Quick Hits: It's Pavel's World, We're All Just Living In It

Source: Winging It In Motown by JeffHancock41

Hockeytown, No Limits

Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk has goal, two assists as Russia wins gold medal at World Championships | MLive.com
Pavel is the best.

KuklasKorner : The Malik Report : Red Wings at the Worlds, medal round: Pavel Datsyuk’s Russians steamroll Slovakia
More Worlds coverage thanks to George.

Should we Re-sign Abby? Am I the only one?

Source: Winging It In Motown by Fiend

So Abdelkader's contract is up and all I see is my fellow fans asking and debating how much money we will resign him for. Well my question is this, why should we resign Justin Abdelkader?

First let me say this, Abby was one of my favorite players when he made the jump from GR. I absolutely love and root for all my Michigan born players, and I had very high hopes for Abby. He started his red wing career as one of my favorites, But over the last 3 years he has become the player i would like to see walk the most.

Why should we resign a player like Abby whom is expected to be one of our tough grinders, when he is not that effective at it? Yea he hits,

Sunday's NHL notebook: Coyotes postpone Kings' coronation

Source: The Detroit News by Associated Press

Shane Doan scored two goals, Mike Smith made 36 saves in his third playoff shutout, and the Phoenix Coyotes emphatically avoided playoff elimination with a 2-0 victory in Game 4 of the conference finals on Sunday.

Wings' Pavel Datsyuk helps Russia rout Slovakia for world title

Source: The Detroit News by Associated Press

Datsyuk of the Red Wings had a goal and two assists as Russia won the hockey world championship Sunday by defeating Slovakia 6-2. Russia returned to the title after finishing fourth last year.

Russia back on top, defeats Slovakia 6-2 in final (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

HELSINKI (AP) Russia won the world championship Sunday by defeating Slovakia 6-2.

Boston Bruins at the World Championship Update for May 20: Fan's Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Boston Bruins fans have two things to be proud of at the conclusion of the 2012 IIHF World Championship: Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. They both leave Finland as medalists and Chara even paid tribute to a departed friend while receiving his accolades.

Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk has goal, two assists as Russia wins gold medal at World Championships

Source: MLive.com by Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com

"It's hard to win the Stanley Cup every year. My Cup is that we won gold here," Datsyuk said.

Russia beat Slovakia 6-2 to win ice hockey world title (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Russia battled from a goal down to win the world championship on Sunday, beating 2002 champions Slovakia 6-2 in the final.

Can NY Rangers win Stanley Cup with Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh playing so many minutes? (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Rangers' 3-goalie system of Lundqvist, Girardi and McDonagh watches the play develop at the other end. Winning the Stanley Cup Final is as much about overcoming attrition as it is about overmatching your opponent. Often times, a team's ability to minimize fatigue and damage in rounds 1-3 can determine the outcome of round 4. This in mind, I worry about Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh. Tortortella's Fellas block a lot of shots, and Girardi and McDonagh lead the way in this regard. The duo combined to get hit by 387 pucks during the regular season -- 4.7 per game -- and they've picked up the pace since, averaged a combined 6.3 shot blocks this postseason. Girardi's blocked 54; McDonagh's blocked 53. The third-ranked postseason shot-blocker is Willie Mitchell, with 39. This is a lot to put the body through. But Girardi and McDonagh's issue goes beyond simply racking up the contusions. They also play nearly half the game. Both are up over 460 minutes already this postseason: Girardi has played 465:03; McDonagh has played 461:21, a full 30 minutes more than Marc Staal, the third-busiest postseason skater. Let's put this into further perspective.

Memorial Cup opening loss draws the ire of Saint John coach Gerard Gallant (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Memorial Cup opening loss draws the ire of Saint John coach Gerard Gallant

Sunday Open Thread: It's the End of the Worlds as We Know it (and LA Feels Fine)

Source: Winging It In Motown by J.J. from Kansas

Welcome to the Sunday open thread. As I type this, they're deciding who will win the bronze at the world with the Czechs currently up on Valtter Filppula's Finnish team through 2. Pavel Datsyuk's Russian squad will face off against Tomas Tatar's Slovaks a bit later. The game will be live at 1:30, but it will be replaying on NBCSN at 9:00. If your plan is to watch it tonight, be aware there may be spoilers ahead.

