Brendan Shanahan hasn’t scored in 8 games. But as Mike Babcock said, he showed signs Tuesday of snapping out of his slump–and perhaps silencing certain fans who think his back is ailing him again.

Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, each scoring seventy percent fewer goals at home than on the road this year, might want to choose tonite to reverse that trend. Babcock will tinker with his lines again, moving Zetterberg to left wing on a line with Datsyuk, which allows Robert Lang to go back to center.

Via the Detroit Free Press:

“We have three quality centers,” Babcock said. “I’ve got room for two of them. And the guy who plays on the wall the best is Hank. So even though he was playing great down the middle, that’s what we’re doing.”

The Flyers finish an 11-game road swing, covering 21 days, with their game tonite against the Wings.  They have blazed through the trip, going 8-1-1.

Via the Philadelphia Inquirer:

“It’s been fun and it’s been a great trip, and we have the last one coming up and we have a chance to make it the best in franchise history,” (Former Wing Mike)Knuble said.

Since 1988 the Wings own a 14-0-2 record against the Flyers at the Joe, including the Finals sweep in 1997.  Paul Holmgren coached the Flyers to their last victory in Detroit.

Asked about the streak of losses in Detroit, Hitchcock said: “I didn’t know we hadn’t won there since 1988. So, we took a year off, didn’t play, so all bets should be off and we should be starting fresh now.

“I’ll make sure to call Holmgren in the morning. I’m sure some of the players, other than [Steve] Yzerman, have changed, too.”

Interesting night for Wing fans, as Detroit welcomes back crowd favorite Peter Forsberg.  Derian Hatcher, a CBA casualty and frequent fan scapegoat for the disappointing ’04 playoff ouster, returns as well.

Via the Detroit News:

“Big Hatch has been playing well,” Kris Draper said. “He’s a guy that we didn’t want to lose, a big, strong physical defenseman, but because of the salary cap, that’s the way things are now. He had a tough injury (torn knee ligaments) when he was here, which was unfortunate, but he’s played at a high level his entire career and it’s not surprising he’s playing so well.”

Back to Forsberg.  Here’s something to keep in mind should he go off on the Wings tonite:  Sergei Fedorov, with help from Nick Lidstrom of course, had the primary responsibility of shadowing “Floppa” during the height of the Wing/Dique rivalry.  Tonite, Babcock plans on using reigning Selke winner Kris Draper on Forsberg.

Via the Detroit Free Press:

“He’s a guy that can dominate a game,” Draper said of Forsberg. “He just makes players around him that much better. He’s a guy that can score, and he’s a very gifted passer as well. The best thing to do is try to force an offensive player to try to play in his end as much as possible.”

Using his temper against him isn’t a bad idea either, Kris.

MLive: Wings eager to take on Philly

Detroit Free Press: Weak start won’t fly tonite

Detroit News: Flyers present formidable challenge

Nashville had yet another chance last night to tie the Wings atop the Central, but Keri Lehtonen stoned Steve Sullivan and Paul Kariya in a shootout, leaving the Preds one point behind Detroit.

Nashville’s schedule the rest of the month:

• Carolina, Pittsburgh, NJ, Columbus, Wings, Wings, Minnesota, Columbus.

Wings:

• Philly, NYR, Columbus, Colorado, Preds, Preds, Vancouver, Minnesota, Dallas

Think of a player that you remember as being a “star”. What groups in the history of your sport would you put him in? Is he a Top Five or Ten of any era or quality? Was he the best of an era or all-time at something? Look at how I’d place Steve Yzerman into his equivalent groups:

“Top Five Red Wings, all-time”
“Top Five Captains/Leaders”
“Top Ten Centermen”
“Top Ten Scorers of the 1980′s”
“Top Defensive Forwards of the 1990′s”
“Top Ten Clutch Players”
“Top Longetivity Players”

Those are just off the top of my head. Now, are the other guys in that group in the Hall? For example, the top five Wings are Howe, Yzerman, Sawchuk, Lindsay, and Abel. The other four are in, and Stevie will be as well.

More…

Lady Byng: Sean Avery. A whopping 136 penalty minutes, a league leading 2 game misconducts. His 6 majors put him in 5th place in the league. Nobody likes him. His mother screens his calls and Elisha Cuthbert is probably only dating him to piss off her parents.

More from Casonblog…

DETROIT RED WINGS: So much for being too old and lacking a quality starting netminder. The Wings have continued to remain atop the Western Conference standings, although they’re still being challenged by the Stars and Nashville Predators. A strong all -round team game and a good mix of youth and veterans continue to power the Wings, which could once again make them serious Cup contenders heading into the playoffs.

More from “The Soapbox”….

I mean it physically pained me to watch the last two minutes.  It seems we get about five of these a year, where the Wings are down 1 with a minute left and they just unleash a barrage of shots on a goalie that you think no one on earth could withstand.

And five times a year, you’re left at the final buzzer saying, “what the hell just happened? We didn’t score? Mommy?”

Well, that was last night.

On to the notes:

Yes, the Wings sucked in the first. Yes, it’s a disturbing trend.   Detroit came out slow, and surprised by the Hurricane reaction to a great crowd.  Whatever the reason, the Wings were on their heels when Matt Cullen scored on a two-on-one with Brett Lebda committing then watching a toe drag move slowly past his nose before beating Legace.

Former Wing Ray Whitney scored, after being allowed to stand free and happy next to the crease, four minutes later. 

At this point it was fun to sit back and consider the fact that the Wings had just given up their 8th consecutive goal.  I basked in the warmth of that gem for a few moments, and must have gone into some sort of trance because I woke up and Eric Cole was doing some sort of figure skating move behind the net. 

It happened so fast that I missed the Wing defensemen who surely must have tried to physically harm him as he wrapped the puck around and past Legace for a 3-0 lead.

9 goals in a row.  You can’t buy that kind of fun. I’m a Sailor and I’ve been to the Philippines, so I’ve tried.

Ok.  A few good things before we move on. The Wings, despite their 15 minute nap to start the game, were a little more violent toward the end of the first. 

Brendan Shanahan, who didn’t score again, looked like a power forward last night.  He was hitting and stationed in front of the net more than he has been.

Wings are down 3-0 and the world is collapsing.  At this point with just less than 4 minutes left in the first, Steve Yzerman showed why Joe Thornton and Joe Sakic refused to wear number 19 in Turin.

It seems that Yzerman determined 9 straight goals was quite enough, thank you.

The Number 19 took the puck in his own end and began to steadily weave, on a knee that you can see pains him every time he takes a faceoff, his way up ice. 

He labored toward the right boards by himself, picking up as much steam as his body would allow.  Once a slim path opened toward the net, the 25 year old Yzerman sprung toward Martin Gerber, put a move on him we’ve seen hundreds of times before, and watched from the air as the puck slid by the ‘Cane goalie.

There are so many moments in Yzerman’s career that we could point to as “defining.”  But that effort, at that point in last night’s game, was his captaincy in a nutshell. 

He was just sick and tired of his team getting their asses kicked. So, he did something about it.

3-1 Canes after 1.  Shots were surprisingly even at 12-11 in favor of Carolina.

Yzerman almost scored again to start the second and the Wings did score on a power play when Zetterberg got his 20th (congrats) at 3:26.

Ok.  Everything’s gonna be ok.  37 minutes to tie it.  Wings started to look stingy on defense.  They’re getting their chances.  Gerber’s playing well, but 37 minutes is a long frigging time, brother.

No, it’s not.  35:13 went by quickly.  Now, you want to know what a long time is?  1:47 is a long time.  Ask my wife.  Did I just say that?

Anyway, 1:47 is a long time.  It’s a long time down by 1, with a man advantage, with the goalie pulled.

And, when Martin Gerber played the way he did during the last few moments of last night’s game, 1:47 seemed like forever. 

Yes, the Wings dug a hole.  But they climbed out of it–were dragged out by their captain–and had plenty of time to correct things.  Gerber wouldn’t let them.

From today’s Freep:

“Not a great start, obviously, but then beyond that, a lot of good things,” Brendan Shanahan said. “We were almost able to do what Dallas did to us the other day, erase a 3-0 deficit. It’s unfortunate. Their goalie was really the difference in the final 50 minutes, especially the last period, and the last 2 1/2 minutes, he was outstanding. I don’t know what else you can do. We just threw so much at him, from a lot of different gifted people. You’ve got to tip your hat to a performance like that. It’s one thing to get hit with pucks; he was actually making some pretty great saves in there.”

When the Wings put that kind of pressure on a goalie, it really is fun to watch.  Lang sets up Shanny for a one timer…save.  Zetterberg from the side, then the front…save, save.  Lang from the slot…save.  Scheider, Lidstrom, Datsyuk…Gerber stopped them all.

Wings outshot Carolina 19-6 in the third. 

More on the effect this game had on the Central race later.

TSN Box

On the Wings recap

Durham Herald Sun game report

Raleigh News Observer game report

Detroit Free Press game report

Detroit News game report

Big Bad John,  When will Tomas Vokoun start getting some recognition, after he wins gold in Turin maybe? The guy doesn’t even know what a rebound is!

 

Marcus Newman
Mount Juliet, Tenn.

Nashville fans, relax! The hockey community knows how good Tomas Vokoun is. They know that Marek Zidlicky would be the best defenseman on over half of the teams in the NHL. The Preds need another big-time scorer down low, especially someone with size and grit, but they are among the best in the NHL. I hope they are aggressive come trade deadline time.

Iwo:  Interesting. I not only saw multiple rebounds from Vokoun Friday night, I saw at least three very long rebounds the Wings could have capitalized on. 

And woops…second writer we’ve quoted today with a Norris prediction for Lidstrom.  They must be convulsing in Toronto.

Norris: Nicklas Lidstrom. Quarterbacks the best power play in the league, plays 28:34 a night, gets the puck on net low. You don’t hear the puck smack off the back glass when Nick Lidstrom shoots it from the point. A calming, classy influence. If actor Jimmy Stewart came back as a hockey player, he would be Nicklas Lidstrom.

More from Buccigross…

update 11:55am, via WDAE,

The Tampa Bay Lightning have waived team captain Dave Andreychuk.
At a press conference held at the St. Pete Times Forum Tuesday, the team announced they have placed Andreychuk on waivers at noon Tuesday. If Andreychuk clears waivers, he will be assigned to the AHL Springfield Falcons. Andreychuk can then, if he wishes, retire and claim the money owed to him in his contract. Andreychuk signed a two-year deal with the Lightning prior to the 2005-06 season.

Last week they waived him.  Wait, no they didn’t.  No, what they meant to do was fax the rest of the league and advertise his “availability.” Wait, they didn’t do that either, according to the team.  Now today, a special news conference to shaft him formally.

What a disaster.

Yes, it’s a business.  But this is bad business and not just because you’re treating your captain like a piece of trash, but because players who would (a) waive their no-trade clauses or (b) sign with the team via free agency notice things like this. 

Of interest…

Top defenseman: 1 Nicklas Lidstrom (Detroit). 2, Bryan McCabe (Toronto). 3, Wade Redden (Ottawa). 4, Lubomir Visnovsky (Los Angeles). 5, Zdeno Chara (Ottawa).

What’s coming in the second half: 1, Atlanta continuing to climb into contention in the Eastern Conference. 2, Nashville trading for a center. 3, Pressure building in Montreal. 4, Vancouver struggling unless it trades for a veteran goalie. 5, Lidstrom becoming the league’s top-scoring defenseman.

More from Kevin Allen….

But consider the similarities.  Palmer and Kronwall are each 24, and each at obviously different stages of recovering from knee injuries.  Salsbury, who has torn the MCL and ACL in his knee, was reacting to Palmer’s claims that he’d be back for the Bengals’ training camp in July–a six month layoff.

Kronwall was expected back in March.  At least that’s what the team and doctors said when he went down in September. And here we are in January anticipating a return this month?

Is an early return worth it in the long run?  Will he even be effective on a knee that would be barely healthy at best?  I think we all remember Derien Hatcher trying to come back in ’04 and it was hard to watch.

Clearly, they’re two different specimens (Kronwall and Hatcher), but will Kronwall be a remarkable improvement from, say, Lebda if he comes back now, rather than wait until March?

Would we even be having this discussion if the Olympics weren’t this February?

A lot of less-than-right reasons for a kid with a great future to hurry back.

Wings have taken 4 of a possible 8 this month, arguably their most challenging of the season. No question that should be 6 of 8, but I think it best if we just decide Sunday’s game didn’t happen.

Tonite starts a three game swing against the best of the East, minus Ottawa. A softball in Columbus interrupts the hazardous month. But it picks up again with a game in Denver on the 21st. And we all know what follows that.

Speaking of BBQ, while the Wings battle their way through January, Nashville faces NYI, Columbus (twice), Pittsburgh, Minnesota and New Jersey.

Yzerman nearly played in Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to Minnesota, but two things changed that prospect. One, Brendan Shanahan decided his back spasms weren’t so bad he couldn’t play; and, two, the coaching staff urged Yzerman to wait one more game so he could be “over-ready.”

Back spasms. 

Naturally, no mention has been made of this since that article.  But anytime the word “back” and “Shanahan” are in print within paragraphs of each other, we should be a little nervous.

Back problems don’t go away.  They may diminish with surgery or therapy, but they don’t disappear.  Shanny’s started hurting him in ’98 and, not coincidentally, the observations that he had moved away from his power forward style to more of a Brett Hull-type player began.

Now the coincidences are coming back. His scoring has stopped.  He’s not moving to the net and his back is the subject of discussion again.

Shanahan hasn’t scored since December 20th against Columbus and has registered exactly one assist in the seven games since then.

Shanahan had been the Wings’ most consistent goal scorer for the season’s first 35 games, mainly because he had moved back toward his roots as a power forward and stationed himself closer to the net.

