Yes!!!

Tonight's win gives me hope, once again. Actually, the last two wins give me hope--although tonight was Red Wing hockey like we haven't seen in way too long. For the most part, the Wings stayed out of the penalty box, they didn't give up any power play goals, VF got another assist--what more can you want? Oh, yeah, Helm. Just thinking his name puts a smile on my face. The kid is going to be a star for many, many years.

And what can you say about Howard that hasn't been said already? I am ashamed to admit that I was among the people crying for him to be traded, FAST. What a great change in his play and it is so nice to see. He seems to be such a nice kid and I felt so bad for him, even though I wanted him gone. Now, if he keeps playing as well as he is, I think the Wings have a home-grown goalie for a long time. Good times. I actually, almost, look forward to the next game.

Good-Bye 2009

It was definitely a great way to end this year. Helm was great, Datsyuk was great, and the rest of the team was quite good. I'm so glad Leino got a goal tonight--he really needed that. Filppula, Stuart, Howard--all did well. Just a nice, nice win.

Now, I don't think I'm the only one who thought this all night long:

Have a great New Year. May we all be blessed with good health, good friends, prosperity, and Red Wing wins!

Yeah, It Happened

I'm not any happier with the signing of Bertuzzi than I was with Williams. But, what can you do? This is the team and that's that. Now that I have had a little while to digest both signings, I have calmed down. I'll give the benefit of the doubt--at least until Helm, Leino, or Filppula lose ice-time because of either of these two. THEN you will see me in full bitch mode!

Can't the season start already?

Much Going On

No one will be able to watch hockey this season without a program, that's for sure. With all of the players being moved, it will be hard to know exactly WHAT team is playing.

The Grand Rapids guys will be a big part of the Wings this year--which we all were pretty sure was going to happen, anyway. It is time for Helm and Leino and Ericsson to move up. Last year they could have been in Detroit, but the salary cap prevented that. It will be a much younger team than we've seen in a while, but good nonetheless.

Now with the probable move to Russia by Hudler, it looks like there will be a need for even more new faces on the team. Holland is going to sign someone, cause it doesn't look like there will be enough guys in GR ready to move up. With the exception of Abdelkator, I'm not sure who is next in line. Especially with the way the Wings like to give prospects the time to grow in the AHL. Interesting.

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So, Sakic is retiring. The only player that I could actually like on the Avalanche. He was as classy as a player could be--a good guy. Too bad he played for Colorado.

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Pronger extended his time in Philly by another seven years. And the Flyers continue to get themselves back into the Broadstreet Bullies way of thinking--if they ever were out of it. Their season might be mighty interesting, considering they signed Emery, too. I'm still waiting to see what this team can do against Pitts--I'm hoping for some bloodshed, actually.

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Just some of the interesting things going on: Anaheim signed Saku Koivu. The Islanders are hoping that Tavares will lead them out of the cellar. The Blackhawks signed all of their RFA's, so they will stay out of trouble over the 'oops, the mail was slow' 'mistake' that was made over the qualifying offers not getting to the players as per the rules. Surprise! {dripping sarcasm in that} And life goes on in the NHL. Isn't it October yet?