Following the early closure of the 2017-18 season for the Grand Rapids Griffins, Captain Matt Ford has yet to be resigned. The Griffins have had the luxury of leadership consistency headlined by Ford and Alternate Captains Eric Tangradi, Ben Street and Brian Lashoff. Unfortunately for the Griffins, however, three of their four core guys are destined to be unrestricted free agents if not resigned by June 30. While Ford is considered “Inactive” and not a salary cap hit according to CapFriendly.com, releasing Tangradi and Street would not only free up cap space for Detroit but clear the way for a promotion for Brian Lashoff.
Captain Matt Ford
For the two seasons, the Griffins have had Ford in the lineup, he has made a huge impact on the team. Matt Ford was signed with the Griffins to a one-way deal for the 2016-17 season. Playing as Alternate Captain in his first season with Grand Rapids, Ford earned a Calder Cup title. Ford tallied 35 regular season points and 12 post-season points. The 2017-18 season was just as productive for the new captain. Ford earned 38 points in the regular season and 5 post-season. Ford is the first to jump into a play or block a shot. He showed control but defended himself and his teammates when necessary. He has a laid-back, almost dry, personality so he was not overly vocal, however, would get fiery when the situation demanded it.
Off the ice, Matt Ford and his wife would take turns with the other leaders and their families, hosting gatherings and holiday parties for their teammates; many of whom were thousands of miles from home. Ford took his leadership mantle seriously but also enjoyed being peers with his teammates regardless of their age. The Griffins’ investment into Ford has panned out into an excellent locker room culture and belief in the system. Young players like Luke Esposito, have found development underneath the instruction of Ford, “The guy I’ve played most with his Matt Ford. He’s been unbelievable for me (and) for everybody I think as a leader.” Esposito told WingsNation, “Whether it was just helping me with little things on the ice or just keeping me positive off the ice, he was great the whole year.”
Eric Tangradi and Ben Street’s Impact
Alternately, Tangradi and Street have both made use of their leadership titles throughout the last few seasons. Tangradi has played with the Griffins for three seasons and led the team in goals with 31 during the 2017-18 season and finished with 64 points. Street also had a glimmering season with his team-leading 44 assists and 65 points. Vocal on the ice and a major asset in trapezoid-play, Tangradi made his presence known. Street, a more subtle style and compact in stature, let his puck handling do the talking. With elite skaters and point scorers comprising their core leadership, the Red Wings are facing a challenge having to decide who stays and who goes.
With cap space, an ongoing issue with the Detroit organization, any roster move that’ll free up space is a bonus at this point. Ford’s contract does not hurt the Wings at all, however, with the possible movement of Tangradi ($300,000 salary) and Street ($650,000 salary), would free up space for more picks and cheaper leadership. Considering Ford’s salary doesn’t hinder Detroit, it’s hard to argue in favor of not resigning him specifically.
The benefit to signing Ford, Tangradi or Street would be the obvious production. All three players are proven, producers and high-level skaters. All three have a few years of leadership under their belts and their “veteran” status ensures an immediate level of respect among their teammates. Able-bodied leadership is crucial to the development of the new players, especially in the ever-growing youth of the AHL. Given that youth, however, the leadership will inevitably need to get younger as well. Tangradi is just shy of the 30-year mark and Street and Ford are both over 30 years old. Though they are currently capable of skating with the youngsters, they are not on the youthful side of the scale anymore.
Priming Brian Lashoff
If Detroit does not resign any of the mentioned players, that leaves Lashoff in prime position for a jersey upgrade. The Griffins seemed to spend the latter part of the regular season grooming the general public to the idea. Between Channel 8 TV spots, a Griffiti feature story (Griffins’ in-house publication), and off ice interviews, it seemed as though the Griffins were trying to say something – or at least the media was.
Brian Lashoff has faithfully served the Griffins for ten seasons. Lashoff was originally signed in 2008 while still in juniors. Since then, Brian has been firmly planted in Grand Rapids. He’s a two time Calder Cup champion and holds several AHL and Griffins records. Lashoff possesses the capacity for training the youngsters and enjoys watching them reach that next level, “Being off in Detroit and back down here (Grand Rapids) for a while, it’s been nice to help the young guys.” Lashoff told WingsNation. Backed by his experience, Lash can be trusted with higher demands and longer shifts.
Brian is inching closer to thirty (27) but has only grown in speed and strength since his beginning. He has proven to be one of the healthier guys on the bench; not as likely to get injured. He’s only had minor hand or upper body injuries during his ten-year career with the Griffins, but overall, remains very healthy – which is a positive for consistency.
In terms of leadership disposition, Lashoff is a quiet type. He’s verbal with his young linemates on the ice but is not of the “in your face” variety. He’s composed, almost austere, in terms of general demeanor. Overall, this type of personality wouldn’t be immediately looked to for leadership however, Lashoff’s character immediately demands respect. He can be trusted to maintain a steady countenance under pressure which is reassuring and necessary for a younger group of players. He’s got a long fuse and stays out of the box, only having an average of 19 AHL penalty minutes a season.
Lashoff Still Relevant?
A Twitter user I stumbled across asked if Brian Lashoff was “still a thing.” The short answer to that is, “yes.” Given the number of guys becoming free agents this summer with no definite contract extensions offered, Lashoff is a “thing.” He has a track record a mile long of accomplishments and glowing achievements that speaks volumes. By numbers alone, it would be shocking for him to be overlooked once more for the captain’s title. Serving faithfully as alternate and holding down the blue-line for so many years shows resilience and patience. I think he’d make an excellent captain. Though he doesn’t have the fiery propensities of Ford or the production of Tangradi, the faithful execution of his job year after year is something to recommend him.
As the summer wears on, the status of Ford, Tangradi, and Street will become clear. Freeing up cap space is going to be critical for the Red Wings going forward, but they will need to maintain mature leadership with their farm team. With all of the media coverage surrounding Brian Lashoff at the tail-end of this season, the thought of him being promoted to captain isn’t an impossibility. There’s the off-chance that he doesn’t want the spot, but his career in and of itself is a resume built to push him to the top.