Brunnstrom Visits The Wings

[awingsincebirth 0]

QFT

That's the bottom line. To some extent I can understand a young player who isn't being drafted wanting to go somewhere where playing time might be more available to him. I get that. Its not completely unreasonable.

However, I don't want any player playing in the winged wheel who has not paid his dues and EARNED his playing time.

In truth, our organization probably isn't a good fit for him. I don't know the kid and maybe he's an unbelievable talent and a great person, but it just sounds like bad news to me.

Now, if he wants to come in at tryout time and he EARNS a roster spot then that's awesome. But don't sign him beforehand. That's crazy.

The NHL doesn't give anybody anything. You have to earn your way onto an NHL roster. Well, at least the good teams and good organizations make sure that you do. If Toronto wants him the more power to them. I would not consider them to be a well run organization so its probably a great fit for Brunstrom and hopefully he does well for them.

Wings can pass on him for all I care.

Not true. The Leafs like to give sub-par to mediocre players ridiculously over priced contracts and then No-Trade Clauses to ensure they can't get rid of them.

Do your research, GST!

[dicksmack 33]

I think this kid already knows where he's going to end up playing, and so does Kenny, and he's just visiting other places for the hell of it. He'll be in a Wing's jersey.

I don't think Homer will give up # 96...

But this guy would fit in great here: slick passer, good shot, good size...

[SweWings 45]

I'd calm down with the insults a little bit. Obviously the guy is already quite good but he also has a lot of development left. Your perception of the guy comes from the media blowing his rep way out of proportion. I'm not surprised he's taking his time making sure that the team he signs for will work out for him. Why not? Sure the guy is selfish, he hasn't been drafted, he isn't tied to any team and therefore he doesn't have any automatic 'loyalty' to anyone. If you think he's going to sign for a team without even a small guarantee of playing with top-line players then bleh on you. He has the potential to play with them as an equal, well sort of, and he's just trying to make sure he gets an honest shot.

At the same time I don't think Detroit should really be wasting any time on the guy. I just spoke up because I felt some of the comments were unfair. How much of the guy have you actually seen? And even then a lot of things change once you reach the NHL.

[VM1138 1,921]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm smelling another Grigorenko.

[Noomrise22 0]

Just a quick note on the cleary thing. People have a right to their opinion, but please stop calling him homie. This isn't basketball, no homies around here. I cringed everytime i had to read that.

[marcaractac 3,963]

LOL Dave Hodge doing thumbs up/thumbs down on TSN. He was criticizing Brunnstrom for his visiting different NHL games this week. He then said If Fabbian Brunnstrom was THAT good, the Detroit Red Wings would have drafted him. Too funny.

EDIT: Obviously, he gave him a thumbs down lol.

Edited May 1, 2008 by marcaractac

[shoe 165]

Shouldnt this guy be getting ready for the IIHF World Hockey Championship in Halifax? Or did team Sweeden pass on him again?

[Booster313 138]

I don't know why everyone is so up in arms about him wanting to make sure he makes the right decision and gets the most out of his opportunity before commiting to a team. I think that we all assume it's an easy decision to pack up all your things, leave everything you've ever known and move half way around the world to a place you know nothing about and don't speak the language. 50% of americas never move father than 25miles from their place of birth! People are afraid of change. So yes I would want to make sure I was going to not just like, but love my new life in america. Right now he gets the big minutes...his worst fear is probably moving hear, hating it, and riding the bench or playing in the minors. He would probably rather stay in sweden than play like that.

[Booster313 138]

Just a quick note on the cleary thing. People have a right to their opinion, but please stop calling him homie. This isn't basketball, no homies around here. I cringed everytime i had to read that.

Homie doesn't equal black....

[puckbags 863]

I think we can mostly likely thank this kid's agent for the rockstar like tour of NHL cities and the shameless self promotion. This kid could be great or he could quite possibly not make it through his first NHL training camp!! Time will tell. Comparing him to Grigorenko is like apples to oranges, Grig's was a blue chip NHL prospect until his car accident, which quite obviously derailed his development, don't get me wrong, he was given a chance and it was proven he lacks the work ethic. Brunnstrom was an off the radar late bloomer.

[KronwallCRUNCH 5]

I don't know about you guys, but I'm smelling another Grigorenko.

Yeah, minus the accident/career-ending injuries.

