#92 Finally Has a Home
As originally reported here first at Hockeybuzz, by yours truly, Michael Nylander is officially on his way to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL for the rest of the year.
The Griffins, Detroit's AHL affiliate, welcomed Michael to their club earlier in the year for a 2 week conditioning stint. At the time, the idea was to give Michael a few games in GR to showcase his talents for some Russian clubs, but obviously Russia was never really in play.
Considering this move was a month in the works, it is finally nice to see that the Capitals and Nylander have come to a conclusion in this overdrawn fiasco that has cost an extremely talented players a decent season or two.
I congratulate George McPhee for finally finding a way to relieve Nylander's cap hit from the Washington pay roll. This move turns the Washington Capitals into one of the most dangerous players in the NHL. With first round picks to offer, George McPhee' brand new cap space may put the Capitals in a position of ultimate power. Everyone and anyone who wants to move impact players with large salaries can now count the Caps as a possible suitor.
On the flip side, I would like to congratulate the Rapids for making the right choice in providing Michael with a consistent and stable home on a professional club in North America. Ideally, something that Michael wanted all along.
This has been a burden on the Caps and their plans for the future for the last two years and has been a true banishment for Nylander. Now that this has been resolved for both parties, everyone can move forward into a happier place.
Michael, I wish you the best of luck in Grand Rapids and your quest to return to the NHL.
Capitals, congrats on making the best possible move for yourselves and creating the opportunity to be an impact player in the trade market heading towards the playoffs.
I will be back with more later, but, for now, here is the press release from the Washington Capitals.
Capitals Assign Center Michael Nylander to Grand Rapids
ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have assigned center Michael Nylander to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL), vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.
Nylander, 37, has played 920 career NHL games for the Capitals, New York Rangers, Boston, Chicago, Tampa Bay, Calgary and Hartford. He has not played an NHL game this season. He spent two weeks in Grand Rapids on a conditioning stint beginning Oct. 21.
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