Less than 24 hours now...

Well, this is going to be short again.  This time though, because I'm depressed on the topic.

No contract could be polished off before 11 am between Brad Stuart and the Red Wings.  GM Ken Holland will continue talking to Stuart's agent through today, but it's highly likely he will be looking for his 5-year contract out on the West Coast with speculations being a re-signing with the LA Kings (though I have heard from others that the Sharks would fit his needs if they can't resign Campbell).

Other talk from this anonymous poster says the Wings will go after Andrew Raycroft as a backup goaltender and Jagr (as danced around last post) is still highly likely to take place.  As for me?  I'm thoroughly disappointed.  Stuart grew on me like mold grows on bread left out too long.  I love the guy!  He fits here perfectly!  More so than anywhere else he's ever played, I wish he could see that.  Yes, it took a bit to get over the fact his hit in 06-07 is the reason Zetterberg's back will never be 100% again, but once that happened, I couldn't picture him in another jersey.  I'm playing Taps in my head right now.  Have fun, Cali boy, but I won't be wishing you luck in your endeavors in a jersey other than the Winged Wheel...

*Crosses her fingers for the remaining few hours leading up till free-agency*

C'mon Kenny... get it done!

EDIT (6:57pm EDT): Andreas Lilja (D) was just signed to a 2-year deal at $1.2 million per season.  This just about confirms my worst fears that there is no salvaging the Stumeister.  I'd rather lose BOTH than just lose Stuart to be honest.  There is little I do I hide my strong dislike for Lilja.  The only things I like about him are his last name and he wears one of my two favorite numbers (#3)!

Signings and Trades - Two Days Prior

Todd Bertuzzi

Okay.  Really really quick listing of Western Conference trades and signings because I have really-big-possibly-terribly-shocking-news related to my Wings I have to elaborate on last... and I have a tendency to get extremely long winded (see last entry for reference).

• Minnesota Wild trade rights of Brian Rolston (RW) to Tampa Bay Lightning
• Edmonton Oilers trade Jarret Stoll (C), Matt Greene (D) to Los Angeles Kings for Lubomir Visnovski (D)
• Colorado Avalanche resign John-Michael Liles (D) and Adam Foote (D) for $16 million/4 years and $6 million/2 years respectively
• Anaheim Ducks bought out Todd Bertuzzi (RW), making him an UFA - Big Bert will get $2.6 of the $4 million he was to receive of the final year of his contract
• Rumor has it Anaheim is trying to move Mathieu Schneider (D) to clear cap space - both Schneider and Bertuzzi were free-agent signings prior to 2007-08 and, wouldn't you know, they came from the Wings... hey boys?  You missed the Cup two years now
• Calgary Flames bought out Markus Nilson (LW), Anders Eriksson (D), Rhett Warrener (D)
  

And now for the "really-big-possibly-terribly-shocking-news" related to my Detroit Red Wings...

Brad Stuart takes out Peter Forsberg... victory in the eyes of a Wings fan!

Rumor has it, from the Detroit News' forums (take it as you will), that Brad Stuart and the Wings are close to signing either a 4- or 5-year contract with final digits still to be finished and the placement of a NTC to be considered.  Sounds as though Stuart wants 5-years, average of $3.6 Million a year (3.0, 3.5, 3.75, 4.25), and a no-trade clause.  The Wings have offered 4-years, no NTC.  There was MANY rumors swirling around the web about Stuart's wife needing to live in California for custody of her daughter from a previous marriage, but the anonymous tipster says that is not the case.  Also, the decision should be made and announced tomorrow before 11:00 am (EDT is my guess, but I will wait until 11:00 am PDT before breaking down in terrible sobs because that more than likely means Lilja for another 2-3 years... which in turn might make me turn my back on the Wings brass because I HATE that man...).

So yeah!  Another little ditty of speculation was also in that post, dealing with the Wings and a certain money-hungry EC Czech star with attitude... but we won't delve into that as I don't want it to happen.

Approaching July 1

We're four days away from Free Agency and I figure it's a good time to touch on UFAs, RFAs, and players who have already been told or informed their clubs that they'd be testing the market.  Tonight it's going to be strictly Red Wings, but I might cover my mini-base of the Jackets later on... because there's actually quite a bit of rumblings from Columbus coming through my news feed.

Aaaand... we're off!

Restricted Free Agents

Valtteri Filppula (C) - Been said that our little Flip has denied at least one, possibly two, qualifying offers from Ken Holland and the crew.  He's quite the dandy center, the first Finn we've "raised", and just helped recruit a countryman to our overly Swedish team.  The more Finns the better!  Hey, one can hope, because clearly Flip has won over many Wings fans.  Unfortunately, it looks as though he won't be signing before July 1, and he could draw a fairly large offer sheet, though Holland has already said he will match anything he gets offered (unless, of course, it's like... league max or something).

