Abel to Yzerman
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No Rush For Homer, Zetterberg or Maltby
by IwoCPO on 12/31/07 at 02:46 PM ET
Comments (10)
Anti-digger Bruce MacLeod blogged from today’s morning skate that all three injured forwards are looking better. Zetterberg’s the closest, followed by Homer than Maltby. None, however, will play tonite.
MacLeod also provides an update on contract talks between Ken Holland and representatives for Chris Osgood and Andres Lilja.
Both Chris Osgood and Andreas Lilja said Monday that there is no news on their contract talks. Both have reportedly been offered multi-year deals (Osgood, three years, Lilja two years). Neither has signed, however.
Because he’s the anti-Digger, MacLeod also secured a few comments from the always practical Osgood.
“We aren’t really talking numbers or years, we’re just talking just for the sake of talking,” said Osgood. “I haven’t talked to my agent since before Christmas.”
As for parlaying his stellar season into a starting position with another team, Osgood said: “Do you want to take a chance and go to a team that’s not very good, that’s down in the standings, is terrible defensively and get shelled for another two years. I wouldn’t think that would be an option I’d take right now. It would be interesting, but I don’t know if it would get that far.”
Chris Osgood’s your starter in ‘08-’09.
No live blog tonite. Re-phrase: I won’t be live blogging tonite. Obviously all 19 of you are welcome to do so if you choose. I’ll be at a New Year’s Eve party and saving the game for when I get home. I’m sure that will be an interesting viewing experience. Maybe I’ll live blog that. Not a good idea.
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Comments
Happy 2008 to all the 19 faithful readers!
(And everybody better be sensible tonight.)
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 12/31/07 at 05:51 PM ET
Your own liveblog with yourself… now that would make for some interesting reading tomorrow morning!
Overall, ‘07 was a good year. Other than not bringing the cup home, the Wings accomplished a lot by shutting up the nay sayers. Made it past the first round with the grittier Flames. Sailed through the second round against the team we didn’t speak of. Only injuries allowed the fowl to squeak by, like a seagull in an Exxon-Valdez scandal, in the WCF’s. By then, the Wings have already made the statement that they have come to play some hockey with enough sandpaper it takes to win.
Fast forward to the start of this current season and everyone has noticed that the Wings have already “rebuilt” so quietly that they didn’t even wake the neighbors. On pace to be the best the NHL has seen in many many years… All with the attendance slump causing no name players. A bunch of late pick nobodies, overhyped underacheiving Swedish players, a career backup and an over the hill has been of an insane Czech bastard.
I too often thought to myself what a miserable era it will be when there are no more Shanny’s, Hull’s and Stevie Y’s. The “rebuilding years”. To my surprise, the power forwards, snipers and grinders alike formed from the ice at The Joe to become the team we all know and love. Little did we know, they were there all along. Just waiting, patiently for their turn to step up and carry the History of one the best Original 6 teams on their backs, to yet another run for Lord Stanley’s Cup. This year, they will continue to raise the record for consecutive post season appearances by any team in any professional sport, worldwide.
Thank you Detroit Redwings for making ‘07 an exciting year and setting up ‘08 for an even better one, win or lose.
And thank you Chief, Paul and all you guys for a great year here on the net. Ya’ll make for some interesting reading and make the longest of days at work go by nicely.
Be safe tonight and see you all next year!
--Cementslinger 
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 12/31/07 at 06:07 PM ET
Ditto from HockeyTownTodd
(I have never been eloquent)
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from A. K. A. NostraGrampus on 12/31/07 at 07:14 PM ET
Er…
Most Consecutive Playoff Appearances
29-Boston Bruins, 1968-96
28-Chicago Blackhawks, 1970-97
25-St. Louis Blues, 1980-2004
24-Montreal Canadiens, 1971-94
21-Montreal Canadiens, 1949-69
While the Wings’ current streak is impressive, I think it should be noted that the Wings did it while having seven consecutive seasons of 100+ points. I couldn’t find that particular record anywhere on the ‘Net.
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 12/31/07 at 07:33 PM ET
Just repeating what Ken and Mickey had said a little while ago. Apparently I must’ve misunderstood a little somethin somethin. My bad. Now I’m wonderin what in the heck I actually heard?!
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 12/31/07 at 07:40 PM ET
He probably meant that it’s the current longest streak of any current pro team in sports today. Not even the Yankees of the Jeter era nor the Spurs of the Duncan era can match the Wings’ record of consecutive playoff appearances because we’ve seamlessly continued that excellence through the sport’s most challenging times: expansion, loss of key players (Vernon, Konstantinov, Yzerman, Shanahan, etc.), lockout seasons, and the salary cap era. There are other mitigating factors but the fact that the Wings have done it again and again in spite of all the changes just makes this 16 consecutive playoff appearances that much more impressive than previously believed.
So yeah, you betcha I’m enjoying this ride for the last several years now. LOL!
Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 12/31/07 at 08:00 PM ET
That’s what I meant to say! 
j/k
That sounds more like it. I just emailed Ken and Mickey and asked them what they said. That looks like the response I’ll be gettin, if any. Thanks for clearing that up. Much appreciated.
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 12/31/07 at 08:19 PM ET
Ugh. I go to one game in five years and it’s the one where the Wings get shut out on New Year’s Eve...by the Blues of all teams.
Posted by Paul from Miami Beach, FL on 01/01/08 at 02:50 PM ET
Yeah, last nights game is pretty hard to swallow. I would’ve liked for you to the Wings win, tho. Just for you Paul 
Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 01/01/08 at 02:58 PM ET
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i think a liveblog with yourself at 3 am would be a most excellent read. happy new year, looking forward to a Cup-laden ‘08.
Posted by Alex from San Francisco on 12/31/07 at 04:22 PM ET