Second In A Row

Now how long has it been since the Wings won two in a row? Just asking--I'm too lazy to look it up. Anyway, it was nice to see them win last night. DUH! Unfortunately, I didn't pay too much attention to the game--had to do the 'mother thing' and call both of my girls to let them know I'm still alive. (Hey, if they called and asked about me once in a while, I wouldn't have to bother them!) While I barely listen to the Versus announcers, what I did hear didn't sound too bad--at least they weren't beating up any Wings that I could tell. This, to me, means that the guys did quite well. I managed to see both goals and they were very nice--only wish there were more of them. But, with Franzen and Filppula gone, there aren't going to be quite as many. I'm glad to see that the players managed to step up and cover for all of the ones that were missing--I can't imagine how hard it is to have to be constantly getting used to playing with new people all of the time. I was happy for Ozzie on his 50th career shutout. Despite his saying he doesn't think all that much on statistics, I'm sure he was well pleased. Congrats!

On Further Thought

Quite the day and so much to think about. Next season will be interesting, to say the least.

I didn't think that Hossa would re-sign with the Wings--and I was perfectly okay with that. My one regret is that I would have liked to have seen Hossa and Filppula on the same line for all of last season. I think those two could have developed a chemistry that would have been unbelievable. But, Babcock is so insistent on separating Datsyuk and Zetterberg--it is a blind spot with the man. Oh, well, that is something that didn't and won't happen, so I must move on. And I was okay with all of this--until Hossa signed with Chicago. I still find it hard to absorb that news. This really takes away most of the 'good luck, been nice knowing you' feelings that I had for him.

Even though the Wings have lost three players--so far--they aren't that much different from the team that won the Cup on '08. I know that in an intellectual way. But, in my heart I am not too confident about next season. I'm sure I will feel differently about a month in, but until then I will do a lot of worrying. The depth is there and it was apparent during the playoffs that the guys from Grand Rapids ARE ready to make the jump, but still I worry. With Conklin gone, I worry about the goal tending. He really helped save the team while Ozzie was having his problems--I wish he would have stayed. Kopecky leaving doesn't bother me at all--if nothing else, I think Abdelkator could replace him. But it won't matter that much if he stays in GR for another year.

Now we just sit and wait to see how many more will leave--and IF Holland signs anyone new. At least, there should be some salary relief with Hossa leaving. I'm hoping that the wheeling and dealing that Bettman has done over the years to cause the Wings to fall, isn't finally going to become a reality.

I wonder if I actually could live with myself if I ever became an optimist?