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[son of sam99 10]

October 7, 2014

 

Red Wings 2014-15 Season Preview

 

Detroit, MI-

 

Probable Line Parings

 

FWD 1: Nyquist - Datsyuk - Taresenko

FWD 2: Abdelkader -  Zetterberg - Franzen

FWD 3: Tatar - Helm - Clutterbuck

FWD 4: Wolski – Weiss – Frolik

 

 

There isn’t much change among the top six forwards coming into this season and one can expect solid chemistry among these lines. The third and fourth lines though bring with them three players who will be donning the winged wheel for the first time on opening night. The first couple weeks of the season should tell Mike Babcock where the chemistry is. Fans can expect to see the head coach shuffle guys around throughout the season until he hits the right combination.

 

DEF 1: Kronwall - Quincey

DEF 2: Smith - Kindl

DEF 3: Ericsson – DeKeyser

 

 

 All six of the Wings’ blue liners return from last season. This will likely be the Red Wings strongest area as the season gets under way as each player is capable of highlight reel hits and offensive contribution as well.  It will be up to the Wings’ opponents to crack this impressive defensive corps.

 

Goalies: Elliot – Mrazek

 

Brian Elliot is coming off of a magical Stanley Cup run and was rewarded for his efforts with multi year deal in the offseason, he’ll be expected to prove he’s worth the money. In the back up role Petr Mrazek will make his NHL debut this season. The team doesn’t expect him to set the world on fire with his play but he’s been very productive in the minors and now is his time to step up.

Given the lack of goalie depth in the franchise this could be a trouble position. If Elliot hits an extended cold streak and Mrazek isn’t ready for the pros the team will have to hit the trade market for a backstop.

 

 

AHLers To Watch For

 

The Red Wings continue to have one for the most loaded minor league systems in the NHL and fans can expect to see the benefits of that this season.  Center Riley Sheahan is expected to be called up and log major minutes with the Wings along with Center Joakim Andersson. Young defenseman Brian Lashoff will start the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins but is expected to be called up should the need for an extra body on the blue line arise.

Sources within the organization are saying wingers Tomas Jurco, Teemu Pulkkinen and defensemen Xavier Oulett are all a year or more away from being contributors in the NHL but will provide lots of excitement in Grand Rapids this season.

 

Defending Cup Champs

 

No one in the organization has shied away from the fact that repeating as Stanely Cup Champions is an incredibly difficult task, completed only twice since 1990.

“We know the target will be on our back all season.” Mike Babcock commented. “Opposing teams will say ‘hey we’re going up against the champs tonight so lets step it up big time’ but we’re excited for the opportunity.”

“Just like any other season our goal starting out the year is to win the Stanley Cup.” Captain Henrik Zetterberg said. “If anything it gives us more drive to keep it here in Detroit rather than let someone else take it.”

 

Raising Banners

 

The Red Wings first game of the season is at home October 11^th against the Florida Panthers and will feature a brief ring ceremony followed by the raising of the franchise’s 12^th Stanley Cup Championship banner.

[son of sam99 10]

 

Entry: October 8^th, 2014

 

The Season kicks off for the Detroit Red Wings October 11^th against the Florida Panthers at The Joe. There’s a buzz around the whole facility from the front office staff down to the building maintenance crew and the fans around the city are pumped up. The chance to defend the cup has put a charge in this team and heightened everyone’s emotions, you can see it in the players at practice.

 

Coach Babcock has drilled into the players all preseason that they’ll have to do everything they did last season with twice the intensity and twice the precision if we are to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions. I love Babs’ leadership.

 

In the front office we’ve set our scouts schedules and as per usual they’ll be spending just about 100% of their time in Canada watching CHL games. Each time we have a meeting to discuss scouting and the 2015 draft I can’t help the fact that I want to get Connor McDavid. Everyone chuckles and says that if we have the first overall pick we’re all going to lose our jobs. They’re right, it would take an epic catastrophe of injuries for this team to receive the number 1 pick.

