Aftonbladet Reports Fabian Brunnström to try out with Red Wings

According to Puck Daddy associate editor Sean Leahy, Former Dallas Stars prospect Fabian Brunnström has signed a tryout contract with the Red Wings.

For those that remember, Red Wings' GM Ken Holland wined-and-dined the former Swedish Elite League forward in 2008 before he went on to sign with Dallas. Detroit ended up signing Finnish standout Ville Leino and the rest is history.

Brunnström, now 26, has bounced around between the AHL and NHL. He recorded a hat trick in his first NHL game and has 40 points in 99 career games at the NHL level.

9 months ago J.J. from Kansas 16 comments 0 recs |

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I remember everyone being disappointed we were unable to sign this guy, especially with our Swedish Five going strong at the time. Another Holland Cinderella story?

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 15, 2011 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

Here's to hoping

Babcock will know during camp whether this kid is serious about his compete level. If he’s not, then he’s released from his contract and left to his own wiles. If he’s free of whatever caused him to not pick up in Dallas (grumblings about his refusal to play bottom-six minutes or any kind of defense), then he’s a hell of a pick-up for no risk.

by J.J. from Kansas on Aug 15, 2011 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions

Being around Lidstrom for a bit might help. TPH must be the Swedish equivalent of Jesus, right?

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 15, 2011 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions

I don’t think He’s just the Swedish equivalent… It might be universal.

by SlapshotGoal on Aug 15, 2011 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions

TPH

Yea, he truly is and this pleases me to no end

Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others.
-Groucho Marx

by Jebus El-Daboo on Aug 15, 2011 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

What an extremely weird

twist of fate. Hope the guy can come in and take it seriously and give us another option as a scorer. Would love to see this work out.

Datsyuk and Friends

by Dubie on Aug 15, 2011 10:46 AM CDT reply actions

assuming he makes the roster

whom does he displace, whether he’s good enough to crack the opening night lineup or one of the press box seats?

also, a Fabian analysis from the guys over at Defending Big D.

You wanna tell me that to mah face?!

by uvgt2bkdnme on Aug 15, 2011 10:57 AM CDT reply actions

If he's on the roster, Emmerton definitely is not.

George Malik thinks he’ll spend time in the AHL to learn within the Wings’ system though, and I’m finding it a bit hard to argue with his logic. The Rangers may offer full-time jobs off of tryout contracts, but he’d have to wow to the point where we know we’d lose him on waivers and I’m not sure that will happen.

Either way, I don’t think he gets top-six minutes at all this season barring a huge breakout performance.

by J.J. from Kansas on Aug 15, 2011 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions

As JJ said, if he makes the roster, Emmerton is likely hitting the waiver wire, bound for Grand Rapids. Unfortunately… it is unlikely another team won’t jump on him.

That said, I foresee Brunnstrom getting signed to a minor league deal with the promise of a good look next summer of making the big leagues. With Homer, Huds, and Bertuzzi (and possibly Helm and Abs) likely gone next season, there will be room for Mursak, Brunnstrom, Tatar, Emmerton, and possibly Nyquist to make the jump to the Wings.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 15, 2011 11:18 AM CDT up reply actions

I would cry

If we are to lose Helm honestly. I see him being someone of great importance on this team in the distant to near future. The rest I wouldn’t shed a tear about. Unless Homer went to another team. Which is highly doubtful. I’m sure Homer would retire before wearing any other than a wheel.

by chez_bazaldo on Aug 15, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

He would have a tough time finding a job, honestly. No team even approached him the last time he was a free agent, I believe, and his talents are so unique that tams simply do not know how to use him. He would fade to obscurity in any other system and I am sure pro scouts, GMs, and coaches have all realized this.

But yeah, we unfortunately will probably push Homer out there door next summer like we have with Maltby, Ozzy, and Drapes.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 15, 2011 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Helm's not going anywhere

I can guarantee he’ll get another 2-3 year deal, and we may even see an extension announced at some point this season if he’s playing well. He’s shown a ton of progress and factors in to the team’s long-term plans, all while still being under 25 years old. The Wings would lose Homer, Bert and Hudler before Helm.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Aug 15, 2011 11:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I know that. I was just throwing all of our FAs (even RFAs like Abs and Helm) out there.

by Apocalyptic0n3 on Aug 15, 2011 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I know

It was more calming chez down. Don’t want any ledge-jumpers before the season even starts ;)

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Aug 15, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Poor Dallas

Can you imagine if the Wings signed a highly-touted but never-drafted player out of Europe thinking he could join the team and immediately put up solid offensive numbers and be a contributing member to the team, only to find that player was not drafted for a reason and then had to get rid of him for virtually nothing or next to nothing?

Such a scenario is hard to fathom ever occurring in Detroit.

Winging It In Motown

by Amerinadian on Aug 15, 2011 11:58 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs