His first season as a pro in North America was delayed by injury. But Antti Tuomisto has made up for lost time.

The 6-4 Finnish defenseman, taken with the No. 35 pick in the 2019 NHL draft, spent last season in Finland (TPS Turku) after playing the previous two years at the University of Denver. A shoulder injury sustained in practice early in this season sidelined him until mid-December.

Since then, he has played in 45 games, with five goals and 12 assists and a plus-minus of +7, gaining the admiration of his teammates, and attention from the highest levels of the Red Wings organization.

The post Tuomisto GR Development Drawing Attention in Detroit (+) appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Friday was to be comeback night for Detroit Red Wings netminder Ville Husso. Recovering from a lower-body injury, he was going to see his first game action guarding the net for Detroit’s top farm club, the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

Husso, though, didn’t make it through the pre-game warmup. After taking some shots in the Griffins net, Husso left the ice prior to the conclusion of the warmup. He was seen conversing with the Griffins training staff after leaving the ice.

@DetroitRedWings goalie Ville Husso was scheduled to start for @griffinshockey & did take warm ups but then left the ice a bit early. We are told he will no longer start nor dress tonight. @SebastianCossa will now start, riding a personal franchise record 19 game point streak pic.twitter.com/EZFn4OdDmf

— Larry Figurski (@larryfigurski) April 12, 2024

When the Griffins would skate out for their game against the Rockford IceHogs, Sebastian Cossa was the starting goalie. Carter Gylander was backing him up.

“Ville Husso is now unavailable for tonight’s game,” the Griffins posted on X, the social media site formerly known as Twitter. “Sebastian Cossa will be in net.”

Following the game, Griffins coach Dan Watson was offering no update on Husso’s condition, only that he was told the netminder wouldn’t be available for the game. It was uncertain whether the Detroit goalie would be accompanying Grand Rapids to Chicago for Saturday’s game against the Wolves.

Injury-Plagued Season For Husso

Slated to be Detroit’s No. 1 goalie at the outset of the season, Husso has seen action in one NHL game since December. The Finnish puckstopper would suffer a lower-body injury in a Dec. 18 game against the Anaheim Ducks at Little Caesars Arena.

Husso sat out Detroit’s next 20 games while recovering from the ailment. Following a rehab stint at Grand Rapids in which he would post a 25-save shutout against the Belleville Senators, Husso was back in the Red Wings net for a Feb. 13 game at Edmonton against the Oilers. Just 8:48 into that game, He would suffer another lower-body injury and depart.

“I guess it’s part of it,” Husso said earlier of his injury struggles this season. “It’s one of those years that everything goes not your way. It’s been tough but it’s hockey. I’ll be stronger when I come back.”

UPDATE: The #RedWings today loaned goaltender Ville Husso to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins for conditioning. pic.twitter.com/1njr5cFeFK

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 8, 2024

He was slated to see his first game action since that injury on Friday.

The Giffins lost 2-0 to the IceHogs, thus ending their 19-game home-ice point streak. As well, Cossa’s franchise-record 19-game point streak also was coming to a halt.

Sharing the Red Wings net with Alex Lyon and James Reimer, Husso is 9-5-2 in 19 games, with an .892 save percentage and 3.55 GAA.

The post Red Wings Husso Doesn’t Survive Warmup in Grand Rapids appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Detroit Red Wings called up NHL veteran Zach Aston-Reese from Grand Rapids to replace Andrew Copp who suffered a broken cheekbone on a high stick Tuesday against the Washington Capitals.

Aston-Reese will be in the Detroit lineup Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Aston-Reese played parts of five seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2017-18 to 2021-22. Because this is an important game for the Red Wings in terms of playoff implications, they wanted a player whose skill set includes some of Copp’s abilities.

“Aston-Reese has over 300 NHL game,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “We were excited about some of his experience.”

Michael Rasmussen (upper body) will miss his fourth consecutive game, which means the Red Wings will be missing two critical penalty killers. Aston-Reese will kill some penalties.

“We think we can put an effective line together with Reese, (Austin) Czarnik and (Christian) Fischer,” Lalonde said.

Lalonde said Rasmussen is still day-to-day. “Still hopeful, but no update,” Lalonde said.