 

I look at that guy though and see the next Yzerman…. Put a C on that jersey and twenty years later his number is in the rafters. Nevertheless we’ll have to see how it fleshes out.

[son of sam99 10]

Detroit Red Wings 2014-15 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Oct 11	vs Florida Panthers
Oct 15	vs New Jersey Devils
Oct 17	vs New York Islanders
Oct 19	vs New York Rangers
Oct 22	vs Philadelphia Flyers
Oct 24	at New Jersey Devils
Oct 26	vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Oct 30	at Carolina Hurricanes
Nov 1	at Washington Capitals
Nov 3	vs Buffalo Sabres
Nov 6	at Buffalo Sabres
Nov 8	vs Florida Panthers
Nov 9	at Montreal Canadiens
Nov 11	vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Nov 13	at Tampa Bay Lightning
Nov 15	vs Edmonton Oilers
Nov 17	vs Phoenix Coyotes
Nov 19	vs Vancuover Canucks
Nov 22	at Chicago Blackhawks
Nov 25	at Vancuover Canucks
Nov 27	at Boston Bruins
Nov 29	at Ottawa Senators
Dec 1	vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Dec 2	vs Dallas Stars
Dec 4	vs Nashville Predators
Dec 7	vs Winnipeg Jets
Dec 11	at Winnipeg Jets
Dec 13	at St. Louis Blues
Dec 15	at Nashville Predators
Dec 17	at Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 19	vs Washington Capitals
Dec 21	vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 22	at Philadelphia Flyers
Dec 26	vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Dec 27	at Boston Bruins
Dec 29	vs Ottawa Senators
Jan 2	at Toronto Maple Leafs
Jan 3	vs Boston Bruins
Jan 7	vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Jan 9	vs Minnesota Wild
Jan 10	vs St. Louis Blues
Jan 13	at Calgary Flames
Jan 15	vs LA Kings
Jan 19	at Minnesota Wild
Jan 20	at Dallas Stars
Jan 25	vs ALL STAR GAME
Jan 27	at Colorado Avalanche
Jan 29	vs Chicago Blackhawks
Jan 31	at Anaheim Ducks
Feb 2	at Edmonton Oilers
Feb 3	vs Calgary Flames
Feb 5	at Carolina Hurricanes
Feb 6	at Buffalo Sabres
Feb 9	at Ottawa Senators
Feb 10	at Florida Panthers
Feb 13	vs Montreal Canadiens
Feb 16	vs Carolina Hurricanes
Feb 17	at New York Rangers
Feb 19	at Columbus Blue Jackets
Feb 21	vs San Jose Sharks
Feb 22	vs Anaheim Ducks
Feb 24	vs Colorado Avalanche
Feb 28	at Vancuover Canucks
Mar 2	at San Jose Sharks
Mar 3	at Phoenix Coyotes
Mar 4	vs TRADE DEADLINE
Mar 6	at LA Kings
Mar 8	at Tampa Bay Lightning
Mar 10	vs Boston Bruins
Mar 12	vs Ottawa Senators
Mar 14	at New York Islanders
Mar 16	vs New York Rangers
Mar 19	vs New Jersey Devils
Mar 21	vs New York Islanders
Mar 23	at Washington Capitals
Mar 24	vs Philadelphia Flyers
Mar 26	at Pittsburgh Penguins
Mar 28	at Columbus Blue Jackets
Mar 30	vs Buffalo Sabres
Apr 3	vs Florida Panthers
Apr 4	at Montreal Canadiens
Apr 7	vs Montreal Canadiens
Apr 9	at Buffalo Sabres
Apr 11	at Florida Panthers

[son of sam99 10]

 

Entry: November 1^st, 2014

 

            The team started off the season with two difficult home losses including getting shut out by the Panthers the night we put the Stanley Cup Championship banner in the rafters.  Fortunately the boys got their legs back underneath hem and we finished up October 5-3 and in good position within the division.