Brunnstrom SHOULD be visiting all of the teams that he wants to play for. He's a FA, and actually has a say in where he goes, wouldn't you? It's ridiculous to rag on the guy for that. Hopefully the swedes can work their magic, and the Wings put on a show for him tomorrow night.

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

You cant compare Grigs to this guy. Grigs would have been in the NHL now had he not been in that accident.

[96warrior 11]

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/

Brunnstrom visiting Wings today and tomorrow

Swedish free agent Fabian Brunnstrom will be picked up at the Denver airport by Ken Holland this afternoon and will watch the Red Wings/Avalanche game tonight with Detroit management. Brunnstrom will be in Detroit tomorrow where he'll be shown Joe Louis Arena and have dinner with management. (Whether he travels to Detroit on the team plane or commerical airline is still being worked out, depending on what the league will allow.)

Brunnstrom is making three stops on this trip to North America, having visited Dallas already. His third stop hasn't been announced, but my guess is it's Montreal. That means Detroit is one of three finalists for the free agent.

Brunnstrom is a hockey late-bloomer. The 23-year-old played his first season in Sweden's top league and fared well. What makes him attractive is that he has NHL potential and doesn't cost a club anything to sign -- no draft picks, no players in trade, no money.

He doesn't have a sterling resume, but Brunnstrom's been placed in a situation that has drawn international attention. He couldn't negotiate with any NHL teams until the Swedish season was finished, increasing speculation. Then he said that he wants to go to Vancouver. But days later the Canucks fired their general manager and Brunnstrom decided not to go to the Canucks.

Now, he's touring three NHL cities, increasing the attention on Brunnstrom.

Holland said that the Red Wings are offering the CBA maximum in both salary ($850,000 annually) and bonuses ($850,000 annually).

Holland said that the Red Wings' sales pitch is: their development of young talent like Filppula and Franzen; the organization's stability; that the Red Wings play a European style of hockey; and the sustained success of the franchise.

Brunnstrom might take media questions this evening. If he does, I'll update.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I don't know why everyone is so up in arms about him wanting to make sure he makes the right decision and gets the most out of his opportunity before commiting to a team. I think that we all assume it's an easy decision to pack up all your things, leave everything you've ever known and move half way around the world to a place you know nothing about and don't speak the language. 50% of americas never move father than 25miles from their place of birth! People are afraid of change. So yes I would want to make sure I was going to not just like, but love my new life in america. Right now he gets the big minutes...his worst fear is probably moving hear, hating it, and riding the bench or playing in the minors. He would probably rather stay in sweden than play like that.

I have no problem with him visiting all 30 freaking teams if he wants to. Its the reason that's been given I have a problem with.

If he wants to visit every city and every organization to see what he likes, see which organizations he thinks take care of its players and provide a winning atmosphere, then more power to him.

It's been reported he wants to go somewhere where he's going to be guaranteed top minutes with top players.

Sorry, you have to earn top minutes and top line status.

[wingslogo19 281]

http://redwingscorner.blogspot.com/

Brunnstrom visiting Wings today and tomorrow

Swedish free agent Fabian Brunnstrom will be picked up at the Denver airport by Ken Holland this afternoon and will watch the Red Wings/Avalanche game tonight with Detroit management. Brunnstrom will be in Detroit tomorrow where he'll be shown Joe Louis Arena and have dinner with management. (Whether he travels to Detroit on the team plane or commerical airline is still being worked out, depending on what the league will allow.)

Brunnstrom is making three stops on this trip to North America, having visited Dallas already. His third stop hasn't been announced, but my guess is it's Montreal. That means Detroit is one of three finalists for the free agent.

Brunnstrom is a hockey late-bloomer. The 23-year-old played his first season in Sweden's top league and fared well. What makes him attractive is that he has NHL potential and doesn't cost a club anything to sign -- no draft picks, no players in trade, no money.

He doesn't have a sterling resume, but Brunnstrom's been placed in a situation that has drawn international attention. He couldn't negotiate with any NHL teams until the Swedish season was finished, increasing speculation. Then he said that he wants to go to Vancouver. But days later the Canucks fired their general manager and Brunnstrom decided not to go to the Canucks.

Now, he's touring three NHL cities, increasing the attention on Brunnstrom.

Holland said that the Red Wings are offering the CBA maximum in both salary ($850,000 annually) and bonuses ($850,000 annually).

Holland said that the Red Wings' sales pitch is: their development of young talent like Filppula and Franzen; the organization's stability; that the Red Wings play a European style of hockey; and the sustained success of the franchise.