Now as his scoring has fallen off, we don’t see Shanny hovering around the crease as we did at the beginning of the season, and he’s practically been non-existent on the power play: two indicators that his slump is physical.

Carolina has 58 points and is running away with the Southeast division.

via the Detroit News:

“They’re young, fast, they’re getting good goaltending and they’re battling every night,” goalie Manny Legace said. “They’re buzzing around every night and doing all the right things.”

Detroit takes a 4-point lead in the Central into tonite’s game, along with a sour taste from Sunday’s debacle at the Joe against Dallas.  If for no other reason, those six unanswered goals from the Stars may be reason for Carolina to be wary.

Via the Raleigh Herald Sun:

“It’s a big game,” Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said Monday. “It’s the best team in the west. At the end of the day, we could be No. 1 in the league.”

“I think any time you play a team of that caliber — a top-level team — I think there’s a little added excitement,” center Matt Cullen said. “They’re arguably the best team in the league right now, some great players. The level’s going to be raised [tonight]. We’re well aware of that, and we’re excited — we like to play in games like that.”

Johan Franzen is expected to miss his third straight game with an upper-body injury.

Manny Legace will start for the Wings.

Raleigh Herald Sun 

Detroit News Game Day

Teammates were amused when they found out Chelios was the same age as rookie defenseman Brett Lebda’s parents.

Lebda, 23, incidentally, is from Buffalo Grove, a Chicago suburb. Lebda idolized Chelios while going to Blackhawks games as a teenager when Chelios was starring for the Blackhawks.

Ouch.

“To be able to play with the guy right now, I can’t even describe it,” said Lebda, who has often been paired as a defenseman with Chelios.

Chelios is a true warrior with an amazing work ethic.  In his 7th season as a Wing, he’s now played as many in Detroit as he did in Montreal–and only two fewer than he played in Chicago. 

I doubt it would happen, because of his ties to Chicago, but it would be great to see him go into the Hall as a Wing.

More from Kulfan…

Via TSN:

Canadian Press

1/9/2006 6:11:45 PM

CALGARY (CP) – Team Canada captain Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche will wear No. 91 instead of his usual 19 at the Turin Olympics as Hockey Canada honours Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman.

Yzerman, who wears No. 19 in Detroit, withdrew his name from Olympic consideration in early December.

San Jose Sharks centre Joe Thornton also wears No. 19 in the NHL but he’ll go with No. 97 in Turin, Hockey Canada announced Monday in releasing the Olympic team numbers.

From the Detroit Free Press:

Niklas Kronwall, a top-four defenseman, is close to returning — in fact, he plans to be playing before the Olympic break begins Feb. 13, which should enable him to join Team Sweden at the Turin Winter Games.

“Oh, I’ll be playing before then for sure,” Kronwall said Monday. “I have no doubts about that. I hope by the end of the month, or the first week of February, I’ll be playing again.”

Murmurs of Kronwall’s speedy improvement have been coming out of the Wing camp for weeks now. And when the Swedes named him to their Olympic roster, initial reaction to his selection was hesitant, understandably so, from Wing management.

As for Kronwall, he’s been tactful. 

Freep, 4 Jan:

Kronwall said he “absolutely” would need to play for the Wings before considering the Olympics. “I need at least a couple of games just to get into the pace of the game,” he said. Doctors told Kronwall he’d need four to six months’ recovery after undergoing surgery Oct. 10. “Since Christmas, I’ve felt better and better every day,” he said.

It’s a tough call for everyone involved, from Kenny Holland to Kronwall to the Swedes, themselves. 

CBC, Dec 22:

Among the surprise picks was forward Mika Hannula and Red Wings prospect Niklas Kronwall.

Hannula has been one of the best forwards in the Swedish Elite League this season for HV 71, while Kronwall has returned to the ice after undergoing knee surgery in October.

“He is back in training,” Gustafsson said of Kronwall, a 24-year-old defenceman whom Detroit picked 29th overall in 2000. “The question is if he’ll be ready for the Olympics.

“We have done this (selected Kronwall) to avoid eliminating another player from the squad if Kronwall can play. If he can’t play we’ll pick another player.”

Well, it appears he can play. Now it’s a question of if.  Not much has been said by Holland, Babcock or Wing official blow hard Jimmy Devellano.  But you have to know the team is nervous about Kronwall, arguably one of the three players anchoring the team’s future, seeing his first real action on a Turin rink rather than the ice of Joe Louis Arena.

This week, she interviews Jeff and Alanah Downie at Vancouver Canucks Op Ed.  Lots to choose from this week, as Jeff and Alanah–not surprisingly–have a lot to say.  But this portion definitely caught my eye.

Q.8 – Which NHL player annoys you the most and why?

Neither of us are annoyed much by hockey players. Different personalities, even ones you don’t like, are found everywhere, so whatever. We just try to find amusement in their antics. But one non-player that we don’t like much would be Colorado Avalanche GM Pierre Lacroix. Admittedly, he’s got a great eye for talent and team building, but a capacity for sleeze, too. Maybe he’s the nicest guy in person, how would we know? But we’re not fans, and we’ll leave it at that.

Well, alright.  Anyone who uses Pierre LaCroissant and “sleeze” in the same sentence is more than ok in my book.

Here’s more Behind the Blog…

THE DEMISE OF THE DETROIT RED WINGS was greatly exaggerated heading into the season, as the club is still among the NHL’s elite. Hot on their heels in the Central are the Nashville Predators, who may be a top scoring center away from challenging for the Cup. The other two divisions in the West are sans sub-.500 participants, as the Northwest and Pacific divisions are the most competitive in the NHL. Hats off to great first halves in L.A., Dallas, Calgary and Edmonton.

It’s not until you get to the end that they lay a surprise prediction on you.

 VANCOUVER Canucks   
2nd place in Northwest (23-14-5, 51 points)

The Canucks started off the season in fine fashion, but have been in a downward spiral in recent weeks. Goaltending has become an even greater issue in B.C., since the usually inconsistent Dan Cloutier is currently on the sidelines because of a knee problem. In his place, Alex Auld has not proven to be capable of handling the load. Also, the team’s once-dominant first line of Markus Naslund-Brendan Morrison-Todd Bertuzzi has been only a shadow of its former self. In fact, they were outplayed by the second unit (Daniel Sedin-Henrik Sedin-Anson Carter) on most nights in the first half. Big changes could be on the horizon in Vancouver.

Will they make the playoffs? NO.

As it stands right now, Vancouver is sixth in the conference but only 4 behind Calgary for 1st in the NW.  They lead Edmonton by 1.  Yes, that division is fierce.  Yes, they’re goaltending is lukewarm to be kind.

But to claim they won’t make the playoffs is almost Ted Montgomery-like. Their “Who to Watch” section also predicts a Bertuzzi trade to “South Florida.”  Maybe it’s me, but if they trade Bert to Florida, the logical guy in return would be Luongo.  If Vancouver has Luongo, aren’t they considered–even without Bertuzzi–a Cup contender?

More from THN…

Nick Lidstrom, meanwhile, racked up another point last night in the Wing Dallas disaster. He has 40 (+6)on the year and 25 points his last 18 games.

Wade Redden (+21) and Zdeno Chara (+20) have 33 and 25 points respectively.

Lidstrom is averaging 28:30 in ice time, but that has ramped up to an average of 30:00/game the last ten games.

Redden: 24:25/game

Chara: 27:22/game

McCabe: 28:11/game
 

That sweater is like the pinstripes of the New York Yankees – symbols of legendary franchises with a history of championships. The Red Wings are always a tough test for opponents.

“They are a measuring stick,” said Nashville winger Steve Sullivan, who has battled hard against Detroit both with the Blackhawks and Predators. “You look at their hockey club, the Wings have always been a skilled hockey team and they draft well.

“They were good in the old system, when you have players like Datsyuk and Zetterberg, and they pick up players like Robert Lang, and he’s having a great year. So’s Brendan Shanahan. These are world-class players.”

There’s that Yankee reference again…always an irritant.  However, I think Sweetman meant this in a complimentary way. Did Steve Sullivan say Robert Lang’s having a great year? 

More…

Via Red Wing Central:

Tomas Kopecky is an injury or two away from a call-up to the National Hockey League, almost six full years after he was drafted.

The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Slovak has reestablished himself on the Detroit Red Wings prospect charts with a solid season in the American Hockey League. He has 12 goals and 17 assists for 29 points in 38 games for the Grand Rapids Griffins — a pro-rated 62 points over a full season.

Kopecky, 23, is a big forward who is at his best when he plays the body and goes to the net, both of which he has been doing more frequently.

“We’ve talked numerous times that if we get some injuries, we’d like to bring him up,” said Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill.

More from RWC’s pospect watch…

Well, they fought back and you can kiss all those nifty streaks and trends goodbye.

Dave Tippett told the Dallas Morning News that he was strongly considering starting Johan Hedberg, due to Turco’s inconsistency against the Wings.  In the end, he started his 22 Million Dollar Man.  Bad Move, but not a deadly one.

Mike Babcock went against his publicly-described practice of riding the hot goalie and started Chris Osgood because of his success against Dallas.  Bad move?  Only in hindsight. 

Babcock’s gut must have told him one thing (stick with the hot guy) and his head; another (Osgood’s trends against Dallas).  Looks like he went with his head and maybe the result of that mistake is a decision regarding the numer 1 goalie.

On to the notes:

There is just no way to look at the first period and a half and guess the result of this game correctly.  The Wings owned every facet early.  Dallas didn’t have a shot on goal until there were 7 minutes left in the first.  Wings outshot them 10-3 and went to the intermission with a 1-0 lead, Zetterberg’s 19th on a 5-3.

Zetterberg, for the second consecutive game, nearly scored with less than 5 seconds remaining in the first.  Turco tried to clear up the middle.  Hank snared it, made a move and fed Williams in front, but Turco stoned him.

Shanahan, Lang and Datsyuk started the second and immediately pushed the puck quickly to the Dallas end. It took 25 seconds for Datsyuk to find Schneider at the point.  Mathieu could have tossed a frisbee at Turco faster than that wrist shot, but in it went and Turco’s night was almost over.

Just over a minute later and Marty headed to the bench following a Jason Williams PP goal, his 12th.

3-0 Wings and the Joe was all smiles.  Hagman at 2:21 made it 3-1 and the Joe was still happy-so-happy owning the Stars again, a joyous Sunday afternoon in Hockeytown…woops, Lehtinen at 11:21 makes it 3-2.  “Hey,” the fat guy says to his wife in between bites of an eleven dollar Joe dog, “that’s ok.  I like the close ones.” 

Good, because Boucher just scored to make it 3-3 and what the Hell happened?

From the Detroit News…

“We lost our composure and turned pucks over and we didn’t play the way we’re capable of playing,” Babcock said.

Oh. 

“Thank God it’s over. We had everything go our way. We controlled everything. Then we gave up one on a turnover and we never got it settled down. They took the game over.”

I see.

Back to the game and whew..let’s just end that dirty old second period anyway.  Definitely not a keeper.  Outshot 15-8, tied after two. 

Tie game until 6:17 of the third when Lehtinen got his second and the wheels were officially off.  Two more goals in less than three minutes and it’s 6-3 Dallas.  Ozzie’s on the bench leaning over looking like he’s trying to exorcise the entire game. He gave up 6 goals on 23 shots.

“It was a rough game,” Osgood said. “I don’t think we were that bad. We got a lot of bad bounces, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Yep. That’s the way it goes sometimes Chris. 

On November 26th, Osgood let in 6 against San Jose.  Mike Babcock was not thrilled and Jimmy Howard started the next game.

This six-goal groaner may provide Babcock the motivation he needs to do what is necessary.

If Manny Legace is healthy, make him the starter.  Don’t give us the line that if he wants it, he has to earn it.  He has, and it’s getting late. 

I think we’d all like to see Chris Osgood do well.  We all remember the ’98 Cup, his shutout over these Stars to win the West that year, after the disaster from center ice to send it to a game 6.

But, Legace’s better.  He’s playing better. And, more importantly, the Wings play better in front of him.

Back to the game and one final quote from Babcock that I liked a lot.

“In life, sometimes you need reminders and I sure got one tonight,” Babcock said. “We’re real fortunate here, our fans, our players, and myself, we enjoy a lot of winning. Sometimes when you get spanked, it’s good to remember that.”

He’s right.  We’re fortunate and we should all step back and remember that.  We often take for granted what we have, I admit.

I’m pausing to reflect.

I’m done pausing and reflecting.

Start Legace and get ready for Carolina on Tuesday because Nashville’s only 4 back.

TSN Box

On the Wings recap

Detroit News:  Stars bury Wings

Detroit News: Babcock Puzzled

Detroit Free Press: Star Struck

MLive: Babcock Bewildered

Dallas Morning News: Stars rally to rout Wings

CALGARY — Every now and then on a plane or a bus or whenever the mood hits, Darren McCarty of the Calgary Flames will grab a piece of paper and begin jotting things down.

Rest assured the National Hockey League tough guy with the hairy chin and curly hair is not taking names of those opponents he plans to throttle. Instead, he is writing observations, song lyrics, anything he can use in his other job as lead singer for the Detroit-based rock group Grinder.

More from the Globe and Mail…

Mike Babcock has said from day 1 that he is not a two-horse guy, that the idea of rotating goalies is about as pleasant, to him, as it would be to the rest of us.

Going into training camp in September, Babcock said the job was up for grabs and that it was up to Manny Legace and Chris Osgood to decide between the two of them, with their play, who the number 1 would be.

Well, Osgood’s groin played a factor and the next thing you know the Wings are 10-1-1 and Legace’s October’s NHL Player of the Month.