Kyle Quincey (D, pictured at right) - Quincey has been given a qualifying offer, though no word on accepting it.  He has spent the past few seasons in the AHL, and with the Wings depth on the blue line, he might have a hard time getting out of the minors.  If Quincey is not signed before July 1, and he received an offer sheet from another team, my gut tells me that the Wings will let him walk.  We are stacked deep on defense and Q might just have the short straw at this time.

Jonathan Ericsson (D) - Also offered a qualifying offer, Ericsson has a special situation.  If he is not signed to a multi-year contract, based on his slow development (he was chosen last overall in 2002, it's quite understandable), Ericsson can become a Group VI Unrestricted Free Agent following the 2008-09 season.  He will have had the required three years pro and less than 80 NHL games which gives him the freedom to find somewhere he can immediately be effective.

Jimmy Howard (G) - Our last RFA to consider, Howard was long considered the next gem in net.  Unfortunately, his inconsistency has kept him in the AHL and there's talk he still might not be ready for even backup to Chris Osgood next season.  As with the other RFAs, Howard has been offered a contract, though terms have not been released and there is no word as to if he has signed or not.

Unrestricted Free Agents

Brad Stuart (D) - The big second pair defenseman we desperately needed, Holland is working with his agent from what I've heard.  Our #3, Kronwall, makes an even $3 million a season and Stuart made $3.5 last.  Ideally, we would drop Stuart's salary to even with Kronwall, but on the open market he could draw $4, $4.5, or even more.  With this, I'm sure Holland would consider resigning Stuart for the $3.5 he made last season, and quite frankly, I'd be furious if he didn't offer that and maybe a hair tops.  Yes, Kronwall is considered our #3, but Stuart is in prime and Kronwall is still developing.  For the sake of argument, I consider the hard-hitting duo interchangeable.  Unfortunately, Stuart also has just revealed a shoulder injury.  It could play in our favor depending on how questionable it is and if we can get him to sign for less because of it, but it could also be a problem next season so we would be back to relying on .

Andreas Lilja (D) - Our #5/6 defenseman who filled in as a #4 before Stuart came along, I have NEVER been a fan of him.  He's basically my whipping boy.  If something goes wrong anywhere on ice when Lilja is on, I can usually find some way to trace it back to him.  And his nickname is Lily.  Lily?!  Ick.  Not to mention the whole sex scandal thing when he was in Florida.  That plus some really creepy smiles of his plus his frequent on-ice brain lapses... equal nightmares galore.  Holland offered him a two-year contract and it looks as though he's going to accept.  Me?  I'm screaming 'shoot me!' repeatedly.  How are our prospects supposed to move up if we keep resigning these guys that don't do anything special!?  I'd rather our #6 spot be reserved for developing a player, not giving a Swede a job for the sake of his friendship with his countrymen.  Because I forget who it is, but one of our other Swedes lives right across from Lilja and they carpool everyday... and I'm afraid Kenny's losing sight of the prospects because of this little buddy-buddy fest.  *Gag*

Chris Chelios (D) - Holland made it known quickly after the Cup was won that Chelios was welcome back if he wanted to return.  He did not play a game in the finals, missed some regular season games with injury, and was a healthy scratch a bit more than he was used to, but Chelios knows his position with the team.  The veteran leadership he provides for our young blueliners is amazing.  Holland is in talks with Chelios.

Aaron Downey (RW, pictured at right vs. Ian Laperriere) - I LOVE this guy.  He fits like a glove in the Motor City, a blue collar city, and more than proved his worth throughout the season both on ice and in the locker room.  You might hate him if you're on the opposing team because he stirs up drama (had two fines due to his antics this season) but I would hurt you if you didn't appreciate him after seeing what he's really like.  What a character!  He had a segment on WingsTV briefly video blogging the hours leading up to a game, he's done a very down to earth edition of WingsTV's 2:00 For the FUN of It (highlights a player and his life outside of hockey), did a hilarious interview of the Black Aces during the Dallas series, provides comedic interviews whenever asked - playing or not, and takes his role as a regular working guy quite seriously.  At the Mellon one game?  There was a forklift in the way of the Wings pre-game soccer kick around.  Picture this.  Here comes Downey, strutting like the ham he is, "Lookout, working man coming through!" climbs up, moves it, and continues on as the crazy-fun "Uncle Darryl" (don't ask, I don't know!) to the Aces.  Really. But as far as his status, Holland said he would offer him a contract pending if either he or our other toughie, McCarty, would agree to a two-way contract.  Speaking of...

