he is now Insane Drew Sharp

Posted by cowboycoffee from San Francisco, CA on 06/10/08 at 04:19 AM ET

The pressure of writing a couple of columns that weren’t stupid finally got to him, and his brain reverted back to its normal tapioca-like ability to process information and come up with intelligent thought.

If there is an area on the sidewalks outside the arena that always gets slippery in the winter, it could be renamed the Hasek Memorial Slide-Tackle Area, and it could have a number 39 painted on it as a warning that you might go tumbling like Gaborik.  But yeah, his number shouldn’t be retired because he was able to give Osgood enough rest that he could perform very well in the playoffs.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/10/08 at 06:00 AM ET

Goaltending has always been an issue in Detroit for most of my lifetime. There is no way that Hasek deserves to have his number retired in Detroit.
Maybe the Sabers would like to hang it from the rafters, as much as they would probably like to hang Dom himself. For all his awards and trophies he didn’t win anything in that city that was called The Stanley Cup. For that reason alone he should not have his number retired, anywhere.
If folks can say no HOF for Ozzie because of the team he has in front of him, then the same should be said about Hasek. The difference here being that Chris Osgood is a very big part of the team. I will never feel the same way about Dom.
Oh, by the way, Drew should change his name to,

Drew Sharp as a Marble.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 06/10/08 at 06:17 AM ET

Vignet:
My daughter, working in Vail, was having beers with Marion Gaborik and friends while watching the playoffs.  (He had hip surgery).  I had sent her the U-tube of his somersault, and she mentioned it to him.  She said he erupted in laughter, slapping his thigh, and could not stop laughing about it.

If Ozzie earns 1 more Stanley Cup, his jersey WILL go to the rafters, and into the Hall of Fame.

That fantastic photo looks like Dom just escaped from the asylum (still in uniform) and has happily stolen the A2Y Stress Train...Hang on, boys and girls!

Posted by w2j2 on 06/10/08 at 07:21 AM ET

No way this happens, but if it does...worst thing in the history of the world to happen.  Dom is a HOF, but not in Detroit. He’s a Stanley winner in Detroit, but that’s it.  Far as I’m concerned I would welcome a retirement of #14 or #8.  You know, if they need more banners to hang in the rafters.

Posted by AndrewB from TN on 06/10/08 at 07:22 AM ET

Chief, another splendid smackdown. And that photo isn’t really photoshopped is it?  Because I’m pretty sure the only thing left off the news conference yesterday was him donning that gray uniform and hopping the train.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/10/08 at 07:27 AM ET

Can we get Dub or Gabe to put an engineers hat on him in that pic? Ya know the little black n white striped one....
Dom did some good things in the winged wheel, but nowhere near what is necessary to join Stevie, Ted, Gordie, Terry, Alex or Sid.
Having been at Stevie’s Jersey Retirement night was priceless. We need not have another evening like that until #5 decides to hang’em up.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/10/08 at 08:07 AM ET

Let me see if I understand this. Of the five jerseys “officially retired” by the Red Wings, there is:

The Production Line:  Lindsay (7), Abel (12), and Howe (9);

Sawchuck (1);

The Captain (19);

Retired, but not hanging from the rafters:
Konstantinov (16);
Aurie (6);

Larry Aurie’s #6 was retired by former Red Wings owner James Norris following the 1938-39 season. Current owner Mike Ilitch refuses to recognize this, going as far as to have it unlisted as a retired number in the 2000-01 NHL Guide and Record Book. Despite this, the number is kept out of circulation.

Gretzky (99) (retired by the league).

I fully recognize that Hasek has incredible career numbers, arguably similar to Sawchuck’s.  But, Sawchuck’s run with DET from 1950 to 1955 winning three Stanley Cups during that incredible run, clearly is the “stuff” of DET legend, and is what separates Sawchuck from Hasek (by a wide margin).

Sawchuck was a Red Wing for 12 full seasons and parts of two others. 

Hasek really only played in DET for 3 full seasons.  He was a great goalie.  Unlike Sawchuck, Hasek just wasn’t an all-time great goalie for DET.

Sharp’s opinion is worth about as much recognition as mine is.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 06/10/08 at 08:19 AM ET

Hasek has incredible CAREER numbers.  but he didn’t do all that much in Detroit.  there is no way anyone in their right mind can push for #39 to be retired in Detroit.  it’s patently absurd.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/10/08 at 08:50 AM ET

You can make a better case to retire Mike frigging Vernon’s number than you can Hasek’s.

