The Professor

More pictures of Redwings holding the cup.

This time it's 2002 and a man who should be inducted into the Hockey Hall Of Fame later today - Igor Larionov.
Read all about him here, essentially he was instrumental in the 'Wings last 3 stanley cup wins, '97, '98 & 2002. This was after an already groundbreaking career in the Soviet Union and leading the way for future generations of his countrymen to play in the NHL.

He now has a successful wine company - IL Triple Overtime

NHL Awards

What could be a better way to start than the most important win for Pavel Datsyuk, third successive year for him to take down the Lady Byng trophy, nice one Pavel this ones for you

"Three Times A Lady"

Have to say that Bruce Boudreau did a good job with Washington but really, what does Mike Babcock have to do to get some recognition?


Also that dude Alex Ovechkin did OK


making a total of four major awards for him this season. They all have to be rewarding obviously but i would think the Lester B. Pearson must have a special place for a player, given that it is voted for by your peers

Hasek

Dominik Hasek retired, not really surprising news but he has given a vast amount to the game and without doubt he will be remembered as one of the greatest to play in goal. He gave a lot to the Redwings but he will be mostly remembered for his time at the Buffalo Sabres, for me it is in Buffalo where his number should be retired.

You wouldn't want to steal someone's thunder by retiring the number of a player or hired gun whose career was mostly spent elsewhere now would you.

Interesting

Makes you think

more to come

Game IV

Tonight i predict the 'wings will soar, Penguins will play well again, Gary can be proud of his chosen one but Detroit will be too strong and have a point to prove.
The league has to realise that the persecution of a team based on a player's reputation is wrong and readdress the balance somehow. Holmstrom plays his game to the limits and pushes the boundaries, but that is what great players do. The rules are set and you go out there and play them. How different is it when an enormously gifted young player, deified by the league, dives to emphasise a penalty or constantly whines in the officials faces to get them looking for calls and seeing stuff which isn't there? it's professionalism, it's playing within the rules but pushing them.

So long as hockey decides the outcome i can be happy, especially since i think Detroit has a slight edge there.

Game I and II SCF

i missed out on a prediction before it all started (Detroit in 6) but it doesn't really matter. Well maybe i should change that to 4 or 5 games since the Penguins seem to be totally out of their depth.

Today all you can read about is how Osgood is a diver, should the Penguins really be looking back and calling attention to incidents in game II? Granted they need to kick start the team but if you dont charge into Osgood then he isnt going down, however dramatically or easily. The Sykora one was as much about his positioning and the presence of the goal, yes it was a light shove by Sykora, but a shove is a shove, and Osgood had nowhere to go but down. Don't push him, he doesn't go down.

Oh and whilst we are looking at the games lesser incidents how about repeated cheap, cowardly headshots on the guy just back from concussion like symptoms. Nice one Penguins! great advertisement for the game from the League's flagship team.

Speaking of goldenballs i have to say i am impressed with Crosby's play, i often felt Malkin got a tough time of it as he was as good as Sid yet got much less plaudits but not so much... In a series when they have, so far, been totally outplayed at least Crosby is visible, he is fighting for his team and getting amongst them. I think Malkin figured they lost to Philly and went golfing, we've heard more mention of Al Sobotka than MVP nominee #71.

With a bit of luck Pittsburgh will put up more of a fight back at their place, my head knows it would be better for the league despite my hearts protestations and desires for a butt-kicking.

Avalanche

Initially today i planned on writing some kind of preview for the Stanley Cup finals but then the Av's go and announce that Tony Granato is to be their new head coach. So i figured i should pass comment on that first, the SCF can wait until tomorrow or Saturday am.

I can't really understand this move, it seemed like the Avs hierarchy had taken a bold step to change things when they didn't renew Q's contract. Granato has a good solid record in coaching and i take nothing away from him in the slightest, i just expected more from the Avalanche.
At least let the finals play out and talk to guys like Mclellan. There appears to be plenty of options out there, but what do i know? I do know that going back 6 years isn't the answer. It appears that the avs need to change things in the organisation. Get the team playing like a team, health and conditioning, basic tactics and strategies. Is a person, a key person, from the previous organisation the right man for the job?

Only time will tell but i would've like to have seen a whole fresh coaching team come in and build this team with their exciting young stars and a smattering of experienced veterans, more to come i am sure.