Griffins continue to Fill Ranks
Matt Ellis and Joey MacDonald say cheese with a Griffins fan
Flickr photo: cjpkwilliams
The Detroit Red Wings announced the signing of several players yesterday.
Left wing Matt Ellis returns to Detroit after spending the last five seasons in the Red Wings’ organization at Toledo (ECHL) and Grand Rapids (AHL). Ellis, who signed a two-year deal, made his NHL debut in 2006-07 appearing in a total 16 games for the Red Wings.
Joining the Wings for the first time are goaltender Adam Berkhoel, forwards Carl Corazzini, Mark Cullen, Randall Gelech and Mark Hartigan, and defensemen Brad Ference and Garrett Stafford. Gelech signed a two-year deal, while the other six signed one-year agreements.
Red Wings assistant general manager said the players will compete for a spot in Detroit’s lineup during training camp. Those who do not make the team will play in Grand Rapids. The players with the best shot out of the group to make the Red Wings might be Matt Ellis, who cracked Detroit’s lineup briefly last season, and Brad Ference, who has played a total of 250 NHL games.
When Ellis played in Detroit it was always on the fourth line and with very short minutes. I think once again he’s likely to be an injury call up this season. He’s strong along the boards and can play the energy role he’d play as a fourth liner.
Brad Ference has one trait the Red Wings tend to lack in their d-men other than Kronner - he likes to hit people. He’s got good size at 6′3″ and is known as a crease clearer but he tends to be a little overzealous with dishing out the punishment. He could play for Detroit as a third pairing defensive defenseman but I suspect that like Ellis he’ll be a guy who might get injury callups but will spend the bulk of the season in Grand Rapids.
One intresting guy out of the group to keep an eye on is Randall Gelech. He has power forward size at 6′3″ and 220. He’s only 23 years old so he could still be developing as far as hockey talent goes. He’s had 25 goal and 30 goal seasons in the WHL but hasn’t broken out against AHL competition over the past three years. But he did tally 17 goals last season. On a team like Grand Rapids with a very good defense and goaltending tandem and a solid corps of forwards he could crack 20 goals, put up solid plus/minus numbers and become a viable prospect.
Will it happen? Who knows.
Dave Mayo from the Grand Rapids Press reports that the Griffins could name a new head coach any day now. Here is some of the commentary on the players the Red Wings just signed.
Matt Ellis - Griffins Central
Where [Ellis] winds up next season, though, is anyone’s guess. The hard working Ellis is a darkhorse to make the Wings this season, but with his work ethic and hustle, he could force the club to keep him. Subject to waivers if assigned to the AHL, he may impress another club enough to claim him for their NHL roster. Of course a return to Grand Rapids for a fifth season is a welcome possibility as well.
Ansar Khan - Ellis, 7 others signed
Joining the Red Wings for the first time will be goaltender Adam Berkhoel (one year), forwards Carl Corazzini (one year), Mark Cullen (one year) Randall Gelech (two years) and Mark Hartigan (one year), and defensemen Brad Ference (one year) and Garrett Stafford (one year).
George Malik over at Snapshots also has extensive coverage of the guys who were signed. He has a nice breakdown of the Griffins roster - assuming none of the guys who played for the team last season make Detroit’s roster.
Goaltenders:
Jimmy Howard
Adam BerkhoelForwards:
Carl Corazzini
Mark Cullen
Matt Ellis
Mark Hartigan
Randall Gelech
Darren Helm
Johan Ryno
Mattias Ritola
Ryan Oulahen
Evan McGrathDefence:
Jonathan Ericsson
Jakub Kindl
Kyle Quincey
Garrett Stafford
Brad Ference
Derek Meech
That defense is going to be very good. They should go a long way towards helping netminder Jimmy Howard have a breakout year. There are contradictory reports on whether or not Derek Meech will have to clear waivers in order to be sent down to Grand Rapids if he does not make Detroit’s roster. But Matthew Wuest over at Red Wings Central said he would not have to clear waivers and since he’s the authority on Red Wings prospects I would defer to him.
brad ference Grand Rapids Griffins Matt Ellis Randall Gelech Red WingsNo Comments
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
