On the Wings

Last night, the Red Wings played their first pre-season game against Tampa Bay Lightning. While the Wings did lose 5-3, it was exciting enough to know that NHL hockey is back. Around 11,000 fans watched the action in Joe Louis Arena last night. Kris Draper scored twice and notched an assist as well.

“It felt good to be back out there. It seems there will be a lot of specialty teams this year,” said Kris Draper. “That’s what everyone is talking about right now, the amount of penalties that were called.”

With Chris Osgood out with a sore groin, Manny Legace and Jimmy Howard both goaltended during the game. Legace started the game and Howard took over in the third period when it was 2-2. He let in the first two shots on him. “As a group, I didn’t think we were quick enough. We have to continue to skate,” head coach Mike Babcock said. “I’d like us to be more competitive on the puck.” Those 11,000 fans got to see what a shootout would be like even though the game did not end in a tie. All exhibition games will feature a shootout at the end regardless of the score at the end of the game. The Wings lost in the shootout as well. The Wings play Colorado on Wednesday at home.

Datsyuk may return to Detroit
As Matt mentioned in the last post, it now sounds like Pavel Datsyuk may play for Detroit this season afterall. With all of the rumors floating around, I don’t know if I can even get my hopes up on this. Apparently GM Holland has kept in touch with Datsuk’s agent, Gary Greenstin, every couple of days to keep tabs on the developments. After talking with Greenstin on Monday, it appears that Datsyuk could be back in Detroit this weekend (and hopeful wishing on my part wishes he’d be playing by Sunday when I go for the game).

“Gary told me that Pavel has decided he wants to come back to Detroit,” Holland said. “At this stage in the game, it looks as if Pavel is returning to Detroit unless something gets derailed here in the next 24 to 48 hours. Certainly it’s an exciting day for the Red Wings.”

If it’s true and the situation doesn’t change over night (which wouldn’t really surprise me), this will be a huge boost for the Red Wings. Without Datsyuk, the Wings would be a decent team. With Datsyuk, the Wings would be a team with a chance at winning the Stanley Cup. So I guess we’ll have to see how things work out.

The Detroit News gave 10 reasons why they’re happy and unhappy that hockey is back. Here are some of my favorites.

1. Captain comeback

The Captain’s back. The long layoff chased away some of the game’s veteran greats — future Hall of Famers like Mark Messier, Scott Stevens and Ron Francis. But Steve Yzerman is back for a 22nd season, his 19th as captain, and his first as a 40-year-old. It’s also likely his last as a player, though the NHL’s longest-serving captain isn’t about to confirm that. Yzerman, who is closing in on 700 career goals, doesn’t want a farewell tour with rocking chairs and curtain calls. All he wants is a chance to hoist the Stanley Cup one more time. “I wanted to give it my best shot,” Yzerman said. “I’m not afraid of the challenge, and this year, there’s a lot to try and accomplish.”

2. Lions and Tigers … oh, my!

The ice will come in handy, don’t you think? Another rotten season from the Tigers is really starting to stink. And the Lions’ start — next home game, it’s the fans’ turn to wear black — isn’t encouraging. The Lions have won one playoff game since 1957. The Wings have won 153 and three championships. The Tigers haven’t qualified for the postseason since 1987. The Red Wings haven’t missed the playoffs since 1990. Everybody loves a winner. And with the Wings, well, there’s simply a lot more to love lately.

6. Meet the new boss

Hockey’s back, and it’s bringing a new game with it. New rules, new faces and a new marketing approach will be the biggest story around the league this season. You’ll certainly recognize some old, familiar faces with the Wings: Yzerman, Shanahan, Lidstrom, Draper, Osgood and others. But even in Detroit, everything old is new again with the addition of Babcock, a fiery redhead whose energy level suggests an unhealthy caffeine consumption. Turns out that’s just what the doctor — General Manager Ken Holland — ordered. “He’s the boss,” Holland said. “He’s going to be in their face and keep them on edge a little bit.”

… and three reasons we’re not so happy to see hockey return …

8. Talk is cheap

For more than a year, all we heard was millionaires arguing about cost certainty. Little did we know, the only real cost certainty was this: Ticket prices weren’t going to get any cheaper in the new NHL. Say it ain’t so, Joe (Bucks)!

9. Seeing red
Give it a few months, but soon they’ll be everywhere. As sure as the leaves change colors in the fall in Michigan, so do the jerseys and jackets in Hockeytown. Gaudy, red leather jackets, Probert jerseys and mullets — it’s a retro fashion infraction that just won’t die.

10. The big chill
Sure, hockey’s back to keep you warm at night when winter arrives. But the “new-and-improved” NHL schedule designed to spark divisional rivalries packs about as much entertainment value as an icy morning commute. The Wings won’t face Toronto, Montreal or Boston, but they’ll get to see Nashville and Columbus 16 times. April flowers and spring showers — not to mention the playoffs — are a long way off.