Darren McCarty (RW) - "Mac" has long been a crowd favorite (see: the Brawl in Hockeytown).  Even with his addictions and gambling problems, and buying out his contract in 2005, the Wings faithful missed the big guy.  With two seasons in Calgary, then no contract at the start of 2007, most people thought his hockey career was done and over.  But longtime friend Kris Draper gave Mac the new start he needed.  When Mac was finally sober, Drapes pointed Mac to CORE fitness, a program that Draper co-owns.  When physically in shape, Drapes helped Mac to the Flint Generals of the IHL (another Draper co-owned deal) and when he was improving there, Mac made it to the AHL affiliate of the Wings and Holland promised to watch Mac's progress.  Well, a hat trick, a few fights, and a number of very good games, along with the veteran leadership that the Wings brass was hoping would return to shine, found Mac with a pro-rated contract for league minimum and he was back in the Winged Wheel.  It was a long, hard road, but he stuck it out and his teammates supported him 100% and here he is now, with Cup ring #4, all from the time with his adoptive hometown team.  Mac has been offered a contract and will be with the Wings next season, although final details have to be worked out such as two-way or one-way.

Dallas Drake (RW) - The gruff warrior was an offseason acquisition after his former team (St. Louis) bought him out.  I'll admit I was seriously against the signing, and his regular season performance did nothing to convince me of Holland's move's value, but the playoffs told a different story.  The 1989 Wings' draft pick (he was traded to Winnipeg after a season and a half) exploded in the offseason with a physical streak probably only beaten by Kronwall and the unlikely Datsyuk.  He was a force to be reckoned with and brought a ton of energy to the team.  A genuine nice guy off-ice, he really won me over the last few regular season games and the playoff games.  He's 39 and contemplating retirement.  Holland has asked Drake to let him know prior to July 1 what his intentions are, and while all signs point to a cheerful retirement (Dally finally got his Cup!), I don't think I'd be upset if he took a roster spot as a #13 or 14 player.

Mark Hartigan (C) - He didn't play much with the big club, but Hartigan did hold his own when asked to fill in.  My only concern, if he does resign with the Wings, is taking the place of a top forward prospect such as Helm.  There has been no word on a contract offered.

Dominik Hasek (G) - Good old Dom retired.  At 43, this was his second retirement, but this will be his last.  He said his drive to play just isn't the same as it's always been, and he wants to work on his company, Dominator Clothing.  I'm sure we'll still see Dom around the D though as his son is attending Michigan State, and while visiting him, I'm sure he'll stop in to see his former teammates.  Good luck, Dom!  Thanks for the heart attacks and crazy antics, they will be missed!

The Outside Agents

Mats Sundin (C) - Not that the oldest team needs to get any older, but Sundin could provide some great leadership and we could offer him one last big bang at the Cup.  Montréal and New York (Rangers) are considered the two front runners for the vet's services, but the Swede would be at home in nearby Novi (lovingly named Little Sweden by our resident Swedes and the Wings staff) and would be with the reigning Cup champions who happen to be the last team that repeated.  Yes we can do it again!

Markus Naslund (LW) - The current Canuck isn't talked about as much as his Swedish Leafs counterpart, but we think Nazzy would fit in just fine.  He's in about the same situation as well!  So, to recap... Little Sweden, proven repeats, and oh yes, we're well under the salary cap (about $8 million estimated after we resign Stuart *crosses fingers*!)

Darcy Tucker (LW) - This one isn't being talked about as much by the media as it is on Wings message boards.  True he could provide experience we will lose if Drake retires, but we drafted Drake and thus will just about always have a soft spot for him (even if he captained the Blues and provided years of angst for us).  Tucker though?  Just a punk.  I will so pass on signing this guy!  Let Downey and Mac alternate the tough guy role for us, I don't need no Tucker.

Ray Emery (G, pictured at right) - This one I want to die over.  I almost had a panic attack when it was suggested the Wings take him on as a backup and give him a shot to turn around his career.  What?!  Bring in a primadonna who has actually had a fight with a teammate!?  NO THANKS.  But then I got to thinking.  And yes, I really hate it when I think sometimes, particularly when it comes to this.  I though, what if we really COULD change his career?  He's only 25, and to be honest, I'm starting to doubt if Howard can take the #1 position within the next three years (when Osgood will probably retire).  Having another young guy with pounds of talent - even if he might have lost sight of it briefly - could be for the better.  We helped Cleary turn his image around, gave him a new lease on life, and he found a hopefully forever home here as well.  Even if we don't keep Emery, even one or two good seasons might be helpful.

Marian Hossa (RW) - This is just a joke to me.  I was following a live chat on Puck Daddy yesterday and during a hot seat session, Spector said Detroit would be Hossa's destination.  Sorry, what?  I really don't like that overpaid, underproducing, overhyped little Penguin right now, and haven't seen anything to change my mind.

