Is Former Red Wing Andreas Lilja now a Shark?

All signs appear to point to "yes".

After turning down the offer from the Red Wings this summer Lilja was still (and to my knoweldge is currently still) unsigned. The San Jose Sharks, as you remember are coached by former Red Wings assistant coach Todd McLellan, invited Lilja to training camp. Thus far he has not been cut from the line up and according to Dave Lozo from NHL.com the Swedish web site Expressen is reporting that Lilja is going to be playing with the San Jose Sharks this season.

I can not say that I am shocked. I actually kind of figured this would happen when I heard he was invited to the camp. I know some San Jose fans are not thrilled with the addition of Lilja to their team; I'd take him back (maybe trade them Ericsson).

So I guess this is our final good-bye Andreas. It was fun and we'll still see each other around (twice in San Jose and twice at The Joe). I wish you well - no fighting with Shea Weber okay?

And then there were none...

Well not really none; but according to the Grand Rapids Griffins website the Detroit Red Wings have sent five more players packing for the west side of the state.

Today's roster cuts include:

Forwards:
Jamies Johnson
Francis Pare
Brent Raedeke
Tomas Tatar

Goalie:
Jordan Pearce

Detroit's losses are just more gains for the Griffins.

Coming to JLA? Expect traffic delays

If you are planning on making the drive downtown to check out the Red Wings this weekend when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (Friday) or the Pittsburgh Penguins (Sunday) you might just want to plan ahead.

MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) is projecting traffic delays due to a construction project to southbound Lodge Freeway (that would be M-10 for those of you not familiar with Detroit). There will be detour signs posted; however, fans use to taking southbound Lodge may want to take northbound I-75 to southbound I-375 and exit at Jefferson Avenue.

So go ahead and get downtown a little early. While there check grab dinner or maybe check out one of the casinos. Don't forget to practice pronouncing players names and check out the video project going on behind section 111 for the season opener

Looking forward to hockey on tv? Hope you don't have Dish Network

Okay so this has me slightly - okay very annoyed this morning and rather than even linking the post from Mlive I am jsut going to copy it all right here for you...

Dish Network subscribers face loss of Fox Sports Detroit programming if deal isn't reached

Michael Zuidema | The Grand Rapids Press

There is a chance Dish Network subscribers will have to find a new way to watch Fox Sports Detroit broadcasts later this week.

The Dish Network is negotiating the terms by which it carries Fox's 19 regional sports networks, which includes FSD and cable networks FX and the National Geographic Channel.


0
Share 0 Comments The deadline for the negotiations, which have been ongoing for the past year, is midnight Thursday. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement, Dish Network subscribers might lose access to that programming Friday.

Fox remains hopeful that a deal can be reached.

"We're simply looking for fair value for our programming," Fox spokesperson Chris Bellitti said. "If Dish customers lose Fox networks, fortunately, there are alternatives in the market."

A stalemate would affect FSD's broadcasts of this weekend's Detroit Tigers games at Baltimore, the remaining games on the Detroit Red Wings' preseason schedule and the Detroit Pistons' preseason game at Miami on Tuesday.

E-mail Michael Zuidema: mzuidema@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/michaelzuidema

I really hope for my sanity and everyone else that has Dish Net comes to a resoluntion. I have been asking "Is it October yet?" all summer looking forward to the start of hockey season and now on the first day of October I may lose my hockey coverage on tv. My life is full of fail.

Red Wings make cuts to roster...

Today the Detroit Red Wings announced that they cut 10 players from their preseason roster.

Photo by Amanda Nitz

Heading to the Grand Rapids Griffins:

Forwards
Ilari Filppula (iFlip)
Jamie Tardif
Willie Coetzee

Defenseman
Sergei Kolosov
Travis Ehrhardt
Logan Pyett
Sebastien Piche

Goalie
Thomas McCollum

Also released (but not headed to the Griffins) were Greg Amadio and Aaron Downey

New York Rangers to play Derek Boogaard today against Red Wings

Is this REALLY necessary? Derek Boogaard? No one is going to be fooled into thinking that the Rangers are going to use him for his puck posession quality (face it the guy hasn't scored a goal since Janurary 7, 2006.

Yes that is right Janurary 7, 2006 was the last time that enforcer Derek Boogaard has scored a goal in the NHL. He's played in over 200 games since then yet the New York Rangers felt they needed to sign him to a 4-year deal worth $6,500,000. That is a cap hit of around $1,600,000 a year.

In comparison:
Mike Modano $1,750,000
Kris Draper $1,583,333
Darren Helm $912,500
Justin Abdelkader $787,500
Partick Eaves $750,000
Ruslan Salei $1,100,000
Jimmy Howard $716,666

Even Chris Osgood is being paid only $1,416,667 and guess what - he's scored more recently that Derek Boogaard.

