Filps signed

Two "Ts", Two "Ps" a wing for 5 more years.

Hell yes- hell yes HEDHS YES.

Straight from TSN:

“The Detroit Red Wings have locked up another piece of their Stanley Cup Championship team.

The club signed restricted free agent forward Valtteri Filppula to a five-year, $15 million contract on Wednesday.

The 24-year old played in 78 games with Detroit last season, scoring 19 goals and adding 17 assists.

The third round pick in the 2002 Entry Draft has 29 goals in 25 assists in 155 career games in the NHL.”

WOW Kenny! I never NEVER expected this kind of deal for Filps.

Ok ok, now that I can breathe again and digest this info, seriously, I can't believe this kid got $3MM a year. the 1.9MM award given to Morrisson last week must have set the bar and given Filps some leverage.

I tell you what I think this sort of HUGE deal really means-

1. It means the Wings played incredibly fair: One more insane testament to the Wings org’s commitment to loyalty and growing its own.

2. It means that Ken-otye, Jim Nill, Stevie Y and Scottie Bowman have decided that this kid is the real deal, and has a great future.


3. It means the Kid better produce.


4. It means other unsigned players may suffer, notably Dmac, Cheli and Downey (If he hasn’t signed yet, and I think he hasn’t).

By my estimates, a $3MM/year deal puts the Wings dangerously close to the cap, if not over. Dmac certainly won’t get a one way offer at this point. I can’t imagine what it will do to Cheli. Where did Ken get the money? I dont think it affects Zetts and Franzen next year because I think Hossa will be gone, and probably Cheli too, so with an increased cap, there will likely be about 16-18MM to play with.


5. It means the KID better produce.
6. See No. 3, 5.

whew. I wonder, does Val- 2ts 2p- Filppula know how lucky he is?

Originally posted on Wednesday July 30, 2008 @ 11:57 AM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18883

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

The Snozzberries taste like an Inglewood Jack!

Well, it all seems like we need a little frivolity, hi-jinx and levity , I was saving this sort blog for mid to late august, but in the spirit of-“lets just have some fun its summer and we should have paper flags in our pigtails” I invite you to check out some of my favorite hockey related youtube clips:


This is just plain awesome:










Goalie shows how you celebrate stoning a penalty shot…its not NHL but its awesome







Crazy goalies- I wish this one had a better resolution, but even I have to gasp as Patty wah makes an amazing save (No. 9)…






More cool goals, Love Dat's Deke here on Turco- its amazing.







Coach Jules Winnfield- Inglewood Jack. – Classic Classic Classic. – the curse words are bleeped out, but I’d keep the sound low at work, just in case.






Chelios says he’ll never play for Detroit (ya know I love Cheli, but this is FUNNY and it reminds me that we have all had to eat crow once in a while)







Best baby in the World Commercial:






And My number ONE favorite YOUtube Video of all time:

March 26, 1997: Wings-Avs: DMAC

Originally posted on Monday July 28, 2008 @ 07:32 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18817

No news is gud Gnus….? The latest nothing on Filppula

No news is gud Gnus….? The latest nothing on Filppula

Originally posted on Monday July 28, 2008 @ 04:22 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18812

How many times can you say nothing has happened yet? Well let’s have a stab at joining the masses…

Today’s internet speculation is that Valtteri (“2ts, 2ps”) Filppula will re-sign with the Wings before he, Ken-oyte, and Bill Zito, head to Toronto on Friday. Wow that IS a new one.


Most people believe that Filppula will avoid arbitration. As he said in radio interview last week, Wile E. Ken-otye has had continuing discussions with Filppula’s agent and remained confident a deal could get done before the hearing.

The latest rumor coming from the Hockey News- that Holland is “attempting” to re-sign Filppula to a “longer-term deal” with an agreed-upon 2-year deal as his fall-back plan, is a bit curious. After all that is what Filps wants, a longer term deal. So if Kenny is “attempting” to offer him 3-4 years, then Filps should be jumping.

Hang in there Filps fans. As you know just this weekend Vals launched his own website, and right on the welcome page he is wearing the Winged Wheel. Pretty sure he’s not going anywhere.

Ok, I’ve said nothing here that you didn’t already know, so this is me shutin’ up shutin’ up. Waskly wabbit.

Originally posted on Monday July 28, 2008 @ 04:22 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18812

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

Brendan Shanahan- Crown Jewel.

An open letter to Mr. Lombardi, GM of the LA Kings.

Dear Mr. Lombardi:

I must preface this letter by stating I am not an LA Kings fan. When I do venture to the Staples center, it is in a bright red winged wheel jersey and an air of smugness that should make a true Kings fan want to punch me right in the nose. Luckily, the remaining true Kings fans tend to be so crushed and demoralized that I never have to worry as I walk the stadium aisles with a red foam finger chanting “GOOOO WINGS”. Ok not really, I’m not the foam finger type. And it’s more than a little mean to do stuff like that when the home team isn’t likely to even make the playoffs.

I never miss a Wings- Kings game here in LA because I KNOW the rafters will be painted Red and that we will win.

But 2 live games a year aren’t enough for me anymore. Since my relocation to LA, and especially since this last Stanley cup, I have grown to so miss hockey in any form that I am desperately trying to embrace your team as my back up. I need my hockey, so please don’t force me to start attending my Brother’s pick up games in Burbank. Give us a team I can at least watch, follow and see grow.

And not just for me. For the good of the Entire NHL.

For the good of the Entire NHL.

See, you –personally- have a huge (and difficult) responsibility. Not just to your team, but to the League. The LA market, population-wise, is top three for the NHL and the whole league needs this team to be at least moderately successful. More (any) winning from the Kings will trigger more national interest in the whole league. As you know that means more money, more coverage, for the whole league

Both you and Mr. Bettman know that this country loves/is fascinated with the City of the Angels. Everything Hollywood seems more glamorous and fantastic. I mean think about it. Kobe is a despicable, felonistic, cry baby who isn’t fit to buy Hanes briefs from Cuba Gooding Jr., and yet the NBA finals this year- insane ratings. Lakers are nationally and internationally loved, and for what? In part merely because of the City where they reside.

Look. I get it. Hockey is a game where you have to learn to read plays before you can follow the puck- its the the very fastest sickest sport. Hard for some people to follow and understand.

No matter. The truth is: Hockey should not be less popular than golf and nascar- it just shouldn’t be. It shouldn’t be less popular than Basketball. It is the best game on earth.

I’ve said it before, Take the all around athleticism of your Barry Sanders and David Beckhams, throw in the endurance of a soccer player, the strategy and team work of a basketball team, the physicality of a rugby, even a football game, combine it all with the deft precision skill of Tiger Woods and throw in his gear for good measure,

THEN put all those bad boys on two thin blades of steel, less padding than a line backer and a field of ice, and you have a hockey game.

There is no excuse not to love this game.

A good Kings franchise will have the effect of bringing more money to the whole league. Television ratings would grow, fan base will come back. A winning Kings team WILL have the effect of boosting league wide revenues. And if anyone thinks that doesn’t matter, it does. For instance, a significant jump in league wide revenues allows the cap to increase and gives the entire NHL more leverage against the growing impact of the CHL (KHL).

And as disgusting and hard as this is for me to say, its probably true that a moderately successful LA team will get more national and international press than even my beloved, dynasty in the making Detroit Red Wings.

So you have a huge responsibility – not just to the long suffering Kings fans, but to the whole league.

Progress is being made.

I know, I know. You took the gig in 2006 and I immediately panned you and your organization or hiring a coach I detest. It was a move I considered to be an enormous mistake, because my general belief about NHL Management can be summed up in the following phrase:

“Go Holland or go home.”

Sometimes I mix this up phrase up and say “Go Ilitch go home, Go Bowman or go home”. You get the idea.

But now you’ve wisely moved on and seem to be trying to remedy errors. You’re growing your young team, you are working on coaching, all things I see as positive.

