Red Wings' news...

Red Wings signed Martin Frk,their second round pick to an entry level contract... they did not have a first round pick in this year's NHL Draft...

commentary...

i am a Detroit Red Wings' fan... a die-hard fan,if you must know... i do remember the "Dead Wings" era,of the 70's,and the 80's... i root for the team... the team history is sacred to me... i am just waiting to see what the Red Wings are going to do,because the Red Wings may be an underdog this upcoming season,and the fans may have been spoiled by this 20+year run of playoff success that the Red Wings have had,and yet,they still have talent to compete,unlike the "Dead Wings" era,which was horrible,period...
to me,the team is what i root for,good,or bad,and there are fair-weather fans out there,who only root for a team,when they are winning,and do not realize that the team that they root for may not have a good year,or two... the true fans are the ones who stand with the team,when the good times are good,and the bad things happen... the Red Wings do have enough talent,to compete,or the talent will fall short,and the Red Wings struggle for a playoff spot...
i am a die-hard fan of the Red Wings,period...

not all players go for the money,just yet...

Mark Jankowski,the first scholastic player picked,at 21st,in first round,of the 2012 NHL draft,by the Calgary Flames,has elected to go continue his education,and play collegiate hockey,at Providence College,this upcoming season...

feel good story...

in Ogdensburg,New York,hometown boy,Detroit Red Wings' goaltender Jimmy Howard outfitted their junior hockey team,with everything needed for a hockey team,out of his own pocket... at the Richard G. Lockwood Community Center,in Ogdensburg,the ice rink is named after Jimmy Howard...

injury update...

remember Jack Jablonski? there was a fundraiser that raised $120,000,over the weekend,for his medical needs,at the XCEL Energy Center,in St. Paul,Minnesota(home of the Minnesota Wild)... he was injured December 30th,2011,in a junior-varsity game,between Benilde-St. Margaret's High School,and Wayzata High School,in Minnesota... update:during an appointment to see how he is doing,in mid-May,he actually moved his little finger,and his leg,and ankle,slightly... the hospital staff got excited... he tweeted,at that time,"just slightly moved little finger,and left leg/ankle" #bigday"... he also visited his school,May 30th...

update...

the Steve Moore vs Todd Bertuzzi,Marc Crawford,and the Vancouver Canucks,et al lawsuit hearing has been moved again,to January,2013... this lawsuit goes back to a game,between the Colorado Avalanche,and the Vancouver Canucks,before the NHL's lost season(lockout),in which Bertuzzi jumped onto the back of Moore,and drove Moore's head and neck onto the ice,in a hotly contested game,in which both teams were very nasty,in the game... no argument about what happened in game(as far as what Bertuzzi did to Moore)... this lawsuit was filed,in 2006,and has been delayed for six years,by requests by the defense lawyers... only question is:how much money will every defendant pay to Moore??? Bertuzzi's stupidity was the worst thing that i ever saw on the ice,period...

collective bargaining agreement update...

NHL,and NHLPA discussed player benefits,and length of training camp,among other things,in a very informative,and so far,very cordial collective bargaining agreement talks over the last three days...

commentary...

being a Red Wings' fan this off-season is not very fun,because Ken Holland(Red Wings' general manager)has sat on about $16 million dollar salary cap space,and has done very little to fill the major holes left on the blueline,with the departure of discontented Brad Stuart(to San Jose),and the retirement of seven-time Norris Trophy,and four time Stanley Cup winner,Nicklas Lidstrom... what in the world is Holland doing? being prudent,but the Red Wings' fans are on edge,because they see a huge hole in the blueline,and nothing being done,so they say... honestly,the top of the line defensivemen out in free agency wanted long term contract(example:Shea Weber's 14 year,$110 million re-signing,by the Nashville Predators,and the twin signings,by the Minnesota Wild,of Ryan Suter,and Zach Parise-basically both wanted to play near home,or had family considerations),and even though Red Wings had a lot of salary cap space,they were priced out of the signing wars,this year,so far... it is the team that i support,no matter what happens,but it will be a tough season for the fans,but,at least,i will give Holland time to reform the Red Wings' roster... i believe that the Red Wings will be an underdog this upcoming NHL season,whenever that happens(depending on collective bargaining agreement talks),and because of that they will fight for a playoff spot(as of right now)...

record that will not be broken...

the best plus/minus mark for a NHL player,is an amazing plus-700,by Larry Robinson,one of the best NHL defensivemen,in NHL history,who played for the Montreal Canadiens,and won five Stanley Cups... the second man on that list is Wayne "the Great One" Gretzky,with a plus-551... Robinson,and the recently retired Nicklas Lidstrom are the only NHL players,never to miss the Stanley Cup playoffs(20 years),in their careers...

