… George Malik breaks down the latest on the burgeoning Fabian Brunnstrom saga.
I’d say he has a solid chance of signing with the Wings, given the quality of the organization and the presence of the Swedes. However, they won’t necessarily be able to guarantee him a spot on the roster. From what I’ve read, he’s not expected to take the League by storm right off the bat, but is projected to be a “solid” second- or even first-line forward. The precedents for immediate jumps to the Wings upon arrival in North America on the Wings are Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, and Johan Franzen. Brunnstrom can’t match the former two, but he could be the next Franzen, I suppose. I’m just not sure where he’d fit in.
If he wants to be an NHLer right away and can’t take a year in Grand Rapids or another in Sweden, he may not be the Wings’ man.
… Ted Kulfan touches on the Brunnstrom story and Cleary’s eye today, but the most interesting part of his Red Wings Notebook is the short section on Johan Franzen, who is becoming a better shutdown forward all the time.
… One of the events at the Dodge/NHL SuperSkills competition tomorrow night is a breakaway contest. Alexander Ovechkin told USA Today’s Kevin Allen that he thinks the Wings’ own Pavel Datsyuk will win. No argument there, Alex.
… From the “huge steaming pile of BS” category: The Hockey News reports that Teemu Selanne is expected to return to Anaheim as early as next week. Not that this hasn’t been expected since the summer, but the fact that the Ducks will have two key players back just a little before and a little after the halfway point is repulsive.
It was one thing when Peter Forsberg did it years ago due to injury, but I don’t like the precedent the two Ducks are setting, sitting out when healthy. In a cap world, it’s particularly cheap, as it gives the Ducks relief despite the fact that they’ll have those players when they need them most.
… Daniel Alfredsson put up seven (7) points last night against Tampa Bay. I’d call that a big “up yours” to Vincent Lecavalier.
… Apparently, Sergei Fedorov is becoming something of “an inspirational leader” in Columbus, as this post by the Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline indicates. As an old Sergei fan, that’s always good to hear.
… Of all the insane rumors swirling in the Toronto media about candidates for the Leafs GM, there’s finally one I can get behind: Mike Milbury says Brian Burke is interested in the job. I say that’s great. Leave Anaheim, Burke. Go to Toronto. Then maybe we’ll see the resurrection of the Wings/Leafs rivalry. (Update: This has since been debunked.)
No Way!! Don’t let Brian Burke anywhere near an Original Six team!! Especially one like Toronto. And if there is to be a resurrection of the Det/Tor rivalry, I in no way want it to be that kind of rivalry. Burke doesn’t belong anywhere near the game of hockey, especially not that close.
I have to concur with Meg on this one. The last thing the NHL needs is for Burke to turn yet another team into a club of goons on skates. Burke’s poison has already been spread from Vancouver to Anaheim, let’s hope it stops there.
I must also agree completely with Matt about the nature of Anaheim’s mid-season reinforcements. I’ve been upset about this ever since the season started without Niedermayer or Selanne committing to retirement. It’s all just a little too convenient for my liking… Two star players for half price, fully rested, joining the team just in time to get in shape for the playoffs. It’s like a free trade deadline deal. That’s Burke for you, king of the cheap shot artists.
I think there should be a rule in the future to prevent this loophole being taken advantage of - I think if a player waffling on retirement doesn’t have it set by the beginning of the season, they don’t get to play until next season. I realize it’s a big decision, but I don’t think it’s too much to ask that a player know by the time the season starts if he wants to keep playing or not. Going beyond that is disrespectful everyone involved -teammates, fans, opponents, everyone.