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By Sarah Lindenau - www.RedWingsCentral.com September 11, 2007 Mattias Ritola has done little to stand out in his first week in North America. And the Swedish right-winger is the first to admit it. The offensive-minded 20-year-old has struggled in the first three games at the NHL prospect tournament in Traverse City, Mich., recording just one assist with an even plus-minus and two shots for the Detroit Red Wings. “I’ve played pretty bad,” Ritola said bluntly. “My body doesn’t feel good. We practice really hard here and we aren’t on the ice as much in Sweden.” “He’s still struggling,” assistant general manager Jim Nill said. “He’s got to compete a lot harder and he’s got to skate.” The 6-foot, 198 pound forward’s poor play early in the tournament hasn’t helped quiet those who still refer to Ritola as lazy. “He’s got to shake that lazy tag and play hard,” Nill said. Ritola was plagued with inconsistency last year, recording just five points in 23 games with Leksands of Sweden’s second-tier league. He still impressed the Wings enough with his skill to get a contract. He’s fighting for an American Hockey League job with the Grand Rapids Griffins, but won’t get ice time if he doesn’t turn it around. “I am working on it,” he said. “I know I was lazy a couple of years ago, but I feel I am getting better and better and doing my best to get better every day. I think it is going to take a week (to adjust). I am starting to feel better now.” — With his third goal in three games and his sound defensive game, Jonathan Ericsson is off to a good start in his bid to win a job as Detroit’s seventh defenseman. While the second-year pro will face stiff competition from fellow prospects Kyle Quincey and Derek Meech and free-agent tryouts Brent Sopel and Jassen Cullimore, his play has opened a lot of eyes. “He’s been a very pleasant surprise for us,” Nill said. “Coming into last season we didn’t know what to expect, but he plays hard and he’s come a long way.” Ericsson isn’t worried about where he will play this season, but does want to make the decision difficult for the Red wings. “I am just going to do whatever I can,” he said. “If it’s enough maybe I will play a few games up (in Detroit). It’s up to them and up to me.” Despite his offensive prowess during the prospects tournament — scoring three goals in three games, including an end-to-end rush — the 6-foot-5, 218 pounder is more focused on improving his defensive game. “I want to be good defensively and maybe not think about the offensive play that much,” Ericsson explained. “Detroit wants a defensive defenseman because they have a lot of offensive guys. If I am going to get a spot (in Detroit) it is going to be in a defensive role.” — The Red Wings played poorly early in Monday’s 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers, out-shot 18-9 through two periods. But they turned it up a notch late in the third period and nearly tied the game with nice individual efforts from prospect Jan Mursak and tryout Yves Bastien. “We played about 10 minutes of good hockey,” said Ericsson, who scored one of Detroit’s goals. “We almost won the game because of those 10 minutes, but it just wasn’t good enough in the first two periods.” Tryout defenseman Scott Jackson and former St. Louis Blues draft choice played a good game, scoring Detroit’s opening goal while paired with Jakub Kindl. Tryout goalie Dominic Vicari stopped 21 shots. The Red Wings face St. Louis on Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. for fifth place. — Darren Helm injured his shoulder midway through Monday’s game and did not return to the ice. He isn’t expected to play on Tuesday against the Blues but will return for the team’s main training camp on Friday. — The Red Wings are happy with the play of Russian rookie Igor Grigorenko through three games of the prospects tournament. The 5-foot-10, 209 pound winger has four assists and is a plus-1. “He’s played pretty well,” Nill said. “He’s really got the head (for the game). He makes plays that guys aren’t ready for, but this has been good just to get him ready for main camp.” — Free-agent goalie Pier-Olivier Pelletier will start against St. Louis after stopping 23 shots in Saturday’s 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. “He played well,” Nill said. “He was very solid against Tampa Bay.” As for the other 12 free agents at the tourney? “I thought the (free agent) guys played hard,” Nill said. “But I can’t say anybody has been head and shoulders above anybody else.” — Johan Ryno picked up his second assist of the tournament on Monday and continues to play well as he adjusts to North American. The 6-foot-5, 209 pound Sweden is getting ready for his AHL rookie year in Grand Rapids and has been effective on a line with Helm and Mursak. “He competes, but he’s got to get stronger and go from there,” Nill said. — Cleve Kinley and David Jarram were healthy scratches for Detroit. Chad Greenan and Scott Brannon were inserted into the lineup. Sarah Lindenau is a contributor to RedWingsCentral.com. RELATED LINKS: Plus-Minus | Boxscore | Photos | Team Stats |
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