NHL news...

NHL,and NHLPA resume negotiations for the new collective bargaining agreement on Tuesday,discussing discipline,and other issues... negotiations continue today,and Thursday...

NHL news...

Nashville Predators matched offer sheet,given by the Philadelphia Flyers,to Shea Weber;14 years,$110 million...

NHL news...

Rick Nash was dealt,by the Columbus Blue Jackets,to the New York Rangers,yesterday,along with Steven Delisle,and a conditional third round 2013 NHL Draft pick,for Brandon Dubinsky,Artem Anisimov,Tim Erixon,and the Rangers' 2013 NHL first round draft pick... if the Rangers make it to the Stanley Cup Final,Columbus keeps its third round draft pick,next year...

NHL news...

Rick Nash has been traded to the New York Rangers,by the Columbus Blue Jackets... more later on this trade...

NHL news...

Nail Yakupov,the first overall draft pick,in the 2012 NHL Draft,signed a three year entry level contract,with the Edmonton Oilers,today...

NHL news...

Kris Versteeg re-signed with the Florida Panthers with a four year contract... terms were not released...

NHL oddities...

there are two fourth generation NHL players,in the "pipeline",maybe for playing in NHL,this upcoming season... one is Blake Geoffrion(noted in this blog,earlier,on July 16th,2012)... the other one would be Brett Hextall,whose grandfather,Bryan Sr.,won the Stanley Cup,in 1940,with the New York Rangers... Brett Hextall was drafted,in 2008,by the Phoenix Coyotes,and was called up,by the Coyotes,during the playoffs,last season...

collective bargaining agreement update...

the NHL,and NHLPA concluded a three day collective bargaining agreement negotiation session,yesterday... talks continue next week... plan is to get new collective bargaining agreement in place by time old one expires on September 15,2012...

RIP movie theater victims...

this morning's Aurora(CO) movie theater disaster was a tragedy,for the families involved... condolences,and deep respect to families involved...
personal side note:i spent time at the mall nearest the movie theater,in the mid-90's,so i personally know the area well..

NHL news...

T.J. Oshie re-signed with the St. Louis Blues;five years,$20.875 million... good signing by the Blues...

Happy Birthday,Pavel...

Happy Birthday,Pavel Datsyuk... he turns 34,today...

free agent offer sheet signing...

defenseman Shea Weber signed free agent offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers;fourteen years,worth $110 million,$68 million in bonuses,over the first six years... Nashville Predators have a week to match offer,or get four first round picks,from Philadelphia...

Red Wings' news...

Kyle Quincey re-signed with Red Wings;two years,$7.55 million...

hockey dead time...

during the NHL league year,this is the dead time,because all you hear about players being signed to various lengths of contracts,and you hear about retired players wanting to give it,"one more try",like Mike Modano,who retired after the 2010-2011 season... so it is trivia time,starting tomorrow...

NHL news,and NHL history...

Montreal Canadiens re-signed Blake Geoffrion,the only (as i believe)fourth generation NHL player(great-grandson of Hockey Hall of Fame member Howie Morenz,and grandson of Hockey Hall of Fame member Bernie "Boom Boom" Geoffrion)... he signed a two way contract,worth $803,250,in the NHL...
in one of the most tragic twists,in NHL history,Morenz suffered a severely broken left leg,when his skate got stuck in the boards,and then a Chicago Black Hawks'(spelling of team name,in the 1930's) player fell on his leg,during a game,between Montreal,and Chicago,on January 28,1937,in Montreal... he never played in NHL,again,and tragically got depressed,and suffered a heart attack,in the hospital,while walking to the washroom,on March 8,1937... his funeral was at the Montreal Forum,and broadcast live throughout Canada,on radio,and had a rotating military honor guard,of four around the casket,as fans lined up to view the casket,and say last respects to Morenz...
personal note:when i read the story of Morenz's tragic death,i cried...

