G Daniel Larsson bolts for HV-71

by Casey Richey on May 19, 2010 1:00 PM CDT in News

Detroit Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Daniel Larsson has signed with HV-71 of the Swedish Elite League. Larsson, 24, never played a minute of ice time while under contract with the Red Wings and as a result of Jimmy Howard's surge into the starting spot, Larsson has decided to join HV-71.

By way of contract, the Red Wings still own his NHL rights for two more years so if Larsson decides to return to the NHL after a season in SEL (like a Jiri Hudler scenario), then the Wings would be able to put him on the Griffins or on the roster should Osgood retire.

In the end, this is likely the end of Larsson's stay in Detroit. If he was unable to "wow" or move up the ladder while in Grand Rapids (although with a subpar team around him) then does he stand much of a chance with the Red Wings? Maybe the SEL will offer him a chance to reestablish his game but I think Larsson's time is done with the Red Wings, especially with the rise of Thomas McCollum.

AHL stats for Larsson
Year	Wins	Losses	OTL	GAA	SV
08-09	22	12	2	2.76	.907
09-10	23	24	2	2.85	.903

Daniel Larsson

#31 / Goalie / Detroit Red Wings

Height: 6-0

Weight: 184

Born: Feb 07, 1986

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Comments

As I said in the Ritola comments:

We lost Larsson?

Shit.

Always liked him more than McCollum

by Apocalyptic0n3 on May 19, 2010 1:09 PM CDT reply actions

like casey said

maybe he’ll pull a hudler and come back more refined and experienced… one can wish

by mikerlz on May 19, 2010 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions

well...

we HOPE Hudler’s more refined and experienced ;)

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on May 19, 2010 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions

haha yes yes thats true, but wasnt dynamo moscow one of the best? i dunno. just being hopeful ;)

by mikerlz on May 19, 2010 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions

yep

They had a pretty solid squad…just not front office :-P

Winging It In Motown

by Casey Richey on May 19, 2010 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions

If HV-71 goes bankrupt, we may have a shot at him. I don’t see him coming back, though. He’ll play two years there and then come back to the NHL without another year of minor leaguing it, most likely.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on May 19, 2010 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Slippery Swedes

First Liv, now Larsson. If he has a great year next year, I could see them offering him the backup spot in Detroit.

I’m not sure McCollum is going to be ready, even for that, with just one more year in GR. Look how long it took Howard to mature. And, McCollum is still very young.

by Big Z in Orlando on May 19, 2010 2:04 PM CDT reply actions

I’m not too upset at this departure…I mean, he was going to be an NHL backup at best. Seems like McCollum has a good bit of potential. I’m glad he’ll be getting more playing time (and hopefully will be improved after this past season). Wouldn’t it be sweet to have a Howard/McCollum duo in a few years? Lol…that is if everything goes smoothly.

by plopperrawr on May 19, 2010 3:51 PM CDT reply actions