Jeremy Laura: Get your kicks down I-96 - Griffins could be worth the trip

Van Andel arena is a great venue for AHL hockey. GR... also called "Hockeytown West" by some of us natives.. loves it's hockey. Attendance at the Van has been consistently good over the years... usually in the top 10 of the AHL from what I last read.

I watch the games live and subscribe to AHL Live for watching the Griffins games. The streaming live feed is pretty good for the most part.

Jeremy, let us know when you're in town to watch a game... that would be a fun time. I usually sit near the top of the lower bowl and sit closer to the end where the Griffins shoot twice. I know Sven catches some of the game too once in a while since he's also local.

As always Jeremy another great read, you are the best on this site in my opinion. Unfortunately as long as there is a comments section, there will always be those ones *cough (Kooleus) cough* that have to rip on everything and everyone cuz THEY are the all knowing. . .

As an unvaccinated Midwestern Ontarian I won't be able to attend a game in Grand Rapids, as much as I would absolutely love to. Especially hearing about the games from others and yourself. Maybe someday I'll make it, but for now have a Bratwurst and a brew with some of the others for me. Keep up the great work, I check in multiple times a day to see if there's anything new from you!! Cheers

Good write up, J. As you've placed seeds of NHL thought in our minds, we all kinda lost what's happening in the bus leagues.

I want to see how Raymond, Bergy, and McIsaac develop. McI is really kind of in the same boat that Ras was in last year; it's truly time to show what he's got. Whitko's going to bring a load to the ice each game, his waning years will definitely be spent helping the D-kids grow, I like his style of play and his unwavering willingness to play anywhere he's needed. That's a good dude to have.

Larsson & Fulcher will definitely be closely watched as they are the next in line to ascend to the NHL. We have Greiss-Griess Baby to work in tandem with Ned, Cossa's a few years away (traditionally) from making his presence known, so those 2 are definitely going to closely watched. Brattstrom is another name to watch, but I think he's a bit of a work in progress...really all 3 are. Going to be nice to watch them grow as players and mature as men.

When you look at the names on the roster, there's a really solid team in GR. Hirose, Crisuolo, Shine...there's some strong players there. It'll be interesting to see how Verbeek and Spezia develop as well. Turner Elson...dude, stud. Would like to see him get some NHL time, he may be a bit of a sleeper. I'm wondering about Tyutyayev, not seen any video on him, but wasn't he touted as a stud? I may be mistaken...

The D-kids are what I'm truly intrigued by: McI, Newpower (dude, ya gotta admit THAT'S a hockey name...), Murphy....I think Mo Sides will start in Detroit, but The Cpatain won't hesitate to have him get ice time in GR if BLash thinks the need is there. I honestly don't know which way it's going to go for Mo. Everyone thinks he's a lock for the NHL, I don't disagree, but like you said; is it better for 10min in the NHL or 15-20 in GR? Kid's young, still needs some playing time? Send him. That plus Raymond & Bergy will pack the house.

I really think GR has the makings of a VERY powerful team this year. I', positive that JV, Bergy, and Raymond will get some NHL time, but it looks like GR has the reserves that can carry the load. It's going to be a VERY good year for them. I'd LOVE to go the the Van for a game or 2, but driving to GR from SC wouldn't be easily done. But if I do that, I'll shoot you a note so we can meet up...I might even buy you a dog!!! So when they come to Charlotte, I'm going to be ALL over that. Working in the Hampton/Newport News area of VA, I don't have any AHL teams close by.......time for AHLTV!!!!

Great series, J. I think it's really energized your readers and fans...Love reading your blogs and the banter between your readers (even if I'm nowhere near as well-infomred as most of them!!!) really brightens my day.

As always Jeremy another great read, you are the best on this site in my opinion. Unfortunately as long as there is a comments section, there will always be those ones *cough (Kooleus) cough* that have to rip on everything and everyone cuz THEY are the all knowing. . .

