Red Wings prospect Filip Larsson pitched a 24-save shutout for HV71 of the Swedish Allsvenskan today, and he spoke with Aftonbladet’s Simon Norberg after the game regarding a number of topics, from beating AIK to his status as having gone back to Sweden after a rough couple of years in North America.
Here’s a rough translation of the relevant part of their conversation:
How did it come to be HV71 [as your team]?
“Now I wanted to come to a team that believes in me, gives me security. Now I know I’ll be in one place. It’s been back and forth a lot. I have had to work hard with the goaltending coach and have been a part of the team from the start, which I haven’t been in for two years. It feels really good. I have played good games in the preseason. I’m glad it turned out the way it did.”
What kind of dialogue do you have with Detroit?
“No dialogue at all.”
[What’s the situation with] your contract with the team?
“It’s the last year, so we’ll see. My focus is on here, and I just want to do as well as I can in the HV jersey.”
Despite the fact that he’s only played seven games for the Red Wings’ farm team during his [three-year] contract period, as well as another seven starts in the ECHL, Filip Larsson can add up a total of approximately 2.5 million Swedish Kronor [$285,330] in a signing bonus from the team by the time the agreement expires.
Larsson is right on the border line in terms of his status as a Red Wings prospect. If the Wings don’t re-sign him, the 23-year-old will become a free agent, and probably stay in Sweden, where he can make more than he would in the AHL or ECHL. If he does well enough with HV71 this year, he can “become relevant” again.