But something crossed my mind yesterday when I saw the unsigned UFA list. Let’s face it it doesn’t take a rocket scientist, to see you need a couple of Stanley cup winning leaders on your team. Someone the young ones will listen to, who is a future hall of famer, who has won cups in a proven system, who can lead a team and teach these kids a bit about what it takes.

Crown Jewel

Yes. You have to convince your ownership to shell out some money, and true he doesn’t seem to want to leave his current team, but there is a Crown Jewel out there who could make an immeasurable positive difference to the Kings Organization.

Brendan Shanahan

I’m not gonna list his career stats, I’m not gonna talk about his years in the league, his 9 Gordie Howe hat tricks or number of times he has lifted the Stanley Cup (three).

I’m gonna talk about a guy with intellect, talent, leadership skills, respect from younger players, and a winning attitude and ability to work well with management. Who still has great legs, and a sick game.

And his personality- geez, no one in the NHL is better suited to Hollywood. Just take a look:

He has the charisma and the brains to make this city fall in love with him. He is worth a 4-5MM salary for th amazing PR he can bring to the Kings and the league ALONE.

Hell, Mr. Bettman should subsidize his salary out of league marketing funds just to get him here.

I honestly don’t think there is another current UFA or seasoned player out there- Sundin included- who could bring more to your team. Maybe Chelios. Ok yea Cheli could. But you can’t have him. Frankly, we should never have let Shanny go.

Brendan Shanahan. Get him. I don’t care how you do it. This is a once in a life time opportunity. You need him, the League needs him here.

To quote a namesake: “”Winning is not a sometime thing; it’s an all the time thing. You don’t win once in a while; you don’t do things right once in a while; you do them right all the time. Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing.”

GO Get Brendan Shanahan. Keep up the path that will bring your team success. I would bet my 1998 playoff issued Igor Larionov Wings sweater that bringing Shanny to LA would send the Kings well down the path to the success you are elusively looking for an benefit the entire League.

Ok,ok you called my bluff. NOTHING would make me give my Larionov jersey up, but I would buy a Shanahan Jersey if he played for the Kings….

Crown Jewel, you need one, and Shanny is still available.



Sincerely,

Juice in LA

Originally posted on Saturday July 26, 2008 @ 01:54 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18759

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

UFAs still unsigned as of 7/25.

Ok all, the complete list of UFA is set forth below, mainly young kids still searching for a home and some guys maybe getting a little long in the tooth….maybe.

Here are the ones I find interesting, and I think you’ll find the first one very surprising….No no you wont, in fact you can easily guess:

1. Valtteri (“2ts 2ps”) Filppula: Dang it already. Is Kenny planning for TTPP to leave us? He sounded positive yesterday, but the bottom line, I don’t think the Wings can now fit an arbitrator’s award of salary under the Cap. Filps may be arbitrating his way right out of Detroit, without meaning to.

2. Forsberg and Sakic: Forsberg I get- The foot thing. Sakic should really make his decision. Joe Sakic is a class act and always been a franchise player. That is why this delay is perplexing, because it kind of screws his team. If he isn’t coming back he should let the Avs know so they can spend the money he will free up.

3. Shanahan: This one just makes me mad and sad. First of all he’s a bargain at $2.5- even if people do think he’s old. Watched Shanny bounce around the league until he landed in Detroit and We loved that he embraced our city and we loved him, we thought he’d be home. But either due to the lockout or cap or modeling wife, or a combination of all of these, He left us. No hard feelings, I just hate that now he’s left in open waters. Please someone good pick him up. You know who should really pick him up?

LA, that is who. I could not be more serious. Shanny is brilliant, still has legs, a cup winner is a proven leader and can bring that Wings system to their young team.

4. Sundin: well they say he said he’d make a decision August 1. Let’s see if he does. If he’s coming back, I think the real interesting issue will be where he goes. He’s another that LA should look at, but since the Canucks and the Habs are lobbing shots across the bow over him, we just have to sit back and wait to see where he decides to land.

5. Numminen: The guy had open heart surgery last year, so he’s coming off “suspension”. FAAAA. K. I wish someone would pick him up. I have a very dear family member who also had Open Heart Surgery at the ripe old age of 37 and that is some scary shi- stuff, but he’s fine now.

6. Cheli, Downey and Dmac: Christo will be back, if not on the ice with the Organization. No worries. D and D? not worried they both have offers. They should take them.

7. Teemu Selanne: This is probably another Forsberg situation. Injuries plaguing the greats, sigh. If he can play, he’ll be back with the Ducks. However, I profess not to know where they are with the Cap or whatever.

8. Smolinski: Hey he’s a former MSU Spartan, from the days of Brind amore and Juice, So I want to see him get picked up.

8. Thibadault: now here is a goalie who could make something happen with the right team. He’s not totally amazing, but he is solid, and he backed Roy up for years.

10. Hedican: This guy had a very decent season last year, lead in ice time for defensemen, 17 +/-, 70 points and he’s not expensive – why on earth is he still on the auction block? Katie, what gives?

Anyone you care to speculate on? Here is the complete list, with prices:

