Prospect Pulse

Going way back to the June 2001 draft, the Detroit Red Wings thought they had stolen a highly touted Russian forward with their first round pick (62nd Overall). Igor Grigorenko was a highly touted center/right-winger who had played on a line with Ilya Kovalchuk and had turned heads with his play at the World U-18 Championships. He followed up this stellar junior career by becoming the top scorer with Lada of the Russian Super League in 2002-2003. During that same year, he won gold at the World Junior Championships and was named MVP of the championship game. He capped off the year with an appearance at the World Championships playing with the Russian senior team, scoring 2 goals and 1 assist in 7 games.

Grigorenko's good year came to an end in May of 2003, when he was involved in a serious car accident. Given a 10% chance at survival, Grigorenko pulled through despite severe injuries and numerous breaks in his left leg. He missed the 2003-2004 regular season but gamely tried to skate with Lada in the playoffs. The leg pain returned and he went through another surgery.

After nearly two years off from hockey, Grigorenko returned and started putting up solid numbers in the offense starved RSL. Slowing regaining his strength and talent, he signed a one year entry level deal with the Wings in May of 2007. Though the Wings' brass is not sure what he will be like, they are confident that he can challenge for a roster spot.

Grigorenko's scouting report reads like many of his countrymen's. He is a quick skating, shifty offensive player with opportunistic scoring skills. Good one on one, he has a good shot and is a deft passer. The weaknesses in his game include lingering effects from his accident which may slow his skating and defensive shortcomings. Hopefully his intensity and drive to play will overcome these weaknesses, as this has all the makings of a great story.

News You Can Use in the Late Morning:

-Dale Tallon pleased with 1st overall pick Kane's performance. He had better be, the Hawks need help now.

-ECHL tough guy Adam Huxley writes letter to Oilers asking for a try-out, gets it and starts chucking knuckles right away. Can you beat the fact that a goon writes a letter asking for a try-out?

-Flames prospect Mikael Backlund to return to Sweden this year, declining an option to play with the Kelowna Rockets. Cue the Oilers fans commenting on the "exodus" from Calgary.

-USHL and QMJHL split the games in their weekend tournament. I am sure this will have the Junior Hockey Talk boards buzzing on Hockey's Future.

-Russian junior hockey considers an overhaul. I wonder what caused this epiphany?

-10 Questions for the Lighting going into the season.

-Stephen Walkom gives his refs a vote of confidence for their work in the playoffs.

-Brent Aubin looking to show the Leafs what he can do. Finally, a winger for Mats!

-In a follow up to Friday's prospect pulse, Karamnov likely to re-enter draft.

-A Team by Team preview.

-Stamkos consensus #1 pick in 2008 in TSN mini-poll.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior (hat tip, Ezzy).

Morning Musings: Canada/Russia Super Series leaves much to be desired

After Canada destroyed Russia 8-1 on Tuesday night in Winnipeg, one has to wonder why this tournament was put together in the first place. Now, I understand the long standing relationship between Canada/Russia dating back to the storied 1972 Summit Series, but that was 35 years ago, in a fierce political climate that no longer exists between the two countries. Since September 28, 1972, Canada has played Russia in a number of hockey championships, but it is not as if any of those games were more heated than say games against the United States. In fact, with Canada's close battles with the United States over the past couple of years, maybe they would have been better off staying on this continent and playing an eight game series throughout North America. I can guarantee you one thing, that series would not be this one-sided.

On to the morning papers:

• Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution discusses the negotiations that lie ahead for Don Waddell. Both Kari Lehtonen and Marian Hossa will be free agents in the summer of 2008.
• Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun provides an honest opinion for why the league has come out with new uniforms across the board.
• While Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun has the story behind Andrei Taratukhin heading back to Russia before his entry-level contract has been completed. Let's just say it is not like Darryl Sutter is going to lose too much sleep.
• A sense of excitement is percolating throughout the Columbus Blue Jackets dressing room, prompting one player to say the "dark ages are over." Maybe this is the year the Blue Jackets finally make the playoffs...
• Once a top prospect of the Detroit Red Wings, it appears Igor Grigorenko has made it all the way back from a serious car accident in 2003 writes George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press.
• Devastating news out of Edmonton last night, and as Terry Jones explains, Fernando Pisani's health is far more important than any on-ice results.
• Almost under the radar, Panthers' defenseman Jay Bouwmeester pleaded guilty of DWI on Tuesday in Edmonton. Let's hope that is the last time we hear about an NHL player and the law for the rest of the season.
• Excitement is abound for the newest Montreal Canadiens, says Pat Hickey in this morning's Montreal Gazette.
• The Predators have already sold 9,000 season tickets around 1,000 more than they had at the same time last year. Was everyone too quick to write off Nashville as a viable hockey market?
• Apparently Sens' goalie Ray Emery will be ready for the beginning of the regular season, but maybe not before that.
• The San Jose Mercury News previews the Jeremy Roenick era in the Bay Area and one has to wonder whether the Sharks would have been better off standing pat for the rest of the off-season.
• I'm sure it won't take Vesa Toskala long to realize that he isn't playing in San Jose anymore. Both Paul Hunter of the Star and Mike Zeisberger of the Sun have interesting pieces about the Finnish netminder and the challenges that await him in the pressure cooker that is Toronto.
• With all the troubles Mark Bell has gone through recently, according to the Toronto Sun he may yet be in the line-up to start the season.
• While Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province wonders if maybe this is the year Brad Isbister finally reaches his potential? Yours truly wonders, maybe not....