Wings reporters return from hiatus
After an incredibly slow month between the hockey news and the hockey reporting by the Detroit media, they pretty much all returned from their summer hiatus today with numerous articles about a variety of issues.
Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News writes about how Nick Lidstrom (the leading candidate for captaincy) likes the team’s chances this year and doesn’t think that because Yzerman and Shanny left, the fans should lose hope.
“I would imagine people are thinking we lost two great players and may think we’re not as strong,” Lidstrom said. “But I think we’ll be just as strong as we were last season.
“We’ll be a similar team. We’ve added (Danny) Markov and he’ll help us on the back end. Having (Niklas) Kronwall for a whole year will help. Up front, guys will get an opportunity to play more. Guys will get more chances for ice time. Players will get an opportunity to produce.”
“If Dom can stay healthy he’s going to be, like last year (in Ottawa), one of the best goalies in the league,” Lidstrom said.
He also wrote in the News’ blog that Lidstrom has yet to talk to Holland or Yzerman, but that he has talked with Babcock.
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press wrote about the first mini practice before training camp, its relaxed atmosphere, and some quotes about why Lids would be a good captain or how he’d be honored to be captain.
It was a relaxed affair: Draper had his wife and kids meet him after practice. Lang brought along his Scottie, Mickey. The dog, though, proved to be the better behaved: He sat quietly in the locker room while his master jokingly blasted the team’s future captain. Seeing reporters gathered around Lidstrom (whom the Free Press reported last month would take over the “C” from Steve Yzerman), Lang laughed. …
“Nick is a guy that just goes out and leads by example,” Draper said. “You know you’re not going to get a lot of Nick verbally but night in and night out, he’s the top defenseman in the league and one of the top players in our sport.”
She also has an article about Zetterberg’s new clothing line, Zatacollection, that consists of sweatshirts, t-shirts, and hats. For the first three years, all profits will be donated to a sports club near his hometown in Sweden which is pretty great I think. I didn’t see Hasek do anything like that with his expensive clothing line, Dominator.
Well, I have to go to my second day of classes. I’ll update this post this evening when I return.
Update: Kulfan has his second article of the day up about Henrik Zetterberg’s wrist. Fortunately, the cortisone shot that Hank received was able to help improve the level of pain and discomfort. When I had a cortisone shot, it made it worse so I’m pleased that Hank’s wrist is feeling much better.
“The wrist hasn’t felt this good in a long time,” said Zetterberg after an informal workout Wednesday with some Wings. “It feels even better than it did before.”
Zetterberg said the injury has been bothering him for 3 years. He said it bothered him during the Calgary playoff series in 2004, and then throughout the NHL lockout season, which Zetterberg spent playing in Sweden.
“I just hope it stays like it is right now,” Zetterberg said. “It feels a lot better. Since the first practice (in mid-August) I don’t feel anything, so the doctor did a good job.”
Related Posts
Leave a Reply