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By Matthew Wuest - www.RedWingsCentral.com March 26, 2007 The Detroit Red Wings are changing the way they do business when it comes to European prospects, and Johan Ryno could be Exhibit A. The Red Wings are strongly considering signing Ryno, a skilled 6-foot-5, 209-pound forward who has endured an up-and-down rookie campaign with Frolunda and Timra of the Swedish Elite League. The new collective bargaining agreement forces NHL teams to sign European prospects within two years of being drafted, meaning Ryno, a fifth-round pick (137th overall) in 2005, must be inked by June 1. But don’t expect him in the NHL next season — he’s not ready for that — and don’t even book him a spot in the American Hockey League. If signed, the Red Wings will bring Ryno to camp in the fall, but will consider sending him back to Sweden to continue his development. In that scenario, the Red Wings would be on the hook for Ryno’s signing bonus, but his salary would likely be paid primarily by his Swedish club and a year of his contract would elapse. The Red Wings would also avoid hefty IIHF transfer fees that are levied for Europeans assigned to the minors. That, in a nutshell, will be the new approach. “We’ll sign them, make sure they work hard in the summer, make sure they come to camp in the best shape, and we’ll see,” Red Wings director of European scouting Hakan Andersson said. “If they make the Red Wings, it’s outstanding. If not, our options are minors or back to Europe.” The Red Wings rarely feel a European prospect is ready for North America just two seasons after being drafted, on the ice and off. They have traditionally been patient with Europeans, leaving them in their homeland to develop. Current stars Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg are examples, coming over at ages 23 and 22, respectively. Ryno is 19. Ryno, who had off-season back surgery, had one stretch with Timra in which he collected nine points in an 11-game span. Outside of that, he’s produced just three assists in 33 games, so there’s much work to be done. “He’s always dominated the game at lower levels — it's come easy for him,” Red Wings assistant general manager Jim Nill said. “Now (in the Swedish Elite League) he's realizing he’s got to work hard every shift.” HOT: Forward Cory Emmerton (Kingston, Ontario Hockey League) potted a hat trick on Sunday in a 7-6 loss to Oshawa, which leads the best-of-seven first-round series 2-0. The Red Wings are beginning to talk contract with Emmerton and hope to sign him a year ahead of schedule as they did with Jakub Kindl and Darren Helm last summer ... Goaltender Jimmy Howard (Grand Rapids, AHL) is saving his best for last, with his best monthly statistics in March (2.40 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in six starts). COLD: Forward Jan Mursak (Saginaw, OHL) has yet to record his first playoff point with his team tied 1-1 in the best-of-seven first round with Sault Ste. Marie ... Defensemen Logan Pyett (Regina, Western Hockey League) and Bretton Stamler (Seattle, WHL) are pointless in two playoff games. NOTES: Forward Darren Helm (Medicine Hat, WHL) was named a second-team WHL all-star this week ... Goaltender Logan Koopmans (Toledo, East Coast Hockey League) is contemplating retirement, according to a report in the Toledo Blade ... Grand Rapids sits seventh in the AHL’s Western Conference after 70 games with a 33-26-6-5 record for 77 points ... The Wings reassigned forwards Matt Ellis and Darryl Bootland to Grand Rapids this week. ABDELKADER SHINES: Forward Justin Abdelkader (Michigan State, NCAA) is going to the Frozen Four after his Spartans beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2-1 on Saturday in the NCAA Midwest Regional Final. “He’s big, strong, skates, competes,” Spartans head coach Rick Comley told the Detroit Free Press. “He understands the game very well. Has a good feel for the game. Sometimes, he gets away from the physical game, maybe trying to get to the offensive game. I think he’s got to let his defensive game lead to offense. That’s what's going to get him to the next level.” CORRECTION: Igor Grigorenko had 16 goals and 14 assists for 30 points in 51 total games this season. Incorrect information appeared last week. The following are this season’s playoff statistics (grey background indicates prospect whose team has been eliminated from post-season):
The following are this season’s regular-season statistics (grey background indicates prospect whose team has completed its schedule):
The following are this season's regular-season goaltending statistics (grey background indicates prospect whose team has completed its schedule):
LEAGUE LEGEND: AHL -- American Hockey League; ECHL -- East Coast Hockey League; RUS -- Russian Elite League; RUS-2 -- Russian second level; FIN -- Finnish Elite League; FIN-J20 -- Finnish under-20 junior league; SWE -- Swedish Elite League; SWE-2 -- Swedish second level; SWE-3 -- Swedish third level; SWE-J20 -- Swedish under-20 junior league; OHL -- Ontario Hockey League; WHL -- Western Hockey League; NCAA -- National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1; USHL -- United States Hockey League. |
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