Detroit Red Wings prospect Adam Almqvist heads to KHL
By Cory Buck
Detroit Red Wings prospect Adam Almqvist will play next season in the KHL. The Red Wings will retain the rights to the 23-year-old Swedish defenseman while he plays for the Severestal Cherepovets of the Kontinental Hockey League, based primarily in Russia.
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Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press writes that this should come as no surprise to Red Wings fans as Almqvist had ‘indicated earlier this year that he didn’t want to play anymore in the AHL.’ Almqvist was selected in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. He played two NHL games this season, recording one goal in that span.
“We retain his rights by making a qualifying offer, which we are doing,” general manager Ken Holland told the Free Press.
St. James also notes, “Players stand to make much more money in the KHL vs. the AHL, and Almquist also is likely to see more playing time by changing continents.”
This is yet another example of a European player choosing the money of the KHL over the developmental pipeline provided by the AHL. It’s similar to what we see when young basketball players choose pro leagues in Europe over college basketball at home. They can live off a subsidy in the minor leagues or they can go pro early.
In this case, Almqvist has made the enviable decision to take more money and play closer to home. Such is life for an NHL team as European hockey leagues continue to gain ground on the best hockey league in the world.