November 1st spelled the end of the honeymoon for Legace though, as Mathew Barnaby and Jiri Fischer crashed through the crease and Legace’s knee buckled. He was out for three weeks, and in came Osgood-who promptly lost two straight. Legace returned to stem the tide, but November 25th saw another setback.

Legace said he was only “15% healthy” when he returned from a knee injury suffered Nov. 1. He made nine saves before leaving the game Nov. 25 against Anaheim and stayed down until last week’s shutout over St. Louis.

“I just wanted to play,” Legace said. “Things were going well. The team was playing well. We were on a roll and I just wanted to get back in there.”

Legace didn’t endear himself to the coaches, when he admitted to the media that he “lied” to get back in earlier, most likely feeling the pressure of losing his job after such an impressive start.

“I lied to the coaching staff and everyone else to play. It was stupid. I should have just tried to wait.”

Legace, speaking after coach Mike Babcock had left following the morning skate, said he returned too soon and added: “It probably hurt the team a little bit, too.”

Well, they’re both healthy now. And, seemingly, both are playing well. Legace shut down Nashville Friday. Osgood backstopped a big win in Dallas December 27th.

That week, Legace’s mouth ran away from him again, telling the press he had decided he’d play New Year’s Eve against Columbus.

“Manny hasn’t broke that news to me. I’m glad he let you guys (media) know first,” Babcock said. “So when he lets me know, then I can talk about it.”

He didn’t play that game, but came back January 5th to shut out the hapless Blues.

And we’re right back to where we were in September.

Mike Babcock has given no indication as to who the starter will be. Today’s Dallas game threw a wrench in the decision-making process as he’ll go with logic, starting Osgood over a team he owns, rather than personal practice of riding a hot goalie–Legace has given up one goal on 47 shots the Wings’ last two games.

Statistically, the two are similar:
Legace is 15-4, while Osgood is 12-4-3. Ozzie detractors will point to the number “3″ and quickly remind you those are overtime losses.

In GAA, Legace’s 2.04 is second in the NHL. Osgood’s 2.81 has dropped steadily his last ten games, over which he’s 7-2-1.

“I’m still having fun. It’s about us winning the (Stanley) Cup, not about how many games I play,” Osgood said December 9th. “I want to play, but, at the same time you can’t mope around and be in a bad mood and bring other guys down. I cheer for Manny and Jimmy when they play. I support the guys and work hard in practice, and I’ll be ready when it’s time to play.”

“We’re the first ones to call each other after a game to say, “Good game,’ ” Legace said. “We’re both in each other’s corner. It’s good to have a guy you enjoy being around.”

Nice comments and a good public face, but the fact remains that Babcock has to make a decision soon. This month is the Wings’ toughest as they play the top teams (minus Ottawa) from the East, 4 more with Nashville, and only two games against teams not currently in the league’s top sixteen.

Babcock remains non-commital.

“All the power to him,” Babcock said. “If you play good, you get to play. If you don’t play good, you don’t get to play. It’s that simple. We’d like him to play good and he’d like to play lots. Well, if you want to play lots, you have to play good.”

He was referring to Osgood December 9th after a convincing Wing performance in Tampa Bay, but it was directed at both. Want the job? Take it.

From the Detroit News:

But it’s uncanny, one of those sports anomalies, how dominant Osgood has been over the Stars in his career.

Osgood will start against Dallas this afternoon, heading into the game with a 24-9-3 lifetime record versus the Stars.

The 24 victories are Osgood’s most over any team. He has already defeated the Stars once this season.

“I’ve always liked playing against them,” said Osgood, who has seen plenty of the Stars with the Red Wings and St. Louis Blues, and less as a member of the New York Islanders.

More from the Detroit News

Dallas coach Dave Tippett is very aware of the fact that Marty Turco hasn’t beaten the Wings in ten career starts. Chuck Carlton of the Dallas Morning News reports that Tippett may start Johan Hedberg. 

And Detroit’s mastery of the Stars – Dallas hasn’t defeated the Red Wings since Jan. 16, 2002 – has Tippett wondering if he can notch his first win without Turco. The coach said he might start Johan Hedberg in goal.

“I don’t know who’s going to play,” said Tippett, who said he would discuss it with his coaches and announce the starter today. “Hedberg’s played well, and we have to figure out how well we think Marty’s going to play. It’s who gives you the best chance to win.”

Perhaps aside from Detroit’s convincing win Friday nite in Nashville, their performance in a 4-1 win December 27th in Dallas may have been their best of the year.  Stars coach Dave Tippett said it will take a perfect effort from Dallas to win today in JLA.

“If one thing is missing, it’s tough to beat them,” Tippett said. “It’s a good challenge for us. It’s another barometer game. They’re the best team in the conference, and we’ll see where we are.”

More from Carlton

“Everybody in this room and in this organization (knows) you get your grade at the end,” Babcock said. “Here, it’s pretty clear what it is just by what you’ve done (in the playoffs).”

More from Mlive…

HDIC, originally uploaded by iwocpo.

It’s Hockey Day in Canada. Coverage started at 1pm EST with reports from all over the country. The day on CBC (and on Direct TV, Channel 765) looks like this:

12 p.m. ET / 9 a.m. PT
Hockey Day in Canada: Live from Stephenville, NL

12:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 a.m. PT
Live chat: Don Cherry

2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT
Ottawa @ Montreal

3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT
Live chat: Kelly Hrudey

5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT
Hockey Day in Canada: Live from Stephenville, NL

6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT
Saturday Night

7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Toronto @ Edmonton HD

10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
Calgary @ Vancouver

1 a.m. ET / 10 p.m. PT
After Hours

There is nothing that compares to this in the United States, at least not anything on an annual basis. The entire nation devotes a day to hockey, and CBC does a great job exploring the impact the sport has had on the every day life of the average Canadian.

Following a week where it was easy to point a judgmental finger in their direction, this event is something we as hockey fans should all celebrate.

No major sport in the world has the character and class of athlete hockey does. If there’s any question where those values come from, HDIC answers it for you.

They’ll be having reports from all over Canada in between periods of the three games today and between the games, themselves. It’s unfortunate that the only Americans who will watch it are those of us who have already claimed the sport as our favorite.

For more on Hockey Day in Canada…

He signed a four-year extension yesterday morning, then got yanked last night.

From Slam:

Dallas rallied from a three-goal deficit to force overtime, then Antti Miettinen scored in the fourth round of the shootout to send the Stars to a 4-3 victory over the Anaheim Mighty Ducks on Friday night. Turco, who on Thursday signed a four-year, $22.8 million US contract extension through the 2009-10 season, gave up three goals on Anaheim’s first six shots and was lifted before the second period.

Mark at Andrews Stars Page has a good take on Turco’s extension:

Whether people like or it not, the Stars have basically dubbed Turco their most important player. That’s because he is. A lot of what the Stars do is built around Turco’s play, especially his ability to handle and move the puck.  Right now, I say this is a great move by Armstrong and Tom Hicks. We’ll all have to wait out and see how it plays out, but right here and right now, it was the right move to make.

The Wings host Turco and the Stars Sunday at 1700 (5pm).

More from Andrew’s…

Not so quietly, Nicklas Lidstrom is putting the heat on the Toronto media’s Norris poster boy, Bryan McCabe.

Lidstrom is on fire, with 20 points his last 15 games (7g, 13a). 

McCabe’s best 15 game stretch has been 18 points (7g, 11a).

McCabe continues to play consistently, and very well.  But as Lidstrom’s offense has picked up, his defensive responsiblities have increased with the Fischer situation.  As usual, Nick has thrived with an excess of 30 minutes per game.

USA Today has an interesting feature where they use a formula to rank the NHL’s best clutch players.  It’s based on numbers of go-ahead goals, tying goals and bonuses awarded to goals scored at other pivotal game moments.  Lidstrom is ranked 15th in the league.  McCabe is nowhere to be found.

Dec 25th, Mlive:

“I always knew he was good, I had no idea he was this good,” Babcock said Friday following his team’s 3-2 overtime victory in Chicago. “I’ve coached some real good players, he’s the best player I ever coached.”

Babcock echoed that last night on the Wings post-game show when he said that Lidstrom is simply on another level than the rest of the NHL’s defensemen.

McCabe’s coach, Pat Quinn, has been answering a few questions, himself; primarily about whether the Leaf blueliner belongs in Turin, even on the taxi squad.

From the  Calgary Sun:

Despite McCabe’s hectic point pace, which has him projected to rack up nearly 100 in total by the end of the season, some skeptics seem to believe the 30-year-old blueliner was added only because his NHL coach, Pat Quinn, will also be behind the bench in Italy.

More from the Calgary Sun

Mike Babcock:

“It’s good points for us and it’s on the road and we played (Thursday) night,” Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock said. “Nashville’s got a real good hockey club and we know that the battle in our division is with Nashville. I thought this was a good road win for us, I thought we played well, I thought we attacked the net pretty good.”

Manny Legace:

“It’s a huge, huge win for us,” Legace said. “Every time we play these guys, it’s a four-point game. We weathered their storm early, steamrolled the rest of the way through.”

Steve Yzerman:

“No, it changes as soon as the puck drops the next time we play them,” he said. “We’re obviously pleased to get the win, we’re so close in the standings. But we play seven more times, and I expect it just to go back and forth. They’re a very good team. That was a really good game. Don’t read any more into it than that.”

Vernon Fiddler:

“If we want to beat them, I know one thing for sure and it’s that we have to stay out of the box,” Predators center Vern Fiddler said. “They’ve got the No. 1 power play for a reason. There’s a lot of elite guys that make that power play go.”

I still believe he is the Wings’ MVP so far, but Nick Lidstrom is gaining.  The two Swedes are sharing the load.

They’re carrying the Wings as Lidstrom scored twice last night and Hank, despite being held scoreless for only the third time this year, was a dynamic, tenacious force in the Predator end all night.

The performance you saw last night by this team is one that can win a Cup.  It was inspired, tough, opportunistic hockey; the kind that wins playoff series’.

Mike Babcock must be having a blast coaching this team.  Last night he threw Draper, Lang and an energized Steve Yzerman out there to start the game.

Franzen was scratched with an “upper body” injury as a result of a big check from Eric Brewer Thursday night. Mark Mowers took his place.

Wings came out fast, as they had to.  The Barbecue Pit was jumping and the Preds, while no longer the team that averages an age of 14, completely feed off that crowd’s energy. 

Conversely, we all know the troubles Detroit’s had in the first period lately, so it was vital that the Wings match that tenacity from the start. 

They did. 

They established the forecheck well before Nashville did and had three great scoring chances in the first. Datsyuk hit a post, Mowers with a breakaway and Zetterberg nearly scored to end the period close in but Vokoun made a nice save.

Vernon Fiddler, yes that Vernon Fiddler, scored the Preds only goal on the PP with Lilja in the box.  This goal was the only disappointing moment for the Wings all night as he and Hartnell were alone and, I believe, discussing Star Jones’ later appearance on 20/20 in front of Legace when Fiddler tapped a rebound past Manny.  Chelios and Lidstrom were near them but decided no forms of violence were necessary to keep the crease clear.

Wings looked great from that point forward.  They didn’t dominate the second, but clearly had the edge.  Mark Mowers played a great game last night.  He nearly scored on the breakaway in the first.

But, more importantly, he seemed to understand his role very well.  Numerous times he crossed into the Nashville end, looked briefly for a chance then moved the puck to the corner where he and Cleary established the forecheck. 

Steve Yzerman had his best game of the year.  More than 13 minutes of ice time and a crisp pass to Lidstrom on the Wings’ third goal.  If this is the Yzerman we have in the playoffs, we are in good shape.  That assist tied him with Gordie Howe for 7th on the NHL all time list with 1,049.

The Jason Williams power play experiment should stop.  He played great 5-5 last night, but if his blast of a slap shot is the only reason Babcock gives him so much time with the advantage, then he needs to be in a position to shoot more.  It seems that every time Williams tries to enter the zone, the puck ends up headed the other way.  When Kronwall comes back it will be interesting to see if he eventually moves to the point on the PP.

When Chelios was called for an early interference penalty, he went to the box for the first time in six games.  Yes, he had early trouble adapting to the “new” rules.  But look at this:

• 1st 5 games:   16 PIM
• last 20 games: 12 PIM

I’d say he’s adapting ok.

Manny Legace was fantastic with 29 saves, several very difficult.  His glove save in the first set the tone for a good night and he maintained it.  Nothing he could do on the only Nashville goal as he was hung out to dry by Chelios and Lidstrom.

Game 1 of 8 and the Wings are in good shape, up by 6 points.  Unfortunately, Nashville has a relative cakewalk of month–the exception being one game with Carolina, and two more with Detroit.

Center Ice featured the Preds broadcast with Pete Weber and Terry Crisp.  They are hokey, irritating and Weber seems to know about as much hockey as a Navy Ensign knows about leadership.  But, it dawned on me last night that they’re a perfect fit for the Nashville audience–and no, that’s not an insult. For a community just getting to know hockey, it’s effective to have a couple affable old guys laughing at themselves, displaying a little homerism and not talking above the heads of a fan base that is growing more passionate.

ESPN Box 

On the Wings Game Recap

Detroit Free Press Game Recap

Mlive Game Recap

Daily Tennessean Game Recap

Daily Tennessean: two horse race

Daily Tennessean: Preds still catching up to Detroit

Detroit Free Press: Wings Corner

-The Edmonton Journal suspects that the Detroit Red Wings may be prepared to deal C Robert Lang and his $3.8-million contract.

Iwo: Interesting.  We’ve made passing reference to Lang a few times here the last few days, but this is the first I’ve seen a media outlet openly suggest it. 

If Kenny Holland is considering trading Lang, it would be a stray from the norm for the organization and one of the most compelling examples of the salary-cap-era NHL. 

And if the Wings GM is considering it, he must be torn because it’s clear that you never know which Robert Lang you’re going to get: the Lang who can carry a team, or the Lang who seems to nonchalant his way through a game. 