 

            The predominant news in the Detroit Free Press outside of game to game results is that Coach Babcock is on the last year of his contract and he hasn’t been able to reach a deal with management. In my dealings with his people it’s been a bit of a strange ride. In one meeting it seems like they’re falling over themselves to work towards a deal and then the very next day they’re acting like he’s already got another position lined up.

 

            Babs is a top notch coach and we want to keep him for sure but we’re confident that we can find someone else to fill the spot behind the bench and do a great job.

 

            Other than the above there isn’t much news around the organization. The team has been healthy and the guys in Grand Rapids are working hard. The league as a whole seems to have had a moratorium on player movement. It seems like each franchise is only willing to add bodies through the draft and ditch their bad contracts as they expire. 

[son of sam99 10]

Detroit Red Wings October 2014-15 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Oct 11	vs Florida Panthers	Lost, 3-0
Oct 15	vs New Jersey Devils	Lost, 4-2
Oct 17	vs New York Islanders	Won, 3-0
Oct 19	vs New York Rangers	Won, 5-4
Oct 22	vs Philadelphia Flyers	Won, 6-5
Oct 24	at New Jersey Devils	Won, 4-1
Oct 26	vs Columbus Blue Jackets	Lost, 3-0
Oct 30	at Carolina Hurricanes	Won, 4-3

[son of sam99 10]

Detroit Red Wings November 2014-15 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Nov 1	at Washington Capitals
Nov 3	vs Buffalo Sabres
Nov 6	at Buffalo Sabres
Nov 8	vs Florida Panthers
Nov 9	at Montreal Canadiens
Nov 11	vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Nov 13	at Tampa Bay Lightning
Nov 15	vs Edmonton Oilers
Nov 17	vs Phoenix Coyotes
Nov 19	vs Vancuover Canucks
Nov 22	at Chicago Blackhawks
Nov 25	at Vancuover Canucks
Nov 27	at Boston Bruins
Nov 29	at Ottawa Senators

[son of sam99 10]

 

Entry: December 1^st, 2014

 

            The Red Wings went 9-5 in November and solidified a spot near the top of the division. So far we’ve been able to stay fairly healthey except for a couple lost games from Kindl and DeKeyser on the blue line. Fortunately we’ve got Brian Lashoff in Grand Rapids who is a very capable sub in for spot duty.

 

            Coach Babcock has been moving guys around between lines to try to find a solid combination. Between Sheahan, Weiss, & Andersson we’ve got an excess of centers who at this point in their careers are essentiall role players. Weiss is solid and a good leader so he’s consistently in the lineup. Sheahan and Andersson are basically the same player though.  Both two way centers who can’t win a faceoff. Basically one get the start on the wing while the other remains a healthy scratch most often.

 

            Coach Babs and I have discussed what to do with them and we realize this is a good problem to have but these are two young guys who we want to get ice time in the NHL. For now we’ll have to keep the status quo as there aren’t any real takers for Andersson and I’m not willing to dump Sheahan yet as I think his potential is still high.

 

            Off the ice I’ve still got Connor McDavid in the back of my mind. The Islanders are terrible this year and it looks like they’ll secure the number 1 pick. I asked an assistant to do some research on the down low about what it might take to get him. If news got out we were seeking this move then the price would go up I’m sure.

 

            I’m told we’d have to give up at least three draft pick and maybe three more young players. I’ve been stewing on this and can’t decide if it will be worth it or not.

