Kukla's Korner Hockey

Let’s Not Forget

by Paul on 07/09/06 at 11:30 AM ET
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The building was electric, filled with anticipation.  The Wings finally had their power forward.  It was rumored for weeks in Detroit, the Wings were attempting to acquire Shanahan from the Whalers.  The wishes of many Wings fans came true on October 9, 1996.  The final piece was in place.
Shanahan made it to the Joe with minutes to spare for the first game that season.  The Wings actually held up going onto the ice so Brendan could join them.
With Shanahan scoring 46 goals that year, the Wings went on to win the Cup and repeated the feat the next year.
Now he is gone, and with it the “piece” leaves a big hole in the Wings lineup.  Now where do they go?  Gomez in New Jersey may be an option, the Devils are cap strapped and need to move some salary.  Can Anson Carter replace one of the greatest goal scores in the last 15 years? 
Ken Holland has some work ahead and now is the time for Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Kronwall to put their stamp on the Wings.
Meanwhile, Shanahan will be a huge hit on Broadway.  Just don’t believe him when he tells you he was a goalie on the Irish National Soccer team.

added 12:38pm, Official announcement from the New York Rangers…

added 4:25pm, from the CP via Yahoo,

“It really came down to an instinct I had,” Shanahan said Sunday. “Detroit has a great past and a great future ahead of them as well, but I guess I just felt that maybe I was identified with the past a little bit more than the future.”
“To take on a new challenge was a little scary and exciting at the same time,” said Shanahan, who scored 41 goals last season.

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