In most cases, I’d think the very fact that you don’t know what he’ll offer from night to night is justifiable reason to move him.  But, Holland and Babcock–if this idea has even come up–would probably hate to look back at a playoff exit that featured offensive ineptitude and wonder what could have been in they hadn’t dealt Lang.

Lang, by the way, has 8 points in 9 career games against Nashville.  5g, 3a. 

In 63 career playoff games, Lang has 31 points.

• The pressure the Nashville forecheckers put on our defensemen.  Lidstrom, Chelios and Schneider don’t worry me.  Wooley, Lilja and Lebda do.
• Paul Kariya and Chris Chelios are not playground buddies.  They don’t drink together and they simply do not like one another. From the 2003 playoffs:

Kariya: “I’m going through the neutral zone and I’ve got a guy tugging me through the whole way, if I don’t go down, I’m not going to get a call.” Chelios, in response: “Guys like him ruin it for everybody else. It’s just embarrassing. Or maybe he’s not embarrassed because he probably believes he’s not doing it-that’s how liars are.”

• In case Chelly has forgotten how much he dislikes Kariya, perhaps he and the rest of the Wings should read this.
• Speaking of dislike, I have a feeling that over the course of these 8 games Tomas Vokoun and Tomas Holmstrom will get to know each other very well.  And in the event, Homer or the rest of the Wings had forgotten about him, let me refresh you.  From Hockey Digest, 2004:

Of course, it wasn’t just his play that got Vokoun noticed against Detroit. Known for his mild manner, Vokoun was unusually vocal toward the Red Wings, so much so that several Detroit players complained about what they called “trash talk.”

What was it that infuriated the Red Wings? Maybe the fact that he called them an “arrogant team,” and accused them of whining about penalties. Detroit coach Dave Lewis used Vokoun’s quotes to motivate his team, hanging them on the locker room wall.

• The first ten minutes.  In their arena, the Preds will come out flying.  Hopefully the Wings have shaken off the problems of the last two weeks and can stem the tide.
• Shanny’s scoring slump is now at 5 games.  He and Robert Lang must contribute. In Shanny’s case, if his back allows it, the Wings need someone who won’t shy away from hits.  In that regard, the checking lines must be ferocious tonite.   

That title now belongs to Nashville. 

Essentially, an eight-game playoff series for the division starts tonite.  Not only that, it’s a series that will most likely decide the 1 and 4 seeds in the West because whoever wins our pansy division is going to take the top seed. 

The Northwest and Pacific divisions are so tight top to bottom that no team is going to pull away and challenge Detroit or Nashville in points.

From this morning’s Detroit News:

Everyone realizes the importance of these games in the tight divisional race as well as the Western Conference.

“We have an eight-game playoff series,” coach Mike Babcock said. “We’re excited about it. They have a real good team. Let’s get there and get going.”

Two points separate Detroit and Nashville, with the Wings having played one more game…a tighter number than the four or five that seemed to be the Preds’ rallying cry up to this point.  In fact, if Nashville hadn’t pulled a mini-choke job the last ten days–losing 3 of their previous 5, they’d probably be at least tied.

Statistically, the Wings hold the upper hand in most categories.  They lead the Preds, but only slightly, in PP, PK, GAA.  Later today, we’ll look deeper into the stats.

But, it’s a little deeper than the numbers.  Predator players feel their team is ready to take over the division, and keep it.

From the Daily Tennessean:

“Why not?” said Predators defenseman Mark Eaton, asked if he thought his team had a chance of knocking the Red Wings off their perch this season.

“We’re almost halfway through the season now, we’ve played a lot of the same teams they have and we’re not too far behind them. Maybe it’s time for a change on top of the division.”

Maybe it is, Mark.  Perhaps it’s not.  We’ll see tonite.

Who starts tonite for the Wings?  Well, apparently no words from Babcock last night.  I can’t believe the question wasn’t asked. Yes I can.  I firmly believe the question was NOT asked.  Pathetic.

Daily Tennessean: Wings still Kings

MLive: Wings/Preds preview

Detroit Free Press: Preds loom large

Detroit News: Road to title

Hopefully, once new ownership is in place the team will regain its luster and watching a butt kicking like last night’s will be a bit more enjoyable. On to the notes:

• Watching on FSN, via Center Ice, it appeared to me that the Joe looked packed at the start, which I attributed to the return of Yzerman or the goalie conspiracy theorists.  Naturally, a shot of the lower bowl later in the game showed more than a few empty seats.  I’m sure no one else is irritated by the companies who buy the tickets and let them go unused, so I won’t even mention it.  Suggesting that there are plenty of kids in Michigan who would love an opportunity to see Pavel Datsyuk at ice level, kids who could benefit from a little corporate generosity, is probably a waste of time so I won’t even discuss it here.
• Six weeks since Legace started.  9 weeks since Datsyuk scored at home–unbelievable stat.  His +/- at home and away is dramatically different as well. More thoughts on that in a minute.
• Despite reports of back spasms, Brendan Shanahan played 14 minutes and had some jump at the start.
• Was there a difference? Hard to tell but it seemed the Wings were determined not to fall into the early malaise that has struck them the last four games. They came out fast, with pressure on the first shift and outshot SL 12-5.
• Datsyuk scored on the PP and then Draper shorthanded on a great pass from Chelios.  Ok, ok…I apologize for making fun of the locker shift story yesterday.  Obviously, I underestimated the logistical import of such a daring tactical maneuver.  I now recommend the Wings clubhouse staff move the players’ gear randomly late every evening so no one knows where the hell they’ll be dressing until they get to the rink every day. 
• Datsyuk’s first goal at JLA since October 21st (deflection off Salvador).  That odd stat, IMO, has to give at least a little credence to the crutch we’ve heard the last five years, that the Wings try to be too cute at home. If anyone’s a culprit of that, it would be Pavel.  Shoot the puck and weird, wacky, happy puppy like things happen.
• Dan Cleary looked good last night.  One particular play featured a rush up ice, avoiding two separate Blues along the boards and feeding Yzerman in front, who one-timed a soft pass to Homer.  Great save by Sanford, but encouraging play from Cleary and the captain.
• Jason Williams looked a little more comfortable on the point last night, and assisted on Datsyuk’s goal.
• Wings coasted after the first.  Blues looked tired and, frankly, disinterested after going down by 2. 
• So, Manny Legace gets a shutout his first game back.  Congrats.  I honestly can’t remember more than one legitimate scoring chance for St. Louis, but let’s not downplay the fact that the team played very well in front of him.  And that may be a determining factor when Babcock decides who the Number 1 will be.  The Wings were very responsible defensively last night, similar to Howard’s first start.  In Detroit, success as a goalie hinges on the team’s performance–since it’s official now that it is strictly illegal for a Wing goalie to steal a game.
• Zetterberg’s goal in the 3rd, his 18th, was a little flukey but wouldn’t have happened had he not followed his shot and crashed the net.
• Did I see Robert Lang almost get into a catfight last night?  I must have dreamt it.  If it really happened, let me know.
• Good win for the Wings and nice to see they could focus on this one with the beginning of the Nashville series starting tonite.
• Finally, anyone but me feel the win just wasn’t as fun to watch without seeing Mark Mowers in there? 

On the Wings game report

St. Louis Post Dispatch game report

Detroit News Game Report

Detroit Free Press Game Report

AP Game Report

NHL.com Superstats

“I can handle it,” Shanahan said after practice at the team’s Joe Louis Arena the other day. “I expected it … that a few players might make it personal with me.”Shanahan was referring to the NHL’s new rulebook. It was, after all, his instigation that led to the league reevaluating a game that even professional players described as “chess matches” – low-scoring affairs in which the most talented players were mugged on their way to the net.

Iwo: As we’ve said here before Shanahan deserves all the accolades he has received.  He could have spent the lockout as a recluse, or worse; whining and earning the NHLPA scorn from all corners.  Instead, he chose to “be part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.”

More from the Christian Science Monitor

Here’s what he had to say about the Wings Kenny Holland has to decide what to do with when this season ends:

DETROIT: Another Western Conference club that doesn’t have many RFA players to focus on, the sole expection being Jason Williams, and Ken Holland won’t face any problems re-signing him as he did Datsyuk and Zetterberg last summer.

The UFAs, however, are another matter. Brendan Shanahan is having a resurgence and will likely want to stay in Motown, but is Chris Chelios worth bringing back another season? Will Steve Yzerman retire? Most importantly, will Niklas Lidstrom stay or will he depart for good to Sweden? It’s shaping up to be an interesting off-season for the Wings.

Iwo:  Williams, as Spector said, will be back for sure.  I think we all realize we’re seeing the Captain’s last season; and it’s hard to imagine Chelios playing another year.  But, with him…who knows.  Holland may push to re-sign Shanahan for the right price. If he continues at his current pace–4 game goal-less skid not withstanding–he’s going to finish with approximately 40 goals.  Also consider that, and this is my opinion, Shanahan is a leader second only to Yzerman in that room.  Holland may want to bring him back, if it means Shanny will take a pay cut to make room for some UFA’s.  I think Lidstrom will be back also, but he’ll have to take a cut and the allure of Sweden for more money may finally draw him home.

More from Spectors

Every game day, their beat writer posts on the fan forum with random notes from that day’s morning skate.

The Blues will put defenseman Matt Walker on the IR later today.

He sprained a knee in last night’s 4-3 loss to Nashville. I don’t know yet how it happened, but word is that he collided with a player. Walker put on a brace during the game and finished the game, but the knee was really stiff this morning.

Walker will be out a minimum of seven days, meaning he’ll miss tonight’s game and Monday against Colorado. He would be eligible to rejoin the team in Florida Jan. 12.

What that means tonight is that Steve Poapst is in the lineup and possibly Kevin Dallman, too.

More morning skate notes from the SLPD

In case you’re curious, the Detroit News offers a weblog from their Wings beat writer Ted Kulfan.  Just glancing at it today, it looks like it’s updated–on average–about twice per week.

The Detroit Free Press hasn’t seen fit to incorporate a web log into their coverage. 

MLive, the central website for scores of newspapers in the state, has weblogs for the Lions, Pistons, NASCAR, UM, MSU, the Tigers, video game addicts, housewives and personal hygiene…but none for the Wings.

Just in case you were wondering. 

]]> http://iwocpo.wordpress.com/2006/01/05/now-heres-an-idea/feed/ 2 iwocpo http://iwocpo.wordpress.com/2006/01/05/fan-post-of-the-day/ http://iwocpo.wordpress.com/2006/01/05/fan-post-of-the-day/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2006 21:03:03 +0000 iwocpo http://iwocpo.wordpress.com/2006/01/05/fan-post-of-the-day/ ]]> Navigate above or click here to see the A2Y Fan Post of the Day.  In case you haven’t seen it yet, we take the best from Wings message boards and post an opinion per day up there.  MLive’s Arithanos gets the honors today.

Both the Acid Queen and Casonblog take Canadian hockey fans to task for the boorish behavior at the World Junior Tournament.

They are absolutely right. There is no excuse for it. I’ve expressed concern in the past about xenophobia in the Canadian hockey culture, but this latest display of anti-Americanism was embarassing. One of the most endearing Canadian characteristics – our politeness, our civility – seems to go out the window at the hockey rink. Canadians booing a bunch of kids for no reason other than where they were born? That isn’t just unCanadian, it’s unhockey, and it’s anti-sport.

I’d rather be a good loser than a poor winner, and as far as hockey is concerned we’re the lousiest winners on the planet. Canadian hockey players always do us proud, and they deserve better from the fans who cheer for them.

Apologies to our American friends.

Iwo: despite what’s transpired in Vancouver this week, Canadian fans in general are amazing in their knowledge of the game, their fervor for their sport and their stewardship of hockey. 

• Points in the bank.  Every missed opportunity is going to hurt as the Wings and Preds go neck and neck for the division and possibly the number 1 seed.
• These frigging slow starts.  Hopefully, they charge out of the room tonite and start a new trend, regain some good habits.  The quotes from the players this  morning were not exactly encouraging, however.  If they don’t understand the problem, it can’t be easy to fix.  From the Freep:

“I can’t answer that, because I don’t remember what we did differently,” Henrik Zetterberg said.

“Tough to say,” Nicklas Lidstrom said. “It’s tough to pinpoint what’s different, really.”

Well, Nick…getting beat in the corners to every puck the first ten minutes of every game may be an indication.  Getting some presence in front of the net may help too.

• Health.  Rest Shanahan.  If his back’s hurting him, sit him and don’t take any chances. 
• And, of course, the situation.  Both are healthy. The competition for the number 1 job would seem to be starting tonite.  If Legace, despite what hockey savant Art Regner says, stands on his head tonite, I’m thinking he may get the start tomorrow.  If he lets in three, we’ll probably see Osgood.

Oh, and here’s my wife’s reaction to these back to back games.  “Games tonite AND tomorrow?  Oh….lucky me.”

While Lamoriello was washing his hands of Mogilny, he continued his search for Robinson’s successor. Former Detroit Red Wings coach Dave Lewis may emerge as the leading candidate now that he is back from serving as an assistant for Canada in the Spengler Cup in Switzerland, which concluded Saturday.

Iwo:  We know Lewis can coach.  Despite his playoff failures, he was a student of Bowman’s and probably would still have his job if had been working anywhere but Detroit.  Is he the right fit for NJ?

• Nik Lidstrom has 267 minutes of power play ice time.  Datsyuk is second with 187.  Jason Williams has nearly 20 more minutes than Robert Lang.

• Despite having been a mainstay on the PK for the last few years, Brendan Shanahan has only 8 shorthanded minutes this year.

• Tomas Holmstrom is +9 at home and -2 on the road.  Pavel Datsyuk is +8 on the road and even at home.

