Brunnstrom: 'I'm not Sidney Crosby'

by Ansar Khan Thursday May 01, 2008, 9:32 PM


Super Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom arrived in Denver Thursday to meet with Red Wings management and take in Game 4. He's in the process of deciding which NHL team to sign with. It sounds like the process is weighing on him.
"This has been so big, almost like I'm like the next Sidney Crosby and I'm not the next Sidney Crosby,'' Brunnstrom said. "I just want to sign and get it over with.''
But, he said of the enormous amount of attention he's received this season: "It's fun, too. It has grown so big, but it's fun, too.''
He said he likes the Wings' puck-possession style of play.
"Of course I'm looking at open spots and I know Red Wings are a really good team. It's going to be tough.They seem to give the guys an opportunity to be successful.''

He said he's not looking for a guarantee to play on a top line. Vancouver had promised him a spot on the line with the Sedin twins. He was about to sign with the Canucks before they fired general manager Dave Nonis a couple of weeks ago.
"I don't think the teams can give me that guarantee. I'm just looking for opportunity to play,'' Brunnstrom said.
He met with several of the Wings' Swedish players, including defenseman Andreas Lilja, who's from his hometown.
"He's a role model,'' Brunnstrom said. "He's been to hockey camps, so I met him when I was younger.''

Brunnstrom still days away from a decision

by Ansar Khan Tuesday May 06, 2008, 11:19 AM


After meeting with the Red Wings, Dallas and Montreal last week, Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom will take at least a few days to decide on his future.
"Brunnstrom got back to Sweden yestereday,'' Wings general manager Ken Holland said today. "They're going to give him a few days to kind of get his bearings and then later in the week or early next week they're going to sit down with him and his Swedish agent and they're going to start to go through their process.''
Brunnstrom is said to have narrowed his choices to Detroit, Dallas and Montreal, despite reports that Toronto and other teams are still in the mix.

Report: Brunnstrom to make decision by Thursday


May 7, 2008

The Toronto Star is reporting coveted unrestricted free agent Fabian Brunnstrom is to make a decision on an NHL team by tomorrow.

General manager Ken Holland, speaking just a few minutes ago, said he had been told by Brunnstrom's North American agent, J.P. Barry, that the group would debate their finalists this week.
"All I was told by J.P. Barry was (Brunnstrom) travelled home Monday and he was going to give him Tuesday and Wednesday to kind of get their sorts, and then ... they were going to go through the process to make their decision," Holland said. "I said 7-10 days, but maybe they make the decision tomorrow."

Brunnstrom visited Detroit last Friday, part of a three-city tour that began in Dallas and ended in Montreal, the three cities believed to be the finalists for Brunnstrom's services. Brunnstrom, though, can sign with any team, and apparently the Maple Leafs believe they have the advantage.

"From an opportunity perspective, he's decided the Leafs would be the best team," Barry told the Toronto Star. "If he's going to chose for other reasons, he's going to focus on a couple of different teams. He narrowed that side down to Detroit, Dallas and Montreal."

I feel like I just time-traveled. I read the May 1st article and BAM I'm already at May 7th. Where's the May 8th article, Chris?

I checked for news today and there is none yet. I don't see why he wouldn't pick a team with 9 Swedes on it. We'll have room for him (Drake and DMac will be gone next year).

How is he just a free agent? Sorry, I'm pretty ignorant to the NHL CBA. Did he go undrafted or something?

BRUNNSTROM CHOOSES DALLAS OVER THREE OTHERS

Sources tell TSN Fabian Brunnstrom will make his NHL debut next season with the Dallas Stars.

The 23 year old Swedish forward officially made his decision on Thursday with Dallas edging out Montreal, Detroit and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Last week Brunnstrom toured Dallas and spent time with Ken Holland and the Detroit Red Wings before making his way to Montreal where Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey courted the highly sought after free agent.

Sources say the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks also pitched hard in the last 10 days.

The Toronto Maple Leafs campaign for Brunnstrom was based on opportunity and the expectation he would be given a chance to be an impact player in Toronto next season.

Brunnstrom chose Dallas based on his belief there a combination of both roster depth and opportunity will exist when he arrives on the scene for training camp.

Brunnstrom will have a two-year entry-level deal signed within the 24 hours and will be paid in a similar fashion to a top 5 draft pick, which could translate into a cap hit of over 2 million dollars per season.
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=237147&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main

Man, that was a quick dissapointment.

I'm okay with him going to Dallas.

Maybe he won't pan out:


NHL clubs drooling over Brunnstrom


PAT HICKEY, The Gazette

Published: Wednesday, May 07


Who is Fabian Brunnstrom and why are so many NHL teams - including the Canadiens - interested in him?
Brunnstrom is back home in Sweden trying to decide where he would like to play after a whirlwind North American tour. He spent two days in Montreal, visited Detroit and Denver, and talked to people in Dallas and Toronto. He has been hailed as the best hockey player not under contract to an NHL team and has attracted a lot of attention as a 23-year-old free agent.
Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey said yesterday he felt Brunnstrom has the talent to play in the NHL, but a quick look at the Swede's résumé suggests this guy poses more questions than Alex Trebek.
For example, if Brunnstrom is so good, how come it took so long for him to win a job in the Swedish League? This past season, he was a 22-year-old rookie with Farjestad, where he had nine goals and 28 assists in 54 games. The previous season, he was playing in the Swedish Third Division.
I'd feel better if he had scored more points than former NHLer Niklas Sundstrom this past season or if he was playing for the Swedish team at the worlds instead of sitting at home contemplating his offers.

I'm okay with him going to Dallas.

H8er

He's pissed the Avs didn't get him.