[son of sam99 10]

Detroit Red Wings November 2014-15 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Nov 1	at Washington Capitals	Won, 4-2
Nov 3	vs Buffalo Sabres	Lost, 5-2
Nov 6	at Buffalo Sabres	Won, 5-4
Nov 8	vs Florida Panthers	Won, 4-3
Nov 9	at Montreal Canadiens	Won, 5-2
Nov 11	vs Tampa Bay Lightning	Lost, 3-0
Nov 13	at Tampa Bay Lightning	Won, 4-3
Nov 15	vs Edmonton Oilers	Won, 6-5
Nov 17	vs Phoenix Coyotes	Won, 5-2
Nov 19	vs Vancuover Canucks	Won, 4-2
Nov 22	at Chicago Blackhawks	Lost, 7-4
Nov 25	at Toronto Maple Leafs	Lost, 6-3
Nov 27	at Boston Bruins	Lost, 4-3
Nov 29	at Ottawa Senators	Won, 3-1

[son of sam99 10]

Red Wings Stat Leaders thru November 2014

 

 

Detroit Red Wings Leaders - Updated: Dec 1, 2014
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. P. Datsyuk	10		1. N. Kronwall	16
	2. K. Quincey	8		2. V. Tarasenko	12
	3. H. Zetterberg	7		3. B. Smith	12
	4. D. Helm	6		4. G. Nyquist	11
	5. V. Tarasenko	6		5. J. Kindl	11
Points		P	+/-		+/-
	1. N. Kronwall	20		1. B. Smith	+12
	2. V. Tarasenko	18		2. J. Kindl	+10
	3. P. Datsyuk	17		3. V. Tarasenko	+9
	4. B. Smith	16		4. P. Datsyuk	+7
	5. K. Quincey	15		5. T. Tatar	+6

 

[son of sam99 10]

Red Wings December 2014 Schedule

 

 

Detroit Red Wings December 2014-15 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Dec 1	vs Tampa Bay Lightning
Dec 2	vs Dallas Stars
Dec 4	vs Nashville Predators
Dec 7	vs Winnipeg Jets
Dec 11	at Winnipeg Jets
Dec 13	at St. Louis Blues
Dec 15	at Nashville Predators
Dec 17	at Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 19	vs Washington Capitals
Dec 21	vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Dec 22	at Philadelphia Flyers
Dec 26	vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Dec 27	at Boston Bruins
Dec 29	vs Ottawa Senators

 

[son of sam99 10]

December 22 2014

 

Red Wings Battered & Bruised but Winning

 

Detroit, MI-    The Red Wings won their fifth game in a row on Sunday night at home against the Penguins 4-1.  Detroit has won five in a row coming off the heels of a tough losing streak and with the win they move into third place in the highly competitive Eastern Conference. 

 

 

Surprising as this recent surge may be, the Wings have recently had to scramble to find healthy bodies to stick in the lineup thanks to a string of injuries.

 

Pavel Datsyuk, Brendan Smith, and Riley Sheahan all left the Wings game in Winnipeg on December 11^th. Datsyuk, the team’s scoring leader was able to return soon after with extra face protection as he recovers from a broken nose. Top four defenseman Brendan Smith suffered a strained groin and was able to return at full capacity after two weeks off the ice. Riley Sheahan, the franchise’s top prospect, suffered a sprained MCL and is unlikely to return until mid-January.

 

More recently defenseman Kyle Quincey and winger Wojtek Wolski were unable to finish Detroit’s game at home versus Washington. Quincey is still being evaluated while Wolski has been diagnosed with concussion symptoms isn’t expected back until late March at the earliest.

 

The rash of injuries has some questioning the defending Stanley Cup Champions’ toughness. Criticized last season for being over stocked with skilled players and unable to stand toe to toe with more physical teams, the front office was either unable or unwilling to address these claims in the off season.

 

“We know people say we have a soft team but we won the cup last year with basically this same squad.” Captain Henrik Zetterberg stated post game on Monday “There is concern about this rash of injuries but we’ll adapt and bring guys up from the AHL who are very capable. This is the NHL, injuries happen and when they do you adapt.” General Manager Rick Watkins stated when reached for comment. “As for this team’s toughness… No, no concern there.”

 

[son of sam99 10]

December 27, 2014

Traded for McDavid

Detroit, MI--  On Saturday night the Red Wings pounded the Bruins in Boston 8-4 but the real news came from the front office.

