When former Red Wings player Daniel Sprong signed with the Vancouver Canucks just over a week ago, he admitted surprise and disappointment at not receiving the deal he wanted.
Daniel Sprong accepted a one-year contract for $975,000, less than half his previous season's earnings when he scored 18 goals for the Red Wings. Now with his sixth team since being drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2015, Sprong has also played for the Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Washington Capitals, and Seattle Kraken.
«It's kind of a wake-up call, but at the same time, I think it's also good motivation and kind of put some fuel to the fire,» he said.
In Vancouver, Sprong reunites with President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford and GM Patrik Allvin, who drafted him in Pittsburgh. He aims to improve his defensive play, a key factor in gaining long-term trust from NHL coaches.
«I'm hoping Vancouver's not just one year,» Sprong said. «I can see myself being there long term and that's really what excites me.»
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Forward Danny O'Regan, who played two seasons ago in Grand Rapids, signed with Kunlun Red Star of the KHL one day after Tomas Jurco. O'Regan played last season with MoDo in Sweden, where he was teammates with Red Wings draftee Theodor Niederbach.