To start, all this talk about another lockout has completely bored me. It's time for both sides to get through this and start preparing for the upcoming season. I don't care who is right and who wants what, both the players and the owners have way more money than I do so what do I care. Let's just play hockey.
With that said, let me express my disappointment with the Red Wings off-season. Losing two top four defensemen is a blow to your team no matter who you are. It just so happens that the Wings lost arguably the best of this era to ever have played that position in Lidstrom. I honestly believe only Vladimir Konstantinov could have been slightly better than Lidstrom if not for the tragic accident that ended his career. Not offensively but certainly defensively. If you think Kronwall can hit you have to know that Konstantinov could absolutely demolish people on the ice. Secondly, losing Brad Stuart and his toughness is going to be difficult to replace. The free agent market wasn't exactly that impressive and I hate to say it, but I'm glad they didn't overpay for Ryan Suter. Yes he was the best defensemen on the market, but at that term and price it just seems ridiculous. Brendan Smith looks to be the future of the Wings on defense. My guess is in a couple of years he will be running the power play. Giving up a first round pick to reacquire Kyle Quincey and watch him struggle was tough to take. Let's hope he immediately turns into a top four defensemen like they think he will.
My concern with the Wings has always been scoring and toughness. Mikael Samuelsson and Jordin Tootoo weren't exactly what I had in mind though. My first thought was here they go bringing back another player in Samuelsson who was OK at best. My reaction was indifferent if you will. With Tootoo it was more of a "What"? He is agitating but I can't say I ever pictured him in a Wings uniform. I honestly thought Steve Ott would have been a better fit. Good for Buffalo in picking him up. On the upside, I am thrilled that Hudler walked. Too small and can't skate. Enough said. His 25 goals will hopefully be covered between guys like Cleary, who will hopefully stay healthy this year, Bertuzzi, Helm and Abdelkader. Gustav Nyquist will hopefully get a full year in. He showed a lot of potential last year. The interesting pickup is Damien Brunner. If he can play half the game he played in Europe he might be able to toss in 20-30 goals. I still think they need a true power forward who can score and throw some weight around, I just don't know who that is. Once again, the teams success will depend on the two best two way forwards in the league, Datsyuk and Zetterberg. I didn't say arguably because there just isn't an argument to be had. They are the two best with Datsyuk having the edge.
Another reason I want this season to be played is because of the Winter Classic. Actually, I am more excited about the alumni game. Having Fedorov and the Russian five, Ciccarelli, Coffey, Chelios, McCarty and Robitaille playing again. Need I say more? Geez I miss watching those guys play. You can have crybaby Crosby, I would take any of those guys over most of the players today. Ovechkin has that same star power as Fedorov or Bure back in the day. You just can't not watch him when he is out there.
So much to talk about but I will save it for another time. Listen, my favorite team is the Red Wings but this blog is certainly not just about them. I am also a Coyotes, Sabres, Capitals, and even a Wild fan. It is all about hockey. I will be posting whatever is running through my mind at the time, good and bad, and welcome all of your comments. Til then.