 

General Manager Rick Watkins completed a deal with the New York Islanders to acquire what will in all likelihood be the number one overall pick in the 2014 NHL entry draft.

 

 

 

This move puts the Wings in the position to select super prospect Connor McDavid.

“The top of this years’ entry draft is loaded and we’re very excited to have secured a spot among the top three teams making selections.” Watkins said when asked about the trade.

 

The deal doesn’t come without critics as the team had to send their 2015 first and second round picks and 2016 first round pick to the Islanders along with prospect William Nylander and minor leaguer Tomas Jurco. Nylander was a first round pick last year and many scouts are saying he also has the potential to be a top talent in the coming years. Jurco has spent the last three seasons in Grand Rapids. The Red Wings expected his skills to eventually translate to NHL talent but he’s stalled in the minors.

 

 

ESPN NHL analyst Barry Melrose had this to say of the trade “Its not a surprise to me that it took this kind of package for Detroit to secure the number one overall pick. McDavid is a once in a lifetime prospect. That being said the Wings had to part with a lot of future potential in players and picks, we’ll see if it hurts them in the long run.”

 

General Manager Rick Watkins to this point in his tenure had the benefit of a very solid roster since having taken over at the beginning of last season. This trade will undoubtedly shape his legacy as top executive in the Red Wings organization. Full details of the drade below.

 

 receive:

          LW Tomas Jurco, RW William Nylander, 2015 1^st and 2^nd round picks, 2016 1^st round pick

 

receives:

        NY Islanders’ 2015 1^st round pick

[son of sam99 10]

 

Entry: January 2^nd, 2014

 

December was quite the interesting month for this squad on and off the ice. On the ice the team is hurting but winning a lot and scoring a lot. The tops scoring line is leading the way on putting the puck in the net, Vlad Taresenko potted nine goals and Datsyuk and Zetterberg contributed 14 and 13 points respectively just in the month of December. This effort has helped rocket the team to a nine game winning streak and the top of the division and we’ve got Columbus in our crosshairs to take over the tops in the conference.

 

            This good work is all despite a myriad of injuries; Quincey, Clutterbuck, Sheahan, DeKeyser, Kindl, Datsyuk, and Smith have all lost time this month plus Wolski will be out for three months. Injuries happen in hockey so it’s not terribly surprising but it still hurts. We can thank the Grand Rapids staff for having guys ready to step up at a moment’s notice.          

 

            The worst games were a Sunday, Thursday back to back against Winnipeg. Datsyuk, Smith, and Sheahan all left the second game with injuries. Offhand I don’t know when we’ll see Winnipeg again but I doubt it will be a pretty game when we do.

            Off the ice I decided to pull the trigger on a trade sending two first round draft picks and prospect William Nylander to the New York Islanders for their 2015 first round draft pick. Essentially we traded for Connor McDavid as there is little doubt that the Islanders will receive the first overall pick. I’m excited about the chance at having a ‘generational’ talent in our system but did experience some buyer’s remorse as I thought about the fact that the time to stock up on prospects is now what with our top players possibly playing out their last contracts.

 

            Our scouts will tell me if this was the right move as we look closer at Mr. McDavid. I suppose we can always trade back down if need be.

[son of sam99 10]

Detroit Red Wings December 2014-15 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Dec 1	vs Tampa Bay Lightning	Won, 6-5
Dec 2	vs Dallas Stars	Lost, 4-3
Dec 4	vs Nashville Predators	Lost, 5-2
Dec 7	vs Winnipeg Jets	Lost, 4-2
Dec 11	at Winnipeg Jets	Lost, 5-4
Dec 13	at St. Louis Blues	Won, 5-4
Dec 15	at Nashville Predators	Won, 3-2
Dec 17	at Pittsburgh Penguins	Won, 3-0
Dec 19	vs Washington Capitals	Won, 4-1
Dec 21	vs Pittsburgh Penguins	Won, 4-1
Dec 22	at Philadelphia Flyers	Won, 5-4
Dec 26	vs Toronto Maple Leafs	Won, 6-1
Dec 27	at Boston Bruins	Won, 8-4
Dec 29	vs Ottawa Senators	Won, 4-3

