Grigorenko: Detroit or bust
Igor Grigorenko signed a contract with the Detroit Red Wings allowing him to head home to Russia after three weeks in Grand Rapids with the Wings’ AHL affiliate, the Griffins. Detroit management asked Grigorenko to stay in Grand Rapids after the three weeks expires and he said no thanks according to Bruce MacLeod.
When asked where Grigorenko fits in the lineup plans, coach Mike Babcock answered: “That’s a good question. Everything here’s on an at-earn basis. We’ll see if he has enough pace to fit in.”
He will practice with the team tomorrow morning according to the Detroit News.
He’s been average,” general manager Ken Holland said. “He’s still adapting to the game over here.”
“He’ll be evaluated every day,” Holland said. “I don’t know what the future holds. We’re in the business of winning hockey games. He has to show he can help our team.”
How will the team have room on their roster? Well, Johan Franzen has been out with a strained MCL and the team just placed him on injured reserve. He is close to being able to play and has been practicing with the team (aside from contact drills). Once he returns, the team will obviously have to decide which forward will be sent back down to Grand Rapids.
I think Babcock agrees with me when I say that Matt Ellis and Aaron Downey have proven themselves with their play of late (Ellis in particular) while Grigorenko has gotten zero points in his five games with the Griffins in the AHL. I like the grittiness and hard work that the former Griffins captain brings to the Wings and I love having a player who’s willing to drop his gloves (Downey), but also plays smart. Grigorenko has not proven himself in training camp or in his stay in Grand Rapids and I don’t believe he deserves a roster spot on the team right now.
Grigorenko in 5 games with GR: 0 points, -1, 4 PIM
Ellis in 7 games with DRW: 3 points (2 assists, 1 goal), +4, 2 PIM
Downey in 4 games with DRW: 0 points, +1, 7 PIM, 1 fight with Kyle McLaren (he averaged 3:47 minutes per game)
In my opinion, Ellis and Downey have better stats in the NHL. Grigorenko has been playing in the AHL and is playing worse. Hmm.
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October 22nd, 2007 at 4:16 pm
[…] Update (4:15 PM): Christy Hammond has posted her response to Grigorenko’s promotion here. Is anyone excited about it or are we all in agreement that he doesn’t deserve it? Also, George Malik has another post up on the topic. - Matt […]