Mursak Well Worth the Early Contract Extension
FollowThe Red Wings secured a piece of their future by inking Jan Mursak to a two-year contract extension. Mursak, who is out of waiver options after this season, could play in Detroit full time next season.
The 23 year-old forward play 17 games in the NHL this season, scoring his first career goal. Mursak proved he could play at the NHL level with his speed and skill. The Maribor, Slovenia native has vastly improved his defensive game after spending three full seasons in Grand Rapids.
Mursak’s path to the NHL hasn’t always been smooth and his position in the Red Wings organization looked bleak after a horrendous rookie season in the AHL. The speedy winger was a healthy scratch for much of that season seeing just 51 games playing mostly on the fourth line. He saw his regular season production limited to just 2 goals and 9 points and was eventually left off the Griffin’s Clear Day playoff roster.
The former OHL all-star never let his struggles as an AHL rookie deter him. Instead Mursak quietly concentrated on improving himself and getting his game back to form. He rebounded in 2009-10 with an impressive 24 goals and 42 points in 72 games putting himself back on the map as a prospect.
Mursak’s ability to face adversity makes his success this season that much more impressive. His early two-year contract extension could be the start to a long career in the NHL.