[son of sam99 10]

Detroit Red Wings Leaders - Updated: Jan 1, 2015
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. P. Datsyuk	17		1. N. Kronwall	25
	2. V. Tarasenko	15		2. G. Nyquist	22
	3. H. Zetterberg	12		3. B. Smith	18
	4. D. Helm	9		4. V. Tarasenko	18
	5. K. Quincey	8		5. J. Kindl	17
Points		P	+/-		+/-
	1. V. Tarasenko	33		1. V. Tarasenko	+19
	2. P. Datsyuk	30		2. B. Smith	+15
	3. N. Kronwall	30		3. P. Datsyuk	+14
	4. G. Nyquist	29		4. N. Kronwall	+14
	5. H. Zetterberg	26		5. J. Kindl	+11

[son of sam99 10]

NHL Standings 

[son of sam99 10]

NYE NHL Whip Around

December 31^st 2014

 

-          Who’s Hot?

o   Eastern: The defending Stanley Cup champs were the best team in the month of December going 10-2-2 placing them just two points behind league best Columbus. The east is much superior to the west this season so it will be a challenge for Detroit to hang on to that top spot.

o   Western:  St. Louis (9-3-1)

 

-          Who’s Not?

o   EC: The Penguins were the best team in the NHL at the end of November but thanks to some injuries and bad bounces they went 5-8-1 in December. They’re still hanging on to 3^rd place it he east but the trend is not positive.

o   WC: The defending western conference champs went a nearly respectable 5-7-2 last month but the rest of the central division zoomed past them in that time. There’s still time to reach the playoffs but it will take a push.

 

-          Metro Division; high highs, low lows

o   The Metro Division hold the NHLs best and worst teams with 31 points sepearting the Blue Jackets at the top and the Islanders at the bottom

 

-          The Island is Sinking:

o   This season’s performance was not what the New York Islanders were hoping to produce as they say goodbye to Nassau Coliseum. The Isles are the worst team in hockey, ten points behind San Jose.  Their trade with Detroit will provide more talent In the future but for now the team is on their own to climb out of the cellar.

 

-          Still no word on Babcock contract

o   While the Wings’ are winning their coach is still in the final year or his contract and there have been no signs of a new one coming. It appears that management and Coach Babcock are on good terms to it begs the question as to why they have yet to reach an agreement.

 

-          Ryan Nugent Hopkins leading Edmonton resurgence.

o   The Oilers lead the weak Pacific division in a bit of a surprise but it’s not surprise that they’re led by young scorer Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. At a point per game the 22 year old center has brought dynamic passing to the Oilers top line.

 

-          Player Movment

o   Red Wings trade Prospect William Nylander & 2 1sts & a 2^nd for #1 overall & LW Eric Boulton

[son of sam99 10]

NHL League Leaders - Updated: Jan 1, 2015
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. J. Eberle	18		1. R. Nugent-Hopkins	26
	2. J. Skinner	18		2. C. Giroux	25
	3. J. Voracek	17		3. N. Kronwall	25
	4. P. Datsyuk	17		4. J. Thornton	24
	5. B. Marchand	16		5. Z. Parise	23
Points		P	+/-		+/-
	1. C. Giroux	40		1. V. Tarasenko	+19
	2. R. Nugent-Hopkins	36		2. R. Ellis	+17
	3. Z. Parise	35		3. M. Methot	+17
	4. R. Johanssen	34		4. A. Steen	+16
	5. V. Tarasenko	33		5. J. Gorges	+15

[son of sam99 10]

Red Wings January 2015 Schedule

 

 

