Leelanau Sports Guy’s World

Insider writes:

Sportsnet in Canada reports that Yzerman is retiring today @ 1 pm.

The Wings have announced a press conference at 1 pm today, and this was the speculation, stay tuned for more details…

Read Wings call news conference about Yzerman at Yahoo! Sports

IT’S OFFICIAL!

Thanks for the great memories Steve!

Sorry it’s been slow around here, but haven’t had much of a chance to get to the blog. Here’s my thoughts on the latest from the world of sports…

Tigers continue winning streak
The bats are alive again, and combine that with the continued success of the starting pitching means another winning streak for our Tigers! I can’t even imagine how lame Detroit sports would be right now without the Tigers leading the majors. Getting anxious for my first trip to Comerica in a couple of years on Sunday to see the Tigers and Cardinals go at it. You know things are going well when rotation fill-ins (rookie Zach Miner) throw five-hitters.

Wings looking at Luongo?
Rumor has it that as early as this weekend Florida Panthers goalie Robert Luongo could be traded. The Wings, Vancouver and Los Angeles are the frontrunners. This would be a great deal for Detroit and would give them a star goalie they didn’t have last year.

NBA Champion Miami Heat, argh!
I will admit I was cheering for Dallas, which could explain why they lost, so it hurt when the Miami Heat finished them off with four consecutive wins last night to claim the NBA Title. Dwayne Wade, all I can say is “that guy is good!” I am laughing though at people comparing him to Jordan though. Jordan never had a 7′ 2″ center to help him drive to the basket and create space. I am guessing that without Shaq, the Heat wouldn’t have won the title. End of story.

I really think this Marinelli guy is going to be good
The attitude and the attention to detail he is demanding is exactly what the Lions franchise needed. I am still a little nervous about the quarterback position, but it can’t get any worse, so I guess that’s a positive.

My busy week continues as tonight is a trip to Wuerfel Park to see the Beach Bums tangle with the Evansville Otters!

The Detriot Red Wings once again lost in the first round of the NHL playoffs after an incredible regular season. The Wings fell 4 games to 2 against the Edmonton Oilers and were eliminated from the Cup chase.

Lots of fans will point at Legace as the main reason as it seemed like he was unable to come up with the big save when needed. That might not be fair, but it’s the life of a goalie in Hockeytown. The offense can also share the blame as at times they struggled to score goals.

Wings fans also must wait about a week to hear Steve Yzerman’s decision and if he is returning for another season or not. I hope he does as he has shown he can still be the Wings best player as he arguably has been for the past two weeks.

As a bonus the Tigers now have one less team taking attention from them as they continue their great start!

Read Wings blow lead, waste great regular season in the Free Press
Read Oilers eliminate top-seeded Red Wings at Yahoo! Sports
Read Four third period goals lift Oilers to Game 6, series victory at DetroitRedWings.com

For the Pistons and Red Wings playoffs are all that matter. Sure the regular season records are nice and you want to do well, but for both teams it’s all about championships. Mark Urban of the Record Eagle takes a look at both teams heading into the playoffs after both clinching their respective league best records.

Read The proof is in playoffs for Wings, Pistons in the Record Eagle

A little journey around the world of Detroit Sports…

Pistons - Flip is starting to give the bench more minutes and they are responding. Dice had a great game tonight as did Maurice Evans, but the bright spot off the bench was Tony Delk. This will end up being a huge move by Dumars as Delk brings experience, defense and solid 3-point shooting off the bench. The Pistons should be able to hold on to their overall lead for best record while giving the bench enough minutes to keep the starters fresh. They will have the occasional letdown, but once their are about 5-6 games to go in the regular season watch these guys start to turn it up a notch!

Red Wings - The Wings are rolling right along. Goaltending still makes me nervous, but the team is a good combination of youth and experience right now. The young guys are coming along and no matter how minor a move Ken Holland makes it ends up helping the Wings. Amazing!