CENTER

Adams, Kevyn (Chicago) $650,000

Barnes, Stu (Dallas) $900,000

Dowd, Jim (Philadelphia) $500,000

Forsberg, Peter (Colorado) $5,000,000

Hamilton, Jeff (Carolina) $800,000

Hartigan, Mark (Detroit) $550,000

Karlsson, Andreas (Tampa Bay) $500,000

Kapanen, Niko (Phoenix) $900,000

Perreault, Yannic (Chicago) $1,500,000

Pohl, John (Toronto) $475,000

Ritchie, Byron (Vancouver) $675,000

Robitaille, Randy (Ottawa) $625,000
Rucchin, Steve (Atlanta) $2,400,000

Ryan, Michael (Buffalo) $475,000

Sakic, Joe (Colorado) $6,750,000

Smolinski, Bryan (Montreal) $2,000,000

Stumpel, Jozef (Florida) $2,250,000

Sundin, Mats (Toronto) $5,500,000

Vasicek, Josef (NY Islanders) $750,000

Yelle, Stephane (Calgary) $1,250,000

York, Mike (Phoenix) $1,000,000


LEFT WING

Brashear, Donald (Washington) $1,100,000

Brennan, Kip (NY Islanders) $500,000

Chimera, Jason (Columbus) $1,000,000

Clarke, Noah (New Jersey) $475,000

Gelinas, Marin (Nashville) $1,250,000

Giuliano, Jeff (Los Angeles) $475,000

Hlavac, Jan (Nashville) $700,000

Hossa, Marcel (Phoenix) $780,000

Isbister, Brad (Vancouver) $525,000

Ivanans, Raitis (Los Angeles) $475,000

Kelly, Steve (Minnesota) $500,000

Miettinen, Antti (Dallas) $885,000

Murley, Matt (Phoenix) $500,000

Nagy, Ladislav (Los Angeles) $3,750,000

Plihal, Tomas (San Jose) $500,000

Rucinsky, Martin (St. Louis) $3,000,000

Sanderson, Geoff (Edmonton) $1,500,000

Shanahan, Brendan (NY Rangers) $2,500,000

Thornton, Scott (Los Angeles) $1,500,000


RIGHT WING

Boulerice, Jesse (Philidelphia) $475,000

Dimitrakos, Niko (Ottawa) $575,000

Downey, Aaron (Detroit) $525,000

Hoggan, Jeff (Boston) $495,000

Johnson, Mike (St. Louis) $750,000

Langfeld, Josh (Nashville) $500,000

Lapointe, Martin (Ottawa) $2,400,000

Letowski, Trevor (Carolina) $800,000

McCarty, Darren (Detroit) $535,000

Mowers, Mark (Anaheim) $475,000

Parker, Scott (Colorado) $475,000

Radviojevic, Branko (Minnesota) $680,000

Selanne, Teemu (Anaheim) $1,500,000

Vyborny, David (Columbus) $2,200,000

Wanvig, Kyle (Tampa Bay) $475,000


DEFENSE

Allen, Bobby (Boston) $500,000

Berard, Bryan (NY Islanders) $725,000

Brisebois, Patrice (Montreal) $700,000

Caldwell, Ryan (Phoenix) $475,000

Carney, Keith (Minnesota) $2,100,000

Chelios, Chris (Detroit) $850,000

Cullimore, Jassen (Florida) $535,000

Dallman, Kevin (Los Angeles) $500,000

Davison, Rob (NY Islanders) $525,000

Dupont, Micki (St. Louis) $500,000

Hedican, Bret (Carolina) $2,432,000v

Hejda, Jan (Columbus) $1,000,000

Hill, Sean (Minnesota) $475,000

Hutchinson, Andrew (NY Rangers) $500,000

Jillson, Jeff (Colorado) $500,000

Johansson, Magnus (Florida) $700,000

Kasparaitis, Darius (NY Rangers) $3,116,000

Kwiatkowski, Joel (Atlanta) $600,000

Malik, Marek (NY Rangers) $2,500,000

Matvichuk, Richard (New Jersey) $1,368,000

Meyer, Freddy (NY Islanders) $525,000

Mezei, Branislav (Florida) $850,000

Miller, Aaron (Vancouver) $1,500,000

Modry, Jaroslav (Philadelphia) $1,200,000

Nasreddine, Alain (Pittsburgh) $535,000

Norton, Brad (San Jose) $475,000

Nummelin, Petteri (Minnesota) $1,200,000

Nummine, Teppo (Buffalo) $2,600,000

Ozolinsh, Sandis (San Jose) $625,000

Popovic, Mark (Atlanta) $535,000

Pratt, Nolan (Buffalo) $550,000

Rachunek, Karel (New Jersey) $1,400,000

Richardson, Luke (Ottawa) $500,000

Rourke, Allan (Edmonton) $475,000

Semenov, Alexei (San Jose) $650,000

St. Jacques, Bruno (Anaheim) $475,000

Tarnstrom, @% (Columbus) $2,000,000

Tverdovsky, Oleg (Los Angeles) $2,500,000

Zhitnik, Alexei (Atlanta) $3,500,000

GOAL

Aebischer, David (Phoenix) $600,000

Aubin, Jean-Sebastien (Anaheim) $525,000

Cassivi, Fred (Washington) $500,000

Holmqvist, Johan (Dallas) $1,000,000

Leighton, Michael (Carolina) $550,000

Morrison, Mike (New Jersey) $525,000

Sigalet, Jordan (Boston) $500,000

Thibault, Jocelyn (Buffalo) $760,000

(Source for list : www. thrasher411. com)

Originally posted on Friday July 25, 2008 @ 01:23 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18728

Wile E. Ken-otye (Super Genius) speaks:

Excerpts from today’s Detroit radio interview (WDFN’s Stoney and Wojo during their 11th annual Radiothon to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Michigan) with none other than Wile E. Ken-otye Super Genius:

On Hossa and why people who could get more dough come to Detroit anyway:

“when I got the news, I was in my office with Jimmy Nill and Steve Yzerman, and I think we were both in a bit of a daze, just exactly what you’re saying, I mean…We try to convince people to come to Detroit for other reasons than money. Obviously, money’s a factor, but you’d like them to take a little less to come in because it’s, you’re trying to put a good team on the ice and you want everybody to do their part, and obviously, this was a little bit more than even we could sell. Marian obviously made a decision, and he wanted to be a Red Wing; once we get him here, hopefully we can find a way to keep everybody here, keep everybody happy; we’re hoping that we’re going to have good chemistry, you know… , I guess, is the word I would use, because any time somebody walks away from $50, 60, 70 million, I don’t know exactly what the number is, it’s, he thinks he’s coming here because we give him the best chance to compete and get his name on the Stanley Cup, and we’re thrilled, and hopefully it’s long term, but you know, in the new CBA…”

On Wing Sacrifice:

“I would like to think that this really has been ten years of sacrifice, from the Steve Yzerman and the Shanahans and the Larionovs, and the Nicklas Lidstroms and the Chris Chelioses, and Kris Drapers, this really has been a, this is a, I give a bit of a reward”

On Planning Ahead: next years UFAs- Sponsored by the letters “Z” and “D”:

“You get your core, and we really feel we’ve got our core with the Datsyuks, we’ve got to try to get Zetterberg signed, I’d like to try to get Franzen signed, I’ll go to work on those in the next couple of months for sure, you know, sometimes you’re going to have people come in for a year, and they come, and they move, and that’s the nature of the CBA…. my management, my negotiation style is, I like to usually get it started near training camp, I want to talk to the agent, I like to sit down and make sure that the player hears from me what I’m trying to get them, my reasons for what we’re offering, because, usually what we’re offering is a little bit below what they can get in the open market, but I also think that goes on around the league as well; not every player can get his market value from the home team, and every player has to make decisions, so I don’t anticipate any problems, certainly Zetterberg’s priority #1, and Franzen’s gonna be priority #2 heading into this upcoming season.”

On Filps:

“I gotta get Filppula signed, he’s obviously arbitration a week from Friday, a week from tomorrow, August 1st, I’ve had lots of conversations with his agent, Bill Zito, on two-year deals and longer-term deals, and, obviously, it’s going to come to a conclusion over the next few days.”

Supa Genioz!

Originally posted on Thursday July 24, 2008 @ 09:20 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18704

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

Concentrated Juice: Fact, Factoid, Rumor and Speculation: July 21 2008

Wings Fact, Factoid, Rumor and Speculation: July 21 2008

Ladies and Gents, Cats and Pajamas: Today was a relatively active news day for the Wings. Here is what went down as Mr. Holland (or as he is known in Hockeytown as “Wile E. Ken-oyte, Super Genius“) rolled up his sleeves to tie up some loose ends:

FACT

Jimmy Howard and Jonathon Ericsson were extended. Deal terms:

Howard:


3 years, 2 way contract total value: $2.15MM, $600,000, $750,000 and $800,000.

Ericsson:


3 years, 2 way contract total value: $2.7MM, $550,000, 900,000 and $1.25 million.

Fun fact? Ericsson’s response in a Swedish paper:

“I am hugely satisfied and have thanked my agent for this, it was well done. I have not had the chance to earn really big money before. This gives [me] completely different security.”

Of Ken Holland, Ericsson says:

“He believes in me. He has said he believes in me and that I have a future with the club. It feels good and I am grateful.”

Good Kid!!!!!!!


FACTOID

McCrimmon:

Ken Holland has been in talks with Brad McCrimmon, an 18-year NHL veteran who spent three seasons with the Wings (1990-93). Some are reporting this is a done deal. McCrimmon is said to have much strength as a defensive coordinator having played in the league and served on an NHL Coaching staff. He is also said to have a very positive attitude and great instinct- sounds like he’ll fit in just fine with the Wings Org. Welcome Back Brad!

Fun fact? Nico Lidstrom LOVES McCrimmon: Here are some of his quotes over the last year:

April 2, Detroit News: "When I first came to Detroit, the older defensemen on the team, like Paul Coffey and Brad McCrimmon, would talk about Orr,"

Lidstrom mentioned McCrimmon again on April 10th…

April 10, NHL.com: “I’ve had some great partners over the years – Paul Coffey, Larry Murphy,Brad McCrimmon. It’s helped my game, too, playing with good partners over the years.”

RUMOR

Dmac and Downey:

Offers have been extended, rumor has it they are 2 way contracts for about $1MM each.


Filps:

Wings have decided to forgo arbitration with Filppula and just sign him to a 4 year 5MM deal. NOOO I am totally kidding. Sorry, I had to have some fun with ya….

Ccd3m, Mchiconsky: breathe, please breathe….

LOOSE ENDS

Filps, Filps Filps Filps:

See all the great comments from your fellow Connectors at my last blog.

With this new news on the Howard and Ericsson 2 ways, the money remaining under the Wings Salary Cap, an estimated $2.9MM is partially reduced, since both these players will see NHL Ice time.

Add to that the money/contracts extended to Dmac and Downey, PLUS about a Mill for Cheli and well…

How to say this gently…???

