March 2, 2012

by Kyle Kujawa - griffinshockey.com

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When Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland acquired defenseman Kyle Quincey a week before the NHL’s trade deadline, he emphasized a well-known organizational philosophy when he parted with the team’s upcoming first round draft choice.

“The time is now. That first round pick, if it’s a good pick, he’ll play in Detroit five years from now,” Holland told the Windsor Star’s Bob Duff.

A player who can attest to that philosophy is Grand Rapids Griffins defenseman Brendan Smith, who made his NHL debut this season – slightly less than five years after Detroit drafted him in the first round (27th overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

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