The NHL exhibition games are giving the young players from the minor leagues a chance to earn a spot on the roster.  I like watching these games to see what players are waiting to bust out of the American Hockey League in to the NHL.  At this time for the Detroit Red Wings Igor Grigorenko had a break away opportunity against Tampa Bay then hit the cross bar; it was not counted as a shot but it made an impression on people.  He has game.  Then with the game tied after the overtime period, the shootout.

  Grigorenko took the puck and with a deke, put the winning goal on the score board.  Yes, knowing that these stats are not going to carry over to regular season play, his confidence was above his shoulders.  Igor can play the game and will know where to put the puck next time.  In the net.  Igor was able to rise to the occasion, when he is given that chance on the Datsyuk line or any line for that matter he will fly on to the wings of success.

  During the game last night it was mentioned that he might go back to the Russian Super Leagues.  If that were to happen, it would be for money and yes that is ultimately what sports and even life decisions come down to.  But is not the waste of talent to be considered as well.  Igor has an important decision to make.

  I know that this is not my decision to make and that as a NHL and Red Wings fan these thoughts and words are loaded with bias.  But hang on for a moment here, you would write, say, and think the same way about your team, league and association.  So with that this really for a young Russian, to realize his potential and reach his prime in the NHL as Alexander Ovechkin and Pavel Datsyuk has.  One reason being a super star in a Red Wings uniform certainly did not hurt Sergei Federov and more recently Pavel Datsyuk and Alexander Ovechkin.  Money and being close to family would motivate a move home.  But consider this, the community of Detroit hockey fans.

  In the sport of hockey and in the NHL there are some passionate fans but the hockey fans in Detroit support the team, buy jerseys, and until recently have soldout Joe Louis Arena.  The lack of have been due to the economy situations here in Michigan.  That does not mean fans will not spend hard earned dollars on team merchandise.  We do, eagerly.

  Now one more fan point to consider for those that do not know Igor was in a car crash, had a lung illness that was life threatening, so why invest in his maybe playing for the Red Wings?  To walk away from this investment and spot on the team would declare to the rest of the league the administration involved with the Red Wings, the team is not willing to give people who tough it out and battle back from an illness an honest shot to make the roster of the Red Wings.  Ken Holland and others are not going to do that.  That is why Igors' decision will affect the team and his boss.  Take a look at how much patience has gone in to the recovery process.  The Red Wings were waiting for Igor to fly from Russia and show the league and more importantly the team and fans that the wait was worth it.  Worth the three years elapsed time of progress in to North American hockey.  Welcome to the Red Wings is what the team and fans were waiting for.

  The last words will be a question, "Will Igor be ready for the attention?"  I think the skills, talent, and tight knit team the Red Wings have will be more than ready to take Igor on the flight to the Cup.  It helps the decision making process easier for Igor not because of this post but this post might help a bit; Pavel Datsyuk is a good friend with Igor.  So time will tell and time has been shown posative regarding the hockey career of Igor Grigorenko.  If this one fan were given any say I think that Igor will stay and he will be open to starting in Grand Rapids if he has to, but without the access priviledges of interviewing Igor I can only conclude this post with the thoughts "of play in the NHL Igor and see where you go on the flight of the Detroit Red Wings".