Brunnstrom Earns His Keep

  The Detroit Red Wings announced Monday that try-out and roster hopeful Fabian Brunnstrom has been signed to a one year deal.

  The deal is worth $600,000 at the NHL level, and $105,000 at the AHL level according to CapGeek.com.

  Brunnstrom has suffered since his breakout in the National Hockey League at consistency and ability. He nearly begged the Red Wings organization for the try-out contract, which turned out to be phase one in his big dream.

  The 26 year old Swede began his NHL career with style as he netted a hat-trick in his first ever game with the Dallas Stars. He would finish that year (2008-2009)with 17 goals and 29 points in 55 games with the Stars. He appeared eight times in the Stars’ minor league affiliate the next season, and 44 regular season games with the Stars recording just 2 goals and 11 points. The downturn saw Brunnstrom locked into the minors system, a group in which he has believed he is above.

  He would spend all of 2010-2011 in the American Hockey League, the season in which he was dealt to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Between Houston and Toronto, Brunnstrom played 72 games and tallied 15 goals and 35 points. The off-season looked grim for the 6’2 212lbs. winger, but one of the best teams in the NHL was set on giving him another opportunity. One thing Brunnstrom had going for him was his nationality. The Wings locker room currently consists of seven Swedes, something that Wings general Manager Ken Holland believes will reignite his career at the top level.

“I look back to ’05 and I look at Andreas Lilja, Mikael Samuelsson and Dan Cleary; guys who were in the same situation, looking for an opportunity and they’re all still in the NHL today,” Holland said.

  Though the unfortunate injury of Jan Mursak suffered in pre-season likely helped the cause for Brunnstrom in terms of ice time in the pre-season, Brunnstrom honestly deserved the contract. Through six games with the team in pre-season, he tallied 3 goals and a +1 rating on 7 shots. Brunnstrom carries speed and determination, and he carries it to the right place; the net.

“Obviously, he had a good camp,” Ken Holland said. “Things didn’t work out in Dallas for him, so we’re going to give him an opportunity to show us what he can do.”

  Detroit is a different looking team comparatively speaking to years past. The youth and development is actually starting to be pushed into the line-up, but the ability of the Detroit Red wings management and coaching staff to bring out the best in every player given a chance has not changed in the slightest. Through Brunnstrom is likely to see some time in the AHL this year, he stands a legitimate chance of cracking the lineup from time to time – something many couldn’t fathom at this point last year.

  The Wings open their season Friday as they host the Ottawa Senators at Joe Louis Arena. Eyes are watching and waiting to see if Brunnstrom is on the ice.


- Kendall Grubbs