On the Wings

Before Game: Tonight, October 5, all 30 NHL teams will play each other in honor of the league’s return after a long lockout. The Detroit Red Wings will play the St. Louis Blues in back to back games. Tonight, the Wings will open at home. My dad and brother are at the game, hopefully they’ll enjoy themselves! Tomorrow, the Wings will head to St. Louis. Chris Chelios was happy that the Wings were playing a rivalry team, instead of “Columbus.” John Keating, the broadcaster, actually said ouch. Chelios went on to say that the Avs or another rivalry team like the Blues would be a better season opener to generate some energy and excitement.

During Game: With six players on the ice for the Wings with an impending penalty call on the Blues, Pavel Datsyuk put the puck past Blues goalie Patrick Lalime only a minute and a half into the game. I hope we see many more goals from him this season after we went through all of that off-season drama.

With 12:56 left in the first period, Mathieu Schneider rockets a shot past Lalime’s gloves into the top corner after receiving a pass from Datsyuk.

Eric Brewer beat Wings goalie, Manny Legace, to bring the Blues within one about 8:45 left in the first period. Tonight marks the first time Legace has started the season opener.

Mikael Samuelsson notched the Wings third goal only 2:41 minutes into the second period. Dan Cleary got the assist.

I just talked to my dad and I guess they passed out mini stanley cup trophies and the Red Wings logo magnets at the game and he’s giving it to me! My dorm room is definetely starting to resemble my room at home with all the Wings stuff. Plus I purchased, on eBay, a signed Draper 8×10 photo and a signed Maltby 8×10 photo for only $22 or so! Leave a comment if you’d like to learn more about where you can buy relatively cheap autographed photos.

In his first NHL game, Brett Lebda sent Lalime back to the bench with the Wings fourth goal. Austrian Reinhard Divis replaced Lalime in net. Robert Lang scored his first goal this season on a powerplay with 3:18 left in the second period. Holmstrom received the assist.

In the sixth minute of the third period, Blues wing Keith Tkachuk nailed Datsyuk who didn’t see him coming. Brendan Shanahan didn’t feel that the hit was justified so he went after him. The referees quickly split them apart but it sure did energize the crowd. It was good to know that an unfair hit to a skillful player like Datsyuk wouldn’t go “unpunished.” This led to another powerplay with two Blues players and Shanny in the penalty box. Right after a faceoff, Jamal Mayers threw his gloves down and he and Shanny just went at it. I love hockey fights.

The game ended with the Wings beating the Blues, 5-1. The Red Wings have won six consecutive opening games dating back to the start of the 1999-2000 season. I was disappointed when the announced the 2005-2006 team that Steve Yzerman wasn’t announced. I know he has a sore groin and wasn’t going to play, but this is probably his last season! Oh well. I do have fond memories of the 2003-2004 opening game against the LA Kings when Yzerman scored the game winning goal with 1.7 seconds left in the third period. Sweet victory.

Well the Wings play tomorrow night with the puck dropping at 8pm and hopefully they’ll start the season 2-0.

Game Score: Wings - 5 Blues - 1

I’ve never been so happy to watch real live NHL hockey on tv. Seriously. Last night, I had multiple meetings preventing me from watching the Wings play Colorado Avalanche (which they won in OT, 3-2). I saw a few clips from the game and Lidstrom scored in his classic spot, by the blue line, in OT. Shanny was the only one to score in the shootout.

I’m watching the game right now against the Blue Jackets with a little under 5 minutes left in the 1st period. It just feels so good to watch “my team” play. Live. On tv. Wow. I love the sound of skates pushing off the ice, the puck hitting the crossbar (although that can kill me too), and the rattling of the boards after a big hit. Ah, the joys of hockey. Thus far into the game, we’ve had 2 Wings penalties (Mowers and Sloan) and 1 Columbus penalty. The first 3:24 went without a single whistle and Draper had a chance to capitalize on a 125 foot pass from Kronwall (I believe). While I’m unsure about how certain rules will work out over the next little bit, I do like offensive chances like that because they’re allowed to do two line passes.

This is just making me more and more excited for the pre-season game vs. the Stars that I’m going to on Sunday. Sorry guys, I know I’m just rambling right now but it’s wonderful to procrastinate doing homework by watching hockey.

I did see some clips of the NHL’s new marketing campaign, My NHL. I personally don’t care for it. They compare a warrior to an NHL player in 5 “chapters.” Why can’t they just pick some of the best players out there and do like a crazy highlight reel? Why do they feel that they must go to Shania Twain or a ‘hockey warrior’ to market hockey? To see what I’m talking about, watch this (the commercial cuts aren’t until later in the press conference) video.

I’ll probably update my ramblings after the game. Go Wings!

Update: The Wings tied with Columbus in the last 43 seconds of the third period. With little left in OT, the Blue Jackets beat Jimmy Howard to win the game, 3-2.

I’m happy to report that I’ve purchased some Wings tickets. For non-season ticket holders, I’ve found it very hard to get tickets to games. I was able to get tickets for my family for the September 25 pre-season game against the Dallas Stars. Today, the first 14 home games’ tickets went on sale at 10am. I was able to purchase 2 tickets each for 3 games: Anaheim, Coyotes, and the season opener. I will only be able to go to one of those games b/c my brothers get to go to a game as well. But I plan on having my Dad take pictures at all the games and whatever turns out, I’ll post here. I am totally and completely excited/ready for Wings hockey. As much as I love being a fan of a winning team with a rich history, the Wings could suck and I’d still love watching my hockey team. Hopefully it’ll never get to that, but the era of “buying wins” is sadly over.

Kronwall impressing teammates and bringing comparisons to Vladdie
In Traverse City camp, Niklas Kronwall impressed teammates and Wings staff alike. Since he was 16 years old, the Wings have watched him play in Sweden and more recently, Grand Rapids. Now they hope to see him develop into an NHL defenseman.

“He’s got good offensive skills — he’s good defensively, great mobility, he’s strong on his skates,” assistant general manager Jim Nill said. “He’s one of our top young players.”

Thus far, 24 year old Kronwall has been paired up with veteran player Chris Chelios.

“He’s going to be a great player in this league for years to come, without a doubt,” Schneider said. He’s one of those guys that is the full package — plays physical, moves the puck well, sees the ice well — and it’s just a matter of experience, now. Not to mention he’s a great kid. He’s got a great attitude. You don’t want to compare him to Nicky, but he’s got the same type of mentality, the same attitude.”

Others have compared Kronwall to Vladimir Konstantinov like in the way he hits players.

“In the sense that they have the ability to catch a guy with his head down in the neutral zone, Vladdie was good that way, too,” Yzerman said. “They’re good skaters, agile, they can adjust to when a guy is moving across the ice. I don’t think he’s as chippy as Vladdie was as a player, but certainly as physical. He’s a great open-ice hitter. He will get a reputation for that, but his first year or two around the league, he’s going to catch people by surprise and then force players to have their heads up coming through the neutral zone.”

While he has already gained a reputation as a physical player, Kronwall broke his leg during the 2003-2004 season causing him to miss out on some games. During the lockout, Kronwall had a chance to work on his game.

“I think I’ve improved a lot, actually, especially my offensive game,” Kronwall said. “I got a lot of good chances last year to work on it. In my own opinion, I think maybe last year was probably the best thing that could have happened to me — I got to play a lot in Grand Rapids and get some more experience on the smaller ice surface.”

Head coach Mike Babcock was quote impressed with Kronwall’s performance at the world championships when he represented Sweden.

“At the world championships, I thought he was outstanding,” Babcock said. “I’ve seen him against the best players in the world, and he was, in my mind, a high-end player. It might take him a little bit of time, but he’s going to be a high-end NHL defenseman.”

Swedish media, DN, is reporting that the Wings have signed Niklas Kronwall to a two year deal for $2 million. Below is the Swedish article followed by a Kuklas Korner’s vistor’s translation.

Kronwall, som skrapade ihop 20 NHL-matcher med Detroit säsongen 2003/04, är den sjätte svensken som kontrakterats av klubben och kontraktet är värt 15 miljoner kronor.
- Niklas dubblar lönen. Han får två miljoner dollar för två säsonger, säger hans agent Claes Elefalk till Aftonbladet.
Övriga svenskar med kontrakt i Detroit är Nicklas Lidström och Tomas Holmström samt de nya Johan Franzén och Andreas Lilja. Henrik Zetterberg ligger i förhandlingar om en fortsättning.

English translation thanks to Daniel:

Kronwall, who played 20 NHL games for Detroit during the 2003/04 season, is the sixth Swede to sign a contract with the team, and the deal is worth 15 million Swedish crowns.

“Niklas is doubling his salary. He gets $2 million for two seasons,” says his agent Claes Elefalk to Aftonbladet (*Swedish newspaper*)

Other Swedes contracted by Detroit are Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom, as well as newcomers Johan Franzén and Andreas Lilja. Henrik Zetterberg is currently in negotiations for a new deal.

[ UPDATE: (Matt, 27. Aug 05) The above has been confirmed. They now have 19 players under contract and over $30 million committed in salary. Kronwall's salary may or may not be $1 million a year. The official number has not been released yet. ]

Gary Greenstin, Pavel Datsyuk’s agent, wrote a letter commenting about the contract negotiations.

In our negotiations we came to the finish line. I announced to the Detroit’s General Manager Ken Holland that he needs to make up his mind relatively to Datsyuk by September 1st. Pavel is willing to play in the NHL. Red Wings’ first priority right now is to sign a contract with Datsyuk. As you can see, we have the same goal.