Later, we'll see if the Kings can win their 9th straight playoff game and complete their 2nd straight sweep of a higher seed.

Phoenix Coyotes (3) vs. Los Angeles Kings (8) - 3:00 NBC: Game 4 between LA and Phoenix drops puck at noon local time in the Staples Center. at 7:30 in LA, the Spurs and Clippers play

Ted Kulfan: L.A. Kings' success doesn't surprise Red Wings' Kyle Quincey

Source: The Detroit News by Ted Kulfan

As good as the Kings looked against Vancouver, they have looked unbeatable since. Then again, well, they haven't been beaten. The Kings swept No. 2 seed St. Louis and are on the verge of doing the same thing to Phoenix.

Russia will face Slovakia for world hockey championship

Source: The Detroit News by Associated Press

Russia and Slovakia will meet in the world hockey championship final Sunday for the first time since the Slovaks won their only title a decade ago against the Russians. On Saturday, Russia beat Finland, 6-2, and Slovakia beat the Czech Republic, 3-1.

Saturday's NHL roundup: Rangers pull away from Devils, take 2-1 series lead

Source: The Detroit News by Associated Press

Henrik Lundqvist had 36 saves, and Dan Girardi, Chris Kreider and Ryan Callahan scored third-period goals to lead the Rangers to a 3-0 win over the Devils in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Pavel Datsyuk and Russia to face Tomas Tatar and Slovakia in World Championships gold-medal game

Source: MLive.com by Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com

Valtteri Filppula and Finland will play Czech Republic for bronze medal Sunday.

Saturday Open Thread

Source: Winging It In Motown by J.J. from Kansas

If you woke up a lot earlier than I did, you already saw the result of the Russia-Finland game this morning. The Czechs and Slovaks are still due up, as is actual NHL Playoff action. Go Tatar.

New York Rangers (1) vs. New Jersey Devils (6) - 1:00 NBC: The Eastern series takes the national stage this afternoon tied 1 game apiece. The Devils were able to take away the home ice advantage from the Rangers thanks to a hard-fought 3-2 victory on Wednesday. Now that the games are in Newark, I wonder if it will be easier for the Devils to get into the penalty box.

Blueshirt Banter (Rangers)
In Lou We Trust

LA Kings fight excitement about playoff run (The Associated Press)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Dwight King has been living in a hotel since the Los Angeles Kings recalled him from the minors just over three months ago, and the playoff hero isn't about to move out of his temporary digs.

Retire or return? No decision yet from Red Wings captain Lidstrom

Source: The Detroit News by Ted Kulfan - The Detroit News

Warren— Nicklas Lidstrom is no closer to making a decision on his future with the Red Wings.

MLive Media Group to launch new commenting platform

Source: MLive.com by Jen Eyer | jeyer@mlive.com

MLive Media Group is proud to announce the launch of a new commenting platform with features to serve a diverse and engaged user community. The new platform, which will launch early next week, features comments that update in real time,...

Quick Hits: Vote For Pavel...Again

Source: Winging It In Motown by JeffHancock41

Hockeytown, No Limits

NHL13 Cover Vote Presented by BlackBerry
VOTE FOR PAVEL...AGAIN.

Poll: Are Detroit Red Wings fans spoiled? | MLive.com
Yes, but so what. To whom much is given, much is expected.

BY THE NUMBERS: Brad Stuart - Detroit Red Wings - News
They forgot the number 2,430....the miles it takes to get

Poll: Are Detroit Red Wings fans spoiled?

Source: MLive.com by Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com

Red Wings success over the last 20 years is unmatched in the NHL.

Thursday's NHL notebook: Win provides Kings a stranglehold on series

Source: The Detroit News by Greg Beacham Associated Press

Dwight King scored the tiebreaking goal early in the third period, Jonathan Quick made' saves, and the Kings rolled to the brink of their first Stanley Cup final in' years.

BY THE NUMBERS: Brad Stuart

Source: NHL.com

Boston Bruins at the World Championship Update for May 17: Fan's Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Boston Bruins fans will get to enjoy a different kind of deep playoff run as the two Bruins in the IIHF World Championship advance to the semifinals and keep their medal hopes alive. Sure, it's not the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but either Zdeno Chara or David Krejci could very well bring their home country some glory soon.