Veleno Will Get More Playing Time

Joe Veleno will receive more playing time centering a line with Robby Fabbri and Daniel Sprong. The Red Wings lose some size with Rasmussen and Copp out of the lineup..

X-Rays confirmed that Copp suffered the broken cheekbone. It occurred when Washington forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel accidentally caught Copp with a high stick. Referees missed it. No penalty was called. Copp isn’t going on the road trip, but Lalonde didn’t have any hard news about when he would play again.

“He’s going to have to go through, having that caved cheekbone, there’s a process to it,” Lalonde said. ” He’s got to go through some more protocol in the next 24 hours. This day and age, we’ll know more the next couple of days. But unavailable for Pittsburgh. I’d love to see him rolling out with his old Michigan college cage back on and give us some games down the stretch, but time will tell.”

Lalonde said he is comfortable with his lineup going into Pittsburgh. He is planning to mix up his top two lines with Alex DeBrincat moving on a line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. J.T. Compher will now center Patrick Kane and David Perron.

“Last time we played them we had Kane and Cat together,” Lalonde said. “(The Penguins) did a really good job of checking them and freeing up Crosby and Malkin elsewhere. I think it adds a little bit different balance. Obviously, we’re losing two very important pieces to our forward group with some size.”

The post NHL Veteran Will Replace Andrew Copp vs. Pittsburgh appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

The Grand Rapids Griffins play on the road (8 p.m. ET) against the Rockford IceHogs tonight needing just one point to clinch a first-round playoff bye and a berth in the Central Division semifinals.

One reason why the Griffins are enjoying an improved season is the play of Detroit Red Wings prospect goalie Sebastian Cossa. He continued his strong play Friday night by making 24 saves to beat the IceHogs 3-0 for his second shutout of the season. Cossa extended his streak to 19 consecutive games of earning at least one point for the Griffins. He hasn’t lost a game in regulation since Jan. 12. Cossa is 19-7-9 on the season with a 2.47 goals-against average.

“This was a great bounce back game,” said Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson. “He wasn’t overly great last game. But tonight, again I have said that several times in the past, having a good bounce-back game,  seeing the puck. challenging the shooter, being big around the crease. It’s good for him.”

The Griffins now own a home streak of earning at least one point in 19 consecutive games. The Griffins are now trying to tighten up defensively and working to be harder to play against in preparation for the playoffs.

Forward Jonatan Berggren, recently sent down by the Red Wings, scored his 24th goal of the season for the Griffins on Friday. Matt Luff and Carter Mazur assisted. Berggren has a nine-game points streak (15 points).

Prospect Amadeus Lombardi also picked up two assists in the game. The 20-year-old center, drafted in the fourth round, now has 24 points on the season.  Defenseman Albert Johansson, projected to play for the Red Wings next season, also had an assist.

The post Griffins Can Improve Their Playoff Picture Tonight appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

With the Grand Rapids Griffins firmly in the AHL playoffs, the Detroit Red Wings and their affiliate have made some moves with the future in mind.

The Griffins signed North Dakota forward Hunter Johannes to an amateur tryout contract for 2024 and standard American Hockey League player contract beginning next season on Wednesday. He joins forward Emmitt Finnie (No. 201, 2023) and goalie Carter Gylander (No. 191, 2019), who signed similar contracts with the Red Wings last month.

Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson says adding the trio now should give them a head start on next season.

“We want to make sure (they) come in and and sees what the American League is all about,” he said. “You can get these kids a head start into what’s expected, so they’re prepared for pro hockey. I think it’s a great step in the right direction for their development.”

Additions To Contribute Immediately

Finnie has already played in two games for the Griffins after a standout season at Kamloops of the WHL. He’s the second of the Red Wings’ 2023 draft picks to sign with Detroit. It’s not a given that an NHL team would sign a seventh-round pick, but the Red Wings liked the growth in Finnie’s game this season enough to give him a contract.

Gylander, 22, joins fellow 2019 draftees Antti Tuomisto, Albert Johansson and Elmer Soderblom on the Griffins roster. The 6-4, 165-pound goalie recently finished his college career at Colgate. He backstopped the Raiders to their first ECAC championship in more than 30 years in 2022-23. He was 14-14-4 with a 2.93 GAA and a .901 save percentage this season.