As an unvaccinated Midwestern Ontarian I won't be able to attend a game in Grand Rapids, as much as I would absolutely love to. Especially hearing about the games from others and yourself. Maybe someday I'll make it, but for now have a Bratwurst and a brew with some of the others for me. Keep up the great work, I check in multiple times a day to see if there's anything new from you!! Cheers
- mplackitt

Never claimed to know it all. But I do know more than most. I also don't rip on everything. Again, initial reaction to Vrana was pretty negative here. I loved that trade and said he would excel in a larger role. I liked the Ned trade. I liked the Cossa pick. I'm probably one of the more objective people here...

Never claimed to know it all. But I do know more than most. I also don't rip on everything. Again, initial reaction to Vrana was pretty negative here. I loved that trade and said he would excel in a larger role. I liked the Ned trade. I liked the Cossa pick. I'm probably one of the more objective people here...
- Kooleus

In all fairness, K has been right about several things, and I’ve been chagrined more than once. I’ve learned a lot by actually reading his (your) posts and looking at the content without injecting a “tone” to it. On both Vrana and Erne, Kooleus had me dead to rights. We agreed on Cholowski from the start, and we diverge a bit on Edvinsson but i think we’re both a little “wait and see”. I have to say, it’s never fun being wrong. But, someone being right doesn’t always carry any “snark”. I think I misread and over read into what are just someone laying out their perspective. Don’t get me wrong, there are for sure people who love to go scorched earth, but I’ve misread that in others. Being wrong is part of being human, for sure. It’s hard not to be “sensitive” when that happens. I’ve misunderstood and misconstrued at times. Part of the growing process

Love your blogs Jeremy and we appreciate you too. We Wings fans absolutely have the best blogger on HockeyBuzz !!

In all fairness, K has been right about several things, and I’ve been chagrined more than once. I’ve learned a lot by actually reading his (your) posts and looking at the content without injecting a “tone” to it. On both Vrana and Erne, Kooleus had me dead to rights. We agreed on Cholowski from the start, and we diverge a bit on Edvinsson but i think we’re both a little “wait and see”. I have to say, it’s never fun being wrong. But, someone being right doesn’t always carry any “snark”. I think I misread and over read into what are just someone laying out their perspective. Don’t get me wrong, there are for sure people who love to go scorched earth, but I’ve misread that in others. Being wrong is part of being human, for sure. It’s hard not to be “sensitive” when that happens. I’ve misunderstood and misconstrued at times. Part of the growing process
- Jeremy Laura

Yeah…being right sure is a great thing. But, for some, it lends itself to an inflated ego. At no point in my post on your last entry, did I say anything remotely resembling K “was the bad guy.” Yet, he asserts I did. In fact, I even complimented him…but he still claimed I stated he “was the bad guy.”

There’s right (and he had been right often, never once indicated he wasn’t, not did I besmirch him for anything…) minus ego, and there’s right with being an ass. More often than not, Ks approach falls into the later vice the former. And I’m not the only one who notices it. It’s systemic with him. And it’s a very tired and old routine.

Good write up, J. As you've placed seeds of NHL thought in our minds, we all kinda lost what's happening in the bus leagues.

I want to see how Raymond, Bergy, and McIsaac develop. McI is really kind of in the same boat that Ras was in last year; it's truly time to show what he's got. Whitko's going to bring a load to the ice each game, his waning years will definitely be spent helping the D-kids grow, I like his style of play and his unwavering willingness to play anywhere he's needed. That's a good dude to have.

Larsson & Fulcher will definitely be closely watched as they are the next in line to ascend to the NHL. We have Greiss-Griess Baby to work in tandem with Ned, Cossa's a few years away (traditionally) from making his presence known, so those 2 are definitely going to closely watched. Brattstrom is another name to watch, but I think he's a bit of a work in progress...really all 3 are. Going to be nice to watch them grow as players and mature as men.

When you look at the names on the roster, there's a really solid team in GR. Hirose, Crisuolo, Shine...there's some strong players there. It'll be interesting to see how Verbeek and Spezia develop as well. Turner Elson...dude, stud. Would like to see him get some NHL time, he may be a bit of a sleeper. I'm wondering about Tyutyayev, not seen any video on him, but wasn't he touted as a stud? I may be mistaken...