Brunnstrom might take media questions this evening. If he does, I'll update.

Thanks for the update

[gcom007 1,465]

This whole thing is just really bizarre to me. I feel like no matter what he does, he's going to be a huge letdown to most just based on all the media's hype over him. I wouldn't be surprised if we do land him though. I'm with the guys who say stick him in a room with Cleary for awhile.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

First and foremost, none of us know Brunnstrom or what his intentions are so no one can 100% say he's riding around on a high horse making teams jump through hoops for him. Perhaps he has no idea where he wants to be given that he's never spent any extended time here, and given his unique situation (being a UFA at a normal RFA's age and no idea what the environment is like in any NHL towns), he could very well just be seeing what its like to play in these towns.

Now, if he is running around on a high horse then I'm with those that say they should stick him in a room with Cleary. Unfortunately, part of the problem here is that he's probably been given a big head by all this attention he's been given due to his unique situation. Regardless, if this is the case I'd like to see him step up by taking a step back and doing the hard work. The way it comes off in some of these articles, it doesn't seem like he's willing to do that given that Vancouver allegedly gave him their word that he'd get top-6 minutes (which I find hilarious BTW.....guaranteed ice-time ).

Again, no one knows his honest intentions. This could very well be his agent pinning teams against each other in order to get the best opportunity and the most money for his client. At the same time, it could be that Brunnstrom wants to be handed things on a silver platter, in which case....I don't want him on the Wings until he grows up. However, until someone can actually 100% confirm his intentions maybe we all shouldn't be judging his character.

Lastly, gcom007......I completely agree this kid will not live up to expectations. Everyone is so high on him and he seems to be this major trophy everyone's trying to get, but its funny how no one even shot a look his way during last years draft. I wonder why that is, and why SO much has changed in a matter of 6 months.

[up2here 41]

Luckily theres a cap on how much money he can makes so he does have to prove himself before he gets a big contract.

[Winther 6]

Brunnström has played on "my" team this past year in Sweden. He had an awesome first half of the season, what the media doesnt tell you is that his second half wasnt that much to brag about. He was actually outplayed by a former wing draft pick, Mikael Johansson. And he didnt really do much at all in the playoffs (even scratched at some point), altough he got his fair chance (färjestad were knocked out in the semis).

It is understandable, he is a young kid that made his first season in the swedish elite league, but he is way too overhyped. Actually he has even said this himself, that he think the media is hyping him too much. He really seems like an ok guy though, all this travelling around seems to be so that he can make the best choice for himself.. He is no floater, thats for sure.

I think quite many of the comments here are unfair, its all about the mediahype, you dont know the guy (i dont either)..

[jvxp 0]

Saw this on TSN,he was in Dallas last night.

TSN

Who cares, we don't need him.

[hillbillywingsfan 794]

Brunnström has played on "my" team this past year in Sweden. He had an awesome first half of the season, what the media doesnt tell you is that his second half wasnt that much to brag about. He was actually outplayed by a former wing draft pick, Mikael Johansson. And he didnt really do much at all in the playoffs (even scratched at some point), altough he got his fair chance (färjestad were knocked out in the semis).

It is understandable, he is a young kid that made his first season in the swedish elite league, but he is way too overhyped. Actually he has even said this himself, that he think the media is hyping him too much. He really seems like an ok guy though, all this travelling around seems to be so that he can make the best choice for himself.. He is no floater, thats for sure.

I think quite many of the comments here are unfair, its all about the mediahype, you dont know the guy (i dont either)..

thats cool. nice to have a little more insite on the guy from someone that has watched him and the team he played for.

[gcom007 1,465]

First and foremost, none of us know Brunnstrom or what his intentions are so no one can 100% say he's riding around on a high horse making teams jump through hoops for him. Perhaps he has no idea where he wants to be given that he's never spent any extended time here, and given his unique situation (being a UFA at a normal RFA's age and no idea what the environment is like in any NHL towns), he could very well just be seeing what its like to play in these towns.

Now, if he is running around on a high horse then I'm with those that say they should stick him in a room with Cleary. Unfortunately, part of the problem here is that he's probably been given a big head by all this attention he's been given due to his unique situation. Regardless, if this is the case I'd like to see him step up by taking a step back and doing the hard work. The way it comes off in some of these articles, it doesn't seem like he's willing to do that given that Vancouver allegedly gave him their word that he'd get top-6 minutes (which I find hilarious BTW.....guaranteed ice-time ).