Anyway enough on that rant. The Rangers don't care what I think of their over paying for Boogaard.

The projected line combinations for the game tonight as the Rangers host the Red Wings is as follows:

Rangers

Frolov-Christensen-Gaborik
Fedotenko-Stepan-Avery
Kennedy-Anisimov-Callahan
Boogaard-White-Prust

Staal / Del Zotto
Rozsival / Sauer
Valentenko / Gilroy

Lundqvist
Biron

Red Wings

Johan Franzen - Valtteri Filppula - Todd Bertuzzi
Jiri Hudler - Justin Abdelkader - Drew Miller
Mattias Ritola - Darren Helm - Patrick Eaves
Joakim Andersson - Corey Emmerton - Jan Mursak

Niklas Kronwall / Jonathan Ericsson
Jakub Kindl / Brian Rafalski
Doug Janik / Brendan Smith

Jimmy Howard (start)
Joey MacDonald

Want to be part of Red Wings home opener?

Can't make it to the home opener on Friday October 8th but still want to be part of the excitement? The Red Wings have an option for you.

If you happen to be going to the Red Wings home games this weekend you can be part of a fan film project. The will have a camera crew set up on the concourse outside of section 111 at Joe Louis Arena to record fans introducing the players.

The best videos will be aired as part of the home opener on October 8th against the Anaheim Ducks.

So brush off your pronunciations of all the players names and bust out your Red Wings gear and head down to the Joe this weekend.

Preseason home games remaining:
Friday October 1 - Toronto Maple Leafs(Brett Lebda returns to Detroit with his new team)
Sunday October 3 - Pittsburgh Penguins (Sid the Kid and Brooks Orpik come to The Joe for the first time this season)

Red Wings take on Rangers

After haveing three games in three days it feels like forever since we have seen the Red Wings play. Even though it has only been since Sunday night; but to those that have been waiting all summer for Red Wings hockey it was a long start to the week.

At least we get to watch the game tonight though, right?

Well maybe not so right.

The game tonight being played at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers is not being televised. So unless one of the teams decides to air the game on their website it looks might come down to digging out the radio to listen to WXYT 1270-AM to at least hear the game.

Don't have a radio other than in your car? Don't feel like sitting in your car all night to listen to the game? You're in luck! You can listen to the game on the web.

UPDATE: As pointed out by Tomi Seppala via Twitter the game will be coverd by MSG so there is a chance the game will be aired online.

Red Wings line up

Here is a projected list of line combinations for Wednesday's game in New York against the Rangers:

Image from Amanda Nitz

Johan Franzen - Valtteri Filppula - Todd Bertuzzi
Jiri Hudler - Justin Abdelkader - Drew Miller
Mattias Ritola - Darren Helm - Patrick Eaves
Joakim Andersson - Corey Emmerton - Jan Mursak

Niklas Kronwall / Jonathan Ericsson
Jakub Kindl / Brian Rafalski
Doug Janik / Brendan Smith

Jimmy Howard (start)
Joey MacDonald

Draper still sidelined

According to George Sipple from the Free Press Red Wings face-off master maybe out longer than expected.

On Friday Kris Draper was sent in for further testing on his groin after a lack of improvement since the injury occurred during training camp. As part of the testing Draper had an ultrasound done that found a tear.

There is no information yet as to what they are going to do to fix the injury - give it time or if it will require further attention. For now there is no time table as to when Kris Draper will return to the line up and the regular season starts in under two weeks.

George Sipple's complete article

Who will be the Red Wings 6th Defenseman?

It's time to play:

Spin.
That.
Wheel.

As the preseason is coming to an end soon it looks to be coming down to three choices to be paired with Ruslan Salei as the third defensive pair for the Red Wings.

We have 6'4" Swede Jonathan Ericsson who as many have come to say on Twitter "Has lost his hockey sense", Rookie Jakub Kindl and veteran with a head injury Derek Meech.

Now Ericsson did have a great end of the season and post season when he came up from the Griffins to fill in for fellow Swede Andreas Lilja when he went on long term injured reserve after a one sided fight with Nashville Predators Shea Weber. This past season was Ericsson's first full season with Detroit and left a lot to be desired. The coaching staff has given the "kid" every chance possible to kick the funk he is in, and be that defenseman that was good enough to be paired with his long time defense idol Nicklas Lidstrom. Will Ericsson finally kick the funk and get his confidence back? Or will Jakub Kindl push him down to the 7th defensive spot?

Jakub Kindl, the 19th overall (yeah you read that right 19th OVERALL) pick in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing in the AHL with the Griffins other than a short appearance last season with the Red Wings. The way the games have gone so far this preseason Kindl might just take that 6th spot with Salei and have Ericsson watching from the press box.

