Cross Hanas

June 2025 – The Red Wings have continued to funnel players to the Grand Rapids Griffins during their rebuild, forcing once promising players into less prominent roles, and Hanas seems to have fallen victim to this abundance of bodies. He had nearly identical stat lines in back-to-back AHL seasons in 2023 and 2024, highly suggesting he may have hit the proverbial developmental wall. His stickhandling and two-way play are still the main highlights of his game, but time is running out for Hanas to become anything more than a career AHLer. He could get a cup of coffee in the NHL someday, but anything more than that seems unlikely. Unless you are playing in the deepest of dynasty leagues, Hanas can safely be left on the wire. Jeff Grybel

May 2023 – The 2020 second round pick wrapped up his first pro season in Grand Rapids on injured reserve but that did not stop him from leaving a favorable impression with the Wings organization. The 6-1, 180-pound left wing registered nine goals and 17 points in 30 games with the Griffins. “Right before he got hurt, he was playing his best hockey,” Red Wings assistant general manager and Griffins GM Shawn Horcoff said. “There were certain stretches where he was a point-a-game player for 10-12 games, which is obviously hard to do at that level for a young player.” Horcoff also mentioned his work in the gym as a contributing factor to his early season success. “One thing I was impressed with Cross was last year he had a really good summer and I think it’s showing,” Horcoff said. “His determination, his compete, his physicality improved, and he was able to go into the league and win some puck battles, win some 50-50s. Absolutely the hardest thing you find for young players in the American Hockey League is strength.” The 21-year-old is expected to be one of the top offensive threats for Grand Rapids in 2023-2024 and will most likely fight for a roster spot with the big club in 2024. Evan Sabourin

May 2021 – Understandably so, Hanas experienced a statistically quiet 2020-21 campaign. Compared to 49 points in 60 games in his draft year, Hanas managed just 20 points this season, playing 27 games in the USHL for Lincoln and six games back in the WHL for Portland. He would not be the only young player to face setbacks in his transition to a new league. Winterhawks and Stars teammate Jack O’Brien experienced even more struggles during his transition to the USHL. Regardless of this progressional hiccup during a bizarre year, Hanas remains a highly skilled playmaker with excellent puckhandling skills and an effective shot. He remains a slightly one-dimensional player, utilized primarily in the offensive zone, spending 54% of his playing time in that ice area this season. Occasionally categorized as soft during his draft year, Hanas demonstrated a willingness to play more physically this year, finishing more checks and absorbing oppositional hits. After an unconventional first season as a member of the Red Wings prospect pool, Hanas will look to a hopefully more consistent and predictable 2021-22 campaign to get his progression back on track. This year, averaging just over 14 minutes of ice-time per game, expect Portland to increase his usage and provide him opportunities in a more prominent role next season. John Gove

November 2020 – Hanas was selected 55th overall by the Red Wings after putting up 22 goals and 27 assists in 60 games for the Portland Winterhawks of the WHL. He is an exceptional puck handler who can finish off scoring chances, but he is more proficient as a passer. He can open up shooting and passing lanes with quick dekes, and he does an excellent job of getting the puck to his teammates in scoring areas. Hanas will need to clean up his skating stride and add some more explosiveness to his game but he has legitimate offensive upside. Nick Richard