So.  Me?  I have a fair bit of waiting to do before I find out next season's lineup.  With all of our RFAs holding out for some reason (who put what in their water bottles?) and a key UFA that is going to wait it out... it's going to be a bit nerve wracking!

Congrats 2008 HHOF Inductees!

Congratulations to this year's Hockey Hall of Fame inductees!  Igor Larionov and Glenn Anderson were the only two players tapped to head to the Hall for the 2008 Class, and although I don't know much about Anderson, I do know that Larionov was jipped in 2007 when he was passed over.  This is a much, much deserved honor for The Professor!

Igor Larionov - "The Professor"

Called the "Russian Wayne Gretzky", instrumental in bringing Russian players into the NHL, a member of the famed Russian Five, and winner of three Stanley Cups (1997, 1998, 2002) with the Detroit Red Wings.

Glenn Anderson

Your typical 1980's power forward who drove hard to the net, won five Cups with Edmonton and one with the Rangers, and is fifth all-time for playoff game winning goals with 17.

Trade Talk: "Anybody."

This just landed in my NewsFire feed and I couldn't help but make note.

He could be right. Someday, Nikolai Zherdev might one of the NHL's biggest stars. He can be delightfully entertaining, working the puck as if it were hooked to his stick by an invisible string, sometimes making opposing defensemen look clumsy and lost.
But trading Zherdev -- or anybody -- on the Blue Jackets roster is an option for general manager Scott Howson as he prepares to shape the roster into one that can not only reach the Stanley Cup playoffs but advance once it's there.
A week that might be the most important in the franchise's young history begins today. Trade discussions leading up to and during next weekend's NHL draft will open an array of possibilities, and it's time for the Blue Jackets to be bold and aggressive.
The conservative, maybe-our-young-guys-will-all-mature approach can be filed in the same trash can as the finish-last-and-stockpile-some-future-stars method. It's time to act. Howson should be prepared to move anybody and everybody to get the franchise on track.
And yes, I said "anybody." Pascal Leclaire … Rostislav Klesla … Jason Chimera … Fredrik Modin … even, gulp, Rick Nash. That doesn't mean the Jackets should trade any of these guys. It just means they should be ready to consider anything that will let the team take the next big step.

Whoa there.  Anybody?  I think "anybody" should have an "almost" added on front.  I mean, really now, if you're going to put an "O.B.O." tag on every player, who are you going to consider when you trade for linemates?  I know for a while now there've been trades and even moves within the team to get someone working with Rick Nash.  You want a face for your franchise, you've done a damn good job of keeping Nasher there, and now you aren't sure about him?  Honestly, I think you're just having a bit of a blind streak - you've tried everyone BUT the guy I'm all but certain would make Nash even more of a monster.  Seriously.  The guy first mentiond up there - Nikolai Zherdev!  I've said it before, and I will continue saying it until you prove me wrong, Zherdev will be just like Datsyuk if you let him have a guy who he can pass to.  He has the same physical and mental build of Datsyuk, so he won't be the 50 goal scorer you want, but he quite possibly could lead the team in points with the assists he gives you and the occasional jaw-dropping goal he contributes.

But above all else?  Take Leclaire off your available list.  Until you get your skaters solidified, you need a goaltender who can backstop you.  If you can trade a few wingers for other goalies if unsure of Leclaire's raw skills, then by all means try, but don't throw away a shutout machine without a backup option!  It's just setting yourself up for failure...

Duke It Out: The Battle of the Blueliners

Even after winning the Stanley Cup, the Wings aren't sitting 100% pretty for next season.  The biggest ripple in an otherwise smooth sea?  The #4 defenseman.  The obvious choice here is to get Brad Stuart to drop a cool million from what he could bring on the open market, but some Wings bloggers are claiming not only that it won't happen, but we already have a solid #4 waiting in the wings ('scuzi for the pun).  Yep, the big rookie I highlighted in my last entry - the last pick of 2002 - the hulking Swede Jonathan Ericsson.

SO!  I smell a battle here.  We're gonna pick apart the boys piece by piece and see who we would choose to lay claim to the "last really good defense position".  Because really?  #5 and 6 are just fillers in writers' eyes (even though they still get more time than third liners).

Brad Stuart (#23) vs. Jonathan Ericsson (#52)

Build: Stuart weighs in at 213lbs. and stands a nice 6'2".  He's 28 years old and should be coming into his prime.  Ericsson is 6'4" (6'5" on some sites) and weighs 206lbs.  Don't let the weight difference fool you, both know how to use what they have.  Ericsson, being the biggest guy I've heard of excepting Chara, gets my vote for Best Build.  As it is, those numbers are probably from the beginning of the season, and I'm sure they've either had him build up or he just plain has from his black ace time.

