Helene St. James

Detroit Free Press

As the Detroit Red Wings' top farm team continues its playoff run, one prospect, in particular, is under scrutiny.

The Wings drafted Martin Frk in the second round in 2012. After a quiet pro debut -- understandable, considering Frk's linemates in juniors -- Frk erupted in 2015-16 with 27 goals and 44 points in 67 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins. He takes four playoff points into the Griffins' second-round series against the Lake Erie Monsters, which starts Thursday in Cleveland.

Wings assistant general manager Ryan Martin called Frk one of the Griffins' most improved players.

"Coming into his pro career, he wasn't used to the pro style, wasn't used to not playing with the puck," Martin told the Free Press today. Frk, a product of Quebec Major Junior Hockey League's Halifax Mooseheads, spent his final junior season playing with Nathan MacKinnon and Jonathan Drouin, who were drafted first overall and third overall in 2013. The line dominated nightly.

Because Frk is a late birthday (October), he only had one year of juniors left after being drafted. That, along with losing his two luminous linemates, made for a harsh transition. Frk had three goals and 12 points his first year with the Griffins (2013-14).

Martin credits the time Frk spent under coach Derek Lalonde with the Wings' ECHL farm team in Toledo as crucial to Frk's development. "The time there was very productive," Martin said. "He knew he had to improve parts of his game, and he did it."

In turn, Frk blossomed in the AHL under Todd Nelson, who replaced Jeff Blashill as coach in Grand Rapids last summer.

"Marty is a rink rat, wants to get better at his craft," Martin said. "He put in the time to get better. He really responded to Todd Nelson's style. He's very confident in his play."

What does that mean for the Wings? That's the intrigue. While Frk has a year left on his entry-level contract, he no longer is waiver-exempt, so the Wings have to figure out whether Frk is part of their future come next season. He's a legitimate 6 feet and around 200 pounds, extremely well-conditioned (Martin said the Wings used to get reports of Frk "running around the streets of Toledo" to push his training) and has a booming right-handed shot. That last asset is one Frk has in common with Teemu Pulkkinen. They are similar in that they rely on their shot to produce offense. Neither are penalty-killing types, but Frk plays a heavier game.

"Marty is driven enough that if there is a niche for him to stay, he'll listen to people and try to get better," Martin said. "His goal should be to come to camp and challenge for a spot."

Frk is making a favorable impression on his potential future bench boss: Martin relayed that while Wings brass watched the clinching game in the Griffins' first round, Blashill called Frk one of the best players of the game.

Blashill plans to alter roles, needs more from Red Wings' youngsters

Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.