The D-kids are what I'm truly intrigued by: McI, Newpower (dude, ya gotta admit THAT'S a hockey name...), Murphy....I think Mo Sides will start in Detroit, but The Cpatain won't hesitate to have him get ice time in GR if BLash thinks the need is there. I honestly don't know which way it's going to go for Mo. Everyone thinks he's a lock for the NHL, I don't disagree, but like you said; is it better for 10min in the NHL or 15-20 in GR? Kid's young, still needs some playing time? Send him. That plus Raymond & Bergy will pack the house.

I really think GR has the makings of a VERY powerful team this year. I', positive that JV, Bergy, and Raymond will get some NHL time, but it looks like GR has the reserves that can carry the load. It's going to be a VERY good year for them. I'd LOVE to go the the Van for a game or 2, but driving to GR from SC wouldn't be easily done. But if I do that, I'll shoot you a note so we can meet up...I might even buy you a dog!!! So when they come to Charlotte, I'm going to be ALL over that. Working in the Hampton/Newport News area of VA, I don't have any AHL teams close by.......time for AHLTV!!!!

Great series, J. I think it's really energized your readers and fans...Love reading your blogs and the banter between your readers (even if I'm nowhere near as well-infomred as most of them!!!) really brightens my day.
- mcmastermike1968

Thanks as always brother. I do hope we can get you to Michigan at some point. You’ve been good to me for a long time, always appreciated

Van Andel arena is a great venue for AHL hockey. GR... also called "Hockeytown West" by some of us natives.. loves it's hockey. Attendance at the Van has been consistently good over the years... usually in the top 10 of the AHL from what I last read.

I watch the games live and subscribe to AHL Live for watching the Griffins games. The streaming live feed is pretty good for the most part.

Jeremy, let us know when you're in town to watch a game... that would be a fun time. I usually sit near the top of the lower bowl and sit closer to the end where the Griffins shoot twice. I know Sven catches some of the game too once in a while since he's also local.
- Vladdie_Kon1

Absolutely! I’ll do as much notice as possible. I love it over there. We almost moved to GR. Great area. There was a violin player on the sidewalk at one of the games we went to. Beautiful art shows and a fantastic opera house too. It’s a gem

Yeah…being right sure is a great thing. But, for some, it lends itself to an inflated ego. At no point in my post on your last entry, did I say anything remotely resembling K “was the bad guy.” Yet, he asserts I did. In fact, I even complimented him…but he still claimed I stated he “was the bad guy.”

There’s right (and he had been right often, never once indicated he wasn’t, not did I besmirch him for anything…) minus ego, and there’s right with being an ass. More often than not, Ks approach falls into the later vice the former. And I’m not the only one who notices it. It’s systemic with him. And it’s a very tired and old routine.
- mcmastermike1968

THIS!!!

Yeah…being right sure is a great thing. But, for some, it lends itself to an inflated ego. At no point in my post on your last entry, did I say anything remotely resembling K “was the bad guy.” Yet, he asserts I did. In fact, I even complimented him…but he still claimed I stated he “was the bad guy.”

There’s right (and he had been right often, never once indicated he wasn’t, not did I besmirch him for anything…) minus ego, and there’s right with being an ass. More often than not, Ks approach falls into the later vice the former. And I’m not the only one who notices it. It’s systemic with him. And it’s a very tired and old routine.
- mcmastermike1968

You seem pretty sensitive about that bad guy thing. Read it again. I didn't specifically say you were the one calling me a bad guy. I simply suggested that many hear have labelled me the bad guy. Again, didn't say you just had. I can read. You hadn't.

So why would I say I'm the bad guy? Well there are countless posts telling me that I'm too negative. I just criticize. Be more optimistic. Blah, blah. A few days ago another reader called me...the dumbest person on HB. Mike, you had an opportunity to preach your message of respect, but you were the first person to reply to that comment and pile on, accusing me of ridiculing others and not respecting others. Here are your exact words:

Some folks believe their opinion/view is the most-important. The sad reality is, no one is all-knowing, and ridiculing others just worsens things. This is a blog, filled with opinions and conjecture. Some folks have some really off-the-wall ideas (I'm #1 in that category, ya'll....hand's down), but they LISTEN to, and respect, each other.

So although you didn't call me "the bad guy", it seemed pretty obvious that when another poster called me the dumbest person on HB, you jumped in to tell everyone how I don't listen and don't respect and ridicule. Sorry. I pick apart opinions that I don't think are valid, but I don't engage in personal attacks. I don't call people dumb. Sorry if you think I have an ego. But the truth is I do have a pretty high level of knowledge and I tend to be right about things more than most people. Have a great day Mike.

Just wanted to chime in here and say I check in almost daily to read what Jeremy has posted up, and after a few year break from this place when the content was basically the same you can find on other reputable sites, your professional, well thought out and enjoyable blogs keep me reading. Thanks for all you do and your commitment to this site. LGW!

Love your blogs Jeremy and we appreciate you too. We Wings fans absolutely have the best blogger on HockeyBuzz !!
- Wingdings

You seem pretty sensitive about that bad guy thing. Read it again. I didn't specifically say you were the one calling me a bad guy. I simply suggested that many hear have labelled me the bad guy. Again, didn't say you just had. I can read. You hadn't.

So why would I say I'm the bad guy? Well there are countless posts telling me that I'm too negative. I just criticize. Be more optimistic. Blah, blah. A few days ago another reader called me...the dumbest person on HB. Mike, you had an opportunity to preach your message of respect, but you were the first person to reply to that comment and pile on, accusing me of ridiculing others and not respecting others. Here are your exact words:

Some folks believe their opinion/view is the most-important. The sad reality is, no one is all-knowing, and ridiculing others just worsens things. This is a blog, filled with opinions and conjecture. Some folks have some really off-the-wall ideas (I'm #1 in that category, ya'll....hand's down), but they LISTEN to, and respect, each other.

So although you didn't call me "the bad guy", it seemed pretty obvious that when another poster called me the dumbest person on HB, you jumped in to tell everyone how I don't listen and don't respect and ridicule. Sorry. I pick apart opinions that I don't think are valid, but I don't engage in personal attacks. I don't call people dumb. Sorry if you think I have an ego. But the truth is I do have a pretty high level of knowledge and I tend to be right about things more than most people. Have a great day Mike.
- Kooleus

Kool, I sent you an off-line because I don't want to detract from Jeremy's blog.

As I stated in my message to you, I'm publicly apologizing for "piling on." In the future, IF there's an issue, I'll not go public with it. I'd ask the same of anyone on here; if I do something which offends you, please let me know on the blog in question, then send me a message so we can discuss.

For the record, Kool, I never questioned your knowledge. You are a dang smart dude. And I respect your opinions & views. What I posted was a carry-over from Jeremy's last blog that irked me. I should've gone to a private message then.

Now, "HOW 'BOUT THEM WINGS, HUH?!?!?!?!"

Thanks as always brother. I do hope we can get you to Michigan at some point. You’ve been good to me for a long time, always appreciated
- Jeremy Laura

Yeah, the last time I was in MI, was for my grandmother's funeral, just a few days over a year ago. LOVED being home in the summer. Winters are brutal, but there's always hockey. Hopefully, there's a window where my wife and I can come up that way to catch a game in GR or in HockeyTown....SOON!!!

Off topic but Wings related. Chase Pearson resigns for 1 year. Chase had a good season in GR last year and I like to see him get some ice time with the Wings at some point. The crazy thing is...Chase is the last person from the Wings 2015 draft class that's still with the organization. Screw you Holland.

According to the PuckPedia twitter account, Tatar has officially signed with the Devils for 2 years, with a 4.5M AAV. Fantastic deal if its actually done.