Vili Saarijarvi stands out at development camp

TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. - Although the Red Wings do not use development camp for evaluation, especially for the newest draft picks, they can evaluate whether the older players are following the plans the Wings have previously given them.
So when Detroit officials were asked about players that might have stood out at camp, both Vili Saarijarvi's and Filip Hronek's names came up multiple times, including after Sunday's scrimmage.

"I would say I'd temper any excitement with the fact that it's 4-on-4 summer hockey," Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said. "It's not the type of hockey you play most of the time in the NHL but I would say both Saarijarvi and Hronek, that I know our scouts are excited about the years they've had in major junior hockey and I thought both of those guys played very well (Sunday) and showed I think transferrable type skill sets that can lead to success. I hope they have real good years in Grand Rapids."
Tyler Wright, the Wings' director of amateur scouting, says both defensemen possess skills that are hard to teach.
"You can get better but they think the game and they have the skill set to be able to work on the power play, be those type of guys," Wright said. "So when you see them physically get stronger, you see them coming into this camp and being one of the leaders this year, rather than a guy that's just kind of in the mix, yeah, it gets you excited.
"Now it's just the tip of the iceberg. You got to keep them grounded, you got to make them earn their time, they're both turning pro this year. The process has started and you like the way that they're going. They still got a long way to go."
Saarijarvi was the Wings' third-round pick, 73rd overall, in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
During the 2015-16 season with the Ontario Hockey League's Flint Firebirds, Saarijarvi had 12 goals and 31 assists in 59 games.
After a trade to the OHL's Mississauga Steelheads, Saarijarvi recorded 11 goals and 20 assists in 34 regular-season games and then had five goals and 10 assists in 20 playoff games.
Saarijarvi understands that the NHL allows for undersized players to succeed if they have enough speed and skill.
"I think the game has gotten quicker but at the same time there is still guys that plays hard and strong," Saarijarvi said. "I can play a quick game and I have to improve my strength and get stronger. I'm probably not going to grow that much anymore or get much taller, so I just need to add some power so I can be ready to battle and move quickly every way."
Saarijarvi is listed at 5-foot-10, 165 pounds and while he may not get taller, there is still room for the 20-year-old to gain muscle.
"I know I got to get stronger," Saarijarvi said. "That's a big thing and I got to improve my game defensively. But at the same time, I don't want to forget my offensive game. That's been a big part of my game and I want to bring it to the next level. It's going to be a good, new challenge for me and I'm looking forward to it."
Blashill likened Saarijarvi's game to that of Torey Krug, the current Boston Bruin and former Michigan State Spartan, who is 5-foot-9 and 186 pounds.
"You gotta be able to handle yourself," Blashill said. "I think most of the time he's going to defend by breaking the puck out of his zone. I coached Torey Krug in junior. Those guys are at their best when they're moving up the ice but you still have to have the physical strength to go man against man when you have to. He certainly looks like he's gotten a little thicker. Neither him nor Filip are afraid of the physical confrontation as well so I think that helps them as undersized D."
Saarijarvi joined the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins at the end of the Steelheads' season and was able to observe and learn.
Next season he'll be ready to play regularly there, along with Hronek.
"I was really impressed with their movements," said Griffins coach Todd Nelson, who ran the development camp. "Both are very similar. Both guys will be running the power play this year. They're not overly big but they're quick. When you watch the skating tests or see them join the rush, it's pretty exciting for me because we're creating offense from the back end. That's the game today. It's not a three-man rush, it's a four-man rush every time so these guys can really get up and go. I was very happy with the way they looked at this camp. They just looked more mature, they just looked faster, stronger."
Nelson had another undersized defenseman help the Griffins win the Calder Cup this past season in 5-foot-8, 175-pound Joe Hicketts.
During the regular season, Hicketts had seven goals, 27 assists and was plus-15 in 73 games.
In the playoffs, Hicketts had one goal, seven assists and was plus-8 in 19 games.
Now Saarijarvi will get a chance to play with Hicketts in Grand Rapids and learn from some of the things he does.
"I think the offensive side of my game is my better side and I have to improve my defensive zone game, just keep getting stronger and killing the cycle when big guys are going in the corners, Saarijarvi said. "Just being patient and being smart in the D zone, I think are big for me.
"The better I can play both ways, the better I can make myself."