If you’re looking for quick information on last night’s games, go here. (via Mirtle)
Author Archive for Matt Saler
George Malik continues his practice of posting excellant columns on Kukla’s Korner with this critique of the Wings’ PR department. He gets a lot right in the first section, where he accuses the organization of arrogance. I do think, however, he somewhat overestimates the response the team would receive if they were to change its ways. Hockeytown has become more and more Pistonstown and Tigerstown lately, and I suspect it will be hard to return to the glory days of Wings fanship.
Sharp got his annual “let’s bash hockey and the Wings” column in today’s Free Press. Go read it if you can stomach it. Favorite bit of editorial wit:
But change hit home like a cold slap Thursday. Steve Yzerman took the ice in only a ceremonial role. Brendan Shanahan was opening on Broadway. And the goalie that everyone in Detroit truly wanted was on the ice.The problem was he played for the other team.
Yes, Drew, the first two were definite slaps to the face but you’re speaking for yourself on the third.
I really would have loved to have seen that. I wish he could have gotten those two goals while still in Detroit. Congratulations, Shanny!
As for the Wings, they lost last night and didn’t look good while doing it, though it was still great to watch them again. Definitely a lot of rust, for just about everyone on the team. Hopefully they’ll be better on Saturday against the Pens.
It was very strange to see Lidstrom wearing the “C,” but Draper and Zetterberg look good with the “A.” Now I have to get one for my Hank jersey.
I’m sorry about the lack of posting. I really did mean to do a preview of the game, if not the season, but just was not able to fit it in. I hope to be able to start posting more regularly sometime next week, when the homework push is over.
Brad Horton made the cut as the 13th forward, as the players preferred. So, the team will look like this:
Forwards
Dan Cleary
Pavel Datsyuk
Kris Draper
Johan Franzen
Brad Horton
Tomas Holmstrom
Jiri Hudler
Tomas Kopecky
Robert Lang
Kirk Maltby
Mikael Samuelsson
Jason Williams
Henrik ZetterbergDefensmen
Chelios Chelios
Niklas Kronwall
Brett Lebda
Nicklas Lidstrom
Andreas Lilja
Danny Markov
Mathieu SchneiderGoalies
Dominik Hasek
Joey MacDonald
Chris Osgood
I have a ton of homework to do this week but I’ll get a season preview up by late Wedesnday night.
Update (7:39 PM): The TSN article has been updated to say that Kubina has, in fact, been suspended for Toronto’s first regular season game. He’ll forfeit $26,737.97 in pay. - Matt
The Leafs’ Pavel Kubina was assessed a match penalty during last night’s exhibition game in Toronto (a 3-2 shootout win for the Wings) for a cross-check to Jiri Hudler’s face. Now, the league is reviewing the play and may suspend the defenseman for at least Toronto’s season opener against the Senators.
I only caught a glimpse of the play while watching it live (I was distracted) but it seems pretty clear that Kubina ought to sit out at least one game. Hudler is the shorter player by a fair margin, Kubina has to control his stick, even when taking a cheap shot after the play. Hit him in the chest next time, Pavel.
Yes, I know he’s a Colorado player but it’s relevant because Greg Johnson is in a similar position. I expect we’ll be hearing about his retirement pretty soon.
It’s bad news for the lady fans in Detroit but good news for Darryl’s large female fanclub in GR, as long as he clears waivers. Booter may have literally fought his way out of a roster spot, because the Wings could obviously use a physical presence. However, they don’t necessarily need a fighter in today’s NHL.
Update (5:49 AM): Um, I see now that Bootland did, in fact, clear waivers, in case you were worried.
Update (3:53 PM): Joe Conklin of The Grand Rapids Press has more on Bootland here.
“Sources say Johnson may soon have to announce his retirement, but he is seeking secondary medical opinions to be sure.”
I don’t see how any doctor could clear him to play if another told him he couldn’t. I’ve been skeptical of the whole Johnson deal all along but in reality, he would have been helpful to have (I’m still not convinced he was the best acquistion the Wings could have made but anyway…) so it’s a shame they would have his servises. The good news, though, is that his condition was noticed before another Fischer-like incident took place.
Update (7:56 PM): According to Ansar Khan, Johnson didn’t just go to any old Detroit heart clinic. It was the Mayo Clinic that didn’t clear him. Good luck finding a contrary opinion, Greg.
Khan also has more on the forwards situation so his blog post is worth a read.
So, he won’t be Ken Holland’s right-hand man, he’ll be Jimmy Devellano’s. It’s fitting, given the fact that Jimmy D is the man who drafted The Captain in 1983. Pretty good first post-career job, I’d say. Congratulations, Stevie!
