Grigorenko signs 1-year, $858,800 deal

[ColdWarrior 0]

Thre's no way Grigorenko would accept a two-way deal, unless it's at a full salary both ways. He has a family, and he would make more in Russia next season then the $850K he would get in DET.

I mostly agree. He could make more than $850K in russia. Furthermore, athletes pay is tax-free in Russia. However, he has said he does want to try the NHL... after all, it is supposed to be the best hockey league in the world.

However, as I recall, when players get demoted to GR they only earn something like 5-10% of their contract pay. I.E. if he accepted a 2-way deal & went to GR, he'd be earning less than 80K. So, although I could see him taking $850K to play in the best league in the world, I can't see him taking < $80K to play in the AHL.

[eva unit zero 271]

Unless Grigorenko shows up at camp and absolutely knocks the socks off everyone, he will start the season in Grand Rapids.

By signing Maltby, the Wings have one forward spot left open--Lang's spot--assuming their preferred 13-man rotation.

Grigorenko would have to be good enough in what the team has seen of him so far--and continue to be that good in camp--for the Wings to feel puttin Igor on the roster is more beneficial than signing a Bertuzzi, Smyth, Hartnell, or Calder.

Which is possible, given Bert and Calder's dismal performances in the postseason, and how the Wings have won anyway.

[Rice 42]

Here's confirmation from Holland.

By the way, for everyone wondering about the two-way deal:

Grigorenko, 24, signed a two-way contract, meaning he'll make considerably less in the minors (about $70,000). However, he has a clause in the deal that allows him to return to Russia after spending about three weeks with the Wings' AHL affiliate, Grand Rapids, at the start of the season if he doesn't earn a spot on the NHL roster.

He can go back to Russia if he doesn't crack the roster.

Edited May 9, 2007 by ARice89

[HockeyCrazy3033 168]

Awesome news! Can't wait to see what he's capable of doing.

[Henkka 0]

Welcome Igor! Hopefully he is NHL-ready.

Homer - Zeta - Sammy

Franz - Dats - Grigo

Clear - Drap - Malt

Huds - Flip - Kope

[Zeta Power 40 1]

yay, i can't wait for this guy

[This Is Bida 0]

Welcome Igor! Hopefully he is NHL-ready.

Homer - Zeta - Sammy

Franz - Dats - Grigo

Clear - Drap - Malt

Huds - Flip - Kope

Definitely looking like a GREAT line up for next year and some years to come. Now that the Wings have been in the playoffs the past, oh, what is it? 16 seasons? Looks like we're gonna keep that record rolling for a while.

The only thing I will say that I disagree with you on in those lines (I know they're just a draft of what it could look like) is that I truely think Flip has earned himself a top 2 lines spot next season. I mean, couple minutes to go in game 6 against San Jose, the Sharks are pressing hard and who does Babcock have out there???

Better believe it, Filppula. If not for him Lang would've never scored the game tying goal of game 4. This kid has proved he is very ready for the big leagues and Babcock has confidence in him.

I can see this kid on a line with Z for sure. As was already stated above Sammy and Zetterberg definitely dont have that chemistry there. Personally, I would like to see the lines more along this:

Bert - Zetter - Flip

Franz - Dats - Grigo

Cleary - Draps - Malts (cant wait for Abdelkader to come in and take someones spot here)

Huds - Sammy - Kope

Again Bert is only there as long as he somehow rallies and pulls out an amazing playoff run for the remainder of it, either way I really think Detroit will sign him for one more year to give him a last chance before getting rid of him. After all he hasn't been HORRIBLE these playoffs and hardly played at all during the season.

this also from the same article that was posted above:

"Grigorenko, whose top-end speed hasn’t been the same since he broke his femur and fractured his tibia in two places in the car accident, made roughly $1 million tax free in Russia this past season."

so if he makes the team he's gonna make around $858

if he can't seal a roster spot that gets bumped all the way down to $70,000

where he WAS earning a million a year.

basically, he probably wants to try out the NHL and has hopes of making a roster spot. Gaurantee if they put him down in Grand Rapids he'll be back in Russia faster than you can blink

[FinRedWing 172]

He can go back to Russia if he doesn't crack the roster.

And he will,like This Is Bida said.

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

Hmm why is everyone throwing this guy on the 1st and 2nd line out of the gate when he isnt even over here yet? Simple enough is that this guy will start in Grand Rapids or on the 4th line. Pretty much the same way Huds and Flip were handled. If he plays his way up the lineup like those players did though then thats when I expect to see him on the 1st and 2nd line. Certainly not right away though.

[lets go pavel 2]

I can see this kid on a line with Z for sure. As was already stated above Sammy and Zetterberg definitely dont have that chemistry there. Personally, I would like to see the lines more along this:

Bert - Zetter - Flip

Franz - Dats - Grigo

Cleary - Draps - Malts (cant wait for Abdelkader to come in and take someones spot here)

Huds - Sammy - Kope

Again Bert is only there as long as he somehow rallies and pulls out an amazing playoff run for the remainder of it, either way I really think Detroit will sign him for one more year to give him a last chance before getting rid of him. After all he hasn't been HORRIBLE these playoffs and hardly played at all during the season.

Wait! What happened to Homer?!?

Edited May 9, 2007 by lets go pavel

[redwingfan19 293]

Im liking those Line Combos, but I still think this team needs a true enforcer. Someone who will play 35-55 games who can take care of business. Maybe a Eric Godard or Boogard would be great.

[Henkka 0]

And he will,like This Is Bida said.

How can you say anything before seeing that guy on the ice and in this team?

Im liking those Line Combos, but I still think this team needs a true enforcer. Someone who will play 35-55 games who can take care of business. Maybe a Eric Godard or Boogard would be great.

With one UFA and Grigorenko, there is 13 forwards. Then there's one spot for that enforcer, cause the 23-man roster usually is 14F + 7D + 2G = 23.

Edited May 9, 2007 by Henkka

[Turretin 0]

Impressive contracting. The lawyers did a good job making sure that both parties got what they wanted.

[SweWings 45]

It's both good and bad that we have so many prospects coming up...

[motorcitykid 42]

If he doesn't have a great start out of the gate over here in training camp, I hope he at least stays awhile in Grand Rapids and works on his game. It would be nice to see if he will ever be a fulltime player for us, instead of him not making the big club, and then just bolting 3 weeks later.

[Turretin 0]

Seriously guys, let's hear it for the lawyers, I am continually impressed with how awesome that profession is. Anyone else?

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

Seriously guys, let's hear it for the lawyers, I am continually impressed with how awesome that profession is. Anyone else?

Blasphemy

[kozac 10]

Seriously guys, let's hear it for the lawyers, I am continually impressed with how awesome that profession is. Anyone else?

Sarcasm? or what?

[arin 0]

Now we all just gotta hope he's going to come over good/decent to stay in the lineup.

I think this pretty much tells everyone that Igor WILL be in the NHL next year, unless he's REALLY atrocious on NA ice. They don't want to risk sending him down and having him going back to Russia. They'll probably actually send him down to the AHL for a few games(less than the 3 weeks) and see if he would actually be fine in the AHL or not, if he cant sufficiently take a roster spot yet. If he threatens to leave than bring him back up if he's not too bad.

We gotta really give him a good chance, I think.