The Detroit Red Wings move back into the top spot after going 7-2-1 in their last 11 games, the Kings and Flyers are winning big games despite injury issues and the Thrashers are on a roll. Atlanta is knocking on the playoff door in the Eastern Conference and jump to No. 16.

ESPN Power Rankings

From Mlive:

(Defenseman Niklas) Kronwall participated in nearly a full practice on Wednesday, fueling more optimism that he’ll be able to return later this month after ACL surgery on Oct. 10.

“He didn’t participate in any battling drills in the end, but he’s looking great out there, the way he’s skating and handling the puck,” Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said.

Iwo:  various news reports this week have stated Kronwall understands his first priority is to get healthy enough to play for the Wings, not necessarily the Swedish Olympic team.

The Detroit Red Wings expect to get their starting goaltender back just in time to face a team he usually defeats.

They’re referring, of course, to Manny Legace’s return to the net this evening.  Starting goaltender, eh?  Well, tonite’s starter anyway.

Mike Babcock, apparently, is not swayed by the AP.

From today’s Detroit News:

Legace hasn’t played since spraining his left knee Nov. 25. Chris Osgoodhas been the primary starter since.

Of Legace playing, Babcock said: “It’s time. But it’s up to him. I’m asked every day which goalie is going to play.

“Coaches don’t make that decision. Those guys (the goalies) make the decisions (with their play).”

Just for fun, because the editorial staff here at Abel to Yzerman loves nothing more than a goalie controversy, let’s look ahead to 2200 (10pm) tonite and assume the Wings are coming off a victory that featured a strong performance from their “starting” goaltender.  What then?  Who starts against Nashville tomorrow? 

Statistically, they’re practically identical.  Both have started 19. Manny’s won 13, Osgood 12.  Manny’s GAA is better: 2.21 to 2.81.  He has the advantage on save percentage, as well: .914 to .895.

Overall, the Wings have looked better with Legace in net.  Of course, that was in October when my neighbor Rick, who has no experience in goal, would have looked good against that schedule.

As we stated earlier this week, this month is of supreme importance to the Wings.  It’s a brutal schedule.  Maybe Osgood and Legace share duties this month against the league’s best competition, and they go from there.

At some point, someone has to claim that job.  Sooner or later, Babcock has to start thinking playoffs and get one goalie ready for the postseason run.  Heck, Kenny Holland may have more to say about that than anyone if he decides to swing a deal.  Is that likely?  I don’t think so.  Like it or not, one of our two current goalies is going to have to step forward.  Soon.

Ok.  If train ‘A’ leaves Nashville heading north at 85 miles per hour, and train ‘B’ leaves Detroit heading south at 90 miles an hour and a distance of 604 miles between each starting point, how long before these trains collide in the middle?  Well, apparently it would take 3 months and 39 games for an actual contest between these two speeding powerhouses.

Yep.  All those games in hand are gone, so let’s go ahead and put that panic topic to rest.  Heading into tonite’s game with St. Louis games played are equal and two points separate the Wings and Predators.

Because I’m superstitious,  I’m going to hold off on discussing Friday’s matchup in Nashville until after tonite’s game.

In fact, I’m so superstitious that I’ve decided to move my locker from the bedroom to the closet….nah, not really.  But, Drapes, if it works brother, go for it. 

According to the Detroit Free Press, Yzerman felt ready enough to play Tuesday against Minnesota.

Yzerman nearly played in Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to Minnesota, but two things changed that prospect. One, Brendan Shanahan decided his back spasms weren’t so bad he couldn’t play; and, two, the coaching staff urged Yzerman to wait one more game so he could be “over-ready.”

Oh yeah, and Shanny’s got this back thing going on.  Naturally, none of our pesty, curious beat writers thought to mention, (or even ask perhaps?) that Shanahan’s back spasms may be the reason he hasn’t scored in four games, or been nearly the presence around the net he had been this season.

Ohhhhh….I see.  Kulfan, St. James and Kahn were on to a much bigger story than Shanny’s back.  You see…the Wings shifted lockers yesterday.  Apparently, Kris Draper felt attempts to break out of his slump needed to be taken to the next level.  The Detroit News’ coverage of this riveting episode:

Draper moved back to his old locker, which was occupied by Robert Lang, and moved out of what had been Brett Hull‘sold locker.

Kirk Maltbyalso wanted to switch, and Draper said it was Maltby who originally brought up the idea.

“Then we got everything put in motion,” Draper said.

“It was a big shuffle and we have to give Frosty (assistant equipment manager Chris Scoppetto) all the credit.

“He did a great job rearranging everything.”

Scoppetto completed moving everyone into their new lockers during Wednesday’s practice.

In the end, Draper, Maltby, Lang, Dan Cleary, Pavel Datsyukand Jason Williamswere all involved in the musical locker switch.

“Hullie’s locker had a lot of goals in it,” said Draper, but the magic hadn’t rubbed off on Draper, who has two goals this season. “Maybe this will work.”

We’ll have more locker-shift coverage here on A2Y as that late breaker develops.

• Carolina
• LA
• Nashville
• NYR

He gives the Wings a B, along with Ottawa (?). 

Detroit: Always among the best of students, Detroit was expected to struggle slightly with the new course load. Instead, the veteran Red Wings have flourished, sitting atop the Western Conference. Veterans Brendan Shanahan and Chris Chelios have enjoyed an unexpected renaissance to help guide the club through the early workload.

Iwo:  second semester for Detroit starts Friday in Nashville.

update 8:22pm, WXYT radio in Detroit just played an interview Yzerman did after practice today.  Steve says he has made significant progress in the last week.  He said he took the pre-game skate on Tuesday and was ready to play that night if Shanahan was not able to go (anothe fine example of the Detroit media failing to find out what is wrong with Brendan).

Iwo: A quick browse of the major Michigan media outlets and nothing mentioned regarding Shanahan.  The coverage the Detroit Red Wings receive in their own state is a disgrace.  The most successful franchise–college or pro– the state has seen in fifty years, and the Wings are relegated to NASCAR-like coverage in their hometown papers.

Go to the Detroit Free Press right now (at 12:40am EST) and you’ll see this:

Breaking sports

Michigan’s athletic program ranks third on list of moneymakers

That’s “breaking sports”?

No mention of Steve Yzerman possibly returning, rather than retiring as both the Freep and News suggested he do.  No mention of Brendan Shanahan’s injury in this morning’s papers or on any outlets. 

Unlike Fox’s attempt to expand the hockey universe via the blazing blue puck, word is NBC will go with a more conventional — but interesting — goalie cam. Provided goaltenders agree, they will have their helmets fitted with small cameras, which should provide some dynamic shots

More from DuPont…

Yzerman plans on playing tomorrow night against St. Louis.  Steve has been out almost a month but now feels ready to go.

Iwo: As usual, Kukla’s has it before the “mainstream” media.

The Wings are a Stanley Cup contender. Their record will be inflated because they play in the NHL’s weakest division, but they are well-managed and well-rounded. Detroit has 12 games left against Chicago, Columbus and St. Louis combined. It will be able to control its veterans’ minutes and get a home-ice playoff spot at either No. 1 or No. 4. In my mind, the Wings have the best No. 1 power-play unit in the NHL, and that will go a long way in the playoffs. They will miss Jiri Fischer and need to fill that void on the blue line. The question is in net. Are Manny Legace and Chris Osgood good enough and durable enough for a two-month playoff tournament?

 

Verdict: Get some big, inexpensive, stay-home depth on the blue line (Hal Gill? Sean Hill? Lil’ Kim?) And some forward energy depth.

Iwo:  John forgot to throw Brendan Witt’s name in there.  I’ve liked Sean Hill for a while, too; he’d be a worthwhile pick up.  As for his other points:

• Yes, the power play looks good.  However, in the years we’ve all been disappointed the PP looked good going in to the playoffs, too.  I firmly believe the Wings’ success this year will hinge on whether Datsyuk and Zetterberg come to play; if they’re mentally prepared for the playoff grind.
• Are the goalies durable/good enough?  I don’t think that subject has been discussed enough in Detroit yet.  Let me think on it and get back to you.
• Forward energy depth.  I’m hoping NJ continues to falter.  Ken Holland?  Langenbrunner, please.

More from Buccigross…

You want to be mad at Jack Johnson, fine. I understand completely, and I’m not all that happy with his little stunt either.

But come on, folks. There’s no need to bring signs saying “U SUCK USA”, chanting “USA SUCKS”, “GO AWAY USA” and basically treating the visitors from south of 49 like crap. There’s no excuse for it. If the fans in Grand Forks had treated the Canadians that way last year, I know damn good and well that all y’all would have been up in arms over it and screaming and crying about the “classless American fans” and calling for another burning of the White House (don’t think we’ve forgotten about 1812).

Iwo: Personally, I’ve always taken great pride in the fact that hockey fans are a few notches above our counterparts in the other major sports. I still believe that, but the behavior in Vancouver and Atlanta this week is dragging our fan base into the muck with the other sports.

I think we can all assume that the anger heading south from Canada has little to do with hockey and a lot more to do with politics on a much larger scale.

More from Acid Queen….

Holland On The Wings

Holland was on Leafs Lunch today and mentioned at the very latest Kronwall will be playing with the Wings on February 28th.  But he could actually start playing early February if he feels ok.  Wings Dr. would have to give him clearance to play for Sweden in the Olympics
Holland was asked about Fischer, says he is doing ok, meeting with doctors and just trying to lead a normal life.  Right now, playing hockey is not a priority, getting his life back is.  If hockey is in his future later on, than fine, but he should concentrate on getting his health back first.

Iwo:  Like Yzerman, I’d prefer to see Kronwall come back at a cautious pace and be ready for the playoffs.  Unlike Yzerman, I think he needs at least 30 games to get used to the pace again.  No matter how much we all like this kid and are excited about his future as a Wing, the fact still remains that he has only 20 NHL games under his belt.

Detroit at Nashville, Friday: So much for anyone who thought the Predators might fade away. When play began this week, the Predators trailed the Red Wings by four points, with a game in hand, for top spot in the Central Division. The Predators’ 51 points ranked third in the West (Los Angeles began the week with 52, but had played four more games than Nashville) and they began the week with the best home record in the conference (16-3). Just to add some drama to Friday’s tilt, the Wings began the week with the best road record in the league (13-4-2).

Iwo: Big, big game for both teams. Interesting that Nashville plays St. Louis tonite. We get the Blues tomorrow night.  In a worst-case scenario (if Nash wins tonite and we lose to the Blues tomorrow and to the Preds Friday) is a tie atop the Central. Best-case (if Nash loses their 4th straight tonite–unlikely–then the Wings win tomorrow and Friday) is a comfortable 8 point lead for the Wings.
 

Chuck Carlton, of the Dallas Morning News, addressed that topic this morning in a Q and A with readers:

Q: I heard that the Detroit Red Wings may target Marty Turco as an unrestricted free agent this summer. Do you think there’s any truth to that report?

CARLTON: The speculation surfaced in a column in Turco’s hometown of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. So far, it’s circumstantial. The Red Wings need a big-time goaltender, something they probably don’t have with Chris Osgood and Manny Legace. Turco will be on the market. Red Wings general manager Ken Holland is one of the shrewdest executives when it comes to targeting free agents, and as a former goalie, has a special insight into the position. Because Turco played at the University of Michigan, about 45 minutes west of Detroit, he might have an affinity for the Motor City. But that leaves out the case for the Stars. Turco has been a member of the organization since 1994. Next to Mike Modano and maybe Brenden Morrow, he might be the most popular Star. General manager Doug Armstrong isn’t one to let a long-term asset just walk away. So don’t fit Turco for the Winged Wheel just yet.

 

Nashville got shut out by little Davie Aebischer and the ‘Dique last night so we remain 4 up heading toward Friday’s game at the Predators–with a warm-up against St. Louis on Thursday.

Observations from last night:

• Did that doorknob just say Joe “Leweee”?  What?  I didn’t know the names of the guys OLN stuck us with last night and I’m not looking them up now.  But, man, we got the JV last night.
• Of the three goals Ozzie gave up (fourth was EN), I’d say two were stoppable.  Babcock announced immediately after the game that Legace was starting Thursday.  Put the kids to bed because it’s gonna get ugly.  The battle for number 1 that should have taken place back in September when both were healthy is about to happen now, in January, when the Wings are in a fight for their division.  That’s just plain skippy.  Have I said how much I frigging hate goalie controversies?
• Nice job letting the blood pool on your cheek long enough for the ref to change his call from 2 to 4 minutes, Shanny.  Now it’s time to score.  4 games and counting.  Mini-slump.
• Great pass from Williams to find Shanahan alone in the third but Roloson (AKA Kipper, AKA Giguere) was huge last night.  So, good job on that Jason.  Now get the Hell off the point on the power play.  His slap shot is not enough to warrant that job in those situations.  I’d rather see Lebda there, who can rush the puck better, make better decisions under duress, and won’t cough it up as much.
• Great game from Homer, obviously.  In a lot of ways, last night looked like a playoff game to me.  Tough sledding through the neutral zone, lots of battles in front, plenty of shots on goal.  96 was right at home. 
• Roloson:  the guy was a stud last night.  We got stymied by a goalie standing on his head.  Another reason why that game looked like the playoffs.  Hard to fault a Wing effort that features 45 on net, plenty of them prime scoring opportunities.
• Wings start slow again.  3rd time in four games they’ve had to fight back from an early deficit.
• Babcock pulled Ozzie down by 1 with 1:35 left, a faceoff in the Wild end.  I admit, I remember thinking it seemed early.  But, hey…as we said yesterday, the coach has pushed a lot of the right buttons so far.  Some decisions may backfire.  That one seemed to. Move on.
• I’m really holding back on Robert Lang.  I mean, my hands are poised over the keyboard and I’m ready to go, but I keep getting this nagging feeling that I’m missing something.  Maybe it’s me.  Maybe I just don’t understand the game well enough to recognize the subtle positives Lang brings to the table.  Maybe when I stomp my feet like a child because Lang has passed up another shot from the slot it’s I who should be looked at with scorn, not Robert.  Maybe, and this is a big stretching maybe, but just maybe I’m seeing things when it looks like Lang is coasting every other shift, avoiding contact and not extending himself to receive passes.  Well…anyway, I’m ready.  One of these days I’m gonna blast him.

