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.