Igor Grigorenko didn't want to be in Grand Rapids any more.
So Grigorenko, who has an out clause in his contract that allows him to return to Russia if he's in the minors for more than three weeks, refused to remain in Grand Rapids any longer and has thus been recalled by the Red Wings. He's in Detroit now, on the team's active roster and will practice with the club Tuesday.
Red Wings management asked Grigorenko to remain in Grand Rapids beyond the three weeks, but he refused and would have returned to Russia instead.
In his three-week, five-game stay in Grand Rapids, Grigorenko tallied zero points and two penalty minutes.
When asked where Grigorenko fits in the lineup plans, coach Mike Babcock answered: "That's a good question. Everything here's on an at-earn basis. We'll see if he has enough pace to fit in."
To make room on the roster, the Red Wings put Johan Franzen (MCL) on injured reserve. Franzen, however, moved closer to being able to return to the lineup, practicing with the Red Wings at City Arena, Monday. Franzen participated in all drills except a four-on-four scrimmage that involved contact.
When Franzen is ready to come off IR, then the Red Wings will have to bump a forward from their roster. The list of players most likely to be cut includes Grigorenko, Aaron Downey and Matt Ellis. Both Ellis and Downey were praised by Babcock for their play on the team's recent four-game western trip.