Here are your game recaps and stories from the Michigan rags and Minnesota:

Freep: Wings corner

Freep: Wings’ win streak ends

Freep: Wings’ midseason grades

Detnews: Sluggish start dooms Wings

Mlive: Wild snap 5 game streak

Minnesota Star Tribune:  Wild Stop Detroit 4-2

“Booooo” Grogan bellowed.

“We supported you, you jerk,” he shouted once as the player skated by with his eyes fixed on the ice.

Then later, as he stood just on the other side of the Plexiglas from him, Grogan shouted: “Welcome back, you jerk!”

“That’s probably not something I should be proud of,” Grogan said later. “But I can’t imagine people cheering him when he comes back in an opposing uniform. Cheer him for getting his life straightened out, OK, but how can you cheer him on the opposing team if you’re a true fan?”

Wings fans on New Year’s Eve?  Nope, gutless, pathetic Thrasher “fans” last night in Atlanta when Dany Heatley returned with Ottawa.

This kid deserved better.  He did not leave the team that drafted and took care of him because he wanted more money, or to be “the man,” or for the lush Ontario climate and bustling Ottawa nightlife.

In other words, this is not Sergei Fedorov we’re talking about here.

Monday was his first game back in town, now as an Ottawa Senator, and he was met with boos — during his warm-up, his mention in the starting lineup, his introduction, and virtually every time he touched the puck during the game.

That was 13 times in the first period alone, starting with a shot on goal that sailed wide in the opening moments.

I’m just a dumb Sailor, but let me try to figure this out.  The Atlanta fans booed Dany Heatley because he could not get past the nightmares that walked with him every step in Atlanta?

This is not a player leaving because his game had gone sour and it was time to get the cash while he could before his skills diminished to the point that he couldn’t rake it in any longer.

“Through the whole accident, the community supported him,” said Thrasher fan Paul Gawryszewski, 43, of Marietta. “I felt he let the community down. It seemed like he kind of left us high and dry.”

He, his wife Nancy and their 11-year-old daughter Megan booed from their seats in the third deck throughout the game.

“He thumbed his nose at the support the city gave him,” Nancy Gawryszewski said. “I thought he showed a lot of integrity through the ordeal, then a complete lack of integrity when he asked to be traded.”

Their 11 year old daughter booed Dany Heatley.  I’m sorry, but that is disgusting.The whole family made the outing, bought the programs, excitedly took their seats, snapped the pictures, cheered their team and booed a guy who wanted out of the place that reminded him the most of that horrific incident.

Dany Heatley should have been applauded in Atlanta last night.  Those that booed should be ashamed.  The fact that they’re hockey “fans” is an embarrassment to us all.

More from the Atlanta Journal Constitution…

Updated:  Bruce Garrioch’s column this morning featured a few quotes from Bob Hartley.  Not surprisingly, Heatley’s former coach doesn’t harbor the same misguided ill will the crowd in Phillips Arena showed last night.

“Like I said before, there’s not a game he plays that I don’t look at the box score to see what he does because, obviously, he was a big part of this organization,” said Hartley. “We all understand what happened because we went through this with him.

“It was a life decision. I’m very respectful of that. He’s a quality young man, and now he has a chance to get away from those thoughts and everything.”

More from Garrioch…

THE SAULT STAR: Peter Ruicci reported yesterday Dallas Stars netminder Marty Turco loves the state of Michigan, having played at the University of Michigan where he became the NCAA leader in career victories. Ruicci suggests Turco, an unrestricted free agent this summer, could sign with the Red Wings, as both their current goalies, Chris Osgood and Manny Legace, are also unrestricted free agents this summer. Turco and his family are natives of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, meaning a move to Detroit would put them closer to “The Soo”.

Spector’s Note: My thanks to Chris Dawson. The Stars will likely do whatever they can to retain Turco, who’s improved play since early October is a big reason why the Stars have played so well by mid-season. Still, one shouldn’t rule out a big bid from a rival club like the Red Wings, especially with the salary cap due to rise next season.

Iwo:  Now that’s interesting.  See article posted below about the goalies the Wings are piling up and you may feel this either is (a) not going to happen because we’re stocked or that (b) Turco is such an upgrade from Legace, Osgood, Howard, etc., that it should happen.

More from Spectors…

According to the Grand Rapid Press, the competition is as heated for the Griffin number 1 job as it is (or soon will be) for the Wings’.

Goalie Joey MacDonald returned from the parent Detroit Red Wings last weekend and will share the starting job with Jimmy Howard. Drew MacIntyre, who had eight wins as the early-season starter, was sent to Toledo after Monday’s practice at Van Andel Arena.

“We’d like to get them both going over the next six to eight games,” Ireland said. “I’d like to see them have a friendly competition and establish themselves. They’re both potentially the future of the Detroit Red Wings and both will have an opportunity here to step up. At this level it’s been proven a championship team can have two goalies.”

More from the GR Press…

Here’s a unique concept, Ottawa fans: The people here actually threw hats on the ice after Slava Kozlov completed a hat trick at 16:05 of the second period.

Nah, I’m sure Senator fans have NO problem with that.  Hmmm, I wonder if any Detroit writer (IOW: Wings PR lackey) would have the, ummm, fortitude to do that?  Highly doubtful.

The most interesting quandary is between Fernandez and Roloson.

Fernandez is in the middle of a career year (he leads the league in goals against average and save percentage), is 31 and could be due a huge pay increase.

Roloson has found victories hard to come by (four), is 36 but could be a perfect mentor for Josh Harding, who leads the American Hockey League with 19 victories, next season.

Controversy and quandary seem like mild terms for Detroit.  I think our situation is more like a “deathwatch,” as Osgood and Legace backers face off like those crazy bastards in “Braveheart.”

Detroit’s defensemen have racked up 104 points, tied with Ottawa for the most in the league before Monday’s games. Nicklas Lidstrom (35 points) and Mathieu Schneider (30) have accounted for a large chunk of that total.

More from Khan…

But, under our nose, Babcock is doing something we haven’t seen since maybe the days of Jacques Demers.  He’s developing young talent at the NHL level.

Think about it.

Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Fischer have all thrived in Detroit.  But, don’t be naive enough to give credit to coaching.  Mike Keenan would have had trouble ruining them.  Those are just three hugely talented kids. 

I’m talking about the rest of the youth on the Wings roster, and how they’re flourishing this year. Lebda, Williams and Franzen are suddenly legitimate NHL players, not cap-era slugs playing 4 minutes/night.  These three are contributing.  In Lebda’s case, it was capitalizing on an unfortunate opportunity.

(Detnews, 29 Dec)

“He got a chance to play when a couple of guys went down and he’s taken advantage of it,” defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said.

“He’s playing well with the puck, taking his time and not throwing it away. He makes smart plays with the puck. It’s great to see a young player do that.”

Lebda’s averaging more than 12 minutes a night.  Against the league’s top 16 teams, he is a +4.  And, as a rookie in a league where defensemen are having significant difficulty grasping a new set of rules, he has only ten penalty minutes.

Babcock has put him in a position to thrive.  Would Lewis or Scotty Bowman have done the same thing?  Lewis, probably, if Ken Holland told him to. 

Bowman? 

Ummm…no. Famous for his reliance on veteran Dmen, Lebda would never have seen the ice.  In their defense, neither previous Wing coach had to operate under a salary cap.

That’s the key, though.  We talk so much about highlighting management teams who have thrived in this cap era, but sometimes we’re forgetting the work that has to happen, as we say in the Navy, “on the deckplates.” 

Babcock is clearly teaching, as well as initiating and developing strategy.

You can’t even claim Jason Williams had been a disappointment to the Wings because I don’t think anyone ever really expected much from him.  A stop-gap when a regular went down.  Steady enough to get a little ice time, but never much.

Well, look at him now.  Manning the point on the power play (still a work in progress IMO), 34 points in 38 games, and 12 points (3rd on the team) in 13 games against the top 16.

(Mlive 6 Dec)

“Coach is just looking for guys to step up and make something happen,” Williams said. “No matter who he puts you out there with, you have to make sure you’re ready to go.”

Shanahan. Lang. Draper. Lidstrom. Schneider. Sameulsson.  Six players Babcock chose Williams ahead of in their only shootout this year. Asking if he would have been given that chance by anyone other than Babcock is unnecessary.

Perhaps Babcock’s most challenging project is Mark Mowers.  I’ll admit that of all the indecipherable babble that leaves my mouth watching Wings games, the most common phrase usually refers to Mark Mowers, and typically features a middle name his parents most certainly didn’t come up with.

Mike Babcock sees something in this kid though.

(3 Jan Freep)

Coach Mike Babcock had a lengthy conversation with Red Wings forward Mark Mowers during Monday’s practice at Joe Louis Arena.

Afterward, Mowers said it was a “constructive” chat.

Babcock elaborated.

“I just said it’s great to catch him doing good things,” Babcock said. “That’s what you want.

“We expect him to set the work ethic in practice. We expect him to make great decisions at the line — in other words, establish a forecheck for us.”

Ken Holland knew something.  Maybe he saw it in Babcock’s Duck team in the mere four games it took them to sweep the Wings out of the playoffs in ’03.  The common theme is that the Wings needed discipline.

Ok.  Maybe they did, and do.  But, it’s starting to look to me like Holland realized that if the Wings were to succeed with half their payroll, they’d need a coach who can, and will, develop youth.

“The Mule (Franzen’s nickname) was good last game because he ran over people. I don’t worry about goals or assists. He ran over people, and that’s fantastic.”

Nice.

Five surprises

1. Mikael Samuelsson: Really, now, did anyone in Detroit know who this guy was when the Wings signed him in training camp? Samuelsson has 16 goals and is a team-best plus-16. He’s been among their best players.

2. Brett Lebda: Undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame is giving the Wings a respectable 10-15 minutes of ice time every night.

3. Jason Williams: There were expectations Williams could thrive under new coach Mike Babcock, but 24 assists and 34 points? He’s having a career year.

4. Dan Cleary: He came to the Red Wings on a tryout basis, made the team and now can be found anywhere from the first to fourth line contributing in some way.

5. The Wings’ 11-1 record against the Central Division: They haven’t played Nashville yet, but the Wings have feasted on the rest of the division, a huge key while playing an unbalanced schedule, with eight games against each division opponent.

More…

Informed Wings fans over at LGW are citing reliable sources claiming this mag’s man of the year is none other than Brendan Shanahan.

• 12 are against teams headed for the playoffs.  Colorado (on 21 January) is on the bubble–insert laugh track here–but we’ll assume they’ll make it.
• 3 are against Nashville.  Currently, Wings have a four point lead with a game in hand. 
• 3 are against some of the best from the East: Carolina, Philly and NYR, and occur over a four-day span (10-14 Jan)
• 5 against Nashville (twice), Vancouver, Dallas and Minnesota in the month’s final week.

If the Wings are in first on 1 February, October’s schedule against the league’s jv squads should be long forgotten.

20 points out of a possible 28 would be very nice.

Larry Brooks is one thing.  Bruce Garrioch is one thing.  They broker hockey rumors and have no problem admitting what they do.

Montgomery, due mainly to the circulation of his employer, USA Today, tries to pass himself off as an insider–and tosses his homegrown ideas, without attribution, out there as if they were fact.

Today’s column is a prime example. From “Ted Mouths Off”:

A Detroit newspaper recently ran a profile on Fedorov’s new hockey life, and he seemed disconsolate to be stuck in Columbus, even going so far as to suggest regret about his decision to leave Detroit.

Really Ted?  Care to quote that article?  I will, and you’ll see that no where does Fedorov appear “disconsolate,” and he doesn’t come close to “expressing regret” at leaving Detroit

Courtesy of the Detroit Free Press, via the San Jose Mercury News.

“I’m up for the challenge,” he said recently after practice in Columbus. “This is nice.”

You’re right Ted.  He sounds downright suicidal.

Two weeks ago, Fedorov scored his first goal for the Blue Jackets. As it happened, it was also his first goal of the season – he missed 13 games in California with a groin pull. The goal wasn’t his most elegant, a rebound slapper on the fly, but it helped beat the New York Islanders, 4-3, in a shootout.

He didn’t look as fast, but he came off the ice smiling.

Manically depressed, right Ted?

Look, I have no problem with a writer who speculates, assumes, opines, editorializes, guesses or predicts.  But, to paraphrase another article and interpret it to support your own agenda is unprofessional and typical of his style.

Fedorov feature in SJ Merc. News.

Montgomery “column.”

For the record, do I think Fedorov regrets leaving?  Absolutely.  But he’s never said it, and after following his career for nearly 15 years, I don’t believe he ever will.

Wings fans may be distressed to find that Jes felt Chris Chelios’ presence on the US Olympic squad will be a detriment.

“The main surprise, to me, was that they included the ancient and slowed-down Chris Chelios. If they were leaving the past behind by leaving off Leetch, Amonte, and Roenick, why take Chelios? In a tournament against the world’s best players, I feel Chelios will be an awful liability for the US club.”

I happen to think Chelly’s grit, stamina and determination will be a huge benefit, but opinions on Chelios are as divided this year as those regarding our two goalies.

More from Behind the Blog…

—

Chris Chelios: Quick, someone conduct a poll of who’s the greatest U.S.-born player ever. Chelios, that’s who, and he deserves to be recognized as best in the U.S. in 2006.