Detroit Red Wings January 2014-15 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Jan 2	at Toronto Maple Leafs
Jan 3	vs Boston Bruins
Jan 7	vs Toronto Maple Leafs
Jan 9	vs Minnesota Wild
Jan 10	vs St. Louis Blues
Jan 13	at Calgary Flames
Jan 15	vs LA Kings
Jan 19	at Minnesota Wild
Jan 20	at Dallas Stars
Jan 25	vs ALL STAR GAME
Jan 27	at Colorado Avalanche
Jan 29	vs Chicago Blackhawks
Jan 31	at Anaheim Ducks

 

[son of sam99 10]

January 23rd, 2015

Columbus, OH-

 

 

All-star rosters have been set and both teams are ready for the drop of the puck on Sunday night as Columbus Ohio’s arena district has come alive with hockey fever.

                The skills competitions will take place Saturday night with highlights including Alex Ovechkin competing in fastest skater, Zdeno Chara in hardest slap shot, and Pavel Datsyuk in the shootout skills showcase.

                Full rosters for the east versus west showdown are below.

 

2015 All Stars

 

2015 NHL All-Star Game Rosters
Pos	East Starters	Pos	West Starters
LW	Alex Ovechkin	LW	Zach Parise
C	Pavel Datsyuk	C	Jonathan Toews
RW	Phil Kessel	RW	Corey Perry
D	Zdeno Chara	D	Alex Pietrangelo
D	Niklas Kronwall	D	Drew Doughty
G	Henrik Lundqvist	G	Corey Crawford
Pos	East Reserves	Pos	West Reserves
LW	Jeff Skinner	LW	Mike Cammallieri
LW	Kyle Okposo	LW	Tyler Seguin
LW	Tyler Zajiac	LW	Craig Smith
C	Steven Stamkos	C	Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
C	Claude Giroux	C	Joe Thornton
C	Jonathan Huberdeau	C	Henrik Sedin
RW	Martin St. Louis	RW	Jordan Eberle
RW	Chris Stewart	RW	Matt Duchene
RW	Vladimir Taresenko	RW	Mike Reibero
D	Josh Gorges	D	Nick Leddy
D	Matt Niskanen	D	Jonas Brodin
D	Cody Ceci	D	Toby Enstrom
D	James Wisnewski	D	Ryan Ellis
G	Marc-Andre Fleury	G	Jimmy Howard

 

 

[son of sam99 10]

 

Entry: February 3^rd, 2015

 

On the ice January was another solid month for the franchise, the boys suffered a three game losing skid but followed that up by snapping off eight wins in a row putting the team in solid position atop the division. Coach Babcock has found a solid combination sticking Justin Abdelkader, Datsyuk, & Taresnko on our top line which has given us great production. The rest of the squad though hasn’t really melded in the offensive zone and our role players are generally unimpressive. Hopefully we can finde some growth from our boys in Grand Rapids to see some signs of whose going to be leading the big club in the near future.

 

Off the ice I’ve received reports that Wojtek Wolski hasn’t been attending his rehab and training sessions and that he’s been partying around town late into the night. I’ve requested Zetterberg have a talk with him to remind him of the Red Wings’ tradition of excellence and class. If we get burned on this two year deal we gave him it will certainly sting. We’re not considering a buyout at this point but I’ve been informed by the staff that if we send him to waivers he’s just going to land in Grand Rapids. The last thing I want is for that kind of attitude to infect the locker room our prospects suit up in.