Filps is just watching the available funds trickle away…What is worse is that Wings seemingly might not be in a position to accept an arbitration award over $1.2MM/year. Filps really needs to sign before the money is all gone, or there may not be more than $1MM per year to accept.

At this point, if Ken has made an offer to Filps exceeding $1.5MM, for two years, I think Filps needs to take it, or he will find himself on the open market whether he wants to be or not.

Argh!!!!!

Originally posted on Monday July 21, 2008 @ 08:48 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18571

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

Filppula and the Perfect Storm.

Arbitration looms without a contract and August 1 is the Puck Drop Day for Valtteri and the Wings. I can’t take credit for this Blog, it was a friend’s idea, I just needed to do something that involved sitting still while I recover from a crazy weekend.

The thing about Filps and his contract negotiations: They exemplify the perfect storm that arises when an extraordinary player who wants to stay with his team, along with a team that loves the player and doesn’t want to lose him, come up against the realities of the business end of professional sports.

You can’t blame either side for this issue. Filps is right to use the arbitration strategy to show his dedication to the Wings by avoiding other offer sheets, but also allowing the negotiations to continue until he gets closer to what he wants. Ken has not been publicly troubled by Filps arbitration move. On the contrary, it seems to be what the Wings wanted him to do once June came and went.

As you know, Filps rejected an offer for contract extension in March. At that time he wanted more than 2 years. He still does.

Filp’s Advantages: the Numbers and the Intangibles

In the regular season, Filps had decent stats, averaging about a half a point a game, with time out for a groin injury. In the regular season: +/- 16: 78 games, 19 goals, 17 assists, 36 points. It makes him the 8th most productive Red Wing on a +/- basis.

(NB: Please understand that I value the +/- stat more than points with the Red Wings because of the Wings style of play, where being defensive is as important as scoring for an offensive player.)

Then came the playoffs. Filps clearly stood on his head. Besides such momentum creating intangibles as crucial goals, the guy had a +/- of 7 with 5 goals, 6 assists- 11 points. Who on the team produced better? Well, the usual suspects: Lids, Zetts, Dats, Franz, Stuart, Kroner, and Sammy. (Sammy!? Ok and one you wouldn’t have suspected…) Many fans would prefer the Wings hold on to Filps and let Sammuelson go. (Sammy is irrelevant, Essentially and baring a year where Sammy stands on his head and makes Zetts look like a AHL-er, I think Sammy is gone after this year and you’ll see why below.)

Oh sure, some of you will remind me that there were a few moments where Valtteri made everyone wince, but, wait. Besides the goal that put the Wings up 2-0 in Game 6 against the pens and made Cindi well up in salty tears, THIS is the moment I remember….

So. Now that I’ve tugged at the emotional chords, let’s take a look at what Filps might be trying to get here.

Based on a decent Stanley Cup winning season, its safe to say, Filps wants more money, in addition to wanting a contract longer than two years. I am not sure what he’s asking for money wise, but the guy made $850,000 last year- just above the minimum.

Ken Holland has cryptically stated that the Wings and Filps both know what a two year contract is worth on the market. I sure don’t, but I wish I did. I bet the Canucks know. Not knowing anything has never stopped me from speculating, so I guess that a guy like that, with Cup momentum could get about 2-4MM a year on the open market and be a 1st line center for certain teams.

Filps’ Disadvantages: Other Deals History and Sacrifice in the Wings Org.

Other Deals

Let’s take a quick look at other off season signings. Hossa’s deal is not comparable. But is Filps worth more than Brad Stuart? Well probably not because a great defenseman is so hard to hold onto, and Brad had a +/- of 15 and 7 points in the playoffs. These were both brilliant deals for the Wings and no brainers.

But they do impact Filps. Brad and Hossa ate huge chunks of the cap, and if Filps gets less than Ken offered in March, he is gonna be kicking himself for a long time.

Other unfinished deals which impact Filps involve Cheli, Ericcson, Mac.

Letting Greats Go

Filps has the disadvantage of working with a team laden with insanely talented offensive players, so its difficult to stand out and what’s worse-

In such a circumstance, your mistakes and omissions are always amplified.

I’ve seen it time and again with the Wings, players like Koslov, Fetisov, Dougie Brown, Fedorov, heck, even Primeau. These former Wings greats are the company Filps may find himself keeping. All insanely talented players who definitely fit into the team and who were all crucial to its success, but who didn’t get all the credit or attention bestowed on other star players. Each had a situation where (with the exception of Fetisov) the team would not and did not suffer from the loss of any of these amazing players. In fact in the case of Primeau, both the team and the player flourished after they parted ways.

And that is the Wings advantage. What really happens if the Wings lose a good center? The hole isn’t that large- or is it?

Winning doesn’t mean more money with the Wings

More important than the harsh reality of teams having to let great talent and beloved players go is the following: Despite the fact that Filps came up big in the playoffs, coming up big as a Wing in the Playoffs almost never translates to big bucks.

Sergei Federov excluded. But that was a long, long time ago.



Coming up big in the playoffs almost never translates to big bucks on the Wings. In fact some greats take considerably less just to stay with the organization. Need an example? Does anyone really think that Hossa is worth more than Nic Lidstrom?

Because they are making the same money next year.

PS: anyone who thinks Hossa is as valuable as Nicklas Lidstrom should be required to turn over their Connect ID and be banned from this site and all of Hockey immediately and indefinitely. Just saying…

Short Term Contracts- Why?

Last week Ken Holland said that they are exploring long term contract details. While its’ great that the Wings are entertaining Filps main contract issue, Holland has also said that if Filps will take a shorter deal, then he’d easily be signed before August 1.

Ken Holland’s interest in a mere one year contract is troubling. Is it a function of the Wing’s lack of faith in their 2002 3rd round 95th pick, or the team being over laden with amazing offensive players? Both seem doubtful. Such ideas go against everything we know about the Wings commitment to their homegrown players. Given his short time in the NHL (less than 3 full years) Its safe to say Wings want to continue to grow their investment, um er, I mean, the kid.

So why on earth would the team be pushing for a 1-2 year deal? As CCD3m suggested to me, they must be worried about the cap.

The Cap

First off: all my numbers here are estimates, and I did the math in my head- so expect me to be a little off. “Off” on my calculations, not off my rocker.. ha ha, hooh hoh, huh ha, hm (throat clearing)…very funneee, ok ok get it all out…. Yea yea…..

The Cap for 08/09 is $56.7 MM and it increases in 09/10. Cap increases are based on League revenues, and in the 08-09 season, the cap increased by about 6.8%. Lets assume the league stays as popular as it is right now, the cap would increase for the 09/10 year to somewhere around $60 MM. Several websites are predicting the 09/10 Cap will be around $62 MM.

Let’s be conservative and say the Wings are planning based on a lower cap of $60 MM in 09/10.

Interestingly and completely off point: The salary floor for 09/10 is predicted to exceed the salary CAP for the 05/06 year of $40 MM, the first year after the lockout. End digression….

The 08/09 Year: Cap at $56.7 MM

Before acquiring Hossa and Conklin, the Wings were estimated to be paying somewhere around $45 MM for active players in the 07/08 year (source: www. Letsgowings- Salary Cap and Contract Charts).

Therefore, with a cap of $56.7 they had about $12 MM to play with this summer. They spent 7.5MM on Hossa, $750,000 on Conklin.

Leaving about $3.9 MM left. We still need to sign UFAs and RFAs Filps, Cheli, Downey, Ericsson and Mac. (Mac is not a big worry if he takes a 2 Way, see below for reasoning. Ericsson is rumored to be signed and will likely start the season in GR).

Non-active RFAs and 2 way players

Non-Active RFAs and Active players sent down to the Griffens (Such as a guy like McCarty who will get a 2 way contract) are important because non-active players only count against the Cap on a “per day hit” basis. Meaning on the day they get called up, their salary for the day counts against the Cap. I expect Helm and Howard (who will likely be bumped down at least for the start of the season) to play a lot during the season- so we need a little cap space to play with them.

Take a million away for Cheli, and you have less than 2.9 MM for a one year for Filps and movement of players back and forth from Grand Rapids. That is tight!

