Quick Hits: The Finding His Game Edition

Jeff Hancock

• 1 min read Front Page

In Griffins Land

Givani Smith won’t change on ice, but good habits off it help fast start | MLive

In five games this season, the 21-year-old already has two goals and four points - tied for third on the team - while continuing to develop his disruptive style. He’s still learning; he won’t play Wednesday when the Griffins (2-2-0-1) host Milwaukee (2-1-1-2) after suspended one game by the AHL for an illegal hit (clip) during Saturday’s game at Texas.

Getting suspended is never an ideal scenario, but it’s still nice to see Givani Smith finding his game and getting off to a solid start this season with the Griffins. I’m not sure how far away he is from making it to the NHL, but when/if he does get to Detroit, I feel like he’s going to end up being a big fan favorite.

Blast from the Past

ICYMI: It was 80’s Night at the Red Wings game.

Around the League

Craig’s Prospect Update: Lafreniere, Stutzle delivering on early hype | TSN

The baby-faced Stutzle looks so young that it often feels like he arrived at the wrong game by accident. What’s no accident is how gifted and talented the versatile forward is. He plays with a confidence and swagger belying his age (17). He has a Patrick Kane-like presence on the ice and it’s not a stretch to think he may be the best European available for the 2020 draft.

We should absolutely draft German forward Tim Stutzle so he can form a dynamic duo with Moritz Seider.