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Perfect Strangers

by IwoCPO on 07/14/07 at 07:19 AM ET
Comments (7)

I’ve made a command decision.  The Wings’ skate-on song for the ‘07-’08 season should be the tune that comes in at #7 on the IwoCPO top fifty.  Deep Purple’s “Knockin’ At Your Back Door”.  It’s got all the necessary ingredients: the haunting violins at the beginning, the wholesome family lyrics that speak of unrivaled linguistic abilities and an intro that could easily work even the most comfortable JLA crowd into a frothing frenzy.

See what I mean?

So, yeah, that’s what I’m thinking about.  And when my mind strays that far you know (a) that alcohol’s involved, even at 0740 on a Saturday morning or (2) a post could very well follow that is all over the map: hockey, culture, Lord of the Rings references (That’s sarcasm.  There will be no LOTR references.  For those of you who are Ring fans, you have my apologies for [a] getting your hopes up and [2] well, I guess for being Ring fans in the first place). 

Jimmy D spoke in public again this week.  And he’s proven once again that there is no one in the organ-I-zation that can even come close to muzzling or controlling him.  He’s a wild card, an old man with a free pass to say whatever the hell he wants whenever he wants to.  A digger’s dream. 

Talking to Khan(!), Devellano essentially confirmed what we already knew: that the Wings are more than satisfied keeping things exactly how they are.  Sell-outs?  Not a concern when your merchandising profits more than make up for the empty seats. 

The Wings couldn’t sell out their home playoff games last spring, falling anywhere from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand short of capacity.

“It’s a concern,’’ Devellano said. “No secret it’s tough economic times. We’ve responded the best possible way we can—by maintaining status quo. We’ll try to maintain our 17,000.’’

That’s it, Jimmy.  Maintain that status quo.  The Red Wing mantra is right above.  “tough economic times...so maintain the status quo.” Classic.

Alexi Yashin doesn’t appear to be a Wing type of player.  Not a shocker.  He isn’t exactly cut from the Yzerman cloth.  Great. Established.  But I’m not so sure an other-than-completely-senile person would be as blunt as Jimmy D was in describing Detroit’s lack of interest.

“We have no interest in him—I mean zero,’’ Devellano said.

Really?  I’d bet there are a few members of the I who would take issue with that.  “Zero?” We’ll see.  Every time Devellano opens his yap I have to wonder if there’s ever been an attempt the last decade or so to shut him the hell up. 

I mean, it’s not like there’s anyone else in the Detroit pro sports landscape who lets his mouth run without any throttle whatsoever.  Right?

Funny how Sheffield didn’t start talking until he started hitting.  For the record, I have no problem with the guy running his mouth.  He’s fairly literate, although often quoted out of context.  He says what he thinks, every time, which is unusual for any athlete.  I’m betting there are a few Wings who wish they could have expressed themselves as honestly over the last few years.

Buffalo and Pittsburgh in the outdoor game, eh?  Yeah. Good call.  Don’t put the Wings in there because capitalizing on one of the league’s only remaining viable trademarks (the Winged Wheel) is a terrible idea.  Now that I think about it, promoting a “Sid versus, ummm, Tim Connolly?” matchup on HGTV or whatever network Gary decides to make us a laughing stock on this year would be easier than, “Sidney Crosby takes on the most loved/hated team in hockey on Versus!!!”

Still in the works, but if The League chooses Buffalo over Detroit in that game, their stupidity has reached yet another depth I didn’t know existed.

Everyone’s atwitter in Denver.  Ryan Smyth and Scott Hannan have signed and, in an unprecedented move, their jerseys will be retired before opening night.  Nifty.  I’m sure the Dique will ascend to the top of the conference standings once again, back to their rightful elite status.  The league is a better place with the Dive in a position of strength.  I’m happy.  So are you. 

Oh, sorry.  I forgot.  Hannan now becomes one of only two better-than-average defensemen on that team.  Mediocrity is fun Denver. Revel in it. 

Forsberg, Fedorov. Fedorov or Forsberg.  Hmmm.  Probably neither, but interesting to consider.  Forsberg’s health is of greater concern than the Insane Czech’s.  There is no way any team can count on him staying active long enough to make whatever salary you dole out worthwhile.  And the Wings?  Yeah, the idea of joining the Swede nation is probably appealing to him.  But you almost hope that he’d come out in public, Sheffield-style, and say, “there is no chance--I mean zero--that I’d ever play for that team.” His talent is tempting, but there has to be some holdover, you know?  Dive by Thanksgiving.

And Sergei?  Not for six, that’s for sure.  My feelings that he doesn’t deserve the treatment he gets at the Joe don’t necessarily equate to what I feel he can bring to the team if he ever did return.  He’s certainly not the same player he was, at least not judging by what he’s shown for the little BJ’s.  I think he’s still capable of 25 goals in the right system, and Detroit could be that system.  Could a deal be worked out that features a return for around 2 mil?  If so, it might be worth it.  Any more than that...ah, heck--maybe 3...probably isn’t right for this team.