Drew is not exactly sharp.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 06/10/08 at 08:51 AM ET

sorry to change the subject, but there doesn’t seem anywhere else to post this question to y’all.

it seems that many people feel Orpik won’t be wearing the Flightless Bird next season.  with the Wings having some cap room, and not much to do as far as re-signings, and no glaring holes to fill - should they make him an offer?

after seeing him play The Shift against the Wings in the Finals, I can’t say I’d mind seeing him play here next year...especially with Chelios starting to become a question mark.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/10/08 at 09:03 AM ET

I can see Hasek in the HHoF.
I can’t see Hasek’s number hanging from the rafters at the Joe.

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 06/10/08 at 09:20 AM ET

Yep, very stupid idea. His memory should live on in Detroit as the general feeling of panic fans get, and nothing more.

Paul, I’d say no. Orpik is decent, but we’ve got to many Dmen and not enough slots to fill as it is. The only way I’d accept that is if Stuart doesn’t resign and we’d instead be stuck with Lilja yet again. Meech and Quincy have both shown themselves capeable of playing in the NHL and need their chance.

Even so, there’d probably be some loyalty issues to deal with. I don’t think Orpik is Mattheiu Schnieder.

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 06/10/08 at 09:22 AM ET

no, they absolutely not. the wings defenseman options for next year:

Lidstrom, Rafalski, Stuart(UFA), Kronwall, Lebda, Lilja, Meech, Chelios, Quincey, Ericsson.

Even if they don’t resign Stuart, you have a great blueline already, and it may be time to give Quincey and Ericsson some quality ice-time. Orpik had one good shift, and other than that, he sat idly by while Zetterberg’s shot trickled in the net in Game 6. Instead of going to the net to make sure the puck didn’t squeeze through, he was looking to hit somebody. The kind of defensive irresponsibility doesn’t fit well with the Wings.

Does anyone know the full story with Aurie, and why Ilitch won’t acknowledge it?

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/10/08 at 09:23 AM ET

Let’s put it simply:

The next number to hang from the rafters of JLA will be “5” - end of story.

Posted by HockeyJoe from NY on 06/10/08 at 09:28 AM ET

here’s an article from KK on the Aurie story.

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/ilitch_celebrates_yzerman_desecrates_aurie/

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/10/08 at 09:32 AM ET

The story on Aurie will not be addressed by the I family. Period. I don’t know why, but when asked about it, the door gets slammed shut ASAP.

I too don’t think we need any additional D. If we part with Lilja & don’t resign Stuart… then there would be a chance to make an offer for a solid D man. I like Meech a bunch and would live to see him get a good number of games in this coming year, same for Quince & Ericsson.
My vote for the off season UFA hunt is a right handed shot for a winger. Other than Sidewinder Sammy, we’ve got lefties coming out our ears. How many times this year did you see an odd man rush and a pass to the back hand of a leftie and say “Man if he’s a rightie.. that’s a one timer & right on net??”. I know I said it ALOT.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/10/08 at 09:37 AM ET

my thinking on Orpik is more along the lines of the fact that we’re going to lose Chelios soon (if not now), and Lidstrom and Rafalski in a couple years at most.  are we deep enough to absorb that?  Orpik is only 28, and there is plenty of time to address any observable deficiencies and fit him into The System like we have with so many others.

are you all truly comfortable relying on our defense in a few years being...Stuart, Kronwall, Lebda, Meech, Quincey, and Ericsson?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/10/08 at 09:41 AM ET

are you all truly comfortable relying on our defense in a few years being...Stuart, Kronwall, Lebda, Meech, Quincey, and Ericsson?

Yep. Kronner is learning to play smarter. 2 of the 3 youngsters will be viable 2nd pairings at the very least.

And there’s always FA signings. When Rafi and Lids are gone, thats another $13M+/- we can spend. Heh, maybe stage a coup and pick up Phaneuf?

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 06/10/08 at 09:49 AM ET

I always enjoy reading Drew Sharp’s hockey insights. He’s nearly as prepared to write about the game as he is to comment on the sub-prime meltdown or climate change.
I don’t mind the league retiring 99. But given that precedent, it really grates my a** whenever I see a member of the opposition wearing number 9. Gordie Howe should have been the first player so-honored, then Gretzky.
Buffalo is the only place where Hasek’s sweater should hang. We have enough tradition here without having to invent it, like in Colorado.

Posted by BobS. on 06/10/08 at 09:50 AM ET

Every time I go to the AssCan and look up, I chuckle.  Not at Bourque, but at the Dive.

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 06/10/08 at 10:00 AM ET

But given that precedent, it really grates my a** whenever I see a member of the opposition wearing number 9. Gordie Howe should have been the first player so-honored, then Gretzky.

