Via George Malik, who writes “Lower [jersey] numbers mean a good chance of getting a ‘long look,’ while higher numbers tend to indicate a season in the minors.” George also points out an interesting entry in the list: 02 Jiri Fischer, Detroit (NHL). Since when is Jiri coming back, or at least getting a chance to try out? It must be a mistake, since you’d think someone would have picked up the huge story of Jiri Fischer’s amazing return to the ice. But maybe not… It would be nice to know what’s going on.
Author Archive for Matt SalerPage 3 of 92
No official announcement yet, this is based on a source the paper apparently has within the organization. Obviously, this isn’t surprising, if it’s true. Congratulations, Nick!
Update (5:16 PM): I found and posted the above link right before I left for work today. If I’d had more time, I probably would have questioned Ms. St. James’ story a little more. Fortunately, while I was at work, others did the questioning, namely IwoCPO at A2Y.
First, he broke down the story piece-by-piece. Then he posted a quote by Mike Babcock (via KK) in a CP report that refuted the Free Press article:
“I’m not saying Nick Lidstrom won’t be the captain but what I am telling you is that we haven’t spent one second on it yet. Anything written about it at this point is pure speculation.”
Obviously the Freep’s source is getting a little ahead of themselves and the organization.
Nick Lidstrom may very well end up being the captain and he probably should be. I still favor this rumor, however.
Update (6:54 PM): Iwo has more here.
Everyone’s least favorite ex-Wing had this to say about a former teammate:
Which player would you love to cross-check into the boards?
The guy I owe the most right now is Kirk Maltby from Detroit. ….. I know Malts would never square off and fight me. If I dropped my gloves, he’d skate away and I’d get a penalty.
No kidding Maltby wouldn’t “square off and fight,” you, Avery. It’ s not his job. His job is to draw penalties from hotheads like you and he’s one of the best at doing it. His other job, which he also excels at, is killing off penalties but I guess that’s something you wouldn’t know about. I’m sure your teammates know all about it, though. What’s your job? Penalty box inspector? (link via Checking Line)
George Malik explains how the fallout from Evgeni Malkin’s “defection” from his RSL team is going to affect the Wings’ efforts to bring Igor Grigorenko to the NHL by next summer.
Update (12. Aug, 2:06 PM): Christy has more here.
Update (11. Aug, 5:51 PM): Looks like I overreacted: John Niyo reports that a DMC hand specialist checked out Hank’s wrist today and decided that surgery is not needed. Apparently, it’s just inflammed and there’s no “structural damage.” Basically, he’ll be fine soon. He’s supposed to get a cortizone injection to help with the inflammation and then head back to Sweden. Whew!
I still think they need to sign a scoring forward, however. Their options are getting more and more limited, though. Petr Sykora, pending a groin MRI, has signed with the Edmonton Oilers and, as Niyo posted on the Detroit News Wings Weblog, the Wings are not interested in JP Dumont. Peter Bondra sounds pretty good to me, Ken. (Thanks to the posters at KK Forums for the links.)
Update (11. Aug, 7:19 AM): The News reports that, due to the terrorist plot the Brits exposed yesterday, Hank’s arrival in the States could be delayed by the heightened security at airports. They also quote the assistant GM, Jim Nill, as saying, “I don’t think it’s anything serious. He played all year with it and didn’t even feel it at the end of the season.” Again, it’s a good thing they’re being cautious now, even if the injury isn’t a big deal.
(End Updates)
Helene St. James today regurgitated a Swedish report that broke the story that Henrik Zetterberg has been dealing with a wrist injury for the past 18 months. Apparently, it’s been on and off and Hank has been able to play through it by taping it up (Making his play last season even more impressive).
However, the injury recently flared up while Zetterberg was skating with his old SEL team, Timra IK. Now, the Wings are concerned enough to bring him back to the States for examination.
The Swedish report said the injury is serious and that Henrik may miss the start of the season, a prospect made much more likely if surgery is required. I guess it’s good that this happened now rather than in March, where the loss would have been catastrophic (remember, Hank was one of the few Wings to show up against Edmonton). If he needs surgery, he can get it done soon and would be back in time for the important stuff, hopefully.
Even so, this is not good news, folks, especially considering the Wings still have not signed any serious offensive talent this summer. Remember the fact that this injury dates all the way back to 18 months ago. It’s not like Hank could have kept it hidden. Management knew about it and should have made allowances for it in their plans for this coming season (ie. “Hank may be forced by injury to take a reduced role, rather than an increased one - do you think maybe we should get his wrist checked out and sign someone who can score goals just in case?” Naahhh).
With that in mind, the day Shanahan left the team, taking his share of the offensive burden with him, the Wings should have made it their first priority to sign a bona fide NHL forward with some semblance of offensive ability. That they didn’t is pretty disturbing.
I don’t think they have any choice now, in light of the possibility that Hank could be out for an indeterminate amount of time. Please sign someone, Holland. Dumont, Bondra, anyone.
(link via. A2Y)
About time someone got around to signing him. Sheesh. Congratulations, Manny! And good luck. We’ll be seeing you.
The Illitches have moved one of their chief executives over to head a team investigating two options: a new arena and renovations of JLA. Personally, I can’t imagine the Wings without the Joe so I hope they end up deciding to renovate. I don’t want to go to some fancy new arena with some corporate name and zero character. But that’s just me. The News has a story on this too but I can’t access it right now (”Server too busy”). Maybe you can.
I’ve been tagged by Christy to post five things about me that may be found to be weird.
1) I read. A lot. I’m currently reading a 1296-page history of the British Isles. For fun.
2) I like history. You know that’s weird, all you history haters.
3) I work landscaping/lawn maintenance and don’t smoke pot. That’s very weird, I’m told.
4) I played football and did Quiz Bowl in high school, as did a number of my fellow athlete friends. Ask the QB teams that utterly destroyed us in tournaments whether or not that combination is weird. The geeks…
5) I hate my alarm so much that I always wake up before it goes off so that I don’t have to hear it. Even when I’m getting up at 5:00 AM (for the most part).
I haven’t been following this conversation all that closely so I’m not sure who has done it and who hasn’t. I tag whoever’s not done it!
Interesting that the first hockey blogger to get their own NHL.com column is also a Wings fan. (fans of the 29 other teams can insert *evil laugh* here) Congratulations, Paul!
