On the Wings

NHL Awards
Did anyone else feel robbed when the new Blues goon, Barret Jackman, won the Calder over Zetterberg? I did. I couldn’t believe it when it happened. How can they give the Calder to a guy with 192 PIM? What kind of precedent does that set? Penalty minutes aside, Barret Jackman will probably be a fine player but I still think Henrik should have won the award. I would have been far happier if Nash had won instead of Barret. Maybe it’s a better thing that Zata didn’t win it, now he’ll want the bigger version of the Calder even more, the Hart.

At least everything else went the Wings’ way last night. Except that stupid Lady Byng. Why they nominate a defenseman but never give it to him, especially after having done so 5 years in a row, I’ll never know. It’s pointless. Yzerman won the Masterton, gave a good little speech but you could tell he was a little nervous. Shanny won the trohpy for community service, the Clancy award. Best of all, Nick won the Norris, for the third year in a row. Now he’s at least a little like Bobby Orr. He also was named to the first team all stars. Congratulations Nick, Stevie and Shanny.

Peter Forsberg won the Hart, Martin Brodeur won the Vezina, Mogilny won the Lady Byng, Jere Lehtinen won the Selke and Markus Naslund won the Pearson (the players’ MVP).

Wings Update
Some more light is being shed on the contract situations for the big three free agents. Apparently, Sergei Fedorov wants a 5th year on any contract with a 6th year as some kind of option. He really didn’t turn down the 5 year, $50 million offer but he asked the Wings to wait on it so he could resolve some personal issues. I guess he’s turned down the latest offer because it doesn’t have that 5th year. His agent says “Sergei’s not being greedy and asking for more. He asked them to be patient while he went through some personal issues, then things changed. At first, he was disappointed. Now he’s past that, but July 1 is coming.” That is a little more encouraging to me. Having Sergei for a definite 5 more years would be great. That would basically be the end of his career.

Yzerman talked with Holland in Toronto before the Awards and said they will work out a contract that would satisfy both parties. Apparently, he’s been on sports radio all week trying to calm everyone down about the situation. Still, I’m nervous about it. I don’t want to lose The Captain yet. Rob Parker says The Red Wings shouldn’t squabble over a couple of million dollars when it comes to Steve Yzerman. I think he’s right, in a way but he over simplifies the situation and doesn’t take in to consideration all the facts. Like the fact that the Wings do have a lot less money to work with because of their early exit. Like the fact that The Captain is not worth $8 million any more because of his knee and it would be foolish to pay him that much when he might not be able to play very much.

McCarty’s agent talked about the negotiations and said they have been constructive and going well. However, he isn’t very confident the Wings will reach a deal before July 1. I think Mac will test free agency but he’ll be back, I’m sure.

Derian Hatcher said he would “definitely be interested in” signing with the Wings, if things didn’t work on in Dallas and if things go badly in Detroit with respect to their free agents. The Wings would have to lose Fedorov, most likely, before they’d be able to go after Hatcher. The Stars’ captain would be coming home if he signed with the Wings because he’s from the Detroit area. Derian Hatcher is sounding like a better idea every time I hear about him possibly coming here. The Wings really could use a hard hitter like him.

Some good news: Top Wings prospect Igor Grigorenko has gone home from the hospital less than a month after his car accident. Some bad news: He and Holland talked for the first time since the accident but he will not sign with the Wings for next year. He will hopefully play with his Russian team in 5 or 6 months and sign with the Wings for the 04-05 season. He will see doctors in Detroit in a couple months.

Also, Red Wings owner Mike Illitch has been entered into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Congratulations, Mr. Illitch. In case anyone didn’t know, Scotty Bowman is on the admissions panel to the Hall now.

Wings Update
Bob Wojnowski has an article mostly about the Yzerman contract situation with a little about the other contracts sprinkled in. He isn’t very encouraging (like this quote:”Three popular players — Steve Yzerman, Sergei Fedorov and Darren McCarty — are unsigned, and it appears unlikely the Wings will keep all three.“). I never thought it would come to this, the possibility of Yzerman going to play for someone else because of a contract dispute. All we can do is hope both sides stay reasonable and reach some middle ground. It would be a terrible thing to lose The Captain before he’s done. While I may not be optimistic about it, NHL analysts are. They all see Yzerman coming back. I hate being put in doubt. I just want whatever happens to happen quickly so I can gear myself up for another disapointment when the Wings hit the ice as a depleted team. Sorry, I’m a little pessimistic right now.

Ted Kulfan has published his picks for the NHL Awards. He thinks the three Wings that have been nominated (Yzerman, Lidstrom and Zetterberg) will win. I’m pretty confident of that too. Yzerman really deserves the Masterton, though Berard does too. I can’t see how they could not give the Norris to Nick. He’s the best all-around defenseman in the league and one of the two best players in the world. Zetterberg should win a tight race for the Calder. Sorry Jackman. If two people could win it, both you and Zata would.

