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Prospects Watch Ericsson making himself relevant in North America ... When you’re sometimes referred to as “Mr. Irrelevant” because of your draft position, it isn’t all that hard to surpass expectations. Nonetheless, Jonathan Ericsson has done just that since the Detroit Red Wings selected him with the last pick (291st overall) in 2002. The 6-foot-5, 218-pound defenseman signed a two-year contract out of Sweden this summer and is off to a solid start with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League. Ericsson skates a regular shift, has five assists and boasts team-best plus-6 rating in 15 games. “He’s learning the North American game, but he has the skill and size to play in the NHL,” said Grand Rapids general manager Bob McNamara. “I think at some point, he’s going to be a regular NHL defenseman, which is extraordinary given he was the last guy picked in the draft.” Ericsson, a natural centre, didn’t begin playing regularly as a defenseman until his draft year. Red Wings director of European scouting Hakan Andersson encouraged the switch after uncovering Ericsson in a second-tier Swedish junior league. Barely anybody else even knew Ericsson’s name. McNamara said Ericsson, 22, has been “very good at times and just average at other times,” and added that he’s still learning to keep his game simple. He said Ericsson has good puck skills but can sometimes over-handle it. “He’s a guy who competes every night, and he’ll make a mistake here and there, but as a young guy, that will happen,” said McNamara. “He makes a good first pass, he has good hands, and his size is a tremendous asset. He’s not afraid to get his nose dirty and play the body.” Among the players selected with the last pick in the draft over the past 12 years, only one — Boston Bruins pick Jay Henderson, 246th overall in 1997 — has played in the NHL. Henderson appeared in 33 games with the Bruins but has since faded away and is playing in Europe. Minnesota Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson is another “Mr. Irrelevant,” drafted 286th overall by the New York Rangers in 1994. HOT: Forward Cory Emmerton (Kingston, Ontario Hockey League) had a huge week, with four goals and four assists in three games. He is now six points back of Sam Gagner in the OHL scoring race ... Forward Dick Axelsson (Huddinge, Swedish second level) is getting into the swing of things after a contract dispute forced him to miss two months. He had three goals and two assists in three games this week after going pointless in his first three games ... Defenseman Miroslav Blatak (Mora, Swedish Elite League) is putting up good numbers since transferring from the Czech Republic. He ranks in the top 10 among blueliners with two goals and nine assists in 21 games. COLD: Forward Ryan Oulahen (Grand Rapids, AHL) is contributing on the defensive side of things, but doesn’t have a point in 12 games. He has just one point in 17 games in his second pro year ... Forward Igor Grigorenko (Togliatti, Russian Elite League) is on pace for one of the worst offensive years of his career, with just one goal and seven assists in 19 games. He is earning $1 million this season, MLive.com reported in June ... Forward Anton Axelsson (Frolunda, Swedish Elite League) had three points in his first three games, but hasn’t scored in 16 contests since. NOTES: Detroit recalled forwards Darryl Bootland and Evan McGrath and goaltender Stefan Liv from Grand Rapids this week because of injuries, but none saw ice time ... Forward Eric Himelfarb (Grand Rapids, AHL) continues to sit out with a lower-body injury ... Forward Jan Mursak (Saginaw, OHL) saw his league-best, season-long point streak end after 23 games on Friday. He didn’t hit the score-sheet in a 7-3 loss to Plymouth. The following is this season’s statistical report to date:
The following is this season's statistical report for goaltenders to date:
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