September 5th is a deadline to get players on a roster in Russian Super League. It’s clear that Datsyuk can’t wait the entire month in uncertainty. He would play in Dynamo.

What salary is Datsyuk expecting? I and Mr. Holland decided not to announce any numbers. But it’s well-known that Detroit signed 18 players already for 31 million dollars. So, there is a room, especially that each club may have an over-budget of the cap of 39 million dollars until October 1st.

Next week I’m flying to Moscow to sit down with Datsyuk and discuss all of the possible variants of the career’s continuation. As a reminder, in two years Pavel will become an unrestricted free agent. Detroit proposes us a five-year contract, but we agree only for two-three years. Negotiations with Holland are going pretty hard, but there is no, and won’t be, any animosity between us. I do what is better for Datsyuk, and he does what is better for the club.

Regarding the rules, Detroit has a right to sign a contract with Pavel before December 1st. Up to now, Detroit excluded any possibility to trade him to another team. And we didn’t ask for it. Though, I know that many teams are dreaming to see Pavel in their lineups and proposed some tempting offers to the Red Wings.

The Detroit News reports that the Wings still have a long ways to go to sign Pavel Datsyuk. Moscow Dynamo needs to hear a commitment from Datsyuk by September 1 when all European contracts must be registered. Apparently, he has been working out with the Dynamo team and scored a goal in Finland while at a tournament. Datsyuk’s agent, Gary Greenstin, has told Dynamo that Datsyuk would rather play for the Wings, but if a deal can’t be reached he will return for a second year in Moscow. “A beautiful, highlight goal from what people told me,” Greenstin said.

In a nutshell, a decision should be made within a week regarding Datsyuk’s future. For the future of the Detroit Red Wings, I sure hope Holland can work something out.

“It’s up to Ken Holland (Wings general manager) and myself to work on this and come to some sort of an agreement,” Greenstin said. “It’s a slow process. We’re going to continue to work. As we’ve said, Pavel’s first priority is to remain with the Wings.”

Besides Datsyuk, Holland still has to sign Niklas Kronwall, Henrik Zetterberg, and one other player (probably a defenseman). The Wings have $7 million left to sign those players.

Delmore grew up idolizing Yzerman
The Detroit News ran an article regarding Andy Delmore’s excitement to play for the Wings. Last week, the defeseman signed a contract for one year worth $450,000 (the league’s minimum). Even if Delmore doesn’t make the Wings roster, he’s excited for the opportunity to be just a phone call away. He grew up in Windsor cheering for the Red Wings.

“Let’s face it, a lot of players don’t get an opportunity for their hometown team,” Delmore said. “The chance to come back home, and play for the Wings, it really is exciting. Definitely a guy like Steve Yzerman, for everything he’s accomplished in his career, the way he carries himself on and off the ice,” Delmore said. “Then guys like Bob Probert (another Windsor native) and Joe Kocur. There were so many good memories and moments. But I was always a Wings fan, not the (Toronto Maple) Leafs.”

Holland believes Delmore could give the Wings depth especially with some of the new rule changes. “He’s got skill, and he gives us depth,” general manager Ken Holland said. “He’s a guy who could help us.”

Over the lockout, Delmore played for Adler Mannheim (a Germany team) alongside the Sabres’ Jochen Hochet and the Flames’ Rene Corbet. In his 50 games, he scored seven goals and had 16 assists.

“No doubt, it was a little different,” he said of having games twice a week, on weekends. It really was like a college (hockey) schedule. We’d play on Friday and Sunday, have Monday off, and practiced the rest of the week. The atmosphere and intensity was real good because you’d only (have) those two games, and the crowds were really into it. It was good hockey, as good as any of the other leagues (in Europe). Our team made it into the finals, and there were quite a few NHL players (in Germany). It was a good experience.”

Since the Wings want a minimum of seven defensemen and money is tight, Jason Woolley will probably be playing another year with the Wings. “They’re giving me an opportunity,” Woolley said.

Legace’s golf charity event next Monday
Next Monday at the Meadowbrook Country Club in Northville, Manny Legace will be holding a charity golf event with proceeds going towards breast cancer research. Legace’s mom along with a close family friend have fought breast cancer. “This (the golf outing) is something that I’ve wanted to do for some time,” Legace said, “and everything has worked out.” The Wings that are scheduled to attend include Chris Osgood, Jason Williams, Kirk Maltby, and Darryl Bootland. Legace is encouraging fants to attend for autograph opportunities. Donations will be accepted.

I hope to attend the event since it’s about 5-10 minutes from my house. I’ll call the golf club tomorrow to see when the event starts. If I am able to attend, I plan on getting some autographs and taking pictures to be posted here. If you can attend, come support the fight against breast cancer along with watching our beloved Wings players golf! Hope to see you there!