[son of sam99 10]

Detroit Red Wings January 2014-15 Schedule
DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT
Jan 2	at Toronto Maple Leafs	Won, 3-1
Jan 3	vs Boston Bruins	Won, 5-4
Jan 7	vs Toronto Maple Leafs	Won, 3-2
Jan 9	vs Minnesota Wild	Lost, 2-1
Jan 10	vs St. Louis Blues	Lost, 4-1
Jan 13	at Calgary Flames	Won, 2-0
Jan 15	vs LA Kings	Won, 4-3
Jan 19	at Minnesota Wild	Won, 3-2
Jan 20	at Dallas Stars	Won, 4-3
Jan 25	vs ALL STAR GAME
Jan 27	at Colorado Avalanche	Lost, 4-1
Jan 29	vs Chicago Blackhawks	Won, 3-2
Jan 31	at Anaheim Ducks	Won, 3-2

[son of sam99 10]

Detroit Red Wings Leaders - Updated: Feb 1, 2015
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. P. Datsyuk	23		1. N. Kronwall	29
	2. V. Tarasenko	18		2. G. Nyquist	25
	3. H. Zetterberg	15		3. H. Zetterberg	22
	4. M. Frolik	10		4. V. Tarasenko	21
	5. D. Helm	10		5. J. Kindl	21
Points		P	+/-		+/-
	1. P. Datsyuk	39		1. V. Tarasenko	+18
	2. V. Tarasenko	39		2. N. Kronwall	+13
	3. H. Zetterberg	37		3. J. Abdelkader	+12
	4. N. Kronwall	35		4. B. Smith	+11
	5. G. Nyquist	32		5. P. Datsyuk	+10

[son of sam99 10]

January 30th, 2015

 

 

January NHL Whiparound

 

-         Who’s Hot

o   EC: Toronto- The Leafs haven’t exactly been sharp but they’re holding serve while those around them crumble. Ottawa, Florida, and Boston all hit extended losing streaks in January allowing Toronto to reach a position of potentially making the playoffs… And then surly losing in some highly disappointing way.

o   WC: Chicago- The Blackhawks are hitting their stride at the perfect time as Winnipeg and St. Louis are more or less playing .500 hockey. In, likely, the last season Kane & Toews will be wearing the same sweater expect the Hawks to really push to put an exclamation point on their run of post season success.

 

-          Who’s Not?

o   EC: Islanders (still) There’s been very little movement in terms of standings over the last 30 days but we can once again dump on the Islanders. Though the trade deadline is over a month away many in and around the organization are expecting the fire sale to begin soon.

o   WC: St. Louis- It hasn’t been an implosion for the Blues but the trends are concerning for a team that led the central at the beginning of the month. Jimmy Howard has a bum hamstring and the team is struggling to put the puck in the net. In a tough division like the Central losing streaks can quickly torpedo any playoff hopes.

 

-          Hurting

o   While the Sharks have no excuse for their poor performance at least the Dallas Stars can site injury luck (or lack thereof) as the reason for not reaching the playoffs after having won the conference. Seguin and Lehtonen have missed significant time this season and now Jamie Benn will likely be out for the rest of the year with post-concussion syndrome.

 

-          Okposo on the Move?

o   As the trade deadline approaches the expected first chip to fall is Islanders winger Kyle Okposo who’s in the final year of his contract. Tampa Bay, Nashville, Edmonton, & Winnipeg are rumored to have an interest in the young power forward. But word out of Brooklyn is that they’re not willing to deal the young winger

 

-          Alexander the Great

o   Although the Capitols languish in the lower section of the Metro Division Alex Ovechkin gave fans something to cheer about on January 18^th. The Russian put up 7 points in an overtime victory over the Boston Bruins. 

[son of sam99 10]

NHL League Leaders - Updated: Feb 1, 2015
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. J. Skinner	25		1. Z. Parise	35
	2. P. Datsyuk	23		2. J. Thornton	33
	3. D. Backes	22		3. R. Nugent-Hopkins	33
	4. P. Kessel	20		4. H. Sedin	31
	5. T. Vanek	20		5. M. Ribeiro	30
Points		P	+/-		+/-
	1. Z. Parise	51		1. A. Galchenyuk	+23
	2. R. Nugent-Hopkins	48		2. D. Doughty	+22
	3. C. Giroux	45		3. J. Gorges	+20
	4. H. Sedin	45		4. V. Tarasenko	+18
	5. M. Ribeiro	44		5. J. B. Gallagher	+18