MLive’s Ansar Khan asked Red Wings assistant director of player development Dan Cleary to elaborate upon the statuses of six top Red Wings prospects during Cleary’s press conference today, and Cleary obliged. Among his remarks are assessments of three prospects who will play for the Grand Rapids Griffins this upcoming season:
Shai Buium, D, 6-4, 210: After winning two NCAA Championships in three years at Denver, the 36th overall pick in 2021 is preparing for his first pro season at Grand Rapids.
“The game gets faster, guys are stronger,” Buium said. “Really just skating and building strength, I think they come together. When you have good strength and your edgework is getting better, it’ll come together and you’ll be a better skater, faster and stronger.”
Nate Danielson, C, 6-2, 188: The club’s top pick in 2023 (ninth overall) also is preparing for his first season in Grand Rapids after a productive final junior year and two playoff games with the Griffins.
“Nate had a tremendous season. (Portland coach) Mike Johnston can’t say enough good things about Nate,” Cleary said. “I thought he was great every day (in camp). Came in in terrific shape. He talks the talk and he walks it. He does everything right and really showed the way in his testing, his preparation, his professionalism, the way he handles himself, his maturity.”
Jakub Rychlovsky, LW, 5-10, 181: At 22, he was one of the older players in camp, an undrafted free agent signed this offseason after he led the Czech League in goals (26 in 51 games). He’ll transition to North America in Grand Rapids.
“Quiet, strong little guy,” Cleary said. “I was friends with someone who was coaching him in Czech. He thought it was a great signing for us. I haven’t seen him play live in a game, but just watching him skate, handle the puck, move it, he’s a driven young kid. Going from the Czech League to Grand Rapids is a bit of an adjustment. But I think he’s got a good, strong base.”
