Grigorenko re-assigned, opts for Russia

[toby91_ca 620]

Holland said he didn't expect him to come back if he left for Russia.

I also wonder if Igor was making the same amount of money in GR that he would make in Detroit if he would've stayed.

I personally thought he expected to have a roster spot handed to him.

I think he'll be back for another shot.

This is the Holland comment I was thinking about:

"I look at this as our one shot," Holland said. "If things don't work out, I don't anticipate us heading down this path a year from now."

Grigs' contract with the Wings was just shy of 900k; his AHL compensation was closer to 70k.

Why would they have signed him for that much anyway?

[vangvace 12]

I'm not sure what to think about the front office and his work visa problem. Why did they fail in only his case? I'm too lazy to go back and check how many players came over for the conditioning camp but he was the only one that didn't make it. Couple that with the fact that they tried to get him over here before to work with team doctors after the accident and later on, trainers to help with his skating and his refusal in both cases makes me wonder if the front office was totally to blame for what happened.

Downey had visa issues as well.

Interesting points.

Grigs' contract with the Wings was just shy of 900k; his AHL compensation was closer to 70k.

Thank you, I was too lazy to look the other night.

With the theme of "give the kids a shot" it may well work out better overall that his being here didn't pan out this year. There are alot of kids and only a finite amount of ice time for them to cut their teeth on.

[redwashington2000 42]

Wow, what a HUGE disappointment. I always thought he was gonna be pretty special. But now I realize he's just a ******* bum. And doesnt deserve to don the Winged Wheel. Hope he has fun playing in an inferior league. Go to hell Grigs.

Your signature took the words right out of my mouth. I echo that exactly. Grigs=BUM.

Dude your comments are so stupid and guess what,you are not far from your comments.

[OsGOD 3]

Is that cleverness? I don't see the point of your comment OsGod.

I could care so little about grigs... he is gone... who cares... he was never here really.

Overhyped for FAR FAR FAR too long. in the world of wings fans for future prospects.

[Kutcher 0]

Since he's an RFA I hope he lights up the RSL and Lowe sends him and offer sheet for a ridiculous amount so we can get some really high draft picks for a bum like him.

[HuntsVegas Baby 0]

May not be over just yet.

"Grigorenko came to his first NHL training camp in 2007 in disappointing physical condition and struggled. After demotions to AHL Grand Rapids on Oct. 1 and 27, he exercised an escape clause in his contract to return to Russia. But the Red Wings say they haven't given up on him. They will monitor his play in Russia and will keep his rights by tendering a qualifying offer to him by July 1, 2008. If Grigorenko improves his conditioning, he could be at camp for 2008-09. He told the Detroit media through an interpreter upon his departure in 2007 that he dreams of rejoining the Red Wings, and that he will work harder until then to make the team."

[WingNutt 12]

May not be over just yet.

"Grigorenko came to his first NHL training camp in 2007 in disappointing physical condition and struggled. After demotions to AHL Grand Rapids on Oct. 1 and 27, he exercised an escape clause in his contract to return to Russia. But the Red Wings say they haven't given up on him. They will monitor his play in Russia and will keep his rights by tendering a qualifying offer to him by July 1, 2008. If Grigorenko improves his conditioning, he could be at camp for 2008-09. He told the Detroit media through an interpreter upon his departure in 2007 that he dreams of rejoining the Red Wings, and that he will work harder until then to make the team."

I hope your right, I was looking forward to him showing his skill at the NHL level, but he just didn't come to play maybe he'll come better prepared and know what to expect if he gets invited back.

if not atleast the guy gave it a shot, he could have seen what North American and NHL hockey was like and realized he doesen't like this style of the game and wanted to return home to play Russian Style. and who knows maybe he family wasn't adjusting well and rather than leave for that reason he just didn't give it his all. who knows maybe he just isn't cut out for the NHL in the long run. could be a million reasons.

good luck Igor

[Guest jaytan]

I couldn't be happier! This guy would have been absolute garbage for us either way.

[Hank 0]

Sorry, I corrected it:

[T.Low 1,011]

I couldn't be happier! This guy would have been absolute garbage for us either way.

I was kind of afraid that if he kept droppin the gloves then his first english words would have been "oops", or "uh oh".

[Guest Hatethedrake!]

I had high expectations for Grigorenko but I'll be very surprised if he makes the Wings in the future. Frankly I think he blew it. Very disappointed. I thought he would make it. Maybe hoping is more accurate.

[Hank 0]

I had high expectations for Grigorenko but I'll be very surprised if he makes the Wings in the future. Frankly I think he blew it. Very disappointed. I thought he would make it. Maybe hoping is more accurate.

Before he finally did come to the US I was also hoping that he'd live up to the hype. But alas, that's not going to happen.

He's got a really sweet ride happening in Russia and I don't see him coming back over. For $1M us tax-free dollars he'll play half as many games as he would here and he can stay fat and out of shape.

The Grigs experiment is over. It's time to watch our other prospects blossom. Guys like Emmerton, Mursak, Smith, Dick Axelsson, Ericcson, etc. We don't need a 24-year old prospect who doesn't think he has to work to make this team.

[Guest LivingtheDream]

So, the Wings just let a highly talented but apparently soft European go, because a couple of gritty characters earned their way onto the team instead. Can we put to rest some of the complaints that the team lacks "toughness"?

I hear you! Still, I'd like to see the guy learn his lesson and come back next year in awesome shape. He says he learned his lesson on what he needs to do - who EVER said hockey players were smart? We keep looking for another Sergie I guess, but he was one in a million - many millions actually.

[shannyfan1414 0]

This bums me out. I was looking forward to seeing him. It's sad that he didn't make the best of his chance to make the NHL and he just kind of coatsted through this entire situation. I wonder if he even wanted to be hear.