Acclaimed New Jersey Devils rookie Arseniy Gritsyuk is making his way to North America to begin his NHL career, and he's doing so with a little bit of advice from a player only the most hardcore Devils fans will remember.
In a recent interview for TASS, Gritsyuk, 24, revealed that he would like to live closer to the arena, Prudential Center, as he prepares to start his life as a Devils player. Some housing recommendations to the Russian sensation were made by none other than former Devils forward Sergei Kalinin.
Kalinin, 34, played 121 games for the Devils between the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, scoring 10 goals, nine assists and 19 points before eventually returning to the KHL.
"I think I would live closer to the arena. So far I have only talked to Sergei Kalinin. He advised me to look at one option. When I arrive, I will look at it on the spot," Gritsyuk told TASS. "He said that the arena was cool, New York was close. If you have free time, you can go for a walk, see Manhattan. In everyday life, he recommended two areas - they are calmer, quieter. So I will focus on this."
Arseniy Gritsyuk is preparing for life in New Jersey
As for actually going to see Manhattan and visiting New York, Gritsyuk is more or less indifferent on the topic. Tough luck for New Yorkers and fans of the Rangers.
"I wouldn't say that this is some kind of dream," Gritsyuk said. "But for the sake of variety it is interesting to look at another world."
With the 24-year-old rookie set to arrive in New Jersey from Ottawa shortly, Devils fans should certainly appreciate the advice Gritsyuk has gotten from people like Kalinin, Sergei Brylin, Yegor Yakovlev, Nikita Gusev, and Bob Hartley as he begins this next chapter of his pro career.