Looks: When Stuart came to Detroit from LA, he had the blonde highlights of a surfer dude.  He's since shed the spiky streaks and is sporting a simple brown shaggy poofball (though it might've diminished when that playoff beard left).  What stands out most about Stuart though is his kind, almost puppy dog eyes.  The man is so soft-spoken you have to be dead quiet to hear him most the time, and I've never seen eyes reflect this demeanor so well!  They're certainly something to get lost in.  Ericsson, on the other hand, seems to be taking after Detroit's "new Yzerman" (per Lidström's claim when he arrived in the States) in copying countryman Henrik Zetterberg's long and slightly greasy 'do.  When he was drafted, he had the dark locks chopped and spiked, where did that go?  But the sealing deal for Ericsson is his eyes and smile combined.  Yes, I'm an eye person, but smiles can also really do me in.  His combination is about as knockout as they come.  Dark eyes, not your typical Swede color, with a shy-blended-with-cunning smirk can sweep one off their feet.  Think I'm joking?  Look at this picture!  *Fans self* That's a face to swoon over if ever I saw one!  So overall, even though I was raised to like the pretty boys with highlights - no matter outgoing or shy - I'm the typical rebel who likes the opposite, and Ericsson's cliché bad boy long hair, combined with that mischievous smile do us in.  Ericsson for the win.

Nickname:  Finally, a simple column to judge.  Can Ericsson go for the trifecta?  No way can I hide it, the answer of course is yes.  Stuart is simply "Stuie" or any variation of that - typically "Stewie" even though his name doesn't have a 'w'.  What does that remind me of?  Family Guy.  I can only take so much of that show before I want to break something.  So definitely not my favorite nickname.  Ericsson though?  "Big Rig".  Oh... yes, most definitely.  The name fits the man and it has nothing to do with his legal name.  Originality!  And it suits him!  And it can even be considered slightly dirty.  Ooh, might've just went a step too far.  But I don't care, Ericsson still takes the cake even if my slightly twisted mind wouldn't have come up with that!

Winner: Jonathan "Big Rig" Ericsson!

Now for an honest take on abilities?  I would still vote Ericsson IF it could be between the two for the #4 spot.  Stuart is a stay-at-home defenseman who, because the rest of the team does it, tries to move into the play at times.  Unfortunately it doesn't always end up too pretty (see Game 3 of the Cup finals).  If he would accept that he is JUST a stay-at-home d-man I would be content.  He has a rocket, he hits BIG, and he is very solid in his own end.  But Ericsson was hand-picked by our master scout to be a glove for this specialized team.  Two-way potential, solid at both ends of the ice, a rocket of a shot, hits big and will soon hit bigger, and oh yes, will drop the gloves if he must.  Care to see him wail on an unfortunate minor-leaguer a couple inches smaller who didn't think the big guy could handle himself?  Be my guest, stare in awe at the beast unleashed (he's #4 in white).  I think I'm in love with the potential.  Hey Kenny?  Bring the kid up :)

Young Stars: Cup Cuties

I want to take a moment to give a round of mega-praise to the rookie "black aces", and a very special rookie who actually made the Cup lineup, because it's never too early to look to the future!

First up?  Darren Helm (pictured at left with girlfriend).

It was "Helmer"s first year in the AHL and he was a complete gem.  But he really shone when given a chance with the big team!  Called up amidst a panicky injury bug that was determined to keep most of our big guys out, Helm stepped in as though he had been with the parent club all season.  Gritty, swift, and tough as nails, he showed the skill the scouts saw from day one.  There was little doubt he was going to take the place of Kris Draper once Drapes finally retires... but Helm probably has even more to give than his professor.  Baby faced and looking like he just left high school, everyone on the opposing teams underestimated him.  After all, he played just seven regular season games as a call-up, what should be expected but some puck movement and occasional flashes of speed?  Helmer shut them up though.  He centered the fourth line with the skill of a vet, set up some beautiful plays for his teammates, and even netted two of his own to all but seal his spot for next season.  Yes, Helm probably skipped over ever heading back to the AHL, he was that helpful in his first ever season tasting the NHL, let alone post-season.

Another guy I want to highlight is the hulking blue-liner our coach is dead set on having join the big club next season - Jonathan Ericsson (pictured at right).  Quite the story behind this guy, let me tell you!  Drafted 291st overall in 2002 - yes, last overall - he was a center turned defenseman as per our super-scout's recommendation (note to Mr. Illitch: give Håkan Andersson a really, really big cookie!!).  During that stretch where all of our top four were injured, Ericsson made his massive presence known.  From his first game dressed, my family and I were calling him "freight train" for the way he chugged along so quickly and effortlessly.  His true nickname though, "Big Rig," is WAYYY more fitting!  With practice, I see him following Vladimir Konstantinov and current teammate Niklas Kronwall in the direction of clean, massive hits - Ericsson is listed at 6'5" and 218lbs so it's not a long shot!  He's also dropped the gloves for the farm team, so he has guts.  Additionally, he looks to have a very nice potential as a goal scoring blue liner a-la Nicklas Lidström.  In only eight games with Detroit, he scored his first goal - a massive rocket from the blue line or beyond... that thing had eyes all the way.  If Babcock has his way, not only will he be petitioned to get his name on this year's cup (I'd go for it - those 8 games he played he helped hold our heads above water!) but he will be on the roster for next season or a constant call-up.

