Last summer’s exodus of fading NHL players heading to Europe to continue their playing careers didn’t really start until July, but this year four players aren’t wasting any time signing with or planning to sign with European clubs for next season.
The most notable is long-time Columbus Blue Jackets forward David Vyborny, who reportedly has signed a three-year contract starting next season with HC Sparta Prague of the Czech Extraliga, and will apparently also have a management role with the club.
Vyborny, an unrestricted free agent, is the Blue Jackets franchise leader in games played, assists and points, and until this season was considered among their top forwards, coming off back-to-back 60+ point seasons, but managed on 26 points in 66 games in 2007-08, and wasn’t expected to be re-signed.
He was the last of the original Blue Jackets, and his departure along with the recent death of team owner John H. McConnell truly marks the end of an era of growing pains for this young franchise.
Another Blue Jacket – by way of the Edmonton Oilers – believed heading back to Europe next season is defenseman #### Tarnstrom, who reportedly will play next season for his hometown team AIK Stockholm, which has been trying to advance into the Swedish Elite League.
Tarnstrom’s NHL career began with the NY Islanders in 2001-02, but it was his two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2002 to 2004 where he had his biggest NHL success, with seasons of 41 and 52 points respectively.
Acquired from the Penguins by the Edmonton Oilers mid-way through the 2005-06 season, Tarnstrom would play a key role as a depth defenseman for the Oilers during their run to the Stanley Cup finals in 2006.
He went unsigned as a UFA in the summer of 2006 and played the 2006-07 season in the Swiss Elite League and returned with the Oilers this past season but was unable to recapture his once-notable offensive form and finished the season with Columbus. It’s unlikely he’ll be returning to the NHL again.
Tarnstrom isn’t the only defenseman heading back to Europe, as New Jersey Devils d-man Karel Rachunek will reportedly play for Moscow Dynamo next season.
Rachunek was signed as a UFA last summer by the Devils but saw limited action in only 44 games this season, due in part to injuries, the improvement of younger Devils blueliners, and as recently suggested in the New York media, his apparent contract talks with Moscow Dynamo during the course of this season.
He denied the latter although he admitted he and his agent had had dinner with representatives of Dynamo but regardless it’s likely the reason he saw so little ice time with the Devils was that he was unable to meet the demanding standards of head coach Brent Sutter.
Rachunek was a low draft pick of the Ottawa Senators in 1997 (229th overall) who exceeded expectations to play most of four seasons with the Sens until he was deal to the Rangers in 2003-04. Unhappy over being dealt he remained in the Russian Super League for another season following the lockout before returning with the Rangers last season prior to signing with the Devils.
Like Tarnstrom, Rachunek probably won’t be returning to an NHL career.
Another blueliner expected to head back overseas is Minnesota Wild defenseman Petteri Nummelin, who reportedly is expected to sign with Lugano of the Swiss Elite League, where he spent five seasons prior to joining the Wild this season.
Nummelin’s NHL career was a short one. Prior to his limited 51-game season with the Wild he’d played 61 games with the Blue Jackets back in 2000-01.
He’s spent 8 years of his pro career in the Swiss Elite League and that’s likely where he’ll finish his playing days.
1) Few will lament the loss of those 3. It won't be if/until actual 'stars' leave the NHL for Europe that we see this exodus as meaningful
2) Right now the vast majority who leave to go there are on the downside of their careers or have never been able to make it big here.
It's not much of a surpirse to read that #### Tarnstrom is leaving North America. After things didn't work out in Edmonton this season, he didn't seem long for the NHL, although it's clear he can still play in this league. Tarnstrom was a good soldier and will be missed. His ultimate legacy to the Oilers will be his contribution to that great all-so-close run in 2006, and being swapped for Curtis Glencross (one of my favourite new Oilers) just prior to the trade deadline this season. (Now, if Kevin Lowe would hurry up and sign Glencross so he doesn't number among my favourite ex-Oilers...)
I'm equally unsurprised but a bit more saddened to read about David Vyborny, possibly the best player drafted by the Oilers who never suited up with Edmonton. This was a difficult, injury-filled year for Vyborny, and I would have preferred to see him depart on a better note. It's a shame we never got to see his talent in Oilers silks, but I'm glad Vyborny finally decided to come over to the NHL in 2000 and played such a valuable role in the development of the Columbus Blue Jackets these last few years.
Just to expand on FauxRumors5's comment, we'll know the European leagues are a serious threat/alternative when they sign their first in-his-prime impact player. It's going to take that kind of "Bobby Hull to the WHA" moment to ring the alarm.
Last edited by Matt_McCallum on April 28th at 12:33 PM.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