Looking at the Wing schedule and November’s a thriller:  Nine straight games against the Central.  Jesus. 

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Comments

Gee Whiz Chief—I realize summer is a slow news time for everything, especially now that the UFA signing period is basically over—but this rant is a smorgasbord of tempting topics.  Kind of like a wine and cheese party!!

Your musical selection is fantastic for the middle agers in the crowd (like me), I’m not so sure the younger generation will grasp the talented skills of Glover and Gillan (Although I have managed to convert my 15 y/o from rap into a thoroughly appreciative fan of the screaming electric guitar ala Van Halen, Ozzy, Boston, AC/DC—so maybe he would get it).

I am going to enjoy the observing the Dique raise their expectations beyond all that is rational only to realize too late that they still suck.  What idiotic organization lets loose of Drury?  Just goes to show you can’t run a tight ship if the Captain has no idea what they are doing or where they are going.  Which is exactly the reason the Wheel are a shining example of competitiveness even in the Cap world.  For reasons known only to tea leave readers, Kenny Boy, Jimmy D and Co. seem to have a pretty damn good grasp on pulling the right strings.  For the most part, they seem to find players, at fair prices (sometimes on the down-right cheap—Hasek for instance-- 38 reg season wins, 2.08 GAA for what a mil and change—in Oklahoma they’d prosecute you for Grand Larceny on something like that), that seem to fit well in the Organ-I-Zation.  IMO Rafalski will, in short order, not only take Schneiders role—but surpass it in spades.  IMO he’ll post Ridiculous numbers for the Wings, and be a Norris candidate --- Ohh the irony if his numbers are greater than the reigning St. Nick (and they well could be given his age/style)!!!!

Sergei and his fancy Nike skates—Part Deux!!!  You know, if the price was right, I would pull that deal quicker than rabbits in heat.  It is not like he cannot be a top 6 forward.  He can, in the Wheel system easily post 15 g, 50 a, and be a plus twenty type player—easily, IMO. We all know his hardware includes Selke.  At half-speed he can probably still skate circles around the majority of the NHL.  And, its not like the Wheel have a whole lotta coins left the get a top-line player.  I like it—alot.

So if Deep Purple is the song du jour, just who wearing the Winged Wheel is “Sweet Lucy”?  Too bad Lang and his hair aren’t still on the team!!!

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 07/14/07 at 09:10 AM ET

How about “Sid the Kid versus Slug Nation?”

(And I feel sorry for Crosby because he’ll probably have people calling him Sid the Kid until he’s past 30.  Ugh.)

At least they are thinking of moving it to February.  Someone realized February is more likely to be colder, which is kind of important to keeping ice ice instead of slush.  Plus there might be a few other sports things happening on January 1--or so I have heard rumored.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/14/07 at 09:16 AM ET

Hey Okie...I actually have my five year old singing “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” today.  She’s a natural.

Baroque: good idea, but knowing Little Gary he’d probably schedule the game for Super Sunday at 7pm EST.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 07/14/07 at 09:22 AM ET

And, once again, I’ve discovered I’m not nearly as witty as I thought.  Dave had the same ideas about the outdoor game well before I did (or at least the idea that LG would schedule it in early Feb).

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 07/14/07 at 09:49 AM ET

Ha, I am pretty sure someone posted over on the main page of KK that Jan 1 would not be a good idea, and that was before I posted my thoughts.  It’s becoming pretty easy to mock Gary Bettman, that’s for sure.

Posted by Dave on 07/14/07 at 10:53 AM ET

Forsberg or Fedorov? To me, that’s a no-brainer. Floppa couldn’t stay healthy for 50% of the time he was here if he tried. And he never plays like staying healthy is of any importance to him..or to his team.

Sergei, on the other hand, brings two great assets with him. If he was still seeing Anna, he’d bring three!

One, I think he’d be a real positive influence on Dats. And who wouldn’t want to see a line of Datsyuk-Fedorov-Grigorenko? Asset number two, and this is huge for the Wings if they don’t pick up another top-four defenseman, Fedorov can play on the blueline if necessary. And he can play that position extremely well. Imagine where the Wings might have ended up in the playoffs if Fedorov had been onboard when Schneider went down.

With that in mind, here’s a note to all of the Fedorov boo-birds at the Joe. Shut the hell up this season because your “target” could be a key piece of your team before the playoffs begin.

So I say, Fedorov...yes. “Knockin’ At Your Back Door” as the new Wings skate-on song...not so much.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 07/14/07 at 11:28 AM ET

If they play that song at the Joe, and then introduce Karen Neuman to sing the National Anthem, the place will explode...then they will HAVE to build a new arena!

And how the heck could Brett Lebda skate with a pistol in his pocket?

Posted by w2j2 on 07/14/07 at 07:19 PM ET

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