It has been a long and busy summer, but I am back into the blogging world! (Just in time for hockey season! Coincidence? I think not.) I have been trying to get back on here for a while, but it wasn't letting me log in, so hopefully I can keep this up throughout the season. Now, down to business...
Today is the first official day of the NHL's regular season, but for me, hockey season started back on September 14 at the Detroit Red Wings' Training Camp. The boys were looking good, despite some major holes in the roster from the overwhelming void of team leaders Steve Yzerman, who retired during the off-season, and Brendan Shanahan, who signed with the New York Rangers over the summer. Veterans Chris Chelios, Robert Lang, Mathieu Schneider, Kris Draper, and Nicklas Lidstrom, the likely replacement for Yzerman as captain this season. were on hand, though, and offered helpful advice to the prospects and younger players on the team. Everyone seemed to be skating well, and even just in scrimmages, certain youngsters seemed to step up and stand out.
Tomas Kopecky, Valtteri Filppula, and Jiri Hudler caught my eye everytime they stepped on the ice. Over the course of the preseason, they have proved they are worthy for a chance at the big time, and skate with their idols in the NHL. Jiri Hudler, small but skillful, even managed a natural hat trick this September, making himself hard not to notice amongst all the talent. Another team member that has been impressive is young goaltender Joey MacDonald, who has stepped up during others' injuries, and made some amazing saves. With all this new talent, and veteran leadership, it should be quite a season.
I see this season being wide open in the NHL for anyone to make the playoffs. It will begin to turn in the NFL where many teams will have an opportunity to make a run in any given year. Cheers.
MacDonald was great in the pre-season game at the Joe against the Avs -- particularly in overtime. It will be interesting to see if Hudler can do in the NHL what he's done in Grand Rapids -- if so, that will be a big weapon for the Wings.
I think it's impossible to replace the leadership of Yzerman and Shanahan -- those two are amazing leaders -- but the Wings will still be strong.
I keep noticing the Wings advertising ticket sales on TV and radio broadcasts -- is there still the same buzz about hockey as four or five years ago in Hockeytown, or have the Pistons and Tigers chipped away at the support?
hey Hockeygirl--good to see you again. I have been looking forward to your new writing do it up....the NHL will be exciting throughout this year. See you around the blogs.
My name is Kayla. I am 20 years old, currently a student (hopefully I can get a degree and steal John Keating's job...come on, I'm cuter than him!), and I am a huge sports fan. I support all Detroit sports, but hockey is my passion. I go to all the Red Wings home games, and I think it is safe to say that I know more about hockey than any girl I've met (and probably a lot of guys). I follow all the teams, but my favorites include: the Red Wings, the Kings, the Ducks, the Canadiens, and the Sabres. I also follow the Penguins, because of my growing love for Sidney Crosby, and the Blue Jackets, because they are all really awesome guys. In addition to the NHL, I follow some of the AHL, OHL, and CCHA (MSU) teams, because I have friends in those leagues, and like to support them. Enjoy my blog!
