Interesting timing.

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 05/08/08 at 02:45 PM ET

Let’s see… 2nd line time with Richards? Yeah, I see why he went with Dallas.

Posted by Karina on 05/08/08 at 03:02 PM ET

Dallas needed this big time to make up for the first rounder they used on Norstrom. It’s a good pickup for them.

Obviously I would’ve liked to see him with the Wings, but I can see that Dallas was the best choice for him. Toronto had the most opportunity to play, but also to lose and never develop. Detroit had the most opportunity to develop and win, but not necessarily to get ice time.

Dallas and Montreal both have a good middle-ground if you’re coming from Brunnstrom’s perspective, I’d imagine. They’re teams that will win lots of games the next few years. At the same time, they’re both teams that provide a chance for more ice time right off the bat than Detroit does. Montreal could’ve used him because of the downfall of Ryder, and Dallas, even with Brad Richards coming back, traded two solid (not saying great, just solid) forwards in Jokinen and Halpern, so they’ve got a spot.

In the end, I would imagine the premier arena and state’s taxes (or lack thereof) played a role in the decision.

Posted by Nathan on 05/08/08 at 03:25 PM ET

I have a strange feeling Fabian Brunnstrom won’t be as good as the hype. He would probably be better off in Detroit - they made Mikael Sameulsson good.

Posted by bsalamon on 05/08/08 at 04:15 PM ET

Bastard.  But I agree with bsalamon…

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 05/08/08 at 04:22 PM ET

I have a strange feeling Fabian Brunnstrom won’t be as good as the hype.

Probably not- but there is so much hype he would have to be the next coming of Sidney Crosby, and he himself has said he isn’t that.  Seems like he might be a very good, solid player, but not as likely to be spectacular.

Good luck, kid.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/08/08 at 04:37 PM ET

Out of the three teams that were in the running for him, Montreal, Detroit and Dallas, he is going to the team where he won’t be under much pressure from the media and fans.

Probably the best for him to go that route.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 05/08/08 at 04:40 PM ET

Would he have really ever had a shot here? Especially having never played North American hockey before? Personally I think not, Dallas was probably one of the few perfect spots for him.

Posted by Jeff on 05/08/08 at 05:01 PM ET

I was hoping he signed with Toronto….
Would have been interesting to see how long it
took for the fans and media to run more great talent
out of town.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 05/08/08 at 05:25 PM ET

I’ve got to admit there are some interesting points of view here that I hadn’t considered.  But my gut has been telling me for a while that maybe the kid is not exactly Detroit material.  As it turns out, it looks to me that he chose a little smaller pond so he could be a little bigger fish, and that just doesn’t sit right with me.  Maybe it’s sour grapes but I’m not all that sorry to see him pass on the Wings.

The good news is that now all the b.s. hype is over and done with and we can get on to the important stuff.

Posted by BobTheZee on 05/08/08 at 05:59 PM ET

It was pretty obvious the last time around, when he chose Vancouver, that the Wings for some reason were not a top choice.  The opportunity to play on a top line is the reason he chose Dallas.  Detroit never really had a chance.

Posted by w2j2 on 05/08/08 at 06:21 PM ET

Hey, Fabian. Hope you watched the game tonight. Specifically, the efforts of one Detroit D-man in particular. You may come to regret having chosen to skate against him instead of with him. So keep your head up coming through center ice next year, young man.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 05/08/08 at 11:07 PM ET