Update (23. Oct, 10:10 AM): Johan Franzen is slated to return in two weeks, so, barring another injury, Grigorenko has until then to impress the Wings enough to stay. - Matt
Update (4:15 PM): Christy Hammond has posted her response to Grigorenko’s promotion here. Is anyone excited about it or are we all in agreement that he doesn’t deserve it? Also, George Malik has another post up on the topic. - Matt
Update (3:30 PM): See George Malik’s take here. He asks a great question: why didn’t the Wings hire a “minder” to help Igor adjust to life in the States? - Matt
Bruce MacLeod reports that the Wings have promoted Igor Grigorenko to Detroit. Apparently, he was unhappy in Grand Rapids and refused to stay beyond the three weeks allowed by his contract with his Russian team. So, rather than putting him in his place for being a punk or letting him go, the team has given him what he wants. This is in spite of the fact that Grigorenko is pointless and minus-1 through five games with the Griffins. It seems he is being given one last chance to show he’s worthwhile.
To make room, Johan Franzen (knee) has been placed on the IR, though he practiced with the team today. Obviously, that buys time for Matt Ellis and Aaron Downey, one of whom will likely suffer demotion because of Grigorenko’s selfishness as soon as Franzen returns.
In his time in Grand Rapids, Grigorenko has done nothing to show he deserves a spot on the team, while over the same span Downey and Ellis have developed quite strong cases. That’s what’s unfair about this whole thing. While others have paid their dues, Grigorenko has assumed he’d get a free ride, and to some extent, the Wings are cooperating.
Of course, Grigorenko could suddenly impress the Red Wings brass and become the standout everyone’s been hoping for, thereby winning everyone over. Perhaps being around his countryman Pavel Datsyukk will help the kid. Part of his troubles in Grand Rapids no doubt stemmed from the lack of another Russian in the lockerroom. That excuse only covers him so far, however, as he’s supposed to be fluent in hockey, whatever his actual linguistic skills, and he still did not perform as expected.
If being around Datsyuk and being in an NHL lockerroom aren’t enough, he’ll continue to be a flop. If that’s the case, he’ll likely be on a plane to Russia before too long because he obviously is not going back to Grand Rapids. The team would be foolish to keep him around on the odd chance that he’d suddenly wake and be a team player, especially when they have guys like Ellis and Downey ready and willing to contribute.
I don’t know what to expect. Grigorenko’s obvious attitude problems lead me to be pessimistic, but part of me wants to remain hopeful that he’ll succeed. I really don’t like that he’s stepping on Ellis and Downey’s toes to get in the Winged Wheel, but all we can do is hope those two continue to demonstrate their value, whatever happens with Grigorenko.