Tigers - Health is going to be the key to the 2006 season for Detroit and so far it hasn’t been the best of spring for injuries. The competition for the 5th starting spot has been better than expected leaving Leyland with some difficult decisions ahead. Come on Opening Day get here!

Lions - Kitna is a good move, not spectacular but good. I think the best signing so far has been the resigning of Kalimba Edwards. (Added link to a good article by Kevin Antcliff on the signing of Edwards, see I’m not the only one!) In Marinelli and Henderson’s new defense he could have a big year, he is due for a big year that’s for sure. Corey Bradford gives some more experience and depth to the wideout spot.

P.S. Now I am off to second guess my bracket and probably make some boneheaded changes. If I would just leave my original picks I would probably be better off! If you need to join another bracket contest head on over to www.kevinantcliff.com where some Detroit (and Denver) sports bloggers are having a contest!

P.S.S. How come paint looks so different in the store than after it’s on your wall? Seriously it didn’t look like that on the color swatch at Menard’s!

Well, not really. But I needed to get your attention, here’s the trade they made…

Read Wings deal Rivers to Coyotes at TSN.ca

Try to control yourself!

Barry Melrose was on the ESPN Radio’s The Sports Bash yesterday and was talking about the Western Conference. He likes Calgary and L.A. to battle it out for the Western Conference crown and thinks Detroit is old but will definitely make the playoffs.

My View: Detroit is old, but they will get plenty of chances to rest and be healthy heading into the playoffs because of the weak Central Division. Nashville is turning out to be pretty good and will give Detroit a good battle for the division crown. Detroit’s biggest question mark might be goaltending, with Manny and Ozzie both struggling at times right now.

Here’s the latest information on the Wings Training Camp in Traverse City.

Wings to return - Eighth TC camp scheduled for Sept. 13-17 - Record Eagle article by Mark Urban

He breaks down the schedules for both the Wings and Prospects Camp. At the end of the article he posted the ticket information, which is as follows:

The first ticket sale for the Red Wings Training Camp and the Prospects Tournament will be Saturday, Aug. 13 at Centre ICE from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

You can also watch the Centre ICE website for information at www.centreice.org.

Here’s some articles from the Record Eagle talking about the lockout and now cancellation of the 2004-05 season. I just hope they get something worked out so 2005-06 starts on time, but I’m not going to count on it.

NHL season iced; Dallas Drake: This falls entirely on owners - Record Eagle article by Dennis Chase

Owners reject final proposal; Bettman cancels season - Record Eagle article from the Associated Press

Red Wings, Hockeytown fans lament loss of 2004-05 campaign - Record Eagle article from the Associated Press

Fans are ‘upset, hurt’ by news - Record Eagle article from the Associated Press

My view: I still blame everyone involved, but the players could have ended it by accepting a fair $42.5 million cap. That’s just my opinion. The NHL won’t be the same when it does start again, my guess is there will be fewer teams and a cap lower than the one the players turned down. I am sure the players who will be out of jobs because of fewer roster spots will be very happy with the union.

Lions: Why do I even bother watching? Every week I have gotten more frustrated watching this team. Harrington trying to throw, the defense giving up big plays, Hanson missing field goals… It all adds up to another loss. Bright spots were Eddie Drummond and the punt return unit, and Kevin Jones looks like he is getting stronger and more comfortable with the offense. Now if we can just get Harrington on track it would be nice, otherwise I say give McMahon another shot.

Pistons: 3-3 after the West Coast Road Trip. They obviously miss Big Ben and I think coach Larry Brown as well. Running into a determined Okur didn’t help either. I still think they will be all right, I like what McDyess is doing when he gets minutes. They will still win the Eastern Conference.

Red Wings: Who?

Tigers: Ananheim closer Troy Percival is going to visit Detroit. He would be an immeditate upgrade over Urbina, but would allow Urbina to be the setup man. I don’t know if the Tigers have a realistic chance at Percival or not, but he has been one of the most consistent closers over the past few seasons.