Finally let's look at our "straight-from-State" forward.  With injuries causing a bit of a problem during the last stretch before playoffs, and with his future at Michigan State up in the air, Justin Abdelkader decided to forego his remaining year of NCAA eligibility to play a game with the Wings.  His first game was literally a freebie for the Wings as he was still unsigned!  Immediately after his free game, he was signed to a 3-year entry level contract, effective until 2011, and saw one more day of action before his season was over as the team was getting healthy.  He remained with the team through the playoffs, gaining valuable experience as a "black ace" and was on-hand to raise Stanley himself.  No doubt the few months of practice with the healthy Wing scratches - including Hall of Fame goaltender Dominik Hasek and "Captain America" Chris Chelios - has added years of knowledge to the already talented future grinder.  He may only be cute in a goofy, baby face, kid-next-door kind of look, but "Abby" showed in his two games why the scouts think he will be a perfect fit once Kirk Maltby decides to hang them up.  Reasons why?  He was the 2006-07 NCAA Frozen Four's Most Outstanding Player, 2007-08's CCHA Best Defensive Forward, was named the 2007-08 CCHA All-Conference honorable mention, and earned the 2007-08 CCHA Humanitarian of the Year award.  Talented?  Oh yes.  And kind hearted like the entire Red Wing organization.  They sure can pick winners!!

And, oops!  I lied!  Abdelkader wasn't my last shout out.  I just HAVE to get my praise in for a kid that most who don't know him probably think isn't worth the hype.  One Mr. Jakub Kindl, my LOVE!  He's 21 years old, a beautiful Czech boy... and had a terrible despicable +/- in his first full AHL season.  Yes, he was league-worst with -34, but you can't blame the kid as his team didn't make the playoffs and he was trying TOO hard to bring them up.  Yes, there is such a thing as trying too hard, and he seems to be the king of it.  The Griffins General Manager was sure to give this observation, and I think it fits him: "At times he wants to carry the puck and his decision-making sometimes is a little bit questionable and that's why his plus-minus is where it is. He's shown flashes. He's better when he has less time with the puck because he does it on instinct — he just moves it quickly. The more time and space that he has, the more he wants to think it through, rather than just react. It's the nature of young defensemen coming up, they want to overhandle the puck rather than make the simple, safe play. That will come with time. Defensively, coming out of the corners, he's been fine. In terms of handling guys down low, there haven't been any issues. It's just an awareness and making better decisions with the puck."  Kindl will probably not taste the NHL until the end of next season as a call-up, with the big and lovable Ericsson pulling odd rank on the first round draft pick, but once he relaxes, he will certainly be that first rounder we were hoping for!  The experience he had as a "black ace" will hopefully calm the overactive mind of his, and if not, I say we have Chelios take the kid under his wing!  Veteran experience is nothing to scoff about, and we have been proving it for years now.

Cutest of Cute: Jakub Kindl

Most Skilled of the Skilled: Darren Helm

What's With All The Retiring and Firing?

It can't just be me that noticed a strange influx in the firing of head coaches this season/off-season, and with that, it also seems strange to have so many retirements slammed on us at once, doesn't it?

Let's take a look at the crazyness of front-office movement first - all drama included - firing, hiring, and interim positions filled

Anaheim - No moves made... yet.  Has that crazy Burke-to-Toronto rumor settled down by now?

Calgary - Mike Keenan was hired as head coach mid-season, but looks like he will be staying put as there hasn't been any mention of otherwise.

Chicago - With old WWW (surname: Wirtz; don't know his full name, just saw enough of the WWW to tattoo it on my brain) passing away last season, it looks like the close-proximity Original Six rivals of my Wings might go through a revival.  Unfortunately nothing has happened yet.  To the GM, I offer my honest advice, even coming from a Wing Nut you can trust it - DUMP ROBERT LANG!  Get rid of the man!  I don't care if he has another season, trade him or, better yet, buy out his contract.  I'm sure by now you've noticed he has no work ethic, only when he wants to be effective.  The man was a regular streaker with us, I'm sure he's no different with you all.