“Carter Gylander helped make Colgate a solid NCAA team,” said NHL draft analyst and NHLdraftbuzz.com owner Russ Cohen. “He stays on his knees a lot since he’s 6’5″. He has a very effective blocker and his leg saves are quick and he’s good at directing the puck to the corners to keep the play going. His glove is ok, it could be better. He has quick covers and he is rarely out of position. Gylander hugs the post well. Sometimes gives up the low goal when he has to move from post to post. I think he may be a future NHL backup.”

Johannes, 25, played in 31 games for North Dakota.This despite a lower-body injury that sidelined him for much of the second half of the season. The 6-3, 210-pound forward scored 12 goals with seven assists for North Dakota.

Watson said Johannes will add a size element to the Griffins.

“Our expectations are he’s going to come in, get some minutes, get some games and see how he does,” Watson said. “So we’re excited about it. We’re excited to have fresh faces in that locker room in the lineup. It does create some energy.”

For now, Johannes’ contract is owned by the Griffins. But the Red Wings will obviously be able to watch him, especially next season.

The post Griffins Bring in Prospects to Get A Taste of the AHL appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Jonatan Berggren continues to do everything within his power as a Grand Rapids Griffins player to show that he is ready to play with the Detroit Red Wings in 2024-25.

The Swedish winger had to be disappointed that he only played 12 games with the Red Wings this season after playing 67 in 2022-23.  He netted 15 goals for Detroit in those 67 games. But he clearly hasn’t sulked about his situation. He showed that again Wednesday night when he registered his first American Hockey League hat trick to spark the Griffins to a come-from-behind 5-4 OT win against the Chicago Wolves.

The Van Andel Arena ice was flooded with hats after Berggren (drafted 33rd overall in 2018) scored his third goal with 13 seconds left in regulation.  Berggren extended his points streak to eight games (7-7-14)

“He basically won the game for us down the stretch,” Grand Rapids coach Dan Watson said. “He knows how to create offense, knows how to score goals. That’s what he does best. He did it for us tonight. It’s always fun to watch him play.”

Thanks to Berggren’s heroics, Red Wings prospect Sebastian Cossa has now extended his streak to 18 consecutive games (12-0-6) of earning at least one point for his team. He hasn’t lost in regulation since Jan. 12.

Berggren also assisted on Brogan Rafferty’s overtime tally for his season-high fourth point of the game. Berggren now boasts 23 goals and 52 points in 45 games for Grand Rapids.

The Grand Rapids team also has an 18-game home points streak (13-0-3-2). Carter Mazur had a pair of assists in this game, while Amadeus Lombardi, Marco Kasper and Antti Tuomisto also added assists. Mazur now shows 33 points in 52 games. Kasper has 32 points in 63 games.

The post Berggren Still Piling Up Points For Griffins, 14 In Last Eight Games appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

When defenseman Simon Edvinsson was on the ice in the closing minutes of Monday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, it was like the Red Wings were announcing the Edvinsson Era had finally begun.

Edvinsson’s performance in the midst of a pressure-filled wildcard race shows he belongs in the NHL. Coaches have more trust in him, especially when it comes to protecting a lead.

“It’s a lot of pressure going into those games,” Edvinsson said. “Every point matters, every mistake counts. I try to play kind of safe as of now. Try to play with my of course instincts, but always in the mind of defense first. I feel like that’s the way it’s gonna have to be right now, so that’s how I’m going with it.”

He won’t get the assist here but Edvinsson is the reason as to why this goal was scored pic.twitter.com/Avdg0wd2eu

— TheKlenkster (@TheKlenkster) April 2, 2024

In other words, he would show his offensive side more if every game didn’t carry the importance of a playoff contest. Edvinsson was on pace to be a 40-plus point defenseman in Grand Rapids this season. He can motor with the puck, racking up eight goals and 29 points in 41 games. But even at age 21, Edvinsson is savvy enough to know he needs to play it safe for now.