The folks in Montreal would like to have a word with you about #9.

Posted by HockeyJoe from NY on 06/10/08 at 10:12 AM ET

You can’t retire every number that was significant for a team for every team - then no one would have any numbers to wear at all.  We’d have to go to pi, or e, or i as numbers (which would be pretty funny, but only for math nerds).

are you all truly comfortable relying on our defense in a few years being...Stuart, Kronwall, Lebda, Meech, Quincey, and Ericsson?

That might not be the defense anyway, even without getting Orpik.  A few years ago Fischer would have been there, a few years before that Konstantinov would have been mentioned - there’s no way to tell who will be playing well, who will leave as a free agent, who will come in as a free agent, or which sixth-round pick will be the next solid first-pairing defenseman more than a short time down the road.  I don’t think it would be smart to make a big contract offer (and he could get $4 million a year - the Rangers have been mentioned as having an interest for that range) to a relatively young defenseman who had one really good shift - is seems like a classic case of “saw him good.”

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/10/08 at 10:33 AM ET

yeah, I’m sure there are those in Chicago who would take exception as well. It’s a can of worms you open when a number is retired league-wide. I suppose the argument is he’s the one and only to have worn 99, but it also somewhat slights immortals like Howe, Richard, and Hull to see some of the relative lightweights who have worn their number.
Does anyone else share my sentiment that the Wings should retire Red Kelly’s #4, Norm Ullman’s #7, Marcel Pronovost’s #3, or the #2 worn by Jack Stewart(who my dad says was the #16 of his day) before 8 or 14 or 91?

Posted by BobS. on 06/10/08 at 10:44 AM ET

I don’t think it would be smart to make a big contract offer (and he could get $4 million a year - the Rangers have been mentioned as having an interest for that range)

that’s a pretty big jump for a non-offensive defenseman, considering his salary I saw listed online is just over $1 million currently.

I don’t think it would be smart to make a big contract offer to a relatively young defenseman who had one really good shift

I guess I have my Winged-Wheel-colored glasses on.  I’m so used to the Wings taking players everyone else gave up on and turning them into solid all-around players, that if I see even a glimmer of potential in someone I assume the Wings would turn them into a superstar.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/10/08 at 10:46 AM ET

before 8 or 14 or 91?

I really can’t see any of those being retired in Detroit.  had they finished their careers here, maybe.  but to me, a team retiring a number should be reserved for players who gave a career commitment to the team like Yzerman and Listrom.  players like Hasek, Shanahan, Fedorov (especially because it was his choice to leave), etc did not give that type of commitment.

I’m on the fence about Konstantinov.  sure it would be a fitting memorial to what he gave to this team, but part of me thinks it’s more meaningful that players refuse to wear his number without being prohibited from it.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/10/08 at 10:50 AM ET

I think Drew Sharp confused contributions to hockey vs. contributions to the team. Even a hockey newbie would know that difference. I can’t fathom he truly believes he should look up to the rafters at the Joe and see Hasek’s number hanging next to Yzerman’s (I assume that’s where the next retired number would go.) By all means, honor Hasek for his contributions to hockey--he deserves them. Retire his number as a Wing? No.

Oh, and this is funny:

You can’t retire every number that was significant for a team for every team - then no one would have any numbers to wear at all.  We’d have to go to pi, or e, or i as numbers (which would be pretty funny, but only for math nerds).

Posted by Margot from Atlanta on 06/10/08 at 10:52 AM ET

Your point is well taken about retiring too many numbers league-wide. On the other hand, some, like 9 and 99 and 4, are transcendent. Honoring Gretzky and not the others puts him at the top of the pantheon where many would argue he belongs, just not alone.
A distinction should be made about so-called career committments when we compare the old days of indentured servitude, when all player movement between teams was at the whim of ownership, and the current situation of UFA. The guys I mentioned are all in the HoF and, with the exception of Ullman, were integral to multiple Cups and the 50’s dynasty.

Posted by BobS. on 06/10/08 at 11:15 AM ET

Paul,
I don’t know if 100% comfortable with a youth movement on D sums it up for me. But we NEED to get thise kids up for awhile and see if they’ve got it for a season, not just for a call up.I hear ya loud n clear on what we’ve seen the Wings “culture” do to some guys passed over, wahsed up etc.... not too mention to those with an upside.
Take Helm as a prime example of the unknown-untested youth. Will be turn into the next super star… doubtful. A solid 2 way guy with blazing wheels, pretty likely. But without inserting him into a big situation, none of us would know squat about him other than the prospect report from GR.
Some of the GR kids on the back end have had a peek or a few calls ups and they’ve done quite well. Having Cheli around for another year is just awesome for exposure to these kids, never mind playing & practicing along side Nik JR & SR, Raffy etc....
Anyone have thoughts on Todd looking to take a head coaching “visit” with the Trashers.....

