A young Red Wings defenseman announces that he's refusing to return to Detroit next season
A young Detroit Red Wings defenseman announced that he's refusing to return to Detroit next season despite receiving a qualifying offer from the organization.
On July 1st, Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings extended qualifying offers to Elmer Soderblom and Eemil Viro to retain their NHL rights as they entered free agency as RFAs:
"Red Wings issue qualifying offers to Elmer Soderblom and Eemil Viro. The QO to Viro means that Detroit maintains his rights, even though he signed w/ Malmö (SHL)."
However, it appears that the Wings will only be able to keep Viro's NHL rights for now, as the player signed a contract in Sweden next season.
According to hockeynews.se, Viro has decided to return to Europe and will continue his career in the Swedish Hockey League
"I have previously mentioned Malmö's interest in the defenseman Eemil Viro. Now it's a done deal, and the Finnish player is expected to be presented shortly, according to my information."
Drafted 70th overall by the Red Wings in 2020, Viro struggled to make his mark in North America over the past three years. The 23-year-old Finnish defenseman spent his time with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League, but his development never quite took off.
This season, Viro took part in 62 games with Grand Rapids, scoring only five points, including one goal. In total, he suited up for 142 AHL games over three seasons, scoring a modest 19 points.
Meanwhile, the Red Wings could lose another defenseman to Europe, with Erik Gustafsson hinting during the World Championships that he's tempted to return home to Sweden after the final year of his contract.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 8 | 120 ANSWERS A young Red Wings defenseman announces that he's refusing to return to Detroit next season Do you think Eemil Viro took part in his last NHL game? | ||
| Yes | 87 | 72.5 % |
| No | 33 | 27.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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