Red Wings make cuts to roster...

Today the Detroit Red Wings announced that they cut 10 players from their preseason roster.

Photo by Amanda Nitz

Heading to the Grand Rapids Griffins:

Forwards
Ilari Filppula (iFlip)
Jamie Tardif
Willie Coetzee

Defenseman
Sergei Kolosov
Travis Ehrhardt
Logan Pyett
Sebastien Piche

Goalie
Thomas McCollum

Also released (but not headed to the Griffins) were Greg Amadio and Aaron Downey

As Red Wings cut roster: Griffins gain depth

As the preseason continues two teams begin to emerge the Detroit Red Wings and the Grand Rapids Griffins.

If anything watching these preseason games for the Red Wings is showing that the future of the team is in good hands. Young players like Tomas Tatar that on any other team would crack the NHL roster will most likely spend the season with the AHL affiliate team in Grand Rapids - only strengthening their team and furthering his development.

Other young players that will probably be sent to the Grand Rapids Griffin's include: Hobey Baker Award finalist and first-round draft pick (2007) defensman Brendan Smith and fellow first-round pick (2008) goaltender Tomas McCollum and second-round pick Cory Emmerton (2006).

Not so young - Ilari Filppula (Red Wings Valtteri Filppula's older brother)will probably be heading to the Griffin's just as his younger brother did before cracking the Detroit line up. Last season iFlip (wonder how long before he lands an Apple endorsement?) won the Jari Kurri trophy this past season as the SM-liiga (Finnish league) playoff MVP as his team (TPS) won the leagues championship.

Kirk Maltby who is on a two-way contract for this season will probably also be starting off the season in Grand Rapids. The four time Stanley Cup Champion that Detroit traded Dan McGillis to the Edmonton Oilers for back in the 1995-96 season will bring that veteran experience to the young players in the Red Wings development system.

Having Jiri Fischer (Red Wings Director of Player Development) and Chris Chelios (Red Wings Executive Advisor to General Manager) off ice helping with development of prospects; and Kirk Maltby on ice - the Griffin's are going to be going places.

Other players possibly heading to Grand Rapids:

Forwards:
Joakim Anderson
William Coetzee
Jordan Owens
Jamie Tardif
Aaron Downey

Defense:
Doug Janik
Siarhei Kolasau
Derek Meech (would have to clear waivers first; and is currently having concussion symptoms after game one of the preseason against the Pittsburgh Penguins)

Goaltenders:
Joey MacDonald
Jorand Pearce

Picture of the Day: Ilari Filppula

So much for a boring off season

Breaking news over night that the Detroit Red Wings have signed Ilari Filppula has many asking, "isn't his name Valtteri?"




Ilari Filppula is the older brother for current Red Wings forward Valtteri Filppula.

Ilari spent the last few years with TPS Turku in the SM-liiga (in his native country Finland), winning this past seasons championship, and was named the winner of the 2010 Jari Kurri trophy (play off MVP).

For the 2009/2010 season Ilari played 58 games in which he had 12 goals and 37 assist. In the playoffs he played an additional 15 games with 2 goals and 12 assist.

Fitting song for the clip seeing as he is now on an NHL contact...



TPS Turku is partially owned by (current) NHL players Miikka Kiprusoff (Flames), Mikko Koivu (Wild) and his older brother Saku (Ducks).