Sunday, May 11, 2008

NHL.com | Detroitredwings.com | NHLFA.com | ESPN.com | TSN.ca

Home       Schedule/Results       News       Roster       Gameday       In the Crease       Links       Downloads       Contact       RSS

Some Things Change, While Others...
Jennifer Miller	8/03/2006
We all saw the original smash hit The Dominator Takes the Cup. Then, there was the sequel: Dominator 3D! When I first heard the news, I admit I was convinced Ken Holland had suffered a head injury. But the more I think about it, the more I understand the move. We all saw what Hasek could still do last season before his injury and we know how important a strong, even -dare I say - dominating goalie can be come playoff time. With Chris Osgood inked and able to play as many games as the Wings may need, keeping Dom healthy for the postseason shouldn't be too hard. I have to say I have been a little disappointed as I watch the ESPN bottom line most days, hoping for NHL news to tell me that the Red Wings have brought in some help. Not a lot going on and I do understand that there are some money issues at play here. Welcome to the effects of a hard salary cap. That being said, I am very pleased with the signing of Danny Markov. This is good. Very good. Now we just need to maybe replace a little of the offense lost when Brendan Shanahan decided he was more a part of the team's past than it's future and headed off to the big apple. I have heard the rumblings that Anson Carter would like to come to Detroit. He would help, although he would not completely cover what was lost and he has to deal with the fact that the Wings aren't in a position to offer more than a one-year deal. I have also heard that Sergei Samsonov might be an option. Try telling me he wouldn't look nice in a winged wheel. No matter what happens, this team will look decidedly different in the coming season than it did when we last saw our boys shaking hands with the Edmonton Oilers. Some younger faces, for sure, as Jiri Hudler and the like get their chance to truly prove themselves. With Jason Williams re-signed, you have to know that he will be given a larger role, which he richly deserves. Johan Franzen is still not under contract, but he has become a priority for Holland and I have no doubt "the mule" will be in training camp next month. Of course the face that most of us have grown up associating with the Red Wings will not be there for the first time in more than two decades. The Captain is gone now, although I would imagine there will be a ceremony before the first game where a banner bearing the number 19 is raised to the rafters of the Joe. I know we all saw it coming and it was time for him to move on. I was even among the people speculating that the team may have become too reliant on Yzerman. Still, I cried when he held his press conference. Just because some things have to happen doesn't keep them from being sad. I know I am not alone in wishing Stevie all the best and hoping he soon finds his place somewhere in the organization. I was also a bit angry when I heard of Shanahan signing with the Rangers. I have had a chance to read some of his comments about his decision and I understand where he is coming from. Really, Shanny is such a genuinely good guy that it's hard to stay mad at him for long. His wife may disagree with me but I don't live with him so I can't hold my anger for any great length of time. So now we are a little over a month from training camp and we know who will be in net and who will patrol the blue line. A couple of small questions remain but I am starting to be satisfied with this off season. It's hardly what we have grown accustomed to but I think it may just suffice. Now all there is left to do is wait. I, for one, will spend the time enjoying the Tigers has I haven't been able to do since the mid and late 80's. I don't know how far they will go in the playoffs but already this season has been enough to make this long suffering fan giddy with joy. Now if the Lions can end my poor husband's misery we'll be all set. Yeah right...