Hands Off my Hanzal: Let's Watch the Kings Play Hockey (Open Thread)

Source: Winging It In Motown by J.J. from Kansas

So Martin Hanzal won't be playing tonight because he didn't let up on a hit where he should have let up which ended up in a Kings player being launched face-first into the boards in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals. Fortunately, Shane Doan will be playing, despite not letting up on a hit where he should have let up which ended up in a Kings player being launched face-first into the boards (and I don't care about Trevor Lewis "turning", Doan has a history of suspensions and absolutely finished his check when he could have let up).

Phoenix Coyotes (3) vs. Los Angeles Kings (8) - 9:00 NBCSN: Phoenix lost their minds as a team during Game 2 and the Kings were more than willing to let them do that so they could take a

United States, Canada out of World Championships after being upset in quarterfinals

Source: MLive.com by Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com

Sweden also lost, leaving just two Detroit Red Wings (Valtteri Filppula and Pavel Datsyuk) in the tournament.

Finns, Russia go through, Slovaks upset Canada (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Holders Finland advanced to the semi-finals of the world ice hockey championships with a last-gasp winner against the United States on Thursday, but Olympic champions Canada were shocked by Slovakia.

Niklas Kronwall and the "New" Definition of Charging

Source: Winging It In Motown by J.J. from Kansas

Niklas Kronwall is known around the league for being an unassuming-yet-dangerous open ice hitter. The veteran Detroit blueliner patrols the entire surface, but he's most well-known for crushing checks on unsuspecting forwards who are turning from the half-boards to exit their own zone on transition.

Tuesday, at the IIHF World Hockey Championship, Latvian forward Kaspars Saulietis learned all about Kronwall.

Saulietis had to be helped off the ice and did not return to the game. Kronwall was not penalized on the hit, another in a line of big hits laid by the Swedish defender which toes the line with the rules of both NHL and international play, but is ruled allowable. The question becomes how much longer will this

Red Wings also enjoyed a successful season off the ice

Source: Red Wings Blog by Ted Kulfan

The Red Wings had success on the ice this season, and off the ice as well. The Wings said in a press release earlier this week the team had its best attendance in five years, and expanded its commitment to the community by spending more than 1,000 hours in the community visiting over 100 local… Continue reading →

Jurco hopes to finish on high note

Source: NHL.com

With Canadian Hockey League age restrictions necessitating constant roster turnover and with upwards of 60 teams competing to hoist it every year, the Memorial Cup is arguably the most difficult trophy to win in all of sports. As such, only a hand...

Detroit Red Wings: Revisiting the 2001-02 NHL Season

Source: Bleacher Report

They were arguably the most talented NHL team of all-time. 

Littered with future Hall-of-Famers, they cruised through the regular season and the playoffs en route to the franchise's 10th Stanley Cup overall and third in six seasons.

The NHL has not seen a team with this much star power since that season, and they may not see one ever again.

And all of this is a good sign for the 2012-13 Red Wings.

Begin Slideshow

NHL Fan Survey

Source: Winging It In Motown by Amerinadian

NHL Fan Survey

Geoff from Broad Street Hockey has devised an interesting little survey designed to get fans' opinions on whether they feel their team is biased against and the perception that other teams are favoured. I highly recommend you fill out the survey honestly, because he will be publishing the results at a later date.

Detroit Red Wings: 8 Questions Facing the Team This Summer

Source: Bleacher Report

The Detroit Red Wings postseason ended abruptly. Five games in and the team was at home on the couch watching.

But even more abrupt are the questions that the team is posed with during the upcoming offseason.

Free agency, re-signing current roster players and letting other players walk are all part of decisions that will be made before July 1st.

Let's examine eight questions that Ken Holland will have to answer before during free agency.

Begin Slideshow

Quick Hits: All Tied Up

Source: Winging It In Motown by JeffHancock41

Hockeytown, No Limits

NHL Insider: Red Wings might look deeper into free-agent pool | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com
Barret Jackman....aaahahahahahahahahahahahah douche.

All Detroit Red Wings playing in World Championships reach medal round | MLive.com
Maybe a few Wings will actually win a championship this year.