—

Iwo: Ok, we acknowledge your acknowledgment.  Mike Modano may have some input, but it’s hard to argue with that.

—

Steve Yzerman: Here’s hoping Yzerman realizes it’s time to move on and has a great retirement tour in March and April. And then he can move into a management job with the Detroit Red Wings.

—

Iwo: How original.  At least he’s not pulling a McKenzie or Wojo and asking for a mid-season retirement.

More from Fox…

—

Feel free to comment with your own thoughts on these and I’ll post readers’ results later this week.
 

Art Ross (Highest point total)—At the pole, it’s Datsyuk.   But, if you want a prediction as to who will lead the team at the end, I’m going with Zetterberg.  He’s four behind Datsyuk right now 43 to 39 points, respectively and 1 ahead of Shanny.  However, he’s averaging 1:30 more ice time than Dats and 2:30 more than Shanahan. 
 

Bill Masterson Sportsmanship Trophy, for sportsmanship and perserverence-I’m going to stress the perserverence part and go with Mikael Samuelsson.  His fifth team in five seasons (I’m still not used to replacing “years” with “seasons.”) and look what he’s done, seemingly out of nowhere.
 

Calder (Rookie of the Year)—This is a tough one.  Do you go with Brett Lebda or Johan Franzen.  Lebda has been a significant surprise.  Cool under pressure and a fantastic skater with a bright future.  But, Franzen…he is a force, and one that has earned a spot in late game situations.  If only for his performance on the PK, he gets the nod.
 

Conn Smythe—I thought about moving past this one along with the Jack Adams, Campbell and President’s trophy.  But, decided against it and will award this based on performances in games against teams in the league’s top 16.  In 13 games against the top half of the NHL, the Wings scorers looked like this:
 

• Zetterberg 15 points
• Datsyuk 13
• Holmstrom 12
• Williams 12
• Lidstrom 10
• Shanahan 8
• Schneider 8
• Samuelsson 8

Is that enough to prove one player’s excellence above the rest of the team? Probably not.  It doesn’t take into account +/, ice time, save percentage, PP goals, PK time, etc.  But, it does show which players have risen in big games—through one half of the season.  Zetterberg’s that guy.
 

Selke award (Best defensive forward)–  He’s not gonna score 24…maybe ever again.  But, Kris Draper is playing as tough and gritty as ever.  His PK performance is outstanding and he is as pesty as ever.
 

Norris-Two weeks ago, I would have said Chelios.  He’s so impressive, especially at his age.  Schneider is having a great season, as well.  But, right now, and for the last 9 games (14 points), Nicklas Lidstrom is playing as well as he ever has.  He gets the midway Wing Norris.
 

Clancy Memorial Trophy, for  leadership and humanitarian contribution-Jiri Fischer, a young man who has a decision on his hands. 
 

Lady Byng-Robert Lang.  In this case, that’s not a compliment. 
 

Lester B. Pearson award (MVP chosen by the players)-Clearly, I can’t predict who the Wings believe their first-half MVP is.  But, I’d bet the team would echo the coach and say Lidstrom is their MVP so far.
 

Lester Patrick Award, outstanding service to hockey-Sure, we’ll jump on the bandwagon.  Brendan Shanahan.  Maybe you don’t like the new rules, maybe you do.  But, instead of spending the lockout whining (see Manny Legace), Shanny was constructive and visible.  He’s a force within the NHL, politically.  And, considering the impact the sport has on the country of Canada, don’t be surprised if you see him take that influence into national politics when he retires.
 

Maurice Richard (leading goal scorer)- Right now, it’s Shanahan with 20.  He’s in a mini-slump (no goals his last three).  But, I predict he’ll stay on course, finish with 45 and lead the Wings.

Hart Trophy-I’ll stray from the Pearson pick on this one and go with Zetterberg.  I’ll use my Conn Smythe argument, along with what we see on the ice.  Every shift, Henrik Zetterberg seems to bring it.  IMO, he’s led the team and is a future Captain. 

Vezina (best goalie)-Man, I’m laughing as I write this because Wings fans are so frigging divided.  Over on the Mlive forum, I posted at the beginning of the year that I didn’t care who the number 1 was as long as it was established and stuck with.  Goalie controversy just plain sucks.  And, of course, here we are embroiled in one.  So, Manny starts out hot—but against competition that has proven to be inferior.  Osgood starts slow but has improved markedly.  I can’t tell you who I’d like to see starting in the playoffs because I just don’t know.  But, as for who the best has been for the Wings so far?   Manny.
 

—

From the Detroit News:

Former Red Wing Sergei Fedorov had no reaction to being booed Saturday by the Joe Louis Arena crowd, even though the reaction seemed more intense than usual.

But Blue Jackets forward Jason Chimerathought it was uncalled for.

“It’s pretty bad on their part,” Chimera said. “He helped that team for numerous years. It’s pretty unclassy for them to boo him like that.

“He’s a world-class player and he doesn’t deserve that from a team that he helped win that many Cups. Shame on them.”

—

More from the Detroit News…

Iwo:  this debate has been simmering since the JLA showered boos on 91 during his shootout attempt.  In that instance, with the game on the line, I didn’t have a problem with it.  If it could psyche him out someway, have at it.

But on a regular basis?  Not sure.  He was a huge contributor to three Stanley Cups.  IMO, Mike Vernon’s Conn Smythe should be on Fedorov’s mantle (wherever that may be).

—

The Wild has made a surge to reach .500, playing the same way it did before the rule changes.”This is the system here,” goalie Manny Fernandez told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. “Jacques [Lemaire] feeds off the frustration of other coaches, the way they see us playing and how this is not the way we should be playing in the new NHL. It’s actually affecting their game.

“We’ve been successful with it. It took us pretty far that one year in the playoffs, so why stop now?”

—

More from Off Wing…

Interesting, and admirable, thoughts by Zeke at Letsgokings. 

–

“With the game ending and the Kings getting a 5-3 win, I can only be partially excited about the three victories against Colorado this year. They are great but the Avs are not at the top of the standings and the 53 points that Detroit has includes three victories over the Kings.”
–

More from Zeke…

–

Bruce Garrioch reports the following:

- The San Jose Sharks may be looking to bolster their blueline depth and they might have interest in Washington’s Brendan Witt or Dallas’s Martin Skoula, although it’s unknown what the asking price would be for them.

–

Much more from Spector and his sources…

–

“A recent report out of nearby New York suggested the Detroit Red Wings might be willing to ship flashy forward Henrik Zetterberg and goalie Manny Legace to Jersey in exchange for Brodeur, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner who has backstopped the Devils to three Stanley Cup championships.”

–

More…

Iwo: Whew…would that be the most talked-about trade in recent Wing history, or what?  If Holland were to consider it, it would be the epitome of mortgaging the future for the present. 

Brodeur, 34, would be an upgrade for sure.  But an upgrade at the cost of Zetterberg?

Interesting to see what the Wing fans who clamor for improvement in the net would think of this trade scenario.

“I like winning, and if you can do it on New Year’s, that’s good,” coach Mike Babcock said. “It didn’t look too pretty at the start but we got better as the game went on.”

–

“We think our team’s getting better and better,” Babcock said. “I just like what is happening to our team.”

–

From Columbus Dispatch:
“We played a great first period and then we found a way to shoot ourselves in the foot again,” Fedorov said. “We’re all guilty.”

• All seven Swedes registered points.  Mikael Samuelsson now has 16 goals…amazing. 
• Nik Lidstrom is on fire and Bryan McCabe had better look out because the Norris is not sewn up as the always impartial media in Toronto would lead us to believe.
• Another first period nap by the Wings.  Hard to be too frustrated when they turn it around the way they did.  But, we can’t fall back on the old crutch of claiming they “play down to the level of their competition”, because they did the same thing in Dallas the other night.  Both end results were obviously good, but…
•  Sergei may have had his worst game facing the Wings yet.  0 shots on goal, 4 PIM, -2 and an assist on Schneider’s goal (off his skate as he attempted to block it). He also tripped Franzen, who ran into former Wing Jamie Pushor, who fell and clipped BJ goalie Pascal Leclaire in the jaw–forcing him out and Dique castoff Marc Denis, in.  More later today on Fedorov.
• Power play was 2-6, but didn’t look as sharp as it has.  In fact, while the stats may not reflect it, the PP in general has looked a little sluggish the last few games. 
• Robert Lang had three assists.  The guy is an enigma.  He misses nets when he shoots–WHEN he shoots–seemingly sleepwalks through half the game, avoids contact at all costs and ends up with 3 points. 
• Brett Lebda continues to impress.  He never gets rattled, seemingly, and is so smooth on the skates.  I’d like to see him rush the puck more, now that we know he has that ability.  But, staying at home is not so bad either.
• Chris Chelios: another sturdy, steady game.  No PIM, team leader in PK ice time with 4:57.  Should be Team USA’s captain but will probably wear the A.
• Brendan Shanahan now in a mini-slump.  Only the second time this year he’s gone three games without a goal.

Columbus Dispatch

On The Wings recap

Detroit News

Detroit Free Press

Mlive

ESPN Box

–Wings 5th consecutive win

–Wings 5th consecutive win on New Years

–Wings score 5 straight after falling behind 2-0

–Wings get two from #5, Nick Lidstrom

Most importantly: Wings win 5-2.

More tomorrow.  Happy New Year.

–How will Sergei react?  Hard to tell with him.  Did the boos showering from the JLA rafters prior to Osgood stoning him in the shootout stay with him?  He’s been effective against his old mates–largely, with Anaheim.  Last season he scored three times in three games and averaged over 19 minutes in ice time. Iwo postgame:  Worst night he’s had facing the Wings.  See above.

–Interesting to consider whether Ozzie’s feeling the heat since his pal Manny is back from GR and ostensibly healthy.  Mike Babcock was his typical verbose self in this morning’s papers:

—

“If you’re playing good, you’re playing,” Babcock said. “It’s simple.”

—

Mikael Samuelsson should be a go tonite after missing yesterday’s practice with a sore leg. Iwo postgame:  Oh, he was a go.  Two goals to increase his season total to a career-best 16.  Start the campaign, Kenny Holland for exec of the year.

—

Top 3 Scary Moments
3. Niklas Kronwall tears his ACL and MCL after what was supposed to be his breakout season
2. Kris Draper gets hit in the face with a puck / Nick Lidstrom gets hit in the face by the puck against the Blue Jackets Dec. 20th
1. Jiri Fischer collapses during a game (On the Wings had in depth coverage of Fischer’s press conference)
—

More…

—-

THE GRIFFINS had a walkup sale of 1,000, one of the best ever in the franchise’s 10 years.

—

And not only from the spectators, apparently.

—

“It’s a new game,” he said. “Guys can just run free … and they come right through the net.”

—

More from MLive…

—-

Legace was not tested much early, but spent most of the night picking himself up from the ice after being run over. His demeanor and body language suggested he was not happy to be in GR. During the time outs and other stoppages in play, he remained aloof and alone in the net instead of going to the bench with the other players.

—-

Iwo:  Well….sounds like standard goalie demeanor to me, and I can’t imagine Legace can complain too much about a one-game rehab stint.  I do, however, think the niceties in the press–and perhaps the room–won’t last much longer if both stay healthy. 

—-

Scene of the crime
The Blue Jackets play the Detroit Red Wings at 7 p.m. tonight in Joe Louis Arena, their fourth meeting of the season. If it’s anything like their Dec. 20 game, it’ll be quite a scene.

The Red Wings won 4-3 in a shootout, and the game didn’t end until Blue Jackets center Sergei Fedorov — a legendary figure in his 13 seasons in Detroit — failed to score in the third round of the shootout.

Fedorov was booed lustily every time he touched the puck.

His return, not to mention the fact that it’s New Year’s Eve, should make for a loud night in The Joe.

“It’s usually hard to get a ticket, and there’s a great atmosphere around the rink,” Red Wings center Jason Williams told the The Detroit News. “It’s fun for both the fans and the players.

“With Sergei coming back, it’ll just add to the night.”

—-

More…

—-

Disloyalty – Dave Lewis, idle through an entire year by the NHL’s foolhardy season-long work stoppage and kept hanging, fired without any chance to redeem himself when hockey games resumed.

—-

Iwo:  I don’t know Jerry.  Loyalty, I suppose, is contingent on success–especially where big business and money are concerned.  We all know Dave Lewis’ supposed faults and won’t re-hash them now, but he knew the standard.

I’m curious if Lewis felt the Wings were disloyal, considering he took a job as a senior scout after his firing.

More from Green…

It was the third time in the last ten days Nashville has lost when given the opportunity to grab a share of the division lead.

It was 2-1 Edmonton when I turned it on last night…just in time to see Vokoun give his latest Belfour of ’98 impression, throwing his stick at the puck and subsequently getting beat by the resulting penalty shot.

—-

From the Tennessean:

“I would have liked to have had it, but it wasn’t the one play that decided the game,” Vokoun said.

—-

Really?  It was 2-1 when you tossed your stick like a javelin.  Smyth scored on the penalty shot, which was the eventual game winner.  If any play decided the game, I’d say it was that one.

More…

—-

Manny Legace, on a one-game conditioning assignment from the Detroit Red Wings, made 20 saves and even earned an assist in his Grand Rapids debut, appearing unconstrained by the left knee sprain he suffered in Anaheim on Nov. 25.

—-

Naturally, none of the Detroit papers saw fit to mention his first rehab start.  I wonder if the Tigers would receive the same treatment if Jeremy Bonderman had pitched for Toledo last night.

More from the Griffin release…

Kukla pointed out that after Legace’s win, he headed back to Hockeytown.

