russianswede919293 95 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 Ritola has refused his AHL assignment and was placed on $125 waivers for the purpose of relieving him from his contract so he can go play in Europe. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/hockey/lightning/mattias-ritola-says-no-to-ahl-norfolk-will-leave-the-tampa-bay-lightning/1200615 http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=87882 Anybody still upset that the Wings let him go...I'm not. Good luck to him, and I hope he can make it to the NHL, but I don't see it happening. I didn't see it when the Wings waived him and I still don't see it now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted November 9, 2011 He's nothing special, and he's apparently got a bad attitude as well. 1 miller76 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 He's nothing special, and he's apparently got a bad attitude as well. See, now you're just making things up. GM Steve Yzerman said, "I understand where he is coming from and I respect where he's coming from. ... This enables him to move on with his hockey career." 1 Pucks reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted November 9, 2011 See, now you're just making things up. What else do you think he'd say? "Ritola is a terrible person"? That really wouldn't be like Stevie. How many players outright refuse an AHL assignment? I know you're very attached to Ritola, sure. Wasn't it you who told me that he would be "bringing it" this season? 2 miller76 and DatsyukianDangles122 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWingBlitz 2 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 play in europe or play in the ahl? hudler went to play in the KHL, so it doesnt seem like that big of a deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Wings Addict 787 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 It's very possible that he'll make a lot more money in Europe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Heaten Report post Posted November 9, 2011 He's nothing special, and he's apparently got a bad attitude as well. I don't see anything wrong with it. The kid has been a trooper since DRWs drafted him. He's worked hard and evolved his game as the DRWs asked him to do. When he finally gets his shot, he's waived and Tampa picks him ups, which is probably encouraging to him because they don't have the depth the Wings have. He played some games in Tampa, then he acquires major ear problems which set him back even more. He's become a fringe NHL player and he doesn't want to be a career AHLer. The KHL will take him with open arms, give him ice time, and pay him decent cash. He's worked hard and deserves to play where he's happy and makes good money. Like I said, the guy was a trooper, was dedicated to cracking the NHL, and is a hard worker trying to better his game. It's not like Yzerman 'needs' him in the AHL playing. 6 T.Low, miller76, asoras and 3 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Konnan511 1,736 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 play in europe or play in the ahl? hudler went to play in the KHL, so it doesnt seem like that big of a deal. As far as I know, he can't go to the KHL this season due to unwritten agreements between the NHL and KHL and transfer agreements. He either plays in the AHL or sits out if the TBL don't play him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Red Wings Addict 787 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 Maybe he just didn’t “hear" them properly when they asked him to go to the AHL. Sorry, that was a bad joke. I have no ill will towards him, and can’t blame him for wanting to go to Europe. Best of luck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted November 9, 2011 Well, we all know now with a fair degree of certainty that he wouldn't have played well enough to remain with the Wings had we kept him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 What else do you think he'd say? "Ritola is a terrible person"? That really wouldn't be like Stevie. How many players outright refuse an AHL assignment? I know you're very attached to Ritola, sure. Wasn't it you who told me that he would be "bringing it" this season? I take it more as him refusing assignment to facilitate a transfer to Europe. I'm guessing if he felt he had a shot to make it back to the NHL, he's go to the AHL and do his time, but the money in Europe is better than the AHL, so if there is no chance of playing in the NHL, why stick it out in the AHL? Especially for a European player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
luvmnger 125 Report post Posted November 9, 2011 I KNEW IT! matt damon is the next X-MEN character! weird having a long tongue though...but the ladies will love it! (i kid...i kid...) hahaha. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites