The Hockey News’s Jake Tye offers his takes on the Red Wings’ Prospect Games performances, praising Amadeus Lombardi, Shai Buium and Nate Danielson, and adding a word of caution regarding Axel Sandin Pellikka:
The most notable name for Detroit to come out of the showcase is Lombardi after playing a key role in three of the Red Wings‘ five goals on Sunday, it was hard to miss the 22-year-old forward. After playing in 116 games in the AHL with the Griffins and posting a near point-per-game average last season with 40 points in 44 games, it was expected that Lombardi would be contending for a spot with the Red Wings at training camp.
His performance in the showcase only reminded management that they have a player who is too good for junior competition and will likely be a top player in the AHL once again. We could see an approach with Lombardi similar to Red Wings winger Elmer Soderblom last season, who played 38 games with the Griffins as well as 26 games up with the Red Wings.
Buium on the other hand, may have an opportunity to carve out a meaningful role. The Red Wings struggled on backend last season with a bottom 12 defense in the league. They got some help in the crease when trading for former all-star goaltender John Gibson but more adds on the blueline are needed. They took a lottery ticket on former first round pick Jacob Benard-Docker but besides the former Senator, the Red Wings didn’t make any meaningful adds with their unit and could lead to opportunities for AHL defenseman like Buium.
Last season, the San Diego native posted a 25 points in 67 games with Griffins assistant coach Brian Lashoff telling the Hockey News that he regularly relied on Buium and routinely gave him bigger minutes than most. If he can show that his game translates to the NHL after spending the offseason training with his brother Zeev, who made a significant leap to the NHL with the Minnesota Wild last season and even earned power play time, Buium might be able to establish himself as a regular in Detroit sooner than expected.
Continued; I’m not quite as optimistic about Lombardi or Buium becoming regulars on a crowded roster, but one never knows.
I watched a bit of both prospects games, and granted it’s inferior competition, but Lombardi looks like a man among boys, able to basically do whatever he wants at times in the offensive zone. If he’s not ready for the NHL at some point this season, then I don’t know if he ever will be. Seems like a waste to just have him down there dominating and not getting looks in Detroit.
Buium, I’m excited about as a depth defenseman. Again, he just looks like he belongs, in ways that you can’t really teach. He’s got a good feel for sneaking into soft spots in the O-zone and getting a shot off. He’s a big body who never seems out of position. I hope the Wings give him a shot and don’t let the fringe-y depth signings keep him down on the farm.
Lombardi does look dominant against prospects and most AHL’ers, frankly. It’s not easy to post a point-per-game pace in the AHL, but that’s where he was at last season…
And Buium is just smart out there. A real Brad Stuart type.