Despite Roster Overhaul, Grand Rapids Remain Among AHL’s Best With League-Leading Start

After a historic, franchise-record season, the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings, appeared headed for a very different look this fall.

Many of last year's older veterans were not brought back, replaced by a large wave of young talent. 

Early results suggest the credit may belong to the coaching staff and management rather than any one group of players.

Despite a roster, largely with inexperienced skaters, many in their first professional seasons, the Griffins have come together and look like the league's most formidable team once again.

Through seven games, no team is ahead of Grand Rapids, who hold a 5-1-1-0 record. The Griffins have the third-best offense in the AHL with 26 goals, tied with the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

The defense has been solid as well, allowing 16 goals against, tied with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the 11th-fewest in the league.

The start has been especially encouraging for several of Detroit's young players. Among them is Jesse Kiiskinen, a former third-round pick of the Nashville Predators whom Detroit acquired in June 2024 in exchange for defense prospect Andrew Gibson. 

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The 21-year-old is beginning to show why Detroit wanted him in his very first pro season. The lethal shooting right winger has five goals in seven games and is tied for the team-lead with seven points, matching NHL defenseman Jacob Bryson.

Returning veteran John Leonard, who appeared with the Red Wings at points last season, has continued to dominate the AHL. The 28-year-old recorded 54 points in 47 games last year and has five goals and one assist for six points in just three games so far this season.

Carter Bear, Detroit's 2025 first-round pick, has also impressed in his first pro action, with two goals and two assists for four points in five games.

In goal, Michal Postava has picked up where his remarkable season left off. Last year, he finished 17-6-0 with a 1.71 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage. This season, the 24-year-old is a perfect 4-0-0 with a 1.25 GAA and a .954 save percentage, looking nearly unbeatable.

Grand Rapids returns to action Wednesday night when they host the Manitoba Moose before playing a weekend doubleheader on Friday and Saturday versus the Cleveland Monsters.

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