What is the worth of a young talented guy who was instrumental in the success of the team in the playoffs, without without worry about caps and the cost of other players weighing in? Well, earlier I guessed around 2-4 mill.

On the other hand, he only made $850,000 in 08/09, so doubling his salary to $1.7 seems more than reasonable.

Hey. Ozzie only makes about $1.7 a year- so besides blowing the “contribution to the Cup win arguement”, really, to give Filps $1.5 MM or more a year is a gift.

Therefore it’s reasonable to think that Filps probably shouldn’t expect more than $1.5 MM per year.

Now comes the tough part: length of contract.

The 09/10 Year: Very Expensive for the Wings

Oh 09/10, will be painful- and likely the reason the Wings can’t afford more than 1.5/1.7MM per year for Filps. Maybe even the reason Holland is trying to work a one year deal.

RFAs in 09/10: Hudler. He’s making 1.1 MM right now. He should have a great year this year, especially if Helm gets called up- they are great together. No way we let Hudler go.

UFAs in the 09/10 year: Franzen, Zetts, Sammuelson, Kopecky, Conklin, Hossa.

Zetts is the highest paid player in this future UFA group, currently at $2.6/year, and should certainly be offered a contract that while no more than what Lids makes (about $7.5 MM a season) should be a long term deal and likely slightly higher than Datsyuk’s deal of 6.7 MM/per year. Hossa’s 7.5 MM deal is expected to be a zero sum-that cap money gets freed up by letting him go, and made available to resign for Zetts.

Franzen is only making about $950,000 in 08/09. If the Mule has another stellar year, we are looking at guy who probably deserves at least 4-5 MM.

Assuming Hossa goes and there are a couple of retirements or low end player releases, then in 09/10 the Wings should have that 4-5 million extra to sign Franzen. There goes the Cap. Hossa will be gone, Sammy gone. Conklin could stay if he were cheap AND other player moves allow extra wiggle room under the Cap.

And beyond into 09/10….

Because I am on a roll, and because Filps wants more than 2 years, here are some more players and numbers to deal with.

UFA’s in 10/11- Lidstrom, lebda, lilja, Homer and Malts.

RFAs in 10/11- Helm, Meech and Abedelkader are the important ones.

Assuming another 4-5 MM Cap increase getting all of these players in under 5MM? Nope, not if Lids decides to stay. Lids should reach the 10MM mark, which would be significantly lower than market worth.

Homer, Lilja will cost us more money. I’d be amazed if we let any of these players go- especially Helm and Meech. Look for Helm to be called up a lot this year. He is the future- He is amazing. Mark my words. Also, the Org is invested in Meech, so he stays. Abs has to prove himself. All these kids will make about 1 MM each.

Is Filps worth more than the rookies, yea he is. Can he get his value from the Wings? Probably not. And that is why Arbitration is so scary.

Final Prediction?

Well after all this analysis, I delusionally think I know something…feel free to remind me how wrong I am: I say Filppula finally signs on July 31, for either a $1.5 deal for three years, or a $1.8 deal for two years.

Originally posted on Sunday July 20, 2008 @ 04:12 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18526

Cali Hat Trick

As you may know, Red Wing hockey is a life long obsession and love for me. My brother and I were insanely spoiled in our Detroit Days because we are part of a wonderful family who loves Red Wing Hockey and had season tickets. Then we left Detroit. Someone else is now sitting 18 rows up behind the box. I hope they really really appreciate those seats…

I desperately miss my Red Wing Hockey. Mickey Redmond’s color, the option of watching HNIC, all gone. Being at the games on a week night, a cherished memory. Skipping work to hang on Woodward and Hart Plaza for a parade- remembered with love. Running into a player or two at a local bar, a thing of the past.

Now I’m lucky to get 3-4 live Wings games a year. The longer I live away from Detroit, the more I cling to every possible broadcast or live game I can find. Even if you have Center Ice, getting a Wings game here is hit or miss: a function of scheduling and time zones.

Displacement = Deprivation when it comes to Wings Hockey. Yes, you’ve heard me whine before….

So when the schedule comes out, my brother and I immediately start plotting: 1 Wings- Kings Game, 1 Wings-Sharks Game, One Wings-Ducks Game.

Our True Cali hat trick.

Deciding which three Wings away games we are going to attend fill us with anticipation and joy. This year we have two weeks: one in October the other in January, to choose from.

I can’t wait!

Living for that feeling of anticipation on Game Day. Trying to arrive at an arena an hour or so before the game starts, to find our seats -a view just over the glass, or making our way down to the glass. Feeling happy and content to just watch the guys warm up. Recalling the days when my brother played midgets, wore his Cheveldae sweater and we always arrived at the Joe early so he could spend his time watching warm ups, hoping someone would to toss him a warm up puck.

Better than mom’s macaroni and cheese on a frozen February day.

The joy of jumping into that first face off, a slight chill in the air, feeling the sound of blade against ice, closing your eyes, listening for the rhythm. The luxury of watching the entire play open up before your eyes. Noting line changes, identifying Bab’s tweaks. Watching the young-ins get their legs. Joyously cheering Ozzie and all my timeless favorites. Waiting for that first goal.

Ultimately though, live Cali games are often as bitter as they are sweet. As sitting happily through a game ultimately turns to anxiety, pain creeping up on joy as soon as the halfway point is realized, thoughts turning: only 24, 10, 1 minute of play left.

Cringing when the 1 minute mark is announced, and not because my team is usually up 1 goal and the opposition has pulled their goalie. Almost hoping for overtime- aw who am I kidding- TOTALLY hoping for overtime, just so I can watch more hockey. Feeling selfish for wishing for overtime when I KNOW my team is suffering serious jet lag- I mean Geez, playing OT in Cali is really like playing at 3 in the boys in red.

Wings Win!

Lingering and milling after the game is over, waiting for the last player to step through the tunnel into the darkness. Not wanting to exit the arena, feeling more a sense of loss and emptiness than satisfaction. Silence as we make our way from the parking lot and onto the packed Los Angelean Freeways.

Eventually my brother and I start to chirp a bit on the drive home, just little comments. “Ozzie stood on his head.” “Boy, I like that Helm kid” “Loved seeing Pronger’s board smash when he missed checking Dats.” “Dats was too fast and smart for him- ha”. Our own kind of quite meaningless prattle. Lots more silence than words as we both try to cling to the feeling of joy, home and happiness these away games should bring us.

Fighting that sense of loss and emptiness always threatens to overwhelm the joy of having got to see the Wings play live.

I wouldn’t trade any of it for anything in the world. Three times this year, maybe more, if I feel like shelling out the bucks, I get to see my Wings play live this year, and I know I am a lucky person.

Originally posted on Thursday July 17, 2008 @ 02:15 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18444

Copyright 2008-2009. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express permission of the author.

Mac and Drapes, the strength of lifelong friendship

This is a story of loyalty, courage, disaster, hope, strength, rescue, resurgence and lifelong friendship.

In 1993, Darren McCarty made his way into the Red Wing lineup for the first time and for those of us in Detroit things would never again be the same. DMac, BigMac, MacAttack, whatever you call him, you love him the way you love a big brother who still kind of scares ya a little bit when he pins you to the ground and threatens to spit goobers into your face, all the while laughing as you scream for mom.


From the moment Dmac stepped onto the ice wearing the winged wheel, Darren McCarty was a fan favorite. An amazing dichotomy, our Dmac: a big bruising monster of a man and hockey player, who could charm anyone and everyone with his joie de vivre and that silly “kid in a candy shop” smile. He immediately wormed his way into the hearts of Detroiters, instantly beloved by all as he embraced the city and its fans with his buoyant optimism, that toothless grin and ineffable charm.

At 6’1”, 215 pounds, he was drafted as an enforcer. The fact that he is also a deadly shot mattered perhaps less than his toughness and fearlessness on the ice. Then again you didn’t get into Scotty Bowman’s lineup unless you had the speed, deft puck handling skills and talent to hang with the Russians.