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/10/08 at 11:16 AM ET

that’s a pretty big jump for a non-offensive defenseman, considering his salary I saw listed online is just over $1 million currently.

I know - but it is the Rangers.  They don’t always think the same way everyone else does. 

I don’t think a player needs to make a career-long commitment to have a number retired by a team - it will be even more rare with the increased movement, anyway - I just think it’s enough if a player has such an association with one team that that uniform is the one he is pictured in.  Brett Hull to me is more a Blue (as a player) than anything else, despite his time with Dallas and Detroit.  Sundin, even if he goes elsewhere next year, I will always see him in a Leaf uniform.  Fedorov will never look quite as “right” as anything other than a Red Wing.  Modano will always be a Star in my mind, even if he finished off the last few years of his career with another team.  Roenick I see as a Blackhawk, even in teal.

Not to say that all these players should have numbers retired, but that is the team I most associate them with, even if they play elsewhere.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/10/08 at 11:22 AM ET

Oh hell to the no!  Dom unretired the first time AFTER the Wings had already signed CuJo, and he unretired because he was more interested in pushing his line of sportswear than playing hockey.  Hasek and CuJo on the same team, what a nightmare that was.

30 and a slew of other numbers already mentioned in this thread deserve to be retired before 39.  And what about 2?  I don’t think anybody has worn 2 since Fischer.

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago, on the poop deck, not over it yet on 06/10/08 at 11:25 AM ET

This Aurie thing confuses the crap out of me. I mean, does anyone have any insight at ALL into why Ilitch is doing this? Did Aurie owe Ilitch’s dad money or something? I like Ilitch, he’s not Jerry Jones or Steinbrenner, he lets the people he hires run the team, and puts up the cash when he’s asked to. This seems almost out of character.

Also, 9 could most certainly be retired by the league. You don’t have to retire it for one person. I think the case is greater for retiring it league wide considering you have Howe, Richard, AND Hull (maybe Modano? He’s pretty much the American Yzerman)(ok ok, not Modano)(ok, maybe). These guys are LEGENDS. They are what made the game what it is today.

If Hasek gets his numbered retired by the Wings, I’m buying tickets to the #32 Tim Cheveldae jersey retirement game. That would have to be next.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/10/08 at 11:37 AM ET

the Freep’s “dream team 30”

Yzerman, Abel, McCarty, Gallant, Shanahan, Marcel Dionne, Delvecchio, Zetterberg, Syd Howe, Ted Lindsay, Fedorov, Probert, Gordie Howe, Mickey Redmond, Ogrodnick, Larionov, Brett Hull, Kocur, Datsyuk, Norm Ullman

Chelios, Ebbie Goodfellow, Reed Larson, Lidstrom, Konstantinov, Red Kelly

Osgood, Sawchuk

Jack Adams, Scotty Bowman

Leave it to the Freep to pick a team of 28 players and only have six defensemen. 

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=C4&Date=20080520&Category=SPORTS05&ArtNo=601006&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/10/08 at 11:37 AM ET

are you all truly comfortable relying on our defense in a few years being...Stuart, Kronwall, Lebda, Meech, Quincey, and Ericsson?

What makes me truly comfortable is putting the future of our D corps in the hands of Ken Holland. There’s no reason for us to panic about the future, and there’s no reason to think that Kenny will either.

As for retiring Hasek’s number? Drew just lost control of his bowels all over the history of this team.  Hey, let’s retire Brett Hull’s jersey while we’re at it.  Hell, maybe we can get Ray Borque to drop a ceremonial puck next season, and then immediately raise his to the rafters too.

Sorry, not even #14 or #8 deserve a spot up there. And while we’re on the subject, when #5 gets raised - as it obviously should - I will have issues if they add the C as they did on #19’s.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand for the raising of #20, Robert Lang, into his rightful place in history.”

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/10/08 at 11:42 AM ET

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand for the raising of #20, Robert Lang, into his rightful place in history.”

You mean upside-down on the flag pole after its been dipped in tar and feathers right? Or are we reserving that for Lils?

