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Dallas Makes Huge News Before Game One

The Dallas Stars didn’t need a distraction hours before Game One of the Western Conference Finals but there’s one. TSN is reporting thatthe Stars have signed highly touted 23 year old free agent prospect Fabian Brunnstrom. Who? He burst onto the Swedish Hockey scene this year. The Hockey News called him the next Daniel Alfredsson. It won’t cost the Stars a fortune because he has to sign a two year entry level and that could reach two million dollars per season.

In his first year with Färjestad of the Swedish Elite League he had nine goal and 27 assists for 37 points in 54 games. Prior to this year he had never played in the SEL. He played in three games in the Allsvenskan (Swedish AHL) two years ago but most of his playing experience has come from Division I (Swedish ECHL and NHL scouts have said it could be considered a beer league.). Brunnstrom has never played for Team Sweden in a major international competition.

This signing on game day, brings me back to Alex Rodriguez opting out of his deal with the New York Yankees in Game Four of the World Series last year. Why now? Couldn’t of both parties wait until the off day tomorrow? Both teams might have to answer to questions on Brunnstrom after the game. It was rumored that Detroit was the front runner the sweepstakes. I think it’s not fair for the players that they will be asked about Brunnstrom after a game. If they announced the signing tomorrow it doesn’t take away from the game. Also player might be more willing to comment on the situation on a off day.

As mentioned above the Detroit Red Wings were one of the three finalists. The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens were in the running. In the TSN article, the Calgary Flames and and the Anaheim Ducks made a push down the stretch.

Detroit could get a consolation prize though. Rumors are saying the Red Wings are going after Ville Leino. He’s 24 and won the Sm-Liiga MVP with Jokerit. His stats on the year: 55 games 28 goals, 49 assists, 77 points. Some say he’s better then Brunnstrom.

The Chicago Blackhawks signed Finnish goaltender Antti Niemi. Niemi posted a record of 26-6-14 with a 2.35 gaa and a .927 sv% in 49 games last season with Pelicans of the Sm-Liiga.

That’s My Take

(Nathan also writes for the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. You follow the Lewiston Maineiacs and news around the QMJHL here at The Asylum. Become a fan of The NHL Source on Facebook. To join the MVN Hockey Staff Nathan can be reached at fbbhgfan@aol.com)

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 8th, 2008 at 3:01 pm and is filed under International Tournaments, Dallas Stars, Fabian Brunnstrom, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, Chicago Blackhawks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Sweden, Calgary Flames. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.