Wings Update
I don’t know if any of you have heard the rumor that Bowman was going to go coach the Rangers (John Davidson brought it up on Satellite Hot Stove during the second intermission of Game 6 on CBC). The DetNews reports today that the rumor is not true and has some quotes from Scotty to back their story up. This is good news, though not a surprise to me. I think Bowman is smart enough to know that getting involved in the Rangers organization in any capacity would automatically put him under the Ruined Career Curse that has ensnared everyone that works at Madison Square Gardens. Good decision, Mr. Bowman.

There is a discouraging piece in the Detroit News today about McCarty. Basically, there’s a real good chance that Mac will test free agency. There’s nothing to be too worried about yet, Darren has strong ties to the Detroit area and likes playing for the Wings. However, the Wings are only offering him $2 million a year for 3 years and he could get $2.5 million on the open market. Pretty tempting. I hope Darren makes the right decision and doesn’t turn in to a Martin Lapointe. It’d be a shame to not raise the Cup next season, Mac, just because you wanted more money. That’s what the old #20 did and he was watching The Captain hoist the Cup on TV, instead of from behind him, with the other Wings players.

Terry Foster thinks Sergei Fedorov should immediately sign with the Wings if they really are offering him 4 years, $40 million. I totally agree, Mr. Foster, even if I don’t share your faith about player salaries going down, at least not yet. Another good idea from Mr. Foster:

Yes, Steve Yzerman has done a lot for the Red Wings and the community. But here is the reality. He is not the player he once was and economic conditions are tough at Joe Louis Arena. A $5 million a year contract is about right. The Wings should also hook him up with part ownership and a front office gig when he retires.

I fully agree with that also. They owe The Captain at least that much.

Here’s something I don’t agree with: Mr. Foster thinks Hasek will return to the NHL. I personally think Hasek is done. Also, Mr. Foster says Hasek will come back and play for the Avs. Uh, I think not. The Wings will not allow Dom to go to the Avs. The information that I have is his rights are still Red Wings property and the Avs would have to go through Detroit to optain the Dominator. Unless there is someone named Peter involved in the deal, I can’t see it happening. And since the that guy named Peter is the Avs’ Untouchable, I really can’t see it happening.

Mr. Foster says no one in Detroit will be watching Game 7 tonight, that this is “Red Wings” Town, not Hockeytown. Sorry, Mr. Foster, I can tell you that I will be watching the game and I know quite a few other people that will be too.

Tonight’s Game
Anaheim @ New Jersey, 8 ET, series tied 3-3

This is it. The Cup will be won tonight no matter what. Well, unless it goes in to multiple OTs, then it will be won tomorrow morning. Anyway, my pick is the Ducks, as it’s been all along in this series. Last time they came off a win like that of Game 6 with a really bad loss (see Game 4 and Game 5). Hopefully they won’t do that tonight because they don’t have any more chances. I expect a huge game out of Paul Kariya, who finally has a chance to win the Cup with the team that drafted him. He’ll need to watch out for Scott Stevens, though. If everything goes well, we’ll finally see Kariya hoist the Cup. Then after a few months, we can forget the Cinderella Story and go back to the usual teams winning championships. Rucchin will most likely be clutch tonight too, as he’s been most of the playoffs. Obviously, they are going to need JS to play amazingly well tonight if they want to have any chance of winning.

I just don’t want the Devils to win. I really can’t stand them and all that they stand for (the trap, ending careers, the trap……yes I meant to say “the trap” twice). I’m also not the biggest Scott Stevens fan ever.

The chances don’t look too good for the Ducks. The only team to win a Stanley Cup Final Game 7 on the road was the ‘71 Habs. The Ducks are not the ‘71 Habs, not even close. Plus, with the Devils’ home record for these playoffs, it will be especially hard for the Ducks to gain victory in New Jersey. However, the Devils have choked before in Game 7s. See Game 7 of the 2001 Finals, when New Jersey lost the Cup to the Avs (plus that traitor Ray Bourque).

I think JS has won the Conn Smythe. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t they already vote for it? I was told the voting takes place the day before a possible deciding game. Anyway, I don’t see how they could not give JS the Conn Smythe. He’s obviously been the best player of the playoffs and even if the Ducks get blown out tonight, I’d still be shocked if they give it to anyone else. If they do, there’s something wrong with the league today (well, we know there are quite a few things wrong with the league, but specifically with the Conn Smythe voting).

Wings Update
According to the Free Press, contract talks with Sergei Fedorov are stagnant. Wonderful. A little more encouraging is this quote from Sergei’s agent: “Sergei says, ‘I love my dad, but he speaks out of emotions. I don’t have conversations with him about my contract anymore, and we don’t necessarily share the same opinion.’” I sure hope they don’t have the same opinion! I hate the off-season…….

Tonight’s Games
New Jersey @ Anaheim, 8 ET, Devils lead series 3-2

All I have to say is the Devils are 4-6 on the road and GO DUCKS!!!