NHL news...

Washington Capitals re-signed defenseman Mike Green,to a $18.25 million dollar three year contract extension...

feel good story...

23 year old Red Wings' prospect Bryan Rufenach died earlier this summer traveling in Europe(noted also earlier on this blog),so the Red Wings during their development camp,in Traverse City,Michigan,and the entire Red Wings' organization,and teams(Red Wings,Grand Rapids Griffiths,of the American Hockey League(AHL),and the Toledo Walleye,of the East Coast Hockey League(ECHL),proclaimed July 10th,2012,Bryan Rufenach Day,in Traverse City,Michigan...

NHL news...

fourteen free agents will have their salary arbitration hearings,starting July 20th,through August 4th... four free agents of note:Kyle Quincey,with the Detroit Red Wings,and Kris Versteeg,who won Stanley Cup,with Chicago,in 2009-2010,with the Florida Panthers,T.J. Oshie,with the St. Louis Blues,and Sam Gagner(Mister eight point(my words)-scored eight points in game,against the Chicago Blackhawks),with the Edmonton Oilers...

a letter to Tomas Holmstrom...

dear Tomas:you have played 1,026 regular season games,have been the best in-front of net player,in NHL history,have absorbed hits to your ribs,and your knees are not what they were,in the past,but you are a player with character... you have said that you will play for the Red Wings,next season,or retire... i would love for you to play for the Red Wings,for,at least,one more year,but if you decide to retire,that is just fine,with this Red Wings' fan,but i really hope you have a great life,and simply do what your heart tells you,and if you play for the Red Wings,next season,i really hope you are really healthy,all season,because your health is most important than the beautiful game of hockey...

NHL'S collective bargaining agreement initial propositions....

1:trim player revenue,from 57%,to 46%,of total revenue...
2:player contracts would be limited to five years...
3:players would be have to wait ten years to become an unrestricted free agent,up from seven years,now...
4:salary arbitration would be eliminated...
5:entry level contracts would be extended to five years,up from three years...
6:eliminate signing bonuses,as,according to NHL,they alter players' share of hockey-related revenue...
7:range of salary cap revenue,from top to bottom,would go from $16 million,now,to $12 million,in the new collective bargaining agreement(CBA)...
my opinion:this is a long process,and some of these proposals have no chance... expect a dogfight...

NHL news...

in the category of,"no big surprise",the Anaheim Ducks re-signed Teemu Selanne,to an one year contract... Selanne holds NHL rookie goal-scoring record,when he scored 76 goals,in 1992-1993,with the original Winnipeg Jets... he has scored 663 goals,in his nineteen year career,and 466 goals(all-time leader),in Anaheim...

Red Wings' news...

Nicklas Lidstrom will remain with the Red Wings,as a scout,most likely in Europe....

i am home from a small vacation!!!!!!

hockey news...

the United States Hockey League is a developmental hockey league for college,and junior hockey players... there are 189 USHL alumni,in the NHL,and 281 NCAA,and other college commitments,in USHL history(so far)...

American Hockey League news...

the Grand Rapids Griffiths have moved to the Midwest Division,of the American Hockey League re-joining the Chicago Wolves,Milwaukee Admirals,Peoria(Illinois)Rivermen,and Rockford(Illinois)IceHogs,for the first time,since the 2004-2005 campaign...

feel good story...

in an interview,broadcast,on 99.3 The Fox,up in Vancouver,Roberto Luongo basically said that his playing days,in Vancouver,may be over,and he does not expect to be there,when the 2012-2013 NHL season starts... he went on to really thanking the fans,for his six years there,calling Vancouver,a wonderful city,and noting that his only regret was not winning,and bringing,the Stanley Cup,(playing against the Boston Bruins,in 2010-2011,(lost in seven games),to Vancouver...
Roberto,you did everything that you could do,to bring the Stanley Cup,to Vancouver,and you are a total class act...

NHL news...

NHL,and NHLPA had two more productive days,of collective bargaining agreement(CBA)talks,on Thursday,and Friday... more talks scheduled for next week...

Red Wings' news...

