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Abel to Yzerman

Perfect Strangers

by IwoCPO on 07/14/07 at 07:19 AM ET
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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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Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977.  No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y.  Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation.  There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature.  Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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