The Red Wings are 3-2-2 in the seven games Edvinsson has played for Detroit since being recalled because of Jake Walman’s injury. Walman is back, But Edvinsson remains in the lineup

“Of course it was tough games,” the 2021 first rounder said. “It was a tough road trip. To get four points from that is huge. I feel myself I’m just gonna keep going. Just play the way I’ve been playing – calm, poised. Also, the offense is gonna come. I feel comfortable out there, I feel confident. ”

Earning His Keep

Edvinsson was playing 18 to 19-plus minutes per game, but played more than 20 minutes in the 4-2 win against Tampa Bay. Some of that time came when the Red Wings were protecting a lead in the waning moments. He was plus-2 in that game.

“When you get the coaches putting you in those critical situations, it gives you confidence in your game.” Detroit defenseman Jeff Petry said. “It makes you feel good and have belief in yourself. I think he’s done a good job against some high-end skill and high-end opponents. I think he’s continuing to grow and getting better every game.”

The 6-foot-6 Swede boasts an even plus-minus since his call-up. In those same seven games, his partner Petry is minus-4.

Fans wanted to see Edvinsson called up earlier, but the Red Wings had seven veteran defensemen on their roster. More importantly, the Red Wings felt Edvinsson would benefit more by being the No. 1 defenseman for the Griffins.

Edvinsson Arriving On Time

His travel time to being an NHL regular is not out of line with his 2021 draft class. Nineteen of 32 first rounders have played at least one game in the NHL, but Edvinsson is one of nine currently playing regularly. He was drafted sixth overall.

“He’s been top four, you can see, he’s give us great minutes, he’s been a puck transporter,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “He’s had great defensive stops, the long stick has kept pucks alive. But even the other day he was starting to get really comfortable and he was the first man to forecheck a couple times, he got caught in some gray ice a couple times where they’re one play away from making a play. It’s just part of the growth of a thoroughbred. You want to let him grow a little but you got to reel him in.”

Simon Edvinsson is really good at hockey. pic.twitter.com/AMLIdhDLwa

— Spencer Raxter (@Spenmorax) March 30, 2024

Lalonde obviously doesn’t believe Edvinsson is playing as safely as he thinks he is playing. Lalonde said assistant coach Bob Boughner made sure Edvinsson didn’t start spreading his wings too far.

“The whole game, I’m like, ‘Bougs, reel Simon in.’ And he’s like ‘I’m on it, I’m on it,.’ Lalonde said. “He was probably right until that game was over, he was on his toes. I think that’s all just part of the growth and learning and I think that’s why you want to put these guys in those situations, really. Really big situations. Playing last year at this time is a lot different than playing this year at this time, where every play and every puck matters.”

The post Red Wings Trust in Simon Edvinsson Grows Daily appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

When you are raising children, you want them to be charitable or giving. When you are developing NHL goalies, you want them to be stingy, downright miserly when it comes to giving up goals.

Sebastian Cossa’s Ebernezer Scrooge-like in his goaltending approach for the past 79 days has served the Grand Rapids Griffins well.

Cossa extended his franchise-record points streak to 17 games (11-0-6) in the Griffins’ 2-1 overtime loss to the Milwaukee Admirals Saturday. He hasn’t lost a game in regulation time since Jan. 12 against Rockford. Defenseman Albert Johansson played a significant role in preserving Cossa’s streak. He tied the game 1-1 with a goal with 40 seconds left in the regulation.

With Cossa pulled for an extra attacker, Johansson ripped a shot from the blue line to beat Milwaukee goalie Troy Grosenick. It was Johansson’s sixth goal of the season.

In Cossa’s 17-game streak, he has given up one or no goals five times (29.4%), two or fewer goals 11 times (64.7%) and three or fewer in 14 games  (82.3%).

NHL Projection

There is no timetable for Cossa’s ascension to the NHL. Cossa is only 21. He’s rotating in the Griffins net with Michael Hutchinson this season. You don’t see many 22-year-old goalies in the NHL. The best guess is he will start next season as the Griffins No. 1 goalie.  If that happens, the Red Wings can monitor how he does with the expanded workload.

“He’s progressing nicely,” Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman said earlier this month. “Wins and losses for goalies, the team wins and loses. He’s really been solid in goal. Still a lot of work to do, but he’s trending in the right direction.”

Center Emmitt Finnie, a Western Hockey League prospect recently signed by the Red Wings, made his pro debut with the Griffins.

