Griffins notes: Svechnikov continues uphill battle and Tangradi adds ‘swagger’

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — When the Detroit Red Wings selected Evgeny Svechnikov 19th overall in the 2015 NHL draft, he was projected as a highly skilled, big-bodied winger who could help return the Red Wings to Stanley Cup contenders.

Of course, the journey for Svechnikov has been anything but smooth.

The 23-year-old suffered a season-ending knee injury during the preseason last year. It was supposed to be an opportunity to stake his claim for being a part of the core group that will dig the Red Wings out of this rebuild.

Instead, Svechnikov missed the entire 2018-19 season, and his development was put on hold.

“Of course, you’re going to have some games where you don’t feel it or (you are) sloppy, but I think, overall, I have been playing good; it just hasn’t gone for me offensively,” he told Wings Nation of his development this season. “It’s another challenge, and I’m just going to stick with it, keep working.”

2015 seems like a lifetime ago, but at the same time, things can change so quickly in the world of sports. A highly touted prospect, through no fault of his own, might not be able to live up to the expectations that come with being a first-round draft pick.

Svechnikov has been decent this season, scoring nine goals and adding 11 assists in 39 games. Two of those goals — both power-play goals — came Saturday night in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Texas Stars. (He also added another power-play goal Sunday afternoon.)

Svechnikov said trying to regain his form this season has been difficult, but he was happy to contribute offensively on Saturday.

“It’s been tough mentally, but I’ve been working hard all season,” he said. “Things weren’t happening, but you just have to believe in what you’re doing. When you’re not getting results and not producing offensively, it’s very hard to believe, but it’s huge to get rewarded. I just hope to take off from here.”

Svechnikov nearly completed the hat trick in the third period, which would have been quite poetic on a night the Griffins had a “Stranger Things”-themed hat giveaway.

The Russian got called up to the Red Wings in October, offering a glimpse of hope he might be able to cement himself on the Red Wings roster when Andreas Athanasiou was placed on IR. However, he played in just four games, registering no points and seven shots.

Teammate Eric Tangradi, who played with Svechnikov on the 2017 Calder Cup-winning Griffins, said it was nice to see him contribute offensively as the team battles for the final playoff spot in the Central Division.

“He’s been put in a tough spot since he got here, being a first-round pick, there’s a lot of pressure,” Tangradi said. “Work ethic is something with him that comes first, and he’s a pro’s pro. It’s nice seeing him get rewarded (Saturday). Hopefully, he can build off that confidence and get back to being the type of player he knows he can be.

“We’re going to need him, we’re going to need all the guys in this room to be playing their best hockey because we’re on the outside looking in right now. He’s a key piece in this locker room, and if he can continue to play the right way and play his game, it’ll be great for us down the road.”

Coach Ben Simon said Svechnikov has, at times, struggled mentally with trying to get back to where he was pre-injury.

“It’s been an uphill battle for him,” the second-year coach said. “He’s one of the hardest-working guys that you’ll see come through these doors. Now, he’s gotta make sure he’s working smart as well as hard. For him, he gets frustrated easily at times. He’s just gotta make sure he’s playing the right way, and good things will happen.”

Tangradi was a key piece during the Griffins’ Calder Cup run in 2017. The then-28-year-old scored 19 points (two goals, 17 assists) in 19 playoffs games to help Grand Rapids win its second Calder Cup. He also had 17 goals and 27 assists in 54 regular season games.

The Red Wings opted not to bring the winger back after the 2017-18 season, so he signed with the New Jersey Devils, splitting his time between New Jersey and Binghamton in the AHL.

At the beginning of this season, Tangradi opted to play overseas, signing with the KHL’s Astana Barys. His success in the AHL didn’t translate to the Russian league, as he had just nine points (five goals, four assists) in 22 games.

So, in December, Tangradi opted to come back to Grand Rapids, signing a one-year deal. The 30-year-old has had some injury issues since returning to the AHL, but in 11 games played this season, he has seven goals and two assists, which includes a goal in the overtime loss to the Stars.

“He means so much to our team, off the ice, on the ice,” Svechnikov said. “Every game, he’s bringing offensive. I hope he continues to do better.”

Tangradi’s power-play goal Saturday tied the game at 3-3 in the third period, as he picked up a loose puck in the slot from a point shot. He said getting to the crease and using his size to create space for himself has led to his success this season, which is how he scored on Saturday.

“I think, for me, I’ve tried to always get to the net,” Tangradi said. “Getting up to speed, with injuries, battling that a little bit. I’ve been around the blue paint, it’s my bread and butter. Been able to get to that area using my size and capitalize on some rebounds. Something I continue to grow on in my game and do every night. I know that pucks will find me in that area.”

He said Grand Rapids will always have a special place in his heart, and when he decided he wanted to return, he reached out to general manager Ryan Martin to see if it was a possibility, noting Grand Rapids was the only team he reached out to.

“For me, this city, this organization, they’ve always been great to me,” Tangradi said. “It’s a place where I’m comfortable, my wife, my kids are comfortable. … I think it’s been kind of a really good marriage so far. Extra veteran in the room, Calder Cup experience, those types of things I think I bring a lot on the ice and off the ice.

“Just grateful for the opportunity and not taking it for granted at all and just trying to get better every day.”

Simon said Tangradi has been a great veteran presence for a team that features a lot of younger players.

“Tango’s been good,” he said. “He’s a big body. Takes pucks to the net. He’s got a little bit of swagger to him, and he brings that kind of confidence to the group.”