Wings take first place

"It's been a battle,'' Red Wings center Kris Draper said. "San Jose doesn't give you much room to work with. We lose a game, they win a game, create that three- to five-point gap.''The one thing the Detroit Red Wings have not seen all season is the first place standing in the NHL. However, last night that changed. Detroit beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 plaving them in a similar spot, first place overall. The Wings have 94 points, one more than San Jose and Boston. San Jose however, has played three fewer games than Detroit.

It's been a constant battle for the Wings who have been slowly chipping away at San Jose all season long. Kris Draper was quoted saying:

"It's been a battle,'' Red Wings center Kris Draper said. "San Jose doesn't give
you much room to work with. We lose a game, they win a game, create that three-
to five-point gap.''
(http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2009/03/detroit_red_wings_3_colorado_a.html)

Last nights win against Colorado was their first win this season (1-1-2). Colorado was just returning after a long losing road trip out East and they're saddled as the last place team in the Western Conference. However, last night's win didn't come easy as Colorado did battle against the Wings scoring two goals and Colorado was the first to get on the score board.

How long will Detroit stay in first place? Hard to say. But while they are there, they might as well enjoy it.

Trade Deadline Eve

Merry Christ.....oh wait, it's not Christmas even tho it feels like it, well if your a hockey fan it feels like Christmas. Happy Trade Deadline Eve! Tomorrow is Christmas day for hockey fans around the world with the trade deadline upon us. Today has become the annual attempt to clear cap space, with many high profile players being placed on waivers. Here is a run down as to who was placed on waivers as well as those who were claimed according to TSN.

Pittsburgh Penguins have placed Miroslav Satan on waivers. Satan signed a one year deal with Pittsburgh to be a first line winger. He's being waived to make salary cap space, which is about $900,000.

Tampa Bay Lightning have placed Gary Roberts on waivers. This is surprising because in the rumor mill there has been word that there are several teams interested in him.

The Ducks have placed Brendan Morrison on waivers. They are looking to bring back some of their injuried players to the line up soon plus need to make some cap space.

New York Islanders have placed John Sim on waivers. Only 24 hrs earlier he had a great night against the Colorado Avalanche with a three-assist, plus-4 game. He might be a player a few teams might want to take a look at and snag off waivers.

New York Rangers have placed Voros and Reitz on waivers.

The Ottawa Senators have once again placed Martin Gerber on waivers.

Vancouver Canucks placed Lawrence Nycholat on waivers and he was picked up on Tuesday afternoon by the Calgary Flames. The Dallas Stars also placed Sean Avery on waivers and was later picked up by the New York Rangers, which many were expecting.

With such an active day for the waivers means tomorrows deadline will be very active and all hockey fans are looking forward to it. Look for a blog tomorrow night updating the deals that were made along with my opinion on some of them.