Darren established himself as a team leader and an integral player on a team that was amongst the first to fully embrace left wing lock, puck possession hockey. He had to be everything to everyone. He had to finish all his checks, punish those who messed with our smaller snipers and scorers, execute the lock and still produce points. It was no easy task to be a grinder in the mid to late 1990’s.

I think of Darren McCarty as a perfect example of how to meld the physicality of old school hockey with the European influence.

The One Dollar Man

In the same year Darren was brought up from Adirondack, Detroit traded Winnipeg for Kris Draper for One dollar. $1.00. The “One Dollar Man”.

For over some 17 years I have watched his explosive talent, speed, tenacity, intellect, work ethic and wonder how the powers that be in Winnipeg failed to see all this guy had to offer and stupidly let such a talent go. Perhaps they were just distracted…

One Dollar.

Reelin in the Early Years

In the same year Dmac and Drapes arrived in Detroit, Mr. Bowman took the helm. He put the two on the third line and gave them a role- grind it out, wear the opposition down, enforce and score. The two became fast and furious friends.

Drapes and Mac could be seen out together (often with Kocur and Osgood) at many a local watering hole in the mid 90’s. Drinks flowed, girls cooed, parties were none stop. Mac was the ring leader, a card and a good ol’ boy. HEDHS he even formed a band (Grinder) and sang lead. Mac was the life of the party and a celebrity fixture throughout the City.

For a while, I believe Mac even roomed with Drapes and Ozzie in a riverfront apartment complex near the Joe. Actually, I think he and Joey Kocur were roommates, maybe they all just hung out at Drapes place. Still, can you imagine it? Play Stations, Nintendo, Pizza Pizza boxes, Molson Canadians brought in from the Beer Store in Windsor, Mac’s guitars all around, motorcycles and random women.

The friendships that formed in these early years would set the stage for life long loyalty. To be young in your twenties and a Red Wing…

To be in your twenties and a Wing in the mid 1990’s also meant that your first, foremost and ultimate focus had to be in seeking the Cup. Scotty Bowman had not left his Buffalo home for Detroit because he was a snow bird… Bowman, Ilitch, and Holland were not assembling the first true Russo-Euro laden NHL team on a whim.

Scotty Bowman came to Detroit to pursue his latest dream – and changed the face of NHL hockey for ever. By succeeding in the NHL with European style dominating the game, a long time vision for both Bowman and Mike Ilitch. Ilitch was instrumental in the migration of Russian players to the US, perhaps one of the most important persons in the history. Anyone who doubts this should ask Sergei Federov who made it possible for him to defect from the Soviet Union as he snuck from the cafeteria and boarded the Red Bird One under cover of dark in Seattle that fateful eve during the Goodwill Games.

It was an exciting time. The City of Detroit had not seen a Stanley Cup in 42 years, the longest cup drought in the history of the League. 42 years! So painful, for a sports town with true long lasting and suffering passion for the game. By the time Bowman came in, and immediately started to win, the hearts and souls of all Red Wings fans, new and tried, young and old were hopelessly bound to this team. And we embraced each of these boys, from Stevie to Vladdie to Nick to Dmac as our own, family even. We still do.

We were once more beginning to live and die by our Wings, once more daring to hope and believe as we had when Stevie Yzerman was drafted to Detroit, and through the late 80’s, when Demers, Klima, Oates and Probert gave us hope and excitement.

Friendships Cemented into Brotherhood

In 1994, a classmate of mine, who also happened to have been Scotty Bowman’s neighbor in Buffalo, took me up to a Red Wing game on Bowman’s tix. It was the first time I had been back to Detroit, much less in the Joe in years. Standing outside the locker room while the boys all went inside, feeling a bit like one of those trampy chicks who linger trolling for players, I tried to separate myself from all the black polyblend spandex-y pants, dark red lipstick and Neve Campbell bobs. I stepped back out of the fray, left of center and stood watching the action around the locker room, and realized there was a hum, a life of its own in these walls. Something beyond special was happening in those years.

Dmac, Drapes, Ozzie all left the locker room together, Dmac with that ineffiable charming and almost fully toothed smile, laid one on the ladies Drapes looked oblivious, Osgood kept his head down. I giggled hysterically. One girl yelled “goin to the Post boys?” and laughter ensued as they walked on by. Whatever trouble those boys were bound for that night, they were together. Ironically enough, Classmate and I ended up slugging some beers back with this motley crew- and though that is another story for another time, I will say I this: you could see even at that point that the bond amongst these friends was as tight as a five hole in the playoffs…

Flash forward.

May 6, 1996. Game 6 Western Conference Finals.

A dirty hit by a dirty player, slamming and crushing a head down onto the top of the boards at the bench, no body check at all. Just a purely intentional, evil crush straight to the head. A shattered jaw, a concussion. A fan favorite bloodied, helped off the ice, not to return for almost a year. A City sickened. Tears in ALL the girls eyes, fury and hate for the team and the monster that did this to our Kris Draper. Worst game I ever saw. To this day, I would spit in Claude le mew’s face if I ever had the misfortune to cross his path. I will never spell his name properly. I’d use a euphemism for “le mew” if I though I could get away with it on these boards. Look, Le mew was a rotten soulless bass ‘tard, I don’t care how good a player some say he was. He makes Avery look like a Lady Byng winner.

A teammate, friend, a brother taken from the game, out of play for nearly a year to recover from reconstructive surgery. No two game suspension or 5 for fighting penalty was ever going to wipe that awful memory from Detroit heads.

Retribution: March 26, 1997

We waited in anticipation for that end of the season game against the Avalanche. Not only were we healthy and ready to win our first cup in 42 years, but we knew Dmac would avenge Drapes. It was all we talked about at the water cooler that week. We absolutely wanted revenge and retribution.

And the outcome was spectacular- on a full team scale. Everyone from Larionov taking Forsberg on, to Shanny tackling Roy mid-air, to the fight we all waited for: Dmac pummeling the Turtle into submission.

With the beating that made the turtle his “beach” (give it a French accent) to his joyous triple sow cow in celebration of his OT game winning goal, Darren McCarty showed us all again why he is an all-time great. An enforcer who can score the prettiest of crucial game winning goals.

Forever to be revered in the City of Detroit. Darren McCarty a Wing lifer, case closed. No questions asked, the Wings Organization always rewards the sort of grit, loyalty talent and heart Darren McCarty epitomizes. The only person who could harm Darren at this point was himself.

A Rock Crumbles

And gradually he did. First, the toll of his father’s struggle with cancer, followed by succumbing to a lifelong fight against addictions, bankruptcy and whispers of divorce. These things would take their toll on the man whose primary work and life role had so clearly grown to look after everyone else. To guard everyone else, to take care of everyone else.

Who would take care of Dmac when he needed it?

His last year with Detroit was before the 04-05 lockout. The Wings ended up buying out his contract and he found himself, for the first time ever, outside of Detroit. In his time with Calgary, he failed, for the first season ever, to score a even a single point.

Failed to score a single point in a whole season. Calgary let him go. For the first time in 14-15 seasons he was without a job, out of hockey.

A beaten man. It appeared so. Not hard to speculate that such dramatic and difficult personal problems had finally overwhelmed him.

However, to believe that would be to summarily dismiss all I have just written of, and failed to see what I have been trying to communicate, that this man is a fighter, from the bottom of his skates to the top of his helmet. Through and through.

Down and out, saddled with financial problems and addictions he could not cure or control on his own, and in danger of losing a family who had been stretched beyond the limits, Darren McCarty had to find that place inside where he remembered he was a champion, an elite talented, monster of a man.

He found his way back to hockey. He didn’t do it alone.

Reinvention: The Flint Generals

A phone call to a life long friend, who had to suffer the pain of watching his talented and incredible brother fall to pieces. Even if they had drifted apart through Dmac’s trials, there can be no doubt that in a single phone call, probably for one of the first times ever, Dmac asked for help and someone was more than willing to give it to him. A phone conversation that probably went a little like this:





“I want to play again.”





“Ok.”





