In Red Wings Land

Griffins’ setback robs top Red Wings prospects of important experience | Detroit News

So, top prospects such as forward Filip Zadina, and defensemen Filip Hronek and Dennis Cholowski, were limited to five playoff games worth of experience.

And the chance of forward Joe Veleno or defenseman Jared McIsaac possibly arriving from junior hockey late in a Griffins’ playoff run will not happen.

“Are we disappointed? Yes,” Griffins coach Ben Simon said after the Game 5 loss. There’s an empty feeling in that room.”

It’s a bummer that those guys didn’t get a chance at a long Calder Cup playoff run, but at least Filip Hronek will be headed to play in the World Championship tournament.

Speaking of that tourney, Anthony Mantha and Tyler Bertuzzi were officially named to Team Canada yesterday. The Red Wings will be well represented.

Around the League

TEN PLAYERS WHO HELPED THEIR DRAFT STOCK AT THE U-18 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP | The Hockey News

Cole Caufield, RW (USA)

The size narrative really needs to die when it comes to ‘Goal’ Caufield, whose 14 goals tied Alex Ovechkin’s single-tournament record. While half of Caufield’s goals came in the first two games, he was consistently one of the top players throughout the tournament, winning MVP and best forward honors despite finishing two points behind linemate Jack Hughes for the tournament scoring lead.

All this kid does is score goals. If he’s there at #6, should Steve Yzerman pull the trigger?