Prospect Info: Grand Rapids Griffins Discussion

[dtown77]

I thinks it's just like any sport. Some kids do better spending time on JV. Other kids are better served getting thrown to the wolves on varsity right away. I don't like the one size fits all model.

 

[Henkka]

Almost sure this team will be much better and at playoff hunt, with a better coaching staff.

Without any major player changes.

 

[lhsgolf19]

Here's Cossa's new Goaltending Coach

 

[NickH8]

Here's Cossa's new Goaltending Coach

Oh shit a Finn. Cossa is gonna be an all star now.

 

[raymond23]

Oh shit a Finn. Cossa is gonna be an all star now.

Same exact thought I had lol

 

[Henkka]

I don't have to deny it, but Finnish goalie coaches are best in the world.

Are Griffins having 2 goalie coaches now? That other guy came from Washington (Hershey, AHL) at last season?

This is quite impressive season from his junior teams. 4 guys drafted to NHL.

 

[ChadS]

Here's Cossa's new Goaltending Coach

Wow that's pretty random, would be interesting to hear what the connection here is. He's never coached outside juniors but Kärpät has been pretty consistent in developing NHL drafted goalies.

 

[SantosHalper]

Here's Cossa's new Goaltending Coach

YES!!! I been hoping for a hire like this since Cossa was drafted, Marko Torenius was my pick but Vancouver hired him.

Are Griffins having 2 goalie coaches now? That other guy came from Washington (Hershey, AHL) at last season?

Westlund is in Detroit but Phil Osaer, goalie scout and development coach most likely visits GR time to time.
-----------------
Jussi Parkkila, Colorado
Juha Lehtola, Hershey
Marko Torenius, Abbotsford
Roope Koistinen, Grand Rapids

NHL orgs are finally waking up on goalie coaching.

 

[SantosHalper]

More depth and another former Blue

 

[NickH8]

Really hoping GR can take a step up this year. Theyve got more firepower than usual with Lombardi, Mazur, maybe Soderblom maybe Kasper, and some good depth signings.

 

[SantosHalper]

Lombardi - Kasper - Mazur
Söderblom - Czarnik - Luff
Hirose - L'Esperance - Hanas
Gettinger - Stevens - Shine
Spezia - Doucet - Sawchuk

Edvinsson - Rafferty
Johansson - Newpower
Wallinder - Didier
McIsaac - Tuomisto
Viro - Sebrango
Biakabutuka

Lyon
Cossa

Updated line up after new signing and press conference. Since Fester is planning to have a shut down line, i would imagine Watson does the same therefore the 4th line is in that form. Deep team and depth in that defense is something else

 

[Henkka]

Wow that's pretty random, would be interesting to hear what the connection here is. He's never coached outside juniors but Kärpät has been pretty consistent in developing NHL drafted goalies.

Isn't that what everybody hopes for? No connection, no nepotism. Just picking the coaching talent before he has done his breakthrough.

Westlund is in Detroit but Phil Osaer, goalie scout and development coach most likely visits GR time to time.

But the was this Mahoney-Wilson at last season.

 

[SantosHalper]

But the was this Mahoney-Wilson at last season.

He got fired.

This is the current package
Detroit goalie coach: Alex Westlund
GR goalie coach: Roope Koistinen
Head of Goaltending Scouting and Development: Phil Osaer

 

[Henkka]

Looks like Roope Koistinen was already there at development camp, talking on the video with Cossa.

 

[Hoog]

I would love to see a Soder/Kaper/Mazur line and a Doucet/Lombardi/Hanas line for GR this year. That first line won't last long as I see all 3 getting time in Detroit this year, but would be fun for a while.

 

[SantosHalper]

Lombardi - Kasper - Mazur
Söderblom - Czarnik - Luff
Hirose - L'Esperance - Hanas
Gettinger - Stevens - Shine
Spezia - Doucet - Sawchuk

Edvinsson - Rafferty
Johansson - Newpower
Wallinder - Didier
McIsaac - Tuomisto
Viro - Biakabutuka

Lyon
Cossa

Updated, defense in better balance now. 5 lefties & 5 righties.

 

[RRhoads]

That is some impressive left D group. Seeing that group makes it more important for Ed to be in the NHL. Johansson shouldn't be a third pairing defenseman in the AHL

 

[redwings8831]

 

[Mister Ed]

Former Griffins - Weatherby (to Nashville org.) and Barton (to Hartford) - moving on.

 

[lhsgolf19]

 

[Henkka]

NewPower is the NewLashoff.

But he has the place, because we are short of righties down there.

 

[SantosHalper]

Lombardi - Kasper - Mazur
Söderblom - Czarnik - Luff
Hirose - L'Esperance - Hanas
Gettinger - Stevens - Shine
Spezia - Doucet - Sawchuk/Bliss

Edvinsson - Rafferty
Johansson - Newpower
Wallinder - Didier
McIsaac - Tuomisto
Viro - Sebrango
Biakabutuka

Lyon
Cossa

Bliss re-signed with GR, Toledo guy mostly but gets called up to replace injured guys.
https://www.griffinshockey.com/news/grand-rapids-re-signs-trenton-bliss

Speaking of Toledo, they hired a new coach.
Walleye name Pat Mikesch as fourth head coach in franchise history
Familiar guy to Lalonde as well, Pat Mikesch was Fester's assistant coach in Green Bay 2011-2014 and when Lalonde was hired by Toledo, Mikesch was promoted to head coach/GM in Green Bay.
Pat Mikesch at eliteprospects.com

Maybe in the future both Watson and Mikesch becomes Lalonde's assistants coaches in Detroit.

 

[Henkka]

Bliss re-signed with GR, Toledo guy mostly but gets called up to replace injured guys.
https://www.griffinshockey.com/news/grand-rapids-re-signs-trenton-bliss

Speaking of Toledo, they hired a new coach.
Walleye name Pat Mikesch as fourth head coach in franchise history
Familiar guy to Lalonde as well, Pat Mikesch was Fester's assistant coach in Green Bay 2011-2014 and when Lalonde was hired by Toledo, Mikesch was promoted to head coach/GM in Green Bay.
Pat Mikesch at eliteprospects.com

Maybe in the future both Watson and Mikesch becomes Lalonde's assistants coaches in Detroit.

Maybe some candidates yeah, but very interesting coaching tree of 3-levels.

 

[SantosHalper]

Updated expectation.

Lombardi - Kasper - Mazur
Söderblom - Czarnik - Luff
Hirose - L'Esperance - Hanas
Gettinger - Stevens - Shine
Spezia - Doucet - Sawchuk
Bliss

Edvinsson - Rafferty
Johansson - Newpower
Wallinder - Didier
McIsaac - Tuomisto
Viro

Lyon
Cossa
Lethemon
Bednar

 

[Voodoo Glow Skulls]

Updated expectation.

Lombardi - Kasper - Mazur
Söderblom - Czarnik - Luff
Hirose - L'Esperance - Hanas
Gettinger - Stevens - Shine
Spezia - Doucet - Sawchuk
Bliss

Edvinsson - Rafferty
Johansson - Newpower
Wallinder - Didier
McIsaac - Tuomisto
Viro

Lyon
Cossa
Lethemon
Bednar

Top line, 3 rookies...I don't see it. Probably Hirose in that spot.

Also, Tuomisto will be in the top 6... initially. MO.