Red Wings hire Tom Renney,as associate coach... Renney was head coach of the Edmonton Oilers,for last two years,going 57-85-22,as head coach...

commentary...

the Red Wings' roster,right now,looks a little thin,but honestly,with the best general manager(Ken Holland),and front office,in NHL,and about $20 million,in salary cap space,if you honestly think that the Red Wings are not going to be competitive this upcoming season,have your laughs now,folks,because the Red Wings,i hate to remind you,have made the Stanley Cup playoffs,for 21 straight years,or close to that... it is only July,not September,or early October(depending on a new collective bargaining agreement being in line-the current one expires September 15th,by the way)... i may be moaning in virtual pain,come opening night,of 2012-2013 NHL season,because Red Wings may not be the team that i expect,but honestly,i believe that Holland,and the front office,will plug the holes in the Wings' lineup for the season... so pundits,keep laughing,and the Red Wings will make all of you choke on the laughter,i guarantee,come next April,when they make the Stanley Cup playoffs,and maybe next June,too...

commentary...

the pundits have already given the Stanley Cup(in the next few years),to the Minnesota Wild,when they signed both Ryan Suter,and Zach Parise,in free agency... both will help the Wild,but who is the defending Stanley Cup Champion? the Los Angeles Kings,and how many people easily forgot that the Vancouver Canucks won the Northwest Division(the division where the Wild reside),and the President's Trophy(as the best team in NHL,last season)... there are too many teams in the Western Conference who are talented,and can beat each other to just hand the Stanley Cup,to Minnesota,like the pundits may believe,but people,let us play the 2012-2013 NHL season,before Minnesota wins Stanley... congratulate Minnesota,on signing Parise,and Suter,but be realistic... there are too many things that could go wrong,before next June,and the Wild will be a playoff team,with their improvements,and that is a good thing for hockey...

Big day in Minnesota...

the Minnesota Wild have signed both Ryan Suter and Zach Parise... the top defenseman,and forward,respectively,in this year's free agency class...

NHL news...

Ryan Suter has signed with the Minnesota Wild... at least,he is not going to torture the Red Wings six times a year,like when he was with the Nashville Predators...

Happy Independence Day!!!

NHL news...

the Montreal Canadiens have extended the contract,of goaltender Carey Price for six years...

NHL news...

Raffi Torres,of the Phoenix Coyotes,has been suspended 21 games,for his launching hit on Marian Hossa,of the Chicago Blackhawks,during their second round Stanley Cup playoff series,by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman... Torres won his appeal of reducing a 25 game suspension,by Brendan Shanahan,and was reduced to 21 games,by Bettman... he has served 13 games,of that suspension,during the Stanley Cup playoffs,and will miss first eight games of the 2012-2013 season...

KHL free agency signing...

Alexander Radulov signed four year contract with CSKA Moscow... he came back to the Nashville Predators,from the KHL,for a few games,got his accrued year for NHL free agency back,then just went back to the KHL... Nashville got nothing,but a rent a player,and basically got hosed... what a piece of real work!!!!!!

NHL news...

goaltender Martin Brodeur re-signed,with the New Jersey Devils,on a two year contract...

comments...

there are four top free agents on the market:Zach Parise(of the New Jersey Devils)*,Shea Weber(of the Nashville Predators)*,Ryan Suter(of the Nashville Predators)*,and Martin Brodeur(of the New Jersey Devils)*... there is a possibility that one or more will signed today,or in just a matter of days... there is also a fifth that should be moved shortly,by the Columbus Blue Jackets,in Rick Nash... Red Wings does have a lot of salary cap room,and have put in tender offers,to Parise,and Suter,so who knows...
*current team...

free agency signings,and news...

Mikael Samuelsson,Jordin Tootoo,and Damien Brunner(a star player,with Team Switzerland,during 2012 IIHF World Championship) have signed free agent contracts,for the Red Wings... Mikael Samuelsson signed a two year contract,and was a member of 2008 Red Wings' Stanley Cup-winning team... Tootoo was a scrapper,and agitator,with Nashville Predators,known for grit,and big hits... absolutely "hated" him... he signed a three year contract... welcome to the Motor City,and to the Winged Wheel...

free agency news...

the Red Wings signed goaltender Jonas Gustavsson to a free agent deal... goaltending will be better,in the backup position,next season,for the Red Wings...

NHL news...

NHL free agency begins today... the Red Wings,reportedly,have about $24 million,in salary cap space...