Kris Draper, part owner of the IHL team, the Flint Generals, along with Ken Holland gave Dmac a script to follow. Everyone knew if Darren could execute, then he would be back with the Wings. Perhaps it was never spoken, but if it was I see Ken and D walking across the ice at the Joe like this:


“Darren, we’re proud of your fight. I support you, Stevie supports you, Mike supports you, Kris supports you. Show us you can do it and we will be thrilled to bring you up.”



“Ok.”



And a plan was hatched: First, show us you have anything left in Flint, stay sober, stop gambling, keep your life in order, get into condition, then to Grand Rapids to prove yourself there again, and if it goes to plan, we’ll talk about Detroit.

A 37 year old three time Stanley cup winning right winger from Burnaby BC fighting some of the worst addictions a person can face, laced up skates again in Flint, Michigan on an IHL team and took his first steps back onto the ice. Doing what it took to get him to the next step. 10 games, three goals in that first season.

Reinventing himself and fighting as if he were 25. And he made it back, with a little help from his friends.

In 1997, a young man avenged the senseless and horrific near career ending blow on one of his best friends. Ten years later, that friend was able to return the favor.

Originally posted on Sunday July 13, 2008 @ 01:34 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18305

Copyright 2008-2009. All rights reserved. No reproduction or use without the express written permission of the author.

The American Way

I woke Saturday morning with the world’s worst headache. My mouth was dry, tasted like cotton wrapped in sandpaper covered in sawdust. I had a tiny paper American flag in one of my pigtails and a red white and blue streamer stuck to my flip flop. For a few brief moments I wasn’t sure where I was.

You might be inclined at this point to chuckle and perhaps nod in bemused understanding, perhaps as you pull an American flag out of one of your pigtails too, or wonder how you made it through 9 rounds of beer pong. But alas…

I didn’t wake up hungover from holiday festivities. I woke up with a splitting headache because I realized the Wings had not yet signed Filppula.

Nooooo- I am not as big a loser as this sounds. See, I was drunk and passed out long before fireworks on the 4th. What can I say, you start drinking champagne at a beach house party in Hermosa at 2 pm and see if you make it past 10 PM…. I dare you. I triple dog dare you.

Slight breach of dog daring etiquette aside,

July 5, 9:00 AM PST, The Wings had not yet signed Filppula…

I’m not saying I think he’s the most important piece of the Red Wing puzzle, but what the HEDHS- is Valtteri Filppula doing, 5 days after free agency still not signed…?????

Of course we knew going into July 1 that Filps was gonna look for offer sheets, but I naively thought that as the weekend approached without any word, that Filps would cave and be back within the fold in time for the annual Ilitch Family Barb-e-que.

By noon Saturday I was scrounging the web for rumors- and when I saw speculation that his agent had been talking to the Canucks, I was not pleased.

Detroit Fans like myself like to think our Wings are perfect, the team is perfect, the organization is perfect and no one in their right minds would even think of leaving just for money or ice time or a chance to be a star.

Not without good reason- I mean let’s face it, the Wings are perfect…

More so, I like to believe that for a professional hockey player, the only thing- the most important things are winning, the pursuit of excellence, and love of the game. Personally I can’t understand why anyone would want to leave the Red Wing organization.

Seems I always romanticize the Wings, wear my heart on my sleeve when it comes to this team.

One of the things that makes the Red Wing organization so great is that some of the best to ever play make sacrifices for the opportunity to be a part of it all. Everyone on the team makes monetary sacrifice, for the good of the team. Stevie Y did, Igor did, Brett Hull did, Nic Lids does, Ozzie does. Hank, Dats are underpaid by market standards. Stuart could have gotten more, so too could have Hossa. McCarty would come back if they gave him two sticks, a mouth guard and a roll of athletic tape, on a hand shake.

So I am disappointed in Filppula that he has taken it to this level.

But when a late offer sheet from Vancouver was rumored to appear one day ago, and now today as Filps exercises his arbitration rights, I am forced to realize that not everyone thinks like me.


So Filps goes to arbitration… sigh.

Foolish girl, get over it. Some would say I should be praising the kid for having the stones to take this to arbitration and try to get as much money/time as he can. That its just business. Except its not. I need to believe its more. Things like this remind me that its not.

Ken Holland’s reaction? He basically said “Valtteri protected himself, its fine, we’ll get a deal done end of July.”

Good thing Ken Holland is less emotional about the team than me.

Don’t want to question the kid’s heart, but I am not sure where I stand. I’ll be glad to get him signed and done and back with the team, but I think I will always be a bit disappointed.

Originally posted on Sunday July 06, 2008 @ 10:37 PM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/18005

Copyright protedted 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

Free Agency Day 2008: Team Achievement Awards: "Most Likely to"

Ok, Friends and Fans take a step back and remember your school days:

Team in most need of a logarithmic calculator: Chicago. Seems like someone there asked Mayor Daly and the Cook County Registrar to help with the math….(yes I know he is deceased, that’s the point.)

Team most likely to get caught smoking in the parking lot: Flyers. Quiet sneaky, up to something, ‘nuff said.

Team most likely to steal your milk money: Vancouver. Srsly- 20MM for 2 years? That is just effing with anyone else that might actually want him, and it sent the prices soaring as if teams were trading oil futures…

Team that gave itself a wedge and a swirly in the third floor men’s room: Washington. Jose Theodore didn’t produce big for the Avs, I doubt a change of scenery will help. Gonna need Ovechkin to produce 70-80 goals to offset this guy when he gets lit up.

Team most likely to steal your Girlfriend: Columbus. I am liking this team more and more… although Jersey gets a runner up on this award for the Ralston move.

Team most likely to get caught canoodling with the Foreign Exchange Student: New York. Wake up! Is JJ worth it? Is he really Dy-no-mite? Don’t you need a few other things?

Team most likely to pull the fire alarm and yell the sky is falling: Tampa Bay. All those purchases, so little Defense! Stop drop and roll people.

Team most likely to implode on itself like a Schwartzchild Black Hole: Pitt. Cripe, do they even have any players left? I think Crosby Malkin and Fleury take up 43MM of the Cap..Re-sign Hossa you fools. Or don’t. I don’t care.

Team most likely to be eliminated from the playoffs by October: Shoot, this one is too mean- I cant do it. Ok I can: LA. LA LA LA LA LA LA. Sorry. I’m still gonna go see their games tho’.

Team most likely to Hit a Bull and Win a Steak (aka the Bull Durham award): Toronto. For bringing Cujo back.

Team most likely to Succeed: Really People, do I even need to write it?

Originally posted on Wednesday July 02, 2008 @ 02:12 AM EDT at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/17686

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the express written permission of the author.

Wingers, defencemen and goalies in the Land of Joe!

Happy Canada Day to all you northerly Hockey Fans wearing red and white today.

Tho’ if you ask me, any day is a good day to wear red.


Speaking of which, here is my official Red Wings free agency update as of July 1, 2008 4 pm EST:


I’m gonna lead with entertainment focused solely on the Detroit Red Wings today rather than actual reporting for three reasons: (1.) I already blogged about Stuart; (2.) Others will do an amazing job covering the entire league; and (3.) Because I was there in Ken Holland’s office this morning.


What Juice? What did you say?


No not really. Of course not. But what if I were?


start wavy blurred lines of vision indicating Wayne’s World like dream sequence…(I’d have gone with a Harold and Kumar dream reference here but there just isn’t any room for cheetahs or unicorns at the Joe..)


Open dream sequence: overpriced Beverly Hills condo falls to ground on the banks of the Detroit River, crushing stand selling half priced BOGO autographed No. 87 Jerseys and stuffed animal penguins…

Juice in LA, wearing her vintage 1997 playoff issued Igor Larionov sweater, pigtails and red Laboutains slowly emerges from condo, rubs eyes once or twice like a cartoon character and realizes she’s not in Los Angeles or Kansas anymore.


(Never actually been to Kansas, can’t imagine why any hockey fearing person would want to go there… )


Juice picks up her faithful pet, Scout, sporting his infant sized “Osgood” home game sweater and gingerly steps from the wreckage, making her way up the steps of Joe Louis Arena.


