WarhawK: Eftersom jag är osäker på om länken funkar för att läsa artikeln så klistrar jag in artikeln om Oduya från NY Post.
"The Devils have done it again, unearthing just what they need from nowhere for nothing. This time, they've found a rare longshot - unsung Johnny Oduya, a black Swede.
They're desperate for defensemen, and Stockholm native Oduya has impressed everyone with his skating agility, poise and sensible shooting.
Oduya still could be assigned to the minors, but he seems to have forced the braintrust to keep watching, whistling and wondering at their own brilliance at grabbing the backliner the Capitals let escape this summer. He played the first exhibition and notched three assists, earning another look in the second and third games before being given a night off against Philly Thursday.
Coach Claude Julien has been impressed.
"He's played well since Day 1," Julien said. "He skates so well, carries the puck out, has such mobility. These are the types of players who seem to excel now."
Oduya is getting his chance on the skill he's demonstrating, not because the NHL's diversity program will be interested in his story.
"My dad's from Kenya and came to Sweden and met my mom in the '70s," said Oduya, who will turn 25 Oct. 1.
He was drafted by the Caps in the seventh round in 2001, but returned to Sweden due to a lack of opportunity. He led the Swedish league in penalty minutes in 2003-04 but changed teams and his style last season. He became a free agent over the summer and a $55G signing bonus and a contract for the $450G minimum, with a $65G minor-league salary, was enough for the Devils to secure him.
European soccer suffers serious racism, but Oduya said it was different in hockey.
"I've heard some bad words from some fans, individuals in the stands, but it's only been a few times," he said.
Oduya has been low-key about his start.
"I think I'm average in everything. It's both my strength and weakness," he said. "I have to work on everything."
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WarhawK: Eftersom jag är osäker på om länken funkar för att läsa artikeln så klistrar jag in artikeln om Oduya från NY Post.
"The Devils have done it again, unearthing just what they need from nowhere for nothing. This time, they've found a rare longshot - unsung Johnny Oduya, a black Swede.
They're desperate for defensemen, and Stockholm native Oduya has impressed everyone with his skating agility, poise and sensible shooting.
Oduya still could be assigned to the minors, but he seems to have forced the braintrust to keep watching, whistling and wondering at their own brilliance at grabbing the backliner the Capitals let escape this summer. He played the first exhibition and notched three assists, earning another look in the second and third games before being given a night off against Philly Thursday.
Coach Claude Julien has been impressed.
"He's played well since Day 1," Julien said. "He skates so well, carries the puck out, has such mobility. These are the types of players who seem to excel now."
Oduya is getting his chance on the skill he's demonstrating, not because the NHL's diversity program will be interested in his story.
"My dad's from Kenya and came to Sweden and met my mom in the '70s," said Oduya, who will turn 25 Oct. 1.
He was drafted by the Caps in the seventh round in 2001, but returned to Sweden due to a lack of opportunity. He led the Swedish league in penalty minutes in 2003-04 but changed teams and his style last season. He became a free agent over the summer and a $55G signing bonus and a contract for the $450G minimum, with a $65G minor-league salary, was enough for the Devils to secure him.
European soccer suffers serious racism, but Oduya said it was different in hockey.
"I've heard some bad words from some fans, individuals in the stands, but it's only been a few times," he said.
Oduya has been low-key about his start.
"I think I'm average in everything. It's both my strength and weakness," he said. "I have to work on everything."