Colorado - Quenneville out, Granato in as coach.  Yep, no surprise that Q's gone.  But I don't really know Granato to judge him.  I do know he got into quite the screaming match with our coach Babcock this season though, during a 4-0 beating of the Avs :)  I love fiery coaches, really.  Up until then Babs had always had on a stern but quiet face.  Thank you Granato for showing me that fire that Babs hides so well!  So I guess you get a cookie for your attempts at riling up your team too.

Columbus - Hitchcock still around, GM still there... no moves even with another failed cup attempt, eh?  I know there was rumors circulating about sending Nikolai Zherdev to San Jose a bit ago, so maybe you're sticking with the player movement instead of just office staff.  Well, can I squeak in my word?  Yes - MOVE Zherdev... but not to SJ.  Know who he'd fit in fabulous with, because he clearly doesn't excel under Hitchcock's smothering?  He'd fit in with Detroit marvelously.  I love the kid's defensive capabilities as a center, and if you'd let him breathe, play his own way, and put him with Nash... you'd be set!  But alas, you're stuck in your own way.  So, have fun shuffling puzzle pieces to put together a contender when you have the right pieces but won't flip them over to see the colors.

Dallas -  You have two great co-GMs who put together a dandy team to give my boys in red a run for their money.  Best not be moving anyone in the office, they seem to have a good collective head on their shoulders.

Detroit - Babcock just signed to a 3-year deal, hooray!  Press conference was at 11 this morning and held no surprises :)  This team is exactly as he likes it, with kids waiting on the sidelines also to his liking, so we should be set for many years, even beyond these three.

Edmonton - Just... to avoid going off on you which is completely unnecessary and highly illogical this season... don't do crap.  End of story.

Minnesota - I believe you just re-signed your coach, right?  Other than that, I'm surprisingly in the dark considering your location in relation to Michigan.  Huh.  Mental note to self: add some Wild RSS feeds to the NewsFire feed reader...

Nashville - Trotz stays?  Really?  I'm shocked.  I get that you're sentimental about him being the only coach and all that jazz, but the standard early-exits of the playoffs?  They have to be disappointing.  Just might be time to find another guy.  Why not Paddock?  He had the Senators kicking ass at the beginning of 07-08...

Los Angeles - Coach Marc Crawford fired today.  Hah, no surprise there!  Worst in the NHL aughta get the boot.  But taking a hard look at the other office staff might not be a bad idea.  Ever think it could just be the choices you're making about your team?

Phoenix - I give your office staff two big thumbs up!  Yes, really.  You guys did the best thing imaginable by picking up the Bryz last season and I guarantee you, if you make a few more key moves this off-season (your recent high draft picks have to be on the verge of busting out - maybe give up some 09 draft picks for UFAs?) you could be a contender.  I know the Pacific Division is good, but I don't think you realize how much Bryzgalov could give you!

San Jose - Wilson gone (to Toronto), good.  Good coach but not Cup material in my eyes.  Seemed a bit soft whenever I caught him in interviews.  If you happen to land our assistant coach, McLellan, I'm sure you'd be damn spiffy because he clearly knows what it takes to win! EDIT 7:10pm EDT:  Well, you snagged him.  Congrats to McLellan, but couldn't you have gone to your other interview as well?  I mean, I'm proud you landed your head coach job you wanted, but really?  Staying in-conference?  Couldn't you have scoped out Atlanta?  If you beat us, I'm not gonna be happy.

St. Louis - Honestly I don't follow you guys anymore... which is strange because you have one of my goalie loves and are in the same Division and everything.  Even though you failed to make the playoffs again, I'm pretty sure you're going through a "youth movement" so you're waiting to strike.  Word of advice?  Get a few good vets.  You traded away Weight to Anaheim which was d-u-m-b, so learn from it and get some other guys to train up your kids.

Vancouver - Fired the GM and heard from a friend you hired a new one in the middle of our Cup battle.  So alas, I missed the news.  Great core of guys out there, just struck by a really nasty injury bug, so I'm not sure why you even fired the guy.  Anyway.  Chin up, next season should be better.

Retirement is either up or just seeming like it as I'm out of school a bit early this year and get all the updates pretty much as it happens.  We'll start close to home, where I know the most about the situation.

