26 replies to this topic

[kulling]

Does anybody know the scoop with Igor Grigorenko?
I only know the following:
- Got back into action with Lada Togliatti to start the season (11-0-0-0-31).
- Relegated to fourth-line duty because of influx of NHLers and requested transfer.
- Transferred to Salavat Yulaev in the city of Ufa in early November.
- Pointless in first five games with Ufa, then scored 11 goals and seven assists in final 25 contests.

Does anyone think he will be given a chance any time soon at the NHL level????

[hardcoretom21]

will probably spend season in North America minor league

[WingMan56]

No, he's not coming over this year. He'll probably be brought over next season and given a chance to make the Wings roster.

[pavel13]

Grigorenko will be on the Wings for 06-07. If Holland is desparate to get a RW now, he might try to sign Grigorenko for this season, but that's just speculation on my part; I haven't heard anything that indicates that he will sign this season.

[Bliz]

It's an intersting thought. Would Grigorenko, at 80% or 90%, a better option than, say, Ledin or a similar player with only 4th line potential? Offhand, I'd say let him stay in Russia and get up to 100%, *then* bring him over. He'll probably be a great player, but he'll have to wait another year to crack the NHL.

On the other hand, matters would be much simpler if he'd agree to play in Grand Rapids. If he excelled there, he'd be available for a call-up. At the very least, exposure to the North America style of play would be good for him.

[pavel13]

[p_diddy_datsyuk_13]

he is finally back where he was before the accident... which means they want him to have one more year in russia.

[habscout]

I heard an interview with Ken Holland last week, on one of the sports talk shows in Detroit. He stated that Grigorenko was around 85% healthy from his accident, and that they'd like him to remain in Russia to get back to his previous level of play before bringing him over to Detroit.

[heals_3000]

FOR THE LAST TIME... NO HE WILL NOT BE HERE THIS YEAR.. NEXT YEAR

[Bliz]

Slightly off-topic, I but I noticed that Grigs fell out of the top 50 prospects list on Hockey'sFuture.com. Not really surprising, all things considered, but hopefully he'll light it up this season in Russia.

[eva unit zero]

[ToddDaGod]

[Hockey Master]

It's such a damn shame that he was injured. He would have played in the NHL in 04-05, but now it's looking to be 06-07...

[J-Swift]

Is Grigorenko actually expected to return to the same level of play that he had before the accident?

[Henkka]

[TNBT]

I don't know what else I can add to this thread other than to say that I too believe that we will see Grigorenko spend this season in Russia to (hopefully) allow him to return to 100% before bringing him over next season. Where he will play next season (Detroit or Grand Rapids) will depend on who we still have on the team from the current roster and any new additions that we make, but I am pretty confident that Grigorenko will be in either one of our North American teams next season.

[Aeothe Kaear]

[zetterbergfan40]

he will become a 30 goal player in 2 years after a year i GR even know he got hurt i think he could become a first line forward!

[Leadzedder]

I'd guess and say he's pretty much a lock for the roster next year. Another year in Russia would be best and the lack of IIHF transfer agreement is why he isn't over here now. I would have liked to seen Hudler, Fillpulla and Grigorenko on a line in Grand Rapids this year.

Two other points of interest are 1. Grigs got 7 points in 8 preseason games last time I noticed. and 2. I think the fact that Hudler is under contract for 633k will hurt his chances of being called up as others can come up at 450k.

[TNBT]