Detroit — Viktor Arvidsson grew up watching the Red Wings face the Colorado Avalanche in all those epic battles.
Having the opportunity to now wear a Wings’ jersey, after signing a free-agent contract Wednesday, is a thrill for Arvidsson.
“For me it’s really exciting,” Arvidsson said Thursday on a Zoom call with Detroit media. “Growing up and watching the Red Wings and Avalanche go at it, and all those players that I grew up watching like (Peter) Forsberg, (Henrik) Zetterberg and (Pavel) Datsyuk, and (Steve) Yzerman, and Kris Draper, all those guys. Then talking to Drapes last night, I was almost like ‘I played as you on video games’.
“It’s pretty surreal if you think about it.”
Arvidsson, 33, signed a two-year contract worth $10 million ($5 million annual average value) Wednesday, filling a Wings need for offense. Arvidsson had somewhat of a comeback last season in Boston, scoring 25 goals (with 29 assists), and playing a relentless brand of hockey he’s known for.
Facing the Wings in divisional games last season, Arvidsson felt the Wings were close to a playoff team.
“I think so,” Arvidsson said. “This year the division and wild card were so tight, but it’s a great team, a great defense core and a lot of speed and skill up front. You need to mesh that together and be more consistent. That’s what this league is all about, consistency, and if you can do that night in and night out, and don’t drop too much.”
The news surrounding captain Dylan Larkin and his trade request, and the uncertainty swirling around Larkin and the organization, didn’t have any impact on Arvidsson’s decision to come to Detroit.
“I haven’t really put any thought into that or read too much about it,” Arvidsson said. “I was focused on myself and what I’m going to bring to the team.”
Arvidsson has some familiarity with the roster, having played with Lucas Raymond on the Swedish national team and at the 4-Nations Tournament. Arvidsson trains in the summer with defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka and has played plenty against goaltender John Gibson when Gibson was in Anaheim.
“It’ll be fun to be on the same team as him,” Arvidsson said.
But Arvidsson’s main relationship is with coach Todd McLellan. The two were together in Los Angeles, and Arvidsson enjoyed playing under McLellan.
“He’s really structured, always has a plan,” Arvidsson said. “It’s defense first and if you play really good defense, you’ll have success and offense. That’s a big part that I like about him. He’s honest and straight up with all the players, and everybody around the team, so I like that.
“A little bit of old school. I knew Todd from before and I really liked playing under him, so it was kind of an easy decision. I’m happy to be a Red Wing and it’s going to be fun.”
The Wings were searching in free agency for a player who could initiate offense at even strength, and Arvidsson fit that profile. Of Arvidsson’s 54 points last season, 45 came at even strength, where he ranked just behind stars Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado) and Nikita Kucherov (Tampa) in even strength points, per 60 minutes.
Arvidsson feels he can bring that to the Wings.
“I just think I compete so hard, I get chances and I like to be around the net and I find loose pucks and that’s a big part of my game,” said Arvidsson, who felt playing with Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt all season in Boston developed chemistry. “We meshed together pretty well, and it was fun to play with those guys.
“I’ll bring a competitive aspect of the game and try to be a role model for the younger guys. Bring some leadership and try to play hard.”
@tkulfan
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Why Viktor Arvidsson chose to sign with Red Wings
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