The post NHL Prospect Cossa Extends Goalie Points Streak to 17 Games appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

Grand Rapids Griffins forward Tyler Spezia is “awake, alert and doing well” after being stretchered off the ice during his team’s 4-2 road loss to the Chicago Wolves Friday night.

The team provided the update on his condition on X (formerly known as Twitter) after the game.

The injury occurred just two minutes into the AHL contest when Spezia was knocked to the ice by Chicago defenseman Alex Green. Spezia fell over teammate Cross Hanas. At that point, Spezia was unable to get up. He was transported to a local hospital where he was alert and able to move his extremities. The Griffins reported he was having tests as a precautionary measure.

M Live reported that the Griffins players were rattled by the scene on the ice.

Tyler Spezia was injured during the first period of tonight's game in Chicago and taken to a local hospital. He is awake, alert, and doing well while awaiting more tests and undergoing precautionary measures. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers, Griffins Nation!

— x – Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) March 30, 2024

The Griffins claimed a 2-0 first period lead on goals by Riley Sawchuk and Matt Luff. Sawchuk was brought up from the Toledo Walleye because the Red Wings called up Zach Aston-Reese. The Red Wings needed an extra forward because Patrick Kane and Austin Czarnik have the flu bug that is sweeping through the team.

Luff, on a Red Wings’ contract, has a seven-game points streak. He has nine points during the streak.

The Wolves took charge with two goals in the second period against goalie Michael Hutchinson and another in the third period. They clinched the win with an empty net goal. Former NHLer Rocco Grimaldi had two goals and assist for Chicago.

Red Wings prospect William Wallinder assisted on Sawchuk’s goal, while Eemil Viro and Marco Kasper assisted on Luff’s tally.

The Griffins (32-19-7-4) will play at Milwaukee tonight. Based on the Grand Rapids rotation, it should be Sebastian Cossa’s game to play in net.

The post Griffins Player Recovering After Scary Injury appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.

State of emergency was trending on X on Friday and amazingly, it had nothing to do with the Detroit Red Wings. Losers of three in a row 60% of the way through a season-high five-game road swing, Detroit is also down two forwards.

Both Patrick Kane and Austin Czarnik are under the weather with illness and listing as doubtful for Saturday afternoon’s 12:30 p.m. start against the Florida Panthers. Their absences wound up forcing the Red Wings to go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen during Thursday’s 4-0 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.

Evidently, Detroit coach Derek Lalonde wasn’t fond of how that set up was working out for his team. To that end, he’s summoning a veteran NHL presence to help out his club. Center Zach Aston-Reese, with 308 NHL games on his resume, is getting a recall from the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins.

UPDATE: The Detroit #RedWings today recalled forward Zach Aston-Reese from the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. pic.twitter.com/nSPoNZHHfV

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) March 29, 2024

Aston-Reese, 29, spent the majority of those NHL tilts with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2017-22. He’s also played with the Anaheim Ducks and scored 10 goals last season in 77 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Aston-Reese suited up for one game with the Red Wings earlier this season.

In 56 games for the Griffins, Aston-Reese is showing 13-15-28 totals. He’s very blunt in self-assessing his abilities on the ice.

The @griffinshockey lineup tonight in Chicago will feature 11 forwards and 7 defensemen. Edvinsson, Czarnik and now Aston-Reese are with Detroit. Berggren, Mazur, Gettinger and Simek are out with injury. pic.twitter.com/xmSxuRRbga

— Bob Kaser (@bkaser1) March 29, 2024

“I think I’m a good two-way player,” Aston-Reese said earlier this season upon arriving in Grand Rapids. “Very smart defensively, sometimes a little too defensive. I think this is a great opportunity to work on the offensive side of my game.

“I can play physical. I know that part of my game could be more consistent as far as the physicality and finishing checks.”

Red Wings Need Help

Detroit’s road record of late is appaling. The Red Wings are 0-7-1 through their past eight games away from Little Caesars Arena.

They’ve scored 14 goals over that eight-game span, an average of 1.75 goals per game. Detroit has been shutout three times in the club’s last seven road games, including two of the past three outings.

The post Red Wings Adding Veteran NHLer appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.