From today’s Freep:

—-

“We’re back where we should be,” said Draper, who will play his 10th New Year’s Eve game as a Wing. “This is always a game when the schedule comes out where you take a look at who you’re playing, and it’s always nice. It’s something that people plan to bring their New Year’s in on. It’s always a nice celebration, a nice atmosphere. To make it a successful night, it’s up to us to go out and start it off right.”

—-

I think what Kris meant to say is it will be nice.

Read more…

—-

From Mlive:

After sustaining two separate groin injuries this season, Detroit Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman isn’t taking any chances.

So when he didn’t feel right while trying to practice at full speed on Monday, Yzerman didn’t hesitate to stay off the ice for a couple of days to give the injury a little more time to heal.

“I just skated a couple of times lightly last week and then tried to increase the tempo (on Monday) and didn’t feel very good,” Yzerman said. “So I just thought I’d take a few more days off the ice and try to avoid aggravating it and continue with off-ice (workouts). I’ll start skating lightly (today) and try to increase it each day.”

—-

Naturally, because he’s a Wing beat writer, Khan avoided asking any difficult questions.  If you’re not a Wings fan you may not understand just how reflective this story is of the apathetic Detroit media.

Yzerman talks to the press so infrequently these days, and when he does the beat writers miss the boat.  I don’t mean the guy has to ask the retirement question. I’m sure that takes more courage than the average PR lackey (Wing beat writer) has.

But you’re talking to the captain. Ask him about the team.  Ask about Legace/Osgood.  Ask him to discuss the close divisional race.

Do your job.

Read more… 

Down toward the bottom you’ll see that Nik Kronwall has begun practicing with the team.  Wow…I may have used that in the lead or the first bridge Ansar.  I know, I’m just a stupid Sailor, but that seems obvious.

Box score

Naturally, they discount European scouting that is acknowledgd as the league’s best (Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Fischer, Grigorenko, Flippula, Hudler), shrewd trades/signings (Maltby, Draper, Murphy, Rouse, Vernon, Cleary) and a commitment by management to treat their players well.

So, it may come as a surprise–even though we bring it up every chance we can–that the Wings’ farm system is absolutely thriving.  According to Hockeysfuture.com:

—-

“If success of a franchise’s farm club is a good measure of the wealth of its prospects, the Detroit Red Wings may be in good shape.”

—-

HF also gives very high marks for the stable of goalies the Wings have stockpiled. 

Read more…

—-

“I talked with him in Tampa a week ago, and he’s had some bad luck this year,” Bowman said. “Possibly because he didn’t play last year. He’s had some pulled muscle problems in both legs. I think he’ll probably pace himself.

     “Down the stretch, it’s going to help that he hasn’t played much in the first half. His knee is holding up pretty well. A lot of people have predicted that his knee is bad and he won’t be able to play anymore.”

—-

Iwo:  I see no reason to rush him back anytime soon.  I’ve heard Langenbrunner’s name passed around as a deadline acquisition.  Getting Yzerman back around that timeframe is of equal value, IMO.

More…

His hockey summit from a year ago came at a time when the union and owners were at each other’s throats with no end in sight. But Shanahan forged ahead with his rules summit, ignoring protests from either side. While some of the recommendations that came from his-two day summit eventually made their way into the new NHL rules, the bigger impact of Shanahan’s get-together was getting players on board with the league in determining the game’s on-ice future. His vision and passion for the game during its darkest hour is why he tops this list in 2005.

More…

On December 30th in 1985, Harry Neale was fired as Coach of the Detroit Red Wings. Happy New Year Harry. Neale was replaced by Brad Park. The Wings were at the bottom of the NHL at the time of Neale’s firing, they were 8-23-4 and they had lost 10 out of 11. The icing on the cake was the Wings blowing a 4-0 lead against Toronto losing 5-4. It was Neale’s first season as coach of Detroit. Park coached the Wings for just 45 games winning 9.

From Mlive:

—-

“I don’t know if it’s good for me or bad for them, getting a goalie who’s been off for a month-and-a-half,” Legace said after practice Thursday at Joe Louis Arena. “It’s good to go down and get some work in, come back and hopefully get back to where I was.”

—-

Wings coach Mike Babcock said there is minimal progress to report on the captain’s problematic groin.

—-

“He told me he was sore today and couldn’t go,” Babcock said. “Any time you’re out it’s tough to come back, tough to get up to pace. He practiced with us full-out one day (Monday) and hasn’t been back since. I don’t know if (his injury) didn’t respond the right way.”

—-

Iwo: Here’s hoping the Captain takes it slow, waits until after the Olympics and comes back fresh (as possible) in time to prepare for the playoffs.

Ice chips
Mikael Samuelsson, who took a puck to the right leg last week, also stayed off the ice Thursday as a precaution against irritating the injury.

… The Wings are excited about playing the traditional New Year’s Eve game against Columbus, and former Wing Sergei Fedorov.

“It’s usually hard to get a ticket, and there’s a great atmosphere around the rink,” forward Jason Williams said. “It’s fun for both the fans and the players. With Sergei coming back, it’ll just add to the night.”

… Babcock will likely put Kris Draper at center for Saturday’s game, along with Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and Robert Lang.

Iwo:  Again, the Wings’ strength down the middle is amazing, IF: Draper picks it up at all offensively, Lang uses his body more and looks up “forecheck”, Datsyuk and Z stay healthy. 

After a long rebound off the blocker of Belfour, the Leafs were flying, rushing up ice, four skaters crossing the Buffalo blue line in perfect sync.  It was then, seeing a wash of royal blue flying toward Martin Biron, that I was reminded again just how great our game is to watch.

Tie Domi–of all people–deked and left a drop pass for McCabe, who blasted a slap shot by Biron. 

From there on, this game was amazing.  Everything you look for. Shorthanded goals for both teams, rare stoppages (I can’t recall a single whistle for icing or even offsides), great hits.

Midway throught the third with Toronto up 3-2, you could sense Eddie losing it.  We, as Wings fans, know that site very well.  Bobbling rebounds, losing his temper, slashing anyone within a few feet of him.  Inevitably he let in a softie with about 11 minutes left. 

At that point, I switched to the Pistons/Heat game on TNT.  From the chaos of the Air Canada Centre, every fan on his feet, the building shaking–to the Palace, a rivalry game built up by media from both cities; and you could hear the echo of the ball bouncing as Rip Hamilton dribbled around the perimeter.  Polite clapping as Rasheed hit a fall away.

I like the Pistons, but there is just no comparison between these two sports.

Back to Toronto and you knew it was going OT.  Great scoring chances from both sides as regulation drew to a close.  Odd man rushes, tenacious battles and the refs swallowed their whistles in the final minutes. 

As Mats Sundin beared down on Biron in the shootout, my wife said, “oh, cute leggings.”  He must have heard as he rifled one upstairs.   Buffalo couldn’t get past Belfour and the Leafs fans erupted.

Amazing game and testament to the NHL–new and old.

Johnson’s thoughts on Yzerman and Lemioux’s decisions to bypass the Olympic tournament:

——

“I think it was a very honourable move. Both could see that they couldn’t contribute at the levels they one did so they bowed out to let a new generation of Canadian hockey players take the next step. It’s quite a contrast to Jeremy Roenick.”

——

 Should be interesting to see just how Legace reacts to Osgood taking over the starting role.  Things have been tensely quiet the last few weeks, with each goalie carefully stating to the media how much each would like to be the starter.

 Not exactly the love-fest we saw/read/heard of in September.  I don’t see a Hasek/Cujo situation, but…

—–

I’m sure Keenan has probably fielded some inquiries about Luongo but let’s face it, he’s not going to move him if he can’t get a strong return, which includes a comparable goaltender.

——

“Comparable” is a pretty broad term.  So, let’s take a look at one of our goalies,  perhaps the one with the big mouth and cranky knees.

Luongo: 3.12 GAA and a .914 save percentage.

Legace: 2.21 and .914

Seems comparable enough.  So much so that we’ve all been making similar “comparisons” for weeks now, months even. From MLive forum poster, Ilovewings last week:

“Babcock coached Luongo so he knows his abilities but alot of teams will be knocking at florida’s door.” 

The thought that Mike Keenan doesn’t have Luongo on the market is only reasonable if you add “yet” to that idea.  When the market is right, he’ll deal him, as long as the deal is right for him.  Luongo is a commodity that can shape the future of a franchise, and would command much  more than just Legace–or Osgood, for the sake of discussion. 

I would guess that if Luongo’s the asking price there are only two Wings Holland wouldn’t send to Miami–Zetterberg and Lidstrom, and the latter would be an admittedly tough choice to make.

Luongo’s going somewhere.  My guess would be Colorado only because LaCroissant has the track record.  Throw in the fact that he must sense his reputation as a master dealer has lost a little luster and he must be starving–so to speak–to make that deal. 

“I’ve always like Osgood because he is resilient. People can laugh about that Game 5 Jamie Langenbrunner goal in the 1998 Conference Finals, but Osgood bounced back and pitched a shutout in Game 6 to clinch the series and then went on to win a Stanley Cup.”

Wings fans are most definitely split.  Perhaps no subject in the last five years has earned the volume of discussion Chris Osgood prompts.  Furious 13, from the Detroit News Wings Forum:

“All the bashers complain he is inconsistant and hasn;t “stolen” a game for us. Guess what? He stole that game for us against Dallas with his play in the 1st period. A lesser goalie would have let 3 or 4 of those in and who could blaim him when Dallas has 13 shots, 11 of which were quality scoring chances.”

Completely agree. I’ve been waiting for months to see if one of our goalies would steal a game and that’s exactly what he did.  Ozzie supporters will say he’s been heading toward this type of performance his last several starts.  Detractors will say it’s the same old mercurial Ozzie and that he owns Dallas, anyway.

Furious 13 went on to make this comparison:

“Oh and stats are real nice to look at for judging goalies. but seriously only one stat really matters; wins. And Ozzy is now 11-3-3. Yup that sure is inconsistancy at it’s finest. That’s a .647 winning percentage. Luongo-.382, Brodeur-.448, Belfour-.536, Joseph-.555. Legace-.684. I’d say we have 2 pretty consistant goalies in the stat that matters most.”

Sorry, bud. Gotta disagree on that one.  Luongo, Brodeur and probably Belfour would all have significantly higher winning percentages playing for the Wings so those numbers are skewed a bit.

“To be Stanley Cup contenders again, the Stars are going to have to learn to beat Detroit – again.

The visiting Red Wings’ 4-1 victory Tuesday night illustrated plainly the difference between the teams, the winningest regular-season clubs since 1996. “

Great quote from Modano, that re-affirms what we’ve known for ten years–that the Wings are NOT the Yankees of the NHL, but rather a team benefiting from astute scouting and foresight.

“I don’t know,” he said. “They keep on breeding younger guys. They come up and fill in for guys who left. They have guys who you never heard of until they get to Detroit and then play well.”

Now..on to his qualified counterpart.  In Allen’s most recent chat he made some interesting points.  Responding to a question about young Swede Nils Backstrom and where he may end up in the NHL, Kevin said Hockeytown would be a comfortable spot for him:

——–

“Most scouts like his total package of talent, although they still wish he was a bit bigger. But that’s less of a factor in today’s game. He could be a good fit for the Detroit Red Wings, who seem to like Swedish players quite a bit, or Vancouver. Both of those teams will be picking late. “

——–

Heck yes, I say.  Make it 8.  The Wings have evolved from the Russian 5 to the Swedish 7 without missing a beat.  Heck, our best scouts where Samuellson was concerned were the Swedes themselves.

Allen was also asked whether he believes the Wings will be active as the deadline approaches.  That’s the question we’d all love answered.  But consider the last time Ken Holland tipped his hand.  I know I can’t remember.  Do we need defensemen? Yes.  Even with Kronwall back? Yes. 

Great player and an all star for years to come, but more experience and a bit more grit–intelligent, but violent, grit–on the blue line this Spring would be nice.  Brendan Witt, meet Kenny Holland.  And vice-versa.  Every year the last five seasons I’ve been hoping for a deal to bring Bob Boughner to Detroit at the deadline. Witt’s my new Boughner.

——-

“Too early for rumors about the Red Wings. They will probably have some money to spend at the trade deadline, presuming that Jiri Fischer isn’t coming back this season.”

——-

Kevin said a deal for a goalie isn’t out of the question…we know, we know.  It’s NEVER out of the question in Detroit.  He also made a more perceptive point regarding the Wings’ strength down the middle.

——-

“The Red Wings seem to have a crowd at center with Datsyuk, Lang, Zetterberg, Kris Draper, etc. The Red Wings may like Michigan native Weight, but another center doesn’t help much.”

______

Ahhhh….Weight would be nice, but unnecessary in my opinion.  If Holland makes a move, let it be on the back end.  If you look at our centers it’s hard to find a team out there stronger than Detroit at that position already.

“Really close,” Legace said. “After a good week of practice with the guys, I should get it going for (Saturday).”

Naturally, that’s news to his coach.   Mike Babcock, proving to be more of a Bowman disciple every day: 

“Manny hasn’t broke that news to me. I’m glad he let you guys (media) know first,” Babcock said. “So when he lets me know, then I can talk about it.”

IWO:  Legace had already earned a prominent place in Babcock’s doghouse by running his mouth about lying to the trainer and coaching staff about the condition of his original injury.  He’s probably found a home there after this one.  Babcock pulls no punches, apparently.  Babcock, already the longest tenured current coach in Detroit, has no problem pointing fingers through the media if he sees fit.  He’s also quick with the praise.

The goal here will be to do what the Michigan mainstream media slugs have refused to accomplish:  provide comprehensive opinions of the Wings, by fans, media members and other bloggers.

 The plan, tentative–as I try to figure this site out–is to highlight Red Wing stories, mentions in blogs and even posts on various message boards.

Thanks for reading and showing patience as we develop.