It has been to long since there has been opinions posted on this blog, the readers and mine.  So after the abscence here is hearty hello to those who used to read this blog and never leave a comment and those that did.  It does feel good to state what has been on my mind about sport of hockey and the Red Wings.  Some players have left for the sun and Pacific Ocean (which is not suitable for hockey).  These players are Mathieu Schneider and Todd Bertuzzi.  Both have signed with the Anaheim Ducks.  Let's say they were ready for a surfin' vacation.  Now to what matters most to Red Wings fans, "is it time to panic?!"

   "No.  Calm down."  Here are the reasons why.  Igor Griggorenko is one player who will immediately contribute.  He is fast, a real good accurate shot; he does not miss the mark he puts the puck where it needs to be on net.  He is also a solid 20 goal scorer while in the Russian Super Leagues.  Sure he had the car accident a few years ago but his recovery and game has come under the radar and when he is on the Datsyuk line he will be set up for some stats and fans will gawk and gaze at the magic and sparkling talent on the ice.  Sure Igor will need to get used to the NHL but everyone knows that Detroit has some of best players to be paired with on line shifts.  Igor can hardly wait to wear the winged wheel and skate and get passes from Pavel D.  The grade for Igor's prospects and contributions could end up with Ovechkin watching his good friend, Pavel and phenom  Igor on highlight television. 

   Red Wings highlights will also have Val Filppula. His contribtions on the ice during the playoffs were showing that he is eagerly anticipating more ice time and more leadership.  So he can set up his team with assists and score his own goals.  This is the type of enthusiasm and excitement the youth in the Red Wings organization will bring to the ice and "The Joe" in 2007-08 NHL hockey.  I am looking to fun of NHL hockey at Hockeytown.  Now there is not a red button on this computer and if there is one yours do not press it because here is the third reason as to why the Red Wings will not be a team to panic about.

   Tomas Kopecky and if the Red Wings can sign Jiri Hudler then they will have young forwards who are waiting for the chance to win, and win big in the end.  One motivation for the team is bring Zetterberg his first Stanley Cup engraving.  IF that is not momentum building up during this summer I don't know what is.  So with all the fans of Red Wings hockey I have something to say about the signing of Brian Rafalski.

    He is someone who will contribute right away in the locker room as he is a Cup winner with New Jersey.  He has played defense in front of one the best goalies in the NHL and if the Wings re-sign Hasek or sign someone else he will free that netminder from worry.  Brodeur liked Brian and he will be appreciated on the ice by the Wings goalie.  He is an aggressive and puck moving defenseman.  Aggressive means that he will shove and push and play the game at high intensity and still bring calm game breaking skating and puck clearing passes to the ice game in game out.  Oh, he is also valuable on the power play just ask Martin Brodeur he will tell you about Brian Rafalski.

   If no one has read this or heard this anywhere the Wings are reportedly interested in Andrew Raycroft.  The Maple Leafs are interested in letting him go since they have Vesa Toskala. 

   If Raycroft can capture his goalkeeping style that he had in Boston this could workout and who knows if he just makes the important save that all Red Wings goalies are expected to make then it will more than workout.  Proving to be another good move by Ken Holland and keeping money in the account for emergencies.

   I have also read some reports that the Red WIngs might be interested in Alexei Yashin. There is nothing to panic about here only if he is willing not to hog the spotlight on the Datsyuk line but to share it with "Griggs" and Pavel.  IF that happens that would bring some  bully to the Datsyuk line.  If the Red Wings can help Yashin find his scoring touch and combine that with some team play and hard work then the panic button will not need be pushed.  But if Yashin lets up on the work ethic and hogs the limelight it could prove sour for this Wings fan.  Would it be ecxiting to see the Datsyuk line with Igor, and Alexei of the Senators?  You bet'cha.  With Raycroft keeping the puck out of the net like he did in Boston?

   These are gambles and everyone knows that Ken Holland's gambles have paid off even when he had some criticism.  All we can do is hold our breath and wait for the Red Wings to take flight in October 2007 when the puck is dropped to start our season, when that happens that will be when we can go with the Red Wings through the season to the playoffs for the most prized trophy in sport.

The summer is hesitant in  giving way to fall, everyone who anticipates the start of college and professional athletics in the fall writes about it while the summer lags and in humid repose is welcoming fall to change the scenery.  So one day in September football and hockey pads will be worn and sports will resume for its  players and avid fans.  Here are last three players to watch, this series is ending before a leaf turns color.

  The Philadelphia Flyers are one of the traditional big spenders and here in this picture are Simon Gagne and Peter Forsberg.  Peter Forsberg is the force of Flyer hcokey. He is a player to watch for his natural ability to do play every game with a defensive and offensive prowess that is unequalled in the game today.  When he is injured fan would that Forsberg was not.  Every facet of the game that the Flyers draw up and strategize is to push Forsberg to the oppositions net and there he will elude and evade hit, pass to the blueline for a sniper shot, or take a shot sniper or not.  The cause--score and the Flyers have many weapons and Forsberg is the commander in cheif. 

  The New York Islanders in the 1980's contended with the Edmonton Oilers for NHL supremacy.  They won four Stanley Cup Championships.  And now there is a vision to put a team on the ice.  One of the players on the Islander roster who is not maligned by fans is Miroslav Satan.  He is a player to watch for his stealthy game and skating, scoring and taking the goalkeeper out of position.  Alexei Yashin is maligned by fans.  Miroslav Satan is the reason to watch to hockey on the Island. 

  The Detroit Red Wings have signed Dominik Hasek, the roster is minus Steve Yzerman and Brendan Shanahan.  The imminent trade for a goalie or scoring winger looms and there is one constant image fixed on the roster besides Nicklas Lidstrom and Chris Chelios.  Henrik Zetterberg.  He is a player to watch for his competitive spirit and inspiration to play to win.  In six playoff games against the Oilers he had six goals, and he is ever present with Pavel Datsyuk.  Pavel Datsyuk has taken his bit of heat for his lack of output in the playoffs look for him to be a better player and scorer this year.  Henrik Zetterberg is a friend of Pavel and his leadership and mind for the NHL playoffs will help Datsyuk and the other Red Wings who will look to him for his ability move the game at a pace that few in the NHL can match, his feet are always moving and his puck handling skills are respected by other players and held in awe by children.  He is my tenth player to watch.  And the Wings gift of flight is Henrik Zetterberg. 

   Ted Lindsay a Red Wings legend and NHL great.  His nickname "Terrible Ted" decribes his style of play and the respect of others in the league.