Dominik Hasek, lovingly called "The Dominator" by fans and simply Dom by teammates and staff, has called it quits after 16 marvelous seasons.  He was with Chicago for two seasons before heading to Buffalo for nine, but his scattered few with Detroit are what I know him for.  In Buffalo he collected six Vezina trophies and two Hart trophies, but it was with the Winged Wheelers that he grabbed his two Stanley cups - 2002 as the starter, and 2008 as the starter who lost his position to his friend Chris Osgood in round one.  Typically known for basically having an ego and needing to be #1, no one really knew what was going on in the locker room when "Ozzie" was making killer saves and being everyone's hero.  Turns out our Dom had "grown up" and was just plain happy for his net cohort.  But this season was to be his last, claiming he felt physically 100% (and he should, he split the crease with Ozzie which kept him healthy as one should imagine for 43!) but the motivation had left him.  Honestly, 16 seasons in a net with thousands of shots a season flying your way?  I'd be lacking motivation too.  He's won it all.  Vezinas, Harts, Cups, Olympic Gold.  As much as the guy drove us nuts and stopped our hearts with his sprawling saves and charges out of his net to stop guys on a breakaway (I read he never allowed a goal while charging out, crazy, eh?)... he certainly was one of the greats and he helped revolutionize the game.  I'm proud to say he retired a Red Wing.

Trevor Linden announced his retirement officially today after 16 seasons with the Canucks and 19 in the league.  I'm afraid I can't do him much justice as I never really clung to West Coast teams due to the time difference, but his stats can speak the justice deserved.  Selected second overall in the 1988 draft, was the first Canucks rookie to score 30 goals, was named the youngest Canucks captain at 21, holds the Canucks' record for assists with 415, second place in goals with 318, received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 1997, and this year the NHL Player Foundation Award (co-recipient with Vinny Lecavalier).  I sure wish I had paid more attention to him, or at least hadn't been born a year after his drafting, so I could know what he was like in his prime.  I would guess it's a surefire bet he gets his #16 retired by the club - he seems to have been a cornerstone for them.

And I know even less about him, but Mattias Norstrom of the Dallas Stars is retiring as well.

Out East, Glen Wesley retired from the Carolina Hurricanes, and I thought I knew of another, but apparently not.

Some whispers circulating about a number of guys too.  Dallas Drake (DET) is to let the team know before the Draft what his intentions are; just after the Stars' exit there was talk of Mike Modano considering the Big 'R'; and it's also been whispered that the Canucks will lose another big name in Markus Naslund - for a team that's gone through so many injuries, a front office move, a young prospect's untimely death (R.I.P. Luc Bourdon), and now a team legend's retirement, what would another big name's departure do?

I might've missed a few, as I've been swallowed by Cup Crazies of late, so excuse me for not knowing everything on the other WC teams.  This is why I need a few writers who can cover the other teams! ;)  See the column to the right, below the blurb about WCGG, for more information on writing for us.

--Amanda

Welcome to WCGG!

Welcome fans of the NHL's Western Conference!  All the good chick blogs out there I've stumbled across are based in the East and I wanted to change this unfortunate mishap.  Who, after all, wants to read about some of her favorite heroes being called names just because they're on the winning team?  Oh wait... I'm sure I'll be ragging on some of the other team's guys when they win or give us a hard time so... ix-nay on the ast-lay.

Anyway.  This is definitely going to be a blog based on the girlies (hence the name), so you guys might do well to scramble off.  Do you really want to hear about the guys that fill our dreams and their impeccable bodies??  Didn't think so.  After all, I'm certainly not going to hold back drool-worthy pictures from fellow fans, and I do a pretty good job of stumbling across them if I do say so myself!  And I'm certainly not going to deny the faithful readers of any little imaginative fantasy that comes to mind - a-la the blog that gave me the idea for WCGG but is unashamed to dislike my beloved Red and White - SportSquee.

With that mention of the Red and White, my favorite Detroit Red Wings, I make note that I do not follow the remainder of the Western Conference much.  I do enjoy watching the Blue Jackets on occasion (more on reasoning later), and I love to hate the Avalanche as any Winger should, but any other WC following is limited.  On that, I'm looking for a few girls to take on some other Western teams to blog about - no holds barred on actual happenings, fantasy conversations, or drool-worthy pictures.  Anyone want to take on the following?

-Anaheim Ducks

-Calgary Flames

-Chicago Blackhawks

-Colorado Avalanche

-Columbus Blue Jackets (I might chime in some, but not enough to cover full posting duties)

-Dallas Stars

-Edmonton Oilers

-Los Angeles Kings

-Minnesota Wild

-Nashville Predators

-Phoenix Coyotes

-San Jose Sharks

-St. Louis Blues

-Vancouver Canucks

Oh!  And of course the name of the blog must be (somewhat) explained.  I'm obsessive-compulsive about some things (and I am sure it will be apparent) and I wanted something that would roll off the tongue when shortened to initials.  WCGG (Western Conference Girl Gaggle) sounded fine, and I liked the Webster definition of 'Gaggle' for what I envision this blog to become as well:

2 : a group, aggregation, or cluster lacking organization

Honestly!  What group of girls who fawn over hockey players for their looks, abilities, or both will be able to keep organization?  I rest my case.

Your faithful and Red obsessed leader,

Amanda