When all is lost...the journey must start again

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the Pittsburgh Penguins on their 3rd Stanley Cup. Enjoy the win.

I am not going to concentrate on what went wrong in the series; we all know injuries were a part of the cause besides a better and more hungry Pittsburgh team. Instead, I am going to concentrate on the more positive things that our team, the Detroit Red Wings, gave us.

The Detroit Red Wings gave us one great season of hockey. Through the ups and downs they gave the state of Michigan some hope and something to be proud of. This is why I thank the Detroit Red Wings. You boys gave us fans something to cheer about, believe in and be proud of. Thank you for that.

Every team has their MVP's and Detroit has many. As a reflect back on the season I have came up with my own MVP's and honorable mentions.


Regular Season MVP: Pavel Datsyuk

During the regular season, Datsyuk put up good numbers (32 Goals, 65 Assists, 97 Points) while showing other players on the ice why fans call him Houdini at times. There are reasons why Datsyuk is nominated for the Lady Byng, Selke, Hart and the Lester B. Pearson.

Honorable mentions: Marian Hossa, Ty Conklin

Playoff MVP: Chris Osgood

Despite his not so steller regular season performance, Chris Osgood made sure to shut up his non-believers once the playoffs started. He truly made a difference in the playoffs for this team. If it wasn't for Osgood playing his best hockey yet, Detroit's playoff run would of ended a lot sooner. Osgood once again, showed us why he is a #1 goaltender.

Honorable mentions: Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, Daniel Cleary

Rookie MVP: Darren Helm

The minute Darren Helm was called up from Grand Rapids he made a difference on the ice for the Detroit Red Wings. Once the playoffs began, he played with so much heart while showing many why he should be (and will) on the team next season. He amazed us with his amazing penalty kill skills, his hard hits and his ability to score goals. He has a bright future with this team and I look forward to seeing more of him.

Honorable mentions: Jonathan Ericsson and Justin Adblerkader

One last thing, to the amazing team of the Detroit Red Wings, be proud on how far you have gotten this season. Hold your hear up high, you all are still amazing players. Rest up, enjoy time with family and friends and next season we can once again begin that journey for the Stanley Cup.

LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

Round 3 Predictions- Conference Finals

Last round I got 2 out of the 4 right. Better than nothing right? Now on to the Conference Finals predictions


Eastern Conference
Vs. (Pittsburgh Wins)
Monday, May 18 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 21 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 23 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 26 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
* Friday, May 29 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.
* Sunday, May 31 at Carolina, 7:30 p.m.
* Tuesday, June 2 at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m.


Western Conference
Vs. (Detroit Wins)
Sunday, May 17 at Detroit, 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 22 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 24 at Chicago, 3:00 p.m.
* Wednesday, May 27 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.
* Saturday, May 30 at Chicago, 8:00 p.m.
* Monday, June 1 at Detroit, 7:30 p.m.


I am really looking forward to the Original Six match up. It's going to be a fun, exciting series to watch. Both Chicago and Detroit play great hockey however, I think experience will win over youth.

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.