Givani Smith and Filip Hronek set to play for AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, what should you expect from them?

A lot of rosters are being shaped right now and the Red Wings are no different. Shortly after Filip Hronek was named the Saginaw Spirit MVP, he is now getting ready to play for the Grand Rapids Griffins. It’s a great thing for Hronek’s development and the other person that is joining him is Givani Smith, who played for the Guelph Storm this year.

Smith was under a point per game on the Storm and Hronek was over a point per game with the Spirit. What should you expect from them and what exactly constitutes a good showing from them as well?

Considering the regular season for the Griffins is almost over, this is more of a showcase for these two. What they’re able to do could set up their path for next year.

Anything for Hronek that is at or above .25 ppg this early is going to be considered a success. If you’re at .5 ppg, you’re looking at possible a future number one defensemen, especially at his age. Hronek has a chance to hit both of those marks. Over these last ten games though it won’t mean too much. It will be too small of a sample size.

It is more or less, good for him if he does it, if he doesn’t, nothing to be too concerned about.

Smith on the other hand is a more interesting case. He wasn’t a point per game player in the OHL, he is going to have an uphill battle to make the Wings no matter what. He should focus on throwing his body around and making an impact there off the bat. His off-season should really focus on scoring and being a force in front of the net. He’ll need to cultivate a position for himself. It’s a long road ahead but the path has been made a few times before. If he can acclimate to the speed of the game quickly, he may become a power forward yet.

When players are as young as they are, nothing is the end all be all for them. They will have a chance to make an impact early and possibly accelerate their development. It is a new school thought for the Wings and is encouraging to see. If it takes them a little longer, so what? You are just going back to the slightly more well known Wings model. This isn’t going to hurt them by putting them in the AHL. This should be a slight step up for them and enough of a challenge that other drafted players should be excited about similar opportunities.

The Wings may be entering the 21st century yet.