DetroitRedWings.com’s Dana Wakiji examines Vili Saarijarvi’s 2017-18 season “numbers” today, and as Wakiji notes, Saarijarvi’s got to improve upon his weight (listed at 178 pounds) and strength if he is to use next season as a springboard to the NHL. Saarijarvi’s 2017-18 season was split between the Grand Rapids Griffins and Toledo Walleye:
42 – Saarijarvi played in 42 games for the Griffins this past season.
11 – Saarijarvi played in 11 games for the Walleye in a couple of different stints this past season. He also recorded 11 assists with the Griffins.
7 – In his 11 games with the Walleye, Saarijarvi recorded two goals among seven points.
1 – In his AHL debut on Oct. 28, 2017 at Rockford, Saarijarvi recorded his first AHL point on Axel Holmstrom’s first-period goal, earning the second assist. Saarijarvi played in his first AHL playoff game on April 26, 2018 against the Manitoba Moose.
I sure hope Saarijaris gets a lot of time in GR. This is a kid who is exciting but still unknown. He faces a lot of road blocks on his path to Detroit beyond just a log jam of dmen. If Hicketts sticks in Detroit having two undersized Dmen could be a problem in the NHL. I’m sure there are examples, but probably not many teams carry to small Dmen.