stud_defenseman 1 Report post Posted May 1, 2008 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. wow, was all that building up over the last few years? This is a forum, not a publishing house, take your novels elsewhere... haha j/k... good post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yemack 1 Report post Posted May 1, 2008 (edited) 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. The problem is nobody wants to be the bench warmer... and someone has to be the one. 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. If he is good enough, he can play in our roster right away. If he isn't and needs seasoning before he learns how to playin NHL sized rink against pros, there is no better place to do it than with Red Wings who has a proven track record to manage and develop their assets well. (especially specializing in Swedes) It looks like the overhype went into this guy's head and he doesn't want to pay the price to be a real NHL player. Let's face it, he is a good prospect. He isn't even a good player yet. If he wants to earn couple bucks for 1-2 year and go back to Sweden because he wasn't brought up properly, he can do that. Or if he wants to take the challenge of being a real NHLer. He can come to Detroit and prove me wrong Edited May 1, 2008 by Yemack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KronwallCRUNCH 5 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Who cares, we don't need him. How do you know? We didn't "need" Filpulla when he came into the league, either. Turns out that he's pretty nice to have around. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 TheOctopusKid, welcome officially to the boards. I cans ee the casserole is finally out of the oven eh :-p. That was an extremely thoughtful and logical post (something not often seen here). We need mroe posts like yours, maybe a little shorter in the future haha. Go Wings!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 How do you know? We didn't "need" Filpulla when he came into the league, either. Turns out that he's pretty nice to have around. You're just taunting the Flippula haters.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KronwallCRUNCH 5 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Exactly! If you had the option to choose your club, wouldn't you?! He's not demanding a huge salary, proclaiming himself to be the 2nd coming, or anything like that. If I were undrafted, and a commodity, I'd check things out too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yzerfan1999 81 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Anyone catch the quick TSN interview with him? Seems like a sweet guy. You could tell he was nervous, but he did pretty well for his first interview. This is his first visit to N. America! I hope the Wings sign him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
up2here 41 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Brunnstrom just did an interview on TSN and said "I dont know if I'm ready for the NHL...". So I say to that,sign with the Wings ,shut up, and earn your playing time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
up2here 41 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Exactly! If you had the option to choose your club, wouldn't you?! He's not demanding a huge salary, proclaiming himself to be the 2nd coming, or anything like that. If I were undrafted, and a commodity, I'd check things out too. Once again I will point out that he cant demand a huge salary,all he can demand is the first year player maximum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yemack 1 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 he looked like a decent guy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Once again I will point out that he cant demand a huge salary,all he can demand is the first year player maximum. I think that is what Motown is saying... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KronwallCRUNCH 5 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Once again I will point out that he cant demand a huge salary,all he can demand is the first year player maximum. Yes, that is my point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WhiteLightning91 105 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 So I wonder if this game will have any sort of effect on Brunnstrom's decision??? He's gotta be creaming his pants over the puck-possesion clinic going he's witnissing in Denver. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SweWings 45 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Who cares, we don't need him. Um, what? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
up2here 41 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Yes, that is my point. OK. I thought you were saying it like he was being humble and "choosing" to accept less money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFX 48 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 This whole process kinda reminds me of college football recruiting. Everyone is giving him the exact same salary, so basically its a matter of what city he likes more, what system he fits in best, playing time, etc. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 So I wonder if this game will have any sort of effect on Brunnstrom's decision??? He's gotta be creaming his pants over the puck-possesion clinic going he's witnissing in Denver. Not too mention he has seen 3 of his fellow country men put up 6 goals in two periods... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
up2here 41 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Not too mention he has seen 3 of his fellow country men put up 6 goals in two periods... Im actually wondering if this game is having a negative effect on his signing here. He may be wondering how the hell he would crack the top 6 forwards on this team? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Im actually wondering if this game is having a negative effect on his signing here. He may be wondering how the hell he would crack the top 6 forwards on this team? Naw, i don't think so, he should see how valuable Swedes are to our team and see that now 3 Swedes have 7 goals for us and if someone like Sammy who continually shoots into the goalies chest can get top line minutes, i bet he could too haha GO WINGS!!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doggy 130 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 We really couldn't have asked for a better game for Brunnstrom to attend to land this guy. 8-2 win to finish a sweep with all goal scorers being Swedes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedFX 48 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Im actually wondering if this game is having a negative effect on his signing here. He may be wondering how the hell he would crack the top 6 forwards on this team? Six months ago, Franzen had that same problem. If you work hard, if you do everything the coaches ask of you, you'll play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anomalously 0 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 He's got 5 teams pursuing you. Or however many. He toured Dallas's facility, watched them lose. He met some of the guys from Detroit while they're on the road, watch them beat Colorado 8-2. He may go to Montreal, may meet with Burke, may see Toronto. Montreal is the only stop left at this point though... You have got to think that it would be hard for Fabian not to root for the team with his fellow countrymen playing so well in a 8-2 rout of a team that's pursuing him. Hard to imagine Brunnstrom not being highly impressed. This is his first time in North America, I think he's doing less thinking and the benefit of this trip is going to be an emotional pull towards a particular team. An 8-2 victory with so many goals from Sammy, Franzen, and Z, I think, is persuasive. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jasper84 333 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 I was told by a buddy of mine that his jersey for the Wings was made yesterday. I don't know if this means that he'll be here for sure, or what, but I don't really see any other reason for them making his jersey already. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Xitium 272 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 Hey Fabian... You just saw three of your countrymen completely destroy the Avs in game 4, and advance to the Western Conference Final for the 2nd time in two years. Howz about we drop this little charade now, hmm? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WingNut 25 5 Report post Posted May 2, 2008 I'd like to see another team top the sell-job the Wings did tonight! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