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 06/10/08 at 11:45 AM ET

You’re right about some guys identity being with particular teams. We’ll have an interesting debate about Chelios # when he retires. Stanley Cup and Norris Trophy with the Canadians. Multiple Norris wins (not to mention being one of the all-time most hated Wings’ opponents) with the Blackhawks.
And cepahalopod’s comment about Fischer and #2 is why teams and the league should retire numbers. With all respect to Fischer, that number was worn previously by a largely forgotten (by younger fans) Wings immortal. People seeing sweaters hanging learn something about history and tradition, especially important with the present media and expansion environment, where newer fans think the game began with Sidney Crosby or even Wayne Gretzky. A kid sees number 4 or 9 hanging, he’s gonna ask his dad why.

Posted by BobS. on 06/10/08 at 11:45 AM ET

I think the idea of what jersey you “see” a player in is highly subjective.  I would see Chelios as a Wing, but that’s from watching him for years, raising the Cup, etc.  I’m sure people from Chicago see him differently.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/10/08 at 11:48 AM ET

quick question...has any player ever had his number retired for more than one team?

(aside from Gretzky, of course)

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/10/08 at 11:49 AM ET

Paul, I think there’s a couple? Borque’s is the only one that comes to mind.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/10/08 at 11:56 AM ET

Mark Messier had his number retired with the Rangers and the Oilers.

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 06/10/08 at 12:00 PM ET

You mean upside-down on the flag pole after its been dipped in tar and feathers right? Or are we reserving that for Lils?

I think we need to find other ways to honor deserving players...like making Lilja a verb for “The turning over of the puck in the defensive zone by any Red Wings player who has just fallen down for no reason at all.”

Lidstrom moves the puck out from behind the net and up to Jiri Hudler who Liljas the puck over to Joe Sakic...

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/10/08 at 12:06 PM ET

You’d have thought whoever made that list might have thought Hall of Fame defensemen Stewart and Pronovost worthy of inclusion ahead of Reed Larson.
And while Probert and Kocur belong on any list of hockey’s best fighters, they along with Gallant(WTF? Ranks with Marty Lapointe in stupid penalties accrued) and McCarty instead of Frank Mahovolich (who played as many years in Detroit as Marcel Dionne, whose trade ranks with those of Glenn Hall and Johnny Bucyk as the worst in Wings history) speaks for itself as to the ignorance of the list-maker.

Posted by BobS. on 06/10/08 at 12:09 PM ET

I think the idea of what jersey you “see” a player in is highly subjective.  I would see Chelios as a Wing, but that’s from watching him for years, raising the Cup, etc.  I’m sure people from Chicago see him differently.

Yes, Chelios will be an interesting case.  He’s played for more than one team for a long period of time, and been an excellent player for each.

What about not taking a number out of circulation when it is retired?  Raising it to the rafters as an honor, but also letting current players wear it and honor the player on the ice that way?  It would still exist as a tribute to the history of the team, but not limit the numbers available to current players if the team has had a particularly illustrious history.

(Although I’m probably not the person to comment as I despise ceremony - I tried to fake getting sick to get out of every graduation ceremony I’ve been a part of just because the pomp and circumstance makes me want to giggle.)

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/10/08 at 12:13 PM ET

On the strength of his career, Hasek obviously deserves to have his number retired.  Just not in Detroit.  Probably not even in Buffalo.  That’s just the way it goes sometimes.

And while I’m on the topic, suggesting that the Wings retire Hasek’s 39 might be the most ridiculous thing I’ve read on the Internet…

“Without doubt one of the top two goaltenders to ever wear the Winged Wheel...”

That statement can be made and discussed in about three years.

When Chris Osgood retires.  Hell, you can discuss it now if you want.

Implying that Osgood is in Hasek’s league isn’t that far off.  Osgood’s a pretty good goalie--might be one of the top five in the league right now, if you stretch the truth a bit.  Hasek’s in the top five all time.

Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 06/10/08 at 12:14 PM ET

“Ladies and Gentlemen, please stand for the raising of #20, Robert Lang, into his rightful place in history.”

After all these years I still think of 20 as Mickey Redmond’s number.

Posted by Cal on 06/10/08 at 12:26 PM ET

Blithely stating Sawchuck and Hasek were unquestionably top two goaltenders to wear a Wings uniform betrays Sharp’s ignorance. He overlooks Glenn Hall, who belongs on any top five all time list along with Sawchuck, Plante, Roy, and either Hasek or Esposito.
By the way, Ted Lindsay and Glenn Hall were sent to the Blackhawks in the same criminally bad trade, after Lindsay tried to form a player’s union.

Posted by BobS. on 06/10/08 at 12:31 PM ET

#39? 

I get visions of the little switching engine in the yard that assembles the Stress Train for road trips. Definitely a contributing factor...but certainly not “Ole 12219”.

Posted by Rumbear from Sandy Eggo on 06/10/08 at 02:08 PM ET