Two perennially solid Central Division rivals meet this Saturday in the FloHockey AHL Game of the Week (7 p.m. ET) when the Manitoba Moose visit Van Andel Arena to face the Grand Rapids Griffins.

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Both rosters are laden with top prospects, including first-round picks Sebastian Cossa, Nate Danielson, Marco Kasper, Brad Lambert, and Chaz Lucius along with a bevy of other high picks from recent NHL Drafts.

The FloHockey AHL Game of the Week will stream live and free across FloHockey's social media platforms. See below for details on how and where to watch.

What You Need To Know About Grand Rapids Vs. Manitoba

Game Details

Manitoba Moose at Grand Rapids Griffins, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET*

Where to Watch: Subscribers can continue to watch via FloHockey.tv or the FloSports app 

Free Streams: Follow the game across FloHockey's social channels including YouTube, Facebook and X. More details below.

Grand Rapids Griffins - What To Watch For

Grand Rapids is off to a 1-1-0-0 start, winning the home opener last Friday behind 35 saves from top prospect Sebastian Cossa against Milwaukee before falling a night later at Rockford.

The Grand Rapids crease is crowded at the moment after NHL veteran Ville Husso cleared waivers and was sent to the Griffins by the Detroit Red Wings. Husso joins Cossa and AHL veteran Malcolm Subban, who signed a PTO with the team earlier. The Griffins also have goaltender Gage Alexander on recall from their ECHL affiliate, the Toledo Walleye. Always active in building out the Grand Rapids roster via free agency, the Red Wings have brought in forwards Sheldon Dries, Joe Snively, and Austin Watson to surround a young core of prospects.

This game will be the last one before the Griffins face a stretch of seven of their next eight games on the road.

Manitoba Moose - What To Watch For

The Moose have taken the Central Division lead after sweeping a two-game set at Iowa last weekend in which they picked up nine goals. This weekend will conclude a season-opening four-game road trip before they are back in Winnipeg next weekend for their home opener against Rockford.

Only 21 years old, Lucius is a 2021 first-rounder who has faced several significant injuries that have delayed his development. He was limited to 17 games with the Moose last season. Another first-rounder is Lambert, who ended up ranking second among AHL rookies last season with 21-34-55. Chibrikov, who had a strong first AHL season with 17-30-47, is off to a strong start with 1-3-4 through his first two games. Salomonsson, who just turned 20 on Aug. 31, is now with Manitoba after spending all of last season in the SHL with Skelleftea. Simon Lundmark and Dmitry Kuzmin.

Manitoba is going with a young goaltending tandem this year with second-year prospect Thomas Milic and rookie Domenic Divincentiis. Milic, 21, spent time in the ECHL last season before eventually taking control of the Manitoba net and earning work in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Winnipeg Jets Prospects To Watch From Chris Peters

FloHockey prospect analyst Chris Peters details a few prospects to keep a particularly close eye on during this free game of the week.

Brad Lambert, LW

Selected 30th overall by the Winnipeg Jets in 2022, Lambert made a relatively seamless jump to North American pro hockey last season after time in both Finland and the WHL. Lambert’s speed is a difference-making skill and it shows in the AHL. Over opening weekend, he had three assists in the Moose’s sweep of the Iowa Wild. The key for him this season is to become one of the team’s primary sources of offense as he looks to grow into a potential top-six NHL winger. 

Nikita Chibrikov, RW

A four-point opening weekend against Iowa was a continuation of the momentum Chibrikov started to build last season. The Russian winger had 47 points in 70 games last season, his first in North America. Having already played in the KHL, this is effectively his third pro season and with that will come expectations of growth and a more concerted push to reach his NHL potential.

Elias Salomonsson, D

Over recent years, Salomonsson has discovered his identity as a player. He is a physical defenseman who lets you know he’s there with good body checks and aggressive battles along the wall. On top of that, his puck-moving continues to evolve. His three-point weekend against Iowa was a tremendous introduction for him in his first North American pro games.

Cruz Lucius, C/W

Lucius hasn't played yet this season and there is no guarantee he will be playing when the puck drops Saturday. According to reports out of Winnipeg, he's starting to become more of a full participant in their practices leading up to the weekend. We'll see if that means the super-skilled sniper gets back on track here. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued Lucius throughout his young career, making it harder to project when he'll land in the NHL.

Detroit Red Wings Prospects To Watch From Chris Peters

FloHockey prospect analyst Chris Peters details a few prospects to keep a particularly close eye on during this free game of the week.

Nate Danielson, C

Selected ninth overall in 2023, Danielson is a critical piece for Detroit’s future. Between two playoff games last year and two games last weekend with Grand Rapids, Danielson is still looking for his first pro points. He is a solid two-way player, but there’s enough skill there to expect him to bring more offense to the table. Patience may be required for him to find it, but there’s plenty of evidence he’s going to figure it out after a tremendous junior career in the WHL.

Marco Kasper, C

After two full seasons in the Swedish Hockey League, Kasper came to North America last season and had somewhat of a lukewarm showing. The numbers weren’t quite there with 35 points in 71 games – which isn’t bad for a rookie, but I think Kasper should have had higher expectations. He started to show a little more in the playoffs and now this season, he’s already off to a good start with two points in the Griffins’ opening weekend. Kasper is a good all-around center who takes care of his own end, engages physically and should be able to produce at a higher clip this season.

Carter Mazur, LW

An energetic forward with the ability to score, Mazur scored once last weekend for the Griffins. The expectations will be elevated for him after a solid rookie season with Grand Rapids last season. The former Denver Pioneer has a winning pedigree and the work ethic that would allow him to play a number of different roles at the next level.

Sebastian Cossa, G

I can't tell you for certain whether or not Cossa will be playing in this game, but he did start each of the Griffins' games last week. He earned a 35-save shutout on opening night in one of his more impressive performances in recent memory. The following night he gave up a four-spot to Rockford, but the progression in Cossa's game has been noticeable over the last two years. He's a big, quick goalie with No. 1 potential, but is still growing into his game.

How To Watch AHL Free Stream On YouTube

On Saturday nights throughout the season, the AHL and FloHockey will present a free Game of the Week on YouTube. The home team's broadcast will be shared as a free stream on FloHockey's YouTube page. The free broadcast will begin shortly before puck drop. Check FloHockey and AHL social channels to see which game will be streaming each week.

WATCH HERE

How To Watch AHL Free Stream On X

On Saturday nights throughout the season, the AHL and FloHockey will present a free Game of the Week on X (formerly known as Twitter). The home team's broadcast will be shared as a free stream on FloHockey's Twitter page. The free broadcast will begin shortly before puck drop, posted on FloHockey's X feed. Check FloHockey and AHL social channels to see which game will be streaming each week.

WATCH HERE

How To Watch AHL Free Stream On Facebook

On Saturday nights throughout the season, the AHL and FloHockey will present a free Game of the Week on Facebook. You can access the game multiple ways on the Facebook. FloHockey will stream both home and road (if available) broadcasts on its Facebook page. The game can also be found live on the AHL's Facebook page.

WATCH HERE

When Does The AHL Season Start in 2024?

The season begins on Oct. 11, 2024 with the Milwaukee Admirals traveling to the Grand Rapids Griffins at 7 p.m. EDT and the Syracuse Crunch traveling to the Utica Comets at the same time. 

There are a total of 29 games over the opening weekend. 

How To Watch The AHL On FloHockey 

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