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Evgeny Svechnikov finds some open space during a Griffins game earlier this season.

(Allison Farrand | MLive.com)

GRAND RAPIDS - Evgeny Svechnikov, an enticing first pick last season because of his offensive skills, has spent the first third of the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins learning to play better without the puck.

Svechnikov, the Detroit Red Wings' first pick (19th overall) in the 2015 draft, has four goals and eight points as the Griffins prepare for game No. 25 today in Chicago.

The offensive numbers are not what Svechnikov is used to considering his output in juniors. He had 32 goals and 79 points in 50 games last season with Cape Breton in QMJHL and nearly the same stats the year before (32-46-78) with the same team.

Of late, the offensive displays with the Griffins have become more frequent (two goals his past four games) as the right winger has tightened his all-around game.

"I'm not going to lie - everyone wants to score and I want to, too. But it's not easy to score in this league," Svechnikov said. "I just have to find a way to shoot every chance while I learn more.

"I know with me, I have a good shot, but it's hard to find a way to shoot. It's different. I feel different. I feel like I have more time to shoot but I don't. I'm still learning."

Coach Todd Nelson said scoring is not a concern. It has been Svechnikov's defense and penchant for silly penalties that have required the most attention.

"He's a different player from a month ago," Nelson said. "He was careless with the puck at times and had too many turnovers and had to work on his game without the puck. He's managing it a lot better.

"During the transition his offense suffered a bit, but now he's finding a balance between managing the puck well and providing some offense."

The penalties remain a work in progress. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound Svechnikov leads the Griffins in penalty minutes with 30, all minors and most for stick-related infractions.

"Penalties, I absolutely hate them," said Svechnikov, who turned 20 in October. "I hate them so much. I just have to watch out with my stick. There are refs that like to see everything. It has been a challenge."

It is an on-going battle. He racked up a lot of minutes in juniors, too - 97 in 50 games last year and 70 in 55 games in 2014-15.

"He has had a bad habit and he has to keep stick on the ice," Nelson said. "Back in the day, you'd be able to make guys uncomfortable by slashing them a bit in the arms. But you get your stick horizontal, you'll hear a whistle."

The penalties are easier to live with since the Griffins are easily the least penalized team in the league (8.71 minutes a game).

Three years ago, there was a buzz in the organization over Anthony Mantha, who was the Wings' 20th overall pick in 2013. A broken leg delayed his arrival in 2014-15 and he didn't explode on the scoring scene his first season (15-18-33 in 62 games) despite 50-goal seasons in juniors.

Nelson, while he wasn't the coach for Mantha's first season, did have him last year in Grand Rapids and thinks Svechnikov is progressing faster.

"He had to learn, too," Nelson said Mantha, now with Red Wings. "He did the same things that Geno was doing. But what I find is that he's adjusting quicker than Anthony ...

"Last year I saw a transformation of Mo, and by the end of the year he wasn't doing those careless things from earlier in the year. Now, Geno is gaining that balance."