Detroit Red Wing leaves the organization after disastrous season
Photo credit: Grand Rapid Griffins
A member of the Detroit Red Wings organization is reportedly leaving the team after a tough season.
The Detroit Red Wings prospect Eemil Viro had a tough stint in North America. After being drafted 70th overall by the Red Wings in 2020, he spent the past three seasons in the American Hockey League, with the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The team was swept from the second round of the playoffs by the Texas Stars following a 37-29-6 regular season.
According to a new report, Viro is set to leave the organization, but also North America altogether.
Indeed, hockeynews.se reported that Viro will join 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."
Viro, 23, took part in 62 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins this season. The 6-foot-1 defenseman scored only five points, including one goal, and only made the lineup for one playoff game.
In total, he played in 142 AHL games over the past three years, with a tally of 19 points in that time.
The Red Wings could soon lose another defenseman to Europe, as Erik Gustafsson hinted at his departure from North America in an interview from the World Championships:
"It's fun to be home, meet family and friends and play in front of them. There have been a lot of people in the stands."
"We'll see how long I stay over there (in the NHL). I'll keep playing as long as I get a job and my body holds up."
"If there's one team I'll play for (in Sweden), it's Djurgarden."
"We'll see how long I stay over there (in the NHL). I'll keep playing as long as I get a job and my body holds up."
"If there's one team I'll play for (in Sweden), it's Djurgarden."
Whether one or a few defensemen leave the team this summer won't change the fact that Yzerman needs to address his team's blue line needs. Acquiring a few reliable defensemen will need to be a priority in Detroit as patience towards the never-ending rebuilding team wears thin.
| POLL | ||
MAI 28 | 91 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wing leaves the organization after disastrous season Do you think Eemile Viro will play in the NHL eventually? | ||
| Yes | 28 | 30.8 % |
| No | 63 | 69.2 % |
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