Derek Meech may have seen his time with the Red Wings come to an end as he would have to go on waiver to go back to Grand Rapids. Meech has been with the big club for a few seasons now but spends more time in the press box than on the ice during games. One skill of Meech's that has endured him to the organization is his ability to fill in as a forward the problem is he's played forward so often in his few appearances that many fans around the league thought he was a forward. With how much depth the Red Wings have for forwards now that niche Meech had in the system appears to have been phased out.

*Picture taken by Amanda Nitz at the Red and White Game at the end of Red Wings Training Camp in Traverse City, MI 2010

Is David Frost back in the hockey game?

According to reports coming from Andy Strickland the controversial former hockey agent is back in the game. In California.

In case you don't remember the story David Frost was the supposed target of a murder plot by former St. Louis Blues player Mike Danton. Danton plead guilty to conspiracy to commit murder; however, claimed the target was his estranged father.

Frost was later charged with 12 counts of sexual exploitation having to do with sexual acts between three under age females and some of his underage male players - he was acquitted of all charges.

Now back to current developments.

According to an article by Strickland Frost has changed his name and is now going by Jim McCauley (his wife's maiden name) and is working at the Laguna Hockey Academy in Southern California.

One parent (unnamed) in Stickland's article had this to say:

“He’s been deceiving people for nearly six months” says a parent whose son trains at the academy. When asked if he will continue sending his son there he responded, “Not anymore”.

For more information and updates to the story as they become available please go to Andy Strickland's True Hockey and read Davis Frost Caught Using Alias In California.

As Red Wings cut roster: Griffins gain depth

As the preseason continues two teams begin to emerge the Detroit Red Wings and the Grand Rapids Griffins.

If anything watching these preseason games for the Red Wings is showing that the future of the team is in good hands. Young players like Tomas Tatar that on any other team would crack the NHL roster will most likely spend the season with the AHL affiliate team in Grand Rapids - only strengthening their team and furthering his development.

Other young players that will probably be sent to the Grand Rapids Griffin's include: Hobey Baker Award finalist and first-round draft pick (2007) defensman Brendan Smith and fellow first-round pick (2008) goaltender Tomas McCollum and second-round pick Cory Emmerton (2006).

Not so young - Ilari Filppula (Red Wings Valtteri Filppula's older brother)will probably be heading to the Griffin's just as his younger brother did before cracking the Detroit line up. Last season iFlip (wonder how long before he lands an Apple endorsement?) won the Jari Kurri trophy this past season as the SM-liiga (Finnish league) playoff MVP as his team (TPS) won the leagues championship.

Kirk Maltby who is on a two-way contract for this season will probably also be starting off the season in Grand Rapids. The four time Stanley Cup Champion that Detroit traded Dan McGillis to the Edmonton Oilers for back in the 1995-96 season will bring that veteran experience to the young players in the Red Wings development system.

Having Jiri Fischer (Red Wings Director of Player Development) and Chris Chelios (Red Wings Executive Advisor to General Manager) off ice helping with development of prospects; and Kirk Maltby on ice - the Griffin's are going to be going places.

Other players possibly heading to Grand Rapids:

Forwards:
Joakim Anderson
William Coetzee
Jordan Owens
Jamie Tardif
Aaron Downey

Defense:
Doug Janik
Siarhei Kolasau
Derek Meech (would have to clear waivers first; and is currently having concussion symptoms after game one of the preseason against the Pittsburgh Penguins)

Goaltenders:
Joey MacDonald
Jorand Pearce

Red Wings Round Up

Searching the web to bring you the best Red Wing stories out there...

Before going on to ponder what is to come we take a look at the time that has passed as former Red Wing Mathieu Dandenault retires. A second-round pick for the Detroit Red Wings in 1994 he went on to win three Stanley Cups with the team.

Thank you from all of us for being part of bringing the Cup back to Hockeytown...

...now onto trying to bring it back again...

Euro Twin Powers Activate! So it appears thus far in the pre season that the Reunited line hasn't lost flair as Coach Mike Babcock has reunited Swedes Tomas Holmstrom and Henrik Zetterberg with Russian Pavel Datsyuk. Dave Waddell summed it up best:

Some things seem to fit naturally together no matter how many times you take them apart.

It's not just the storied veterans that are making news - so are the prospects as the youngsters impress vets in Wings win after the Red Wings beat the Blackhawks in the first game in a home-and-home schedule.

Youngsters are not the only ones trying to fit in in Hockeytown these days. Defenseman Ruslan Salei is fitting right in with the Wings according to Ted Kulfan of The Detroit News. Of course Salei has a leg up on that as he worked with Coach Babcock back when they were both with the Anaheim Ducks.

