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Prospects Watch Speedy Himelfarb takes big strides in Grand Rapids ... Eric Himelfarb is one of the less heralded prospects in the Detroit Red Wings’ system, but he is developing his all-around game on the farm. Grand Rapids Griffins general manager Bob McNamara said recently that the third-year forward has taken the “biggest leap from last year” of anybody on the American Hockey League team, calling his presence "vital." Himelfarb, who sat out almost a month with a lower-body injury, returned to action in late November and has tallied two goals and four assists for six points in his past five games. He has eight points in 12 games this season, along with an even plus-minus and 32 shots on goal. “It’s because of his speed — he’s learned to use his speed to go north-south, to take pucks up the ice and into the zone and to go around defensemen,” said McNamara. “He’s doing a lot of the little things that we need him to do in terms of defensive-zone coverage, penalty kill and power play.” Himelfarb is no sure bet to play in the NHL, but the fact that he is rounding out his game is an encouraging sign. Originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 2001, Himelfarb was a high-scoring star in major junior before he ended up signing with the Red Wings as a free agent in 2004. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound forward had 43 points in 76 games as an AHL rookie in 2004-05, but took a step back last season (28 points in 62 games). The Red Wings project Himelfarb as a speedy fourth-line energy player, provided he continues rounding out his game and adding strength. Himelfarb turns 24 next month. HOT: Defenseman Logan Pyett (Regina, Western Hockey League) had a goal and four assists in three games this week, including a four-point outing. His 28 points rank fifth in the WHL among blueliners ... Forward Gennady Stolyarov (Moscow Dynamo, Russian Elite League) potted two more goals this week and has five in 19 games. The skilled six-foot-four, 203-pounder is 20 and doesn’t have to be signed until 2008 ... Forward Igor Grigorenko (Togliatti, Russian Elite League) scored twice, doubling his previous season output ... Forward Darryl Bootland (Grand Rapids, AHL) has five goals in his past six games. COLD: Forward Justin Abdelkader (Michigan State, NCAA) has gone without a point for the past few games ... Goaltender Stefan Liv (Toledo, East Coast Hockey League) was demoted from the AHL this week, though he will likely get recalled shortly. He played well in three starts in Toledo (2.29 goals-against average, .936 save percentage) ... Goaltender Daniel Larsson (Djurgarden, Swedish Elite League) has seen his stats level out as the season progresses (2.64 goals-against average, .909 save percentage). NOTES: Forward Jan Mursak (Saginaw, Ontario Hockey League) will represent Slovenia at the second-tier world junior championship in Odense, Denmark, from Dec. 11 to 17. Mursak is goalless with just five points in his past seven games ... Defenseman Kyle Quincey (Grand Rapids, AHL) remains out with a concussion ... Forward Shawn Matthias (Belleville, OHL) was held pointless in his lone game of the ADT Canada-Russia Challenge ... Forward Darren Helm (Medicine Hat, WHL) had a goal and an assist in his only ADT contest ... Red Wings vice president Steve Yzerman told the Kitchener-Waterloo Record that defenseman Jakub Kindl (Kitchener, OHL) has “a real good sense for the game” and that he “plays his position really well.” 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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