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.

Red Wings of Tomorrow is assessing every prospect in the Detroit Red Wings system and what they are projecting to be in the future. We’ll be looking at the strengths and weaknesses of their game, as well as what the future holds for them as they advance through the Detroit organization. Today, we look at left wing Dylan James

Dylan James

Position: Left Wing

How Acquired: 40th overall pick (second round) in the 2022 NHL Draft

2021-22 Stats: (GP-G-A-Pts) 62-28-33-61 (for Sioux City Musketeers, USHL)

Contract Status: Unsigned

Anticipated 2022-23 Team: North Dakota (NCHC)

Prospect Synopsis

United States Hockey Rookie of Year. Picked in the second round by the Detroit Red Wings. Named as a late addition to the Canadian National Junior Team.

Red Line Report Chief Scout Kyle Woodlief said James was the “fastest riser on our list in the season’s second half.”

Calgary native James will take plenty of momentum into North Dakota next season.

This is what Red Line Report’s assessment of Dylan James’ season: “Came on like gangbusters down the stretch. One of the keys to the Sioux’s shocking run to the championship…Second half offensive production was off the chart.”

Red Wings Draft USHL 2022 Rookie of the Year Dylan James https://t.co/mAre02RzmC

— Kevin Allen (@ByKevinAllen) July 8, 2022

Red Line Report is into its third decade of evaluating players and the independent scouting review sees James as a “big-game” performer, similar in style to Ondrej Palat.” It’s interesting to note that Yzerman was Tampa Bay’s GM when the team drafted Palat.

He’s a high energy player who can help a team in a variety of ways. He is first and foremost a creative player. In the playoffs, James scored five goals and put up eight points in 10 games.

Estimated Time of Arrival in Detroit

Dylan James already brings a professional approach to his game. He views himself as a two-way forward.

“I like to take pride in my defense,” James said. “My offense comes from that. I’m usually on the defensive side of the puck, whenever I can be. My speed is my best asset. I use it to forecheck and limit the D’s time and space. I love doing that.”

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He already understands the complexity of making an NHL roster.

“Obviously,” he said, “when you get drafted it’s pretty exciting moment but you also gotta realize there’s a lot of people who got drafted three years before you and they’re also trying to make the team, too,” he said.

That level of maturity plays well with NHL decision makers. Half of the battle is understanding what needs to be accomplished to get there. James seems to know where he needs to go.

The Red Wings will know more after his first season at North Dakota. That’s a quality program. He will have earn his ice time and will compete against good teams. Presumably, he will play multiple seasons there.

But in the back of your mind, you have to wonder whether it’s possible his game will grow exponentially like it did this season.

The post Red Wings of Tomorrow: Dylan James appeared first on Detroit Hockey Now.