Again, no one knows his honest intentions. This could very well be his agent pinning teams against each other in order to get the best opportunity and the most money for his client. At the same time, it could be that Brunnstrom wants to be handed things on a silver platter, in which case....I don't want him on the Wings until he grows up. However, until someone can actually 100% confirm his intentions maybe we all shouldn't be judging his character.

Lastly, gcom007......I completely agree this kid will not live up to expectations. Everyone is so high on him and he seems to be this major trophy everyone's trying to get, but its funny how no one even shot a look his way during last years draft. I wonder why that is, and why SO much has changed in a matter of 6 months.

Lots of good points here. The way I see it though, there's no bad reason to stick any rookie in a room with Dan Cleary! Or Franzen for that matter.

[bellarina 1]

i know its off topic but speaking of mr. cleary, homie needs to start stepping his game up i know he was out for a while but hes had a enough time to get his game back. hes starting to piss me off, he gets knocked down every shift and it doesn't look like hes got that hunger for the cup anymore he better start putting the puck in the net.

Take your own advice. have realistic expectations!

[TheOctopusKid 19]

Well I have bounced around these forums for several years and I have finally decided to stop standing on the sidelines and dive into the fray - So here goes for my first post -

I can understand the overall sentiment from Bruunstrom's actions as arrogance, entitlement, or indulgent. It appears from the media and his actions that it seems like an unproven and touted prospect is utilizing this new found media attention to leverege into preferential treatment.

But to be honest, I think that the situation has been almost entirely media driven and misconstrued by the fans (myself included).

I would ask for you to put yourself is his position. You are a talented and extremely young hockey player in Sweden. You finally reach the elite leagues and have an incredible season. Suddenly you garner large scale media attention and endear yourself to the fans. But you know that there is more out there. Several thousand miles away in a sports crazed America, is the NHL which is every young hockey player's dream. You aren't drafted but you didn't expect to be, but more and more attention is showered on you. Phone calls and musings, American scouts are now attending your games. You want to play in the NHL. It's what you wanted all your life. So you hire an agent and you see what is out there. You want to make the best decision for yourself where you can make the easiest transition and where you would feel comfortable.

You choose a handful of teams to visit, not based on contracts because they can all only offer you $1.7M, and they all have made that offer. Only two of those four teams that you are considering are playoff teams because you're not hoping to jump on a winner and reap the rewards of an established and winning team. You make you choice on which teams can help you develop, who you can contribute to, and where there is some Swedish presence to help make this monumental move more easy.

I guess the point of this story is - I don't believe that Bruunstrom is acting selfishly. I think he is trying to make a difficult decision that will ultimately affect the rest of his life and its unfortunate that the media and the fans have taken it upon themselves to crucify him for his actions. Is he trying to cause a bidding war? No, the money is set whenever he goes. Has he held press conferences like Terrelle Pyror, proclaimin himself the most important player and demanding the attention of the nation? No.

I think the question of playing time is an obvious point of contention. No, I don't believe he deserves time if he is playing poorly. But I don't think his demands are all that unreasonable either. Who want to sit on the bench when they can play? I think it speaks to his character that he WANTS to contribute and be a integral part of a winning organization than to be paid for a minor or inconsequential spot. Would a free agent goaltender sign with Sharks to play backup? The Devils? No, because there is no chance for them to play. They aren't needed.

Again, I feel like his demand for playing time has more to do with the opportunity to play for the main club, and not be pressed into the AHL and be given time to "develop". Lets be honest, would you choose a team that wants to lock down your rights and "develop" you in a strange country, when you could play 20min a night with a team and fanbase that love and know you? Right.

Do the Wings "need" him? Hardly. I think it would be in their best interest to bring him to the club though. Bruunstrom appears to be a fine hockey player who possesses excellent speed and a deceptively strong shot. He reminds me of a Pavol Demitra back in the mid ninties. He could start and season himself as a fourth line winger and could become an excellent 20g 40asst second liner. Imagine his speed along with the physicality of Franzen along with the play making of a Hudler.

The bottom line - he's a $1.8M dollar gamble and at a price like that he is certainly worth the risk. If he falls apart, he can always be traded or dropped to the AHL. If he does possess a poor attitude, I suspect that Holland, Yzerman, Lidstrom, Draper and McCarty would straighten him out quite quickly.

[Majsheppard 203]

signs tonight Colorado Wings fans. I want to see them, woo Fabin.