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Grigorenko staying overseas Top prospect remaining in Russia for 'big money' contract ... 9 The Detroit Red Wings will have to wait yet another year for top Russian prospect Igor Grigorenko to arrive in North America. Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill confirmed Tuesday that he is no longer negotiating with Grigorenko, who recently signed a lucrative one-year contract with Lada Togliatti of the Russian Elite League. The Red Wings wanted Grigorenko to come to North America in the fall, with an expectation that the 23-year-old forward would start out with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. “He’s making some big, big money over there, and I can’t blame him,” said Nill. “If I was in his shoes, it would be hard to turn that down. For him to come over and play in the minors at $60,000, I don’t blame him. “It’s part of the business. We know he’s still playing pretty good hockey and it’s not going to be the end of the world.” Grigorenko, whose career was derailed by a serious car accident three years ago, got back on track this season and had 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points in 50 games with Severstal Cherepovets. He is presently representing Russia at the world championship. The Red Wings hold Grigorenko’s rights until June 1, 2007. If they can’t come to terms with him by that time, he becomes a free agent. “He can always use that (for leverage), but the good thing is, we can pay him more money than any other team can,” said Nill. “If he becomes a free agent, he’s under the new (collective bargaining) system. “With us, he’s under the old one. From a financial point of view, we’re the team that can pay him the most money. And I know he wants to play for the Detroit Red Wings, so I don’t see it being a problem.” Nill said the Red Wings have watched Grigorenko closely this season and are pleased with his progress. His injuries — a broken left femur and two fractures in his left tibia — were potentially career-altering. “He’s back on the national team, and he’s close to being back to where he was (before the accident),” said Nill. “There’s still a little improvement needed, but overall, he’s really got his game going again.” The 5-foot-10, 209-pound winger is back in his hometown of Togliatti, where he played from youth until midway through 2004-05. Nill said he isn’t sure if Grigorenko can step into the NHL in 2007-08 — even though it would be six full seasons since he was drafted. “We’ll wait and see how he plays this year,” said Nill. “If you’re (on the national team), you’re close to playing at the NHL level. There’s still the question mark of language barriers and living in a different world.” Nill said he is still negotiating with Swedish goaltender Stefan Liv, and is deciding whether to sign Czech defenseman Miroslav Blatak and Swedish forward Andreas Jamtin. Swedish forward Jari Tolsa and Finnish forward Tomek Valtonen are expected to become free agents. Nill added that coming to terms with Kitchener Rangers center Evan McGrath by the June 1 deadline is one of his top priorities. Toronto St. Michael’s Majors center Tyler Haskins will not be signed. The Red Wings have another year to sign Belarusian defenseman Sergei Kolosov, who will likely return to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders of the United States Hockey League in the fall. Matthew Wuest is a freelance hockey writer. You can contact him by email at wuest@redwingscentral.com. |
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