Walking down a long, empty red and white paneled corridor lined with trophies and pictures of Sid Abel, Ted Lindsey, Terry Sawchuck, Gordie Howe, Jack Norris, Red Kelly, Steve Yzerman, She is painfully aware that her heels make an enormous racket on the hardwood floors.


Suddenly, as she takes a step, the floor turns to silver ice. Barely avoiding a Bambi like topple, she reaches for the nearest of many (many) trophy cases housing multiple Stanley Cups, Presidents Trophies, Campbell Cups. As her grasp slips, suddenly the Trophy Case becomes Ken Holland’s arm.


He’s dressed in overalls and has straw in his hair. “Odd” she thinks.


“Can I help you dear?” He asked, then gasped “Dear Child, Where did you get those skates?” Juice peered down to see that her red Laboutains had become Ruby Bauers – Nice!

.
“yes, I, I, I, well, I think I have been sent to sit in and help the team make free agent decisions today. I think I am looking for the Wizard.” She says.


“The Wizard of OZ?” he asks. “Why, my dear, he’s in Plymouth with the Stanley Cup. You’ll never get to see him now that he’s a big Hollywood movie star …” He smiled gently, continued:

“But if you are here for trade talks, you need to see the Other Wizard. If you like I can show you the way.”


“Oh thank you, Mr. Holland, you are truly brilliant.”


And off they went skating down the silver-bricked hallway- er, road- until they heard a strange clanking. Peering into the closest office they saw Stevie Yzerman with his very own Stanley Cup on his desk. He was lacing on silver skates and gave a wave.


“Join us.” Mr. Holland said. “We are on our way to see the Wizard and we need a guy with Heart.”


“Heart??? Why, the Wizard of OZ has more heart than anyone I know! Hasn’t he proven it to anyone yet? What is it gonna take with you people????” Stevie asked.


“Not that Wizard….” Mr. Holland explained.


OHh, yes. THE OTHER Wizard. Sure yea, great, lets go.” Then Stevie Y hoisted Stanley over head and skated down the silver-bricked road with Juice and Holland.


A bit further down the SBR they came across what appeared to be a lions den. First affeared, the travelers soon realized that particular office at the Joe had not been occupied in decades.


And on they went.


“So, what are you gonna ask the Wizard for?” Juice asked Holland and Stevie Y.


“Oh we have a couple of significant requests. But on free agency day anything can happen, you know. Anything.” Stevie said coyly.


“Oh but Mr. Holland, You must not let Brad Stuart get away, there are no other good defencemen available out there, he had a +/- of 15 in the playoffs and he played as if he had the sort of heart, courage and brilliance you expect from the Wings.” Juice gushed.


“Of course dear, don’t worry your little head, He’s our Number One Priority, we just have to be sure the Wicked Team of the West doesn’t snatch him up or raise his value too high.” Mr. Holland soothed.


“Gulp.” Juice responded. Stevie Y patted her hand.


“There, there Juicy, don’t fret. I am sure the Wizard will honor our requests.”


“Just who is this Wizard?” Juice asked, clinging to Holland’s arm.


Before he could answer, swooping in from the rafters of the Joe came a flying monkey wearing a crown and dressed in purple, black and silver, who dropped magical skate spray onto the three travelers. When they woke, they found themselves curled up in the penalty box, shivering and weary.


“What time is it???” Holland asked?


“Gosh I don’t know, the scoreboard reads 11:45 EST” Juice exclaimed.


“Dang it we have to get to the Wizard and quickly!!!!!” Stevie Y implored. And the three skated as fast as they could across the ice, past the zamboni, past the Octopi, back onto the silver-bricked road until they came face to face with Al Sobotka and Mo Cheese, dresses in lots of red and white fur sporting curious handlebar moustaches.


“NO ONE gets in to see the Wizard. He’s very very busy, don’t you know what today is??????” Mo Cheese proclaimed, while Al Sobotka twirled a cephalopod in the air.


“Oh please. Please, please you must let us see the Wizard!” Juice begged, “We simply must, we have traveled so far and I must get back to my home and work. These fine men have come very very far to make sure this perfect Red Wing team remains intact but Wicked Team of the West cast a spell on us and the Wizard is the only one who can help us.”


As Al and Mo closed the enormous doors and left the three standing there, they began to discuss the day.


“What if its too late?” Juice worried.


“Nonsense Juice. We have to stay positive. We’ll get Stuart, don’t you worry.”


“But I thought you wanted Sundin too, we don’t even know what has happened to him!”


“We can only presume the Rangers of the East got to him.” Stevie Y said worriedly.


“Well” Said Ken Holland thoughtfully. “That would be ok, if he wants a long term deal. I also heard he might be going to Vancouver …for a big ol’ contract…. Rest assured he knows that if he wants a Cup, we want him here, just short term.”


“We signed Lilja last night.” Stevie Y said. “We like the kid’s potential.”


“What about Mr. Chelios?”


“Oh we have plans for Mr. Chelios.” Mr. Holland smiled.


“Gosh, Mr. Holland you are so saavy! How do you do it?”


Just then the doors swung open and Mr. Sobotka started to speak. Scout jumped from Juice’s arms and darted through the octopi swinging man’s five hole.


“Oh Scout, Scout come back!” Juice cried and they all skated past Al and Mo, in hot pursuit of the rascally cat.


Stevie Y reached the top of the stairs first and grabbed Scout, gave him back to Juice. Mr. Holland appeared moments later, they all stood frozen in their skates as they gazed at a HUGE silver contraption which blew steam, swung wildly back and forth, emitted lazers, lights and the scent of pepperoni, as a Little Caesar Hologram emerged and shouted:


“Who goes there?”


“Ah, oh. My name is Juice, and this is Mr. …”


“Silence Child, I know who you all are and I know why you have come!”


Juice curtsied – half out of respect, mostly because he scared the crap out of her.


“Oh if it pleases the Wizard,” Juice continued, “Mr. Holland needs to acquire …”


“I know what Mr. Holland needs and I know what Stevie Y wants, the question is: “What are you going to do for The Wizard?????”


“Oh dear.” Juice softly whispered. The three looked at each other. The Wizard boomed:


“Bring me Brad Stuart before free agency starts!”


“Oh gosh your Highness. How are we supposed to do that? The Wicked King of the West has its eye on him.”


“I don’t care how you do it, just do it or you’ll never get home to Beverly Hills alive!”


Hologram fireworks exploded from the Pizza Pizza box, and the three travelers cringed in fear.


Just then, Mike Babcock came running into the Olympia Club.


“Oh your Highness, Greatness, All powerful, we have word that a house- well a condo actually- has crushed the Wicked King of the West.”


Mr. Holland, Stevie Y and Juice hugged joyously.


“I knew you could do it!” Juice exclaimed to Mr. Holland.


“Not without your help Juice.” He laughed and quickly dialed Brad Stuart’s agent.


Moments later Mr. Holland joyously ended the call to report ”$3.75MM, 4 years. Brad is staying- oh and I got Ty Conklin for a steal too!”


The deal was made, only 3 minutes before free agency opened season.


As the three rejoiced, Scout leapt from Juice’s arms once more and clawed his way to the top of a massive red curtain, causing it to fall from the ceiling and revealing two elder statesmen operating lighting and sound boards. The Hologram faded away, and the men turned to look.


“Scotty Bowman! Mike Ilitch!” The three exclaimed.


“Well you weren’t expecting Gary Bettman were you???” They laughed.


As the group patted each other on the back and the cigars were passed, Juice stepped aside, clutched her pet to her heart, closed her eyes, clicked her Ruby Bauer skates three times and said:

“There is no Team as perfect as Detroit, there is no Team as perfect as Detroit. There is no Team as perfect as Detroit.”

Originally published on Tuesday July 01, 2008 @ 04:06 PM EDT

at http://fans.nhl.com/members/JuiceinLA/blogs/17621

Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. No use or reproduction without the author's express written permission.