Wolverines Football: Took care of business against the Wildcats and now prepare for the trip to Columbus. With MSU’s throttling of Wisconsin, Michigan now has a clear path to the Rose Bowl.

Spartans Football: WOW! That offense keeps right on rolling. MSU took it right to Wisconsin and ruined their perfect season while keeping their bowl hopes alive. Wins over Penn State and Hawaii would clinch a bowl berth.

A neat event for hockey-starved fans to attend…

Larionov to make appearance at Van Andel

Article from the Holland Sentinel

A busy weekend for the Grand Rapids Griffins brings more than just American Hockey League action to the ice at Van Andel Arena.

The arena will host another version of the Hope College-Calvin College rivalry and former Detroit Red Wing Igor Larionov.

Larionov, who helped the Red Wings win two Stanley Cups, is slated to sign autographs in the arena banquet area Saturday from 6:30 p.m.-7:20 p.m.

He also will drop the puck for the ceremonial faceoff prior to the Griffins’ game against the San Antonio Rampage.

Larionov’s Jeep Chrysler-sponsored visit is the first installment of the Griffins’ “Hockeytown Heroes” series.

Earlier in the day, the Calvin and Hope club teams will skate against each other at 3:30 p.m. They follow an intrasquad game between Calvin alumni.

Fans can gain admission to both games with a ticket to that night’s Griffins game. Tickets range in price from $5 to $25.

Tickets are available at The Zone and all Star Tickets Plus outlets, including West Michigan Meijer stores. Charge by phone at (616) 222-4000 or (800) 585-3737.

The first 1,500 fans Saturday will receive a Detroit Red Wings pennant.

The Griffins also host the Houston Aeros Friday at 7:30 p.m. Griffins players will sign autographs in the stands for 15 minutes after the game.

Tuesday Free Press Headlines

Lions midterm Report Card by Curt Sylvester

Pistons defeat Clippers in 2OT

Larry Murphy inducted into NHL Hall of Fame

Tuesday MLive Headlines

Mariucci says Lions will find a way to run the ball better

Analysis: Lions should take a look at young offensive lineman

John L. Smith was tight-lipped to protect himself from himself

An interview with Red Wings forward Darren McCarty who was in town to perform with his band Grinder and to host a youth hockey camp.

Red Wings’ McCarty critical of NHL owners

Record Eagle article by Jeff Peek.

Traverse City - The only competitive hockey Darren McCarty plays these days is the video-game variety - ESPN’s NHL2K5, to be exact. And the Detroit Red Wings forward, out of action during the NHL lockout, plays the game with practically the same skill and enthusiasm as he does the real thing. “Pretty realistic, eh?” McCarty says with toothless grin after his image pummels a member of the Colorado Avalanche on the television screen. Read the entire article.

Here’s my email and Ted Kulfan’s reply from the October 19th, 2004 Detroit News.

“I keep reading about how the players will never accept a salary cap, end of story. This makes them seem like spoiled millionaires. I love hockey, have been a Wings fan my whole life, but this is putting a sour taste in my mouth. I have two kids and a family to worry about and make very little money compared to the average NHL player. Why should I care about them at this point?”

Your opinion is shared by most fans.

Public opinion on this lockout seems to favor NHL ownership, which isn’t surprising. Fans read about the millions players make and can’t understand how they can be unhappy.

The players understood from the start they were likely going to be viewed as the bad guys in this dispute.

But consider this: NHL players are the best at what they do in the entire world. They have unique skills.

Sports has become big business, another form of entertainment. Big-name entertainers make huge sums of cash, so why shouldn’t the players make that same kind of money?

Ted Kulfan

Having Red Wings withdrawl? On the Wings has an article about upcoming Wings games on Fox Sports Net. Click here for the lineup.

I will definitely be tuning in for the March 26th, 1997 Colorado Avalanche game, no doubt about it. I have the rest in my VHS archives, but this game I don’t. It’s a must see for any Wings fan and was a huge factor in the Wings making the run for the Stanley Cup that season.