Ted Kulfan: NHL Insider: Red Wings might look deeper into free-agent pool

Source: The Detroit News by Ted Kulfan

Let's forget about Ryan Suter and Zach Parise for a moment. Judging from the reaction of Wings fans, that's difficult to do considering they are the two prospective unrestricted free agents the Wings apparently care about.

Wednesday's NHL notebook: Devils rally past Rangers

Source: The Detroit News by Ira Podell Associated Press

David Clarkson's deflected goal 2:31 into the third period snapped a tie and lifted the Devils to a 3-2 victory over the Rangers that evened the Eastern Conference finals at one game apiece on Wednesday night.

Red Wings still planning on pospects tournament, but only if NHL, players union agree on new CBA

Source: MLive.com by Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com

Club will decide in August whether to cancel the annual event in Traverse City.

Is Philadelphia Flyers Goalie Ilya Bryzgalov Rooting for the Phoenix Coyotes?: Fan's Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Philadelphia Flyers acquired the rights to former Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov last June and then signed him to a long-term contract. With a performance that often appeared to be pressured during his first season in orange and black, he and his team are philosophically considering this a hockey year to build on.

Wednesday Night Eastern Conference Finals Open Thread

Source: Winging It In Motown by J.J. from Kansas

Hey, the Rangers and Devils have plans tonight. I wonder if any of those plans involve losing their composure like the Coyotes did last night. Fortunately, Shane Doan is too nice to the press to suspend.

New Jersey Devils (6) vs. New York Rangers (1) - 8:00 NBCSN: No two ways about it, the Rangers outclassed the Devils in Game 1 on their way to a 3-0 shutout. New Jersey will have to do just about everything better. Maybe we could drum up some controversy if we assume that one goalie or another is asking his team to aim shots directly at the heads of their opponents. Would that work, you guys?

Blueshirt Banter (Rangers)

How the Last 13 Stanley Cup Champions Didn't Repeat, Part 3: Fan's Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

In the past 13 years, all 13 Stanley Cup champions fell short of raising the Cup another consecutive time. The first part of this series looked at how the champions from 1999, 2000 and 2001 failed to repeat. Last week, part two studied how the 2002, 2003 and 2004 champions missed the chance to win again. This week, part three explains how the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 champions were undone the next year.

All Detroit Red Wings playing in World Championships reach medal round

Source: MLive.com by Brendan Savage | bsavage@mlive.com

Every quarterfinal game features at least one one of the Red Wings in the tournament.

The 10 best Sports Illustrated Stanley Cup Playoff covers (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The National Hockey League has appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated — either the main mag or on a commemorative issue — 114 times, according to the SI Vault archive. Sometimes, it was a quick mention on a cover … Continue reading →

Alexander Semin won't return to Washington; should Red Wings pursue enigmatic talent?

Source: MLive.com by Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com

Talented right wing has a lot of offensive ability, but also has some baggage.

Quick Hits: Kronwalling Around the World

Source: Winging It In Motown by JeffHancock41

Hockeytown, No Limits

Rumors Linking Red Wings, Alexander Semin Already Popping Up - SB Nation Detroit
No thank you.

Jimmy Howard wins fifth game for Team USA; Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen score for Sweden | MLive.com
Your daily World Championship update.

Tuesday's NHL notebook: Kings blank Coyotes to take 2-0 lead in series

Source: The Detroit News by Ira Podell Associated Press

Glendale, Ariz. — Jeff Carter scored three goals, Jonathan Quick stopped 24 shots and the Los Angeles Kings matched an NHL record with their seventh straight road playoff victory, beating the Phoenix Coyotes 4-0 Tuesday night to take control of Western Conference finals.

U.S. beats Switzerland at ice hockey worlds

Source: The Detroit News by Associated Press

The Anaheim Ducks' Bobby Ryan scored the first goal for the United States in the second period and Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard had 25 saves as the U.S. defeated Switzerland, 5-2, at the ice hockey world championships Tuesday in Helsinki.

Inside the Los Angeles Kings Twitter feed, social media sensation of NHL playoffs (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

How many times has Dewayne Hankins been called "classless" during the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs? "Yes … oh, gosh, a million times," he said. "It's so funny what people throw around as classless. But it's all in good fun. You're … Continue reading →