Last night's home game against the New York Rangers saw Brian Rafalski and Jiri Hudler suit up for the first time this season as both are back from being sidelined with injuries. George Sipple from the Free Press discusses how Rafalski jumps in with a 4-point game and Hudler looks right at hone in return at the Joe.

Greg Wyshynski over at Puck Daddy was all over the Blackhawks fans booing Chris Chelios Heritage Night announcement at the home-and-home game at the United Center. Wyshynski discusses other players that have been swapped between the Red Wings and the Blackhawks over the years and why fans embrace some but boo others. The Chris Chelios Heritage Night will be an interesting start to a game seeing as the Blackhawks chose a game against the Red Wings (December 17).

Staying on the topic of the Blackhawks; Brian Hedger feels that the Cup win retchets up Hawks' rivalry with Wings About time that an Original 6 rivalry (other than the Canadiens and the Leafs) gave us all a little something to talk about. It's sad that is had become a distant memory to most of the league - maybe we'll start seeing some Toews/Kane vs Zetterberg/Datsyuk commercials instead of all of them being Alex the Great vs Sid the Kid.




Around the Region:

Plymouth Whalers had their home opener this past Friday night. Alex Aleardi had hat trick as the Whalers dealt out a 6-2 pounding to Barrie Colts.


Jason Menard discusses how Austin Levi has embraced leadership role for Plymouth Whalers while Tyler Seguin is fighting for a roster spot with the NHL's Boston Bruins.

The Windsor Star discusses how first-round draft pick for the Buffalo Sabres Zack Kassian was the first star in debut as he returned back to the Windsor Spitfires lineup after playing with the Sabres agianst the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Michigan WArriors lose 4-3 in shootout after blowing two-goal lead in third period in not only their season open but what is also their debut in the city of Flint. The Warriors outsed the long time Flint Generals as the hometown hockey club over the summer when they won the bid for the Perani Arena.

A little here, a little there

I want to apologize for the lack of post as of late on here. This blog was designed to be my personal thoughts and stories on things from around the hockey world that did not fit into the other blogs I write for.

Heading into the new season I am seeing that most of my stuff now fits into my many outlets I am now part of. I thank you all for reading and this is by no means a goodbye and I am not going on a leave like The Triple Deke.

I am only saying you can find me on a number of other sites now:


Detroit Sports Nation

The Hockey Writers

Howlin' Hockey

This week I received a very warm welcome over at Hockey Wilderness from the staff and their readers.

I recommend checking out and bookmarking all of the sites - and not just to read me but the other great writers that are also featured on the sites.

Picture of the Day: Ilari Filppula

Picture of the Day: Upshall

Picture of the Day: Selänne

Happy Labor Day

I want to wish all of you readers that are celebrating Labor Day today a happy holiday.

If you are in the Detroit area I recommend checking out the Arts, Beats, and Eats in Royal Oak if you have not been there yet. I went Saturday and there was plenty of parking - FYI the parking garage is $15 but so are all the lots that have a lot further parking. Some of the music is pretty good, others ... well... don't quit your day job.

It is $10 for 16 food tickets. There are carnival rides and even a kids area for younger kids with a stage for shows - my 2 and 3 year olds loved the magic show.

Also in the Detroit Area is the Michigan Renaissance Festival. Taking place up I-75 in Holly - always fun. Be sure if you buy beer to buy it at the booth in the back by the jousting area from the Fenton Lakes Chorus. Great group of women whom sing barbershop music and are heading to an International competition though Sweet Adelines. They'll be there EVERY weekend so if you don't go today that is no excuse to not help them out!

Nic And The Family - Hej Monika lyrics

Mooonika
Hej Hej Monika
Hej på dig Emilia
Hej Monika
Hej på dig Monika
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Kalla blickar, kalla kårar
och du var bara 14 vårar
ta min hand och visa mig vägen
Jag är din i alla lägen

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Hej på dig Monika

Känns som vår kärlek kom på sne från början
Precis som lutande tornet i Pisa
tornet står där än idag
och här står du och här står jag

Hej Hej Monika
Hej på dig Monika
Hej Monika
Hej på dig Monika
Hej Monika
Hej på dig Monika
Hej Monika
Hej på dig Monika

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Hej! hej! hej! Monika

Mooonika
Hej Hej Monika
Hej på dig Monika
Hej Monika
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Hej Monika
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Hej Monika
Hej på dig Monika

Hej Hej Monika
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Hej på dig Monika
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Hej på dig Monika

Hej hej Monika
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Hej Monikaa



Lyrics | Nic And The Family lyrics - Hej Monika lyrics