed to Doucet who fed Rafferty for the goal very shortly after. So many plays he starts by feeding the high forward or even carrying down low himself


Becher: A-
• He was really good with his decisions and handling of the puck. Made a great read to drop into the high slot and fire home a one-timer goal. He was good defensively around his net too

I love your write ups and I greatly appreciate them, but I’m going to force you to add tuomisto into these write ups lol.

 

[RED WINGS STOMP]

Buium really starting to put together a strong first pro season.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

I love your write ups and I greatly appreciate them, but I’m going to force you to add tuomisto into these write ups lol.

Not gonna lie, I considered adding him tonight I'll try my best to keep more of an eye on him like I do the rest. Once Lombardi comes back I'll have to take Adderall to pay detailed attention to all of them lmao

He was solid as mostly always is, just doesn't jump out on the page. He carried into the zone at one point, got closed off but the player just bounced off him cause he's so massive

 

[Coach Reggie Dunlop]

Not gonna lie, I considered adding him tonight I'll try my best to keep more of an eye on him like I do the rest. Once Lombardi comes back I'll have to take Adderall to pay detailed attention to all of them lmao

He was solid as mostly always is, just doesn't jump out on the page. He carried into the zone at one point, got closed off but the player just bounced off him cause he's so massive

Which out of our 3 prospects on defense in GR would you say is the most physical/uses their body the best? Considering all 3 are 6’3 and up.

 

[ShanahanMan]

Big comeback win! Griffins came alive in the 3rd as Moose dominated most of the first two periods and scored 4 unanswered goals

After a few shifts hey moved Mazur off the top line down to the 3rd line switching with Gettinger


Danielson: B+
• Pretty quiet offensively. Great defensively. Him and Buium link up here and there, often in tight space, and their skill/IQ together is so apparent when they do. They're gonna show up even better on the scoresheet when they're surrounded by actual NHL talent. Finished a few checks today playing notably more physical in that regard


Mazur: A-
• I'll say, he was quite noticeable and it seemed like he wasn't even trying all game lol. No adjustment time needed. Smart player. When needed, he was getting to the hard areas like the boards and net front. Wins puck battles and can make a quick play off of it

Such nice pace to the game, you can see that he'd be knocking hard for a callup had he played the full season thus far. He was all over the Rafferty goal shift, almost effortlessly, and made a slick pass to keep the blueline, then eventually a swift pass to start the goal play. 3rd assist there

Big shot block when the game was 5-3 with 5 mins left. Shortly after has a grade-A scoring chance but shot it just over the net


Wallinder: A-
• Good on the first two PKs, he was actually battling and getting body position in front better too. Nice job playing the man when defending the rush. He was getting quite a few looks in the offensive zone and they were good reads by him to get them. Having trouble handling passes but did make the most of his plays

I noticed he was taking better looks when under pressure and sending the puck up the boards from his zone


Buium: A+
• Best player in the game. This is not the first time either lately, he continues to play damn good hockey. Talk about adjusting to pro hockey... I have eaten all the crow on this kid...

Where do I start? Great reads to start a breakout. Good at maintaining pressure along the boards, particularly with skating and keep his stick active when the player changes directions on him

He has excellent vision with the puck, and he showcased that in particular to catch Becher dropping back for his eventual shot and goal. Nice feed to Doucet who fed Rafferty for the goal very shortly after. So many plays he starts by feeding the high forward or even carrying down low himself


Becher: A-
• He was really good with his decisions and handling of the puck. Made a great read to drop into the high slot and fire home a one-timer goal. He was good defensively around his net too

I just don’t see how Danielson can keep getting high marks with such low offensive output and then a -2 in a win.

 

[Our Lady Peace]

I just don’t see how Danielson can keep getting high marks with such low offensive output and then a -2 in a win.

Breaking news: players accumulate a "minus" when they're on the ice during a goal against...

To answer your statement; because he was literally not directly involved with the goal against, aka covering his man and doing his part? I would have called him out of he was... He played a good game otherwise? I gave him a lower mark than literally every other player in my post. That says a lot. If he played bad then I would mark him as such. E.g. a "C-". If he's not on the scoresheet, then that's okay. It's how he approaches the game and all the little details in between. Which he's virtually always great at

I recommend watching the games yourself, instead of judging players based on statlines, and taking digs in other threads e.g. today about Kiiskinen and how he's "doing better than our 1st round picks"

Not very intellectually honest of you. It's way too easy to watch stats and be a critic

Edit: phrasing

 

[Our Lady Peace]

Which out of our 3 prospects on defense in GR would you say is the most physical/uses their body the best? Considering all 3 are 6’3 and up.

Hmmm. Wallinder is definitely the least physical because I think he just doesn't understand how to use his physicality that well. Today though, I thought he was very good in using his body to his advantage

Overall, I'd say Tuomisto is most physical, in all aspects of physicality like playing the body, blocking shots, etc