Red Wings raise over $30,000
Last Friday was breast cancer awareness night at the Joe. It was a very busy game for the PR/Community Relations department, but it seems to have paid off after the team raised over $30,000 between the silent auction, puck draw, and merchandise sales of items like the pink pins (which are still available at JLA) and the pink tracksuit-type tops.
“It was great to see how everyone pulled together to support this important cause,†said captain Nicklas Lidstrom. “There are so many people who have been affected by breast cancer and I’m proud our team could do something to assist local families battling this disease.â€
Wings 2, Oilers 1
A game recap is up at Winging It In Motown.
Breast cancer awareness night
Tonight as the Wings take on the San Jose Sharks at home, the organization will do its part to raise awareness about the fight against breast cancer.
If you’re going to the game, make sure you get there early as the players’ wives will be selling pucks for $20 in their Puck Draw. You won’t know who’s puck you’re going to get, but it’s only $20 and the money is going towards a great cause. One person will get a puck signed in gold and they will get to meet that player following the game.
Here’s the rest of the activities going on around the Joe:
The team will host breast cancer patients, survivors and their families in an executive suite at the game. In addition, the Red Wings’ coaches and front office staff will wear pink ties as part of the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer campaign and several Wings players will use pink tape on their sticks during the pre-game warm-ups. The ties and sticks will be individually autographed and auctioned off during the silent auction on the arena concourse behind Section 115. Other silent auction items include:
Autographed pink sticks used by Red Wings players
Chris Osgood’s game worn jersey from the January 2, 2007 game retiring Steve Yzerman’s jersey
Tickets to upcoming shows at the Fox Theatre
Other planned activities and opportunities for fans
Red Wings Breast Cancer Awareness items available at merchandise stands throughout the concourse, including:DRW breast cancer awareness pins
DRW women’s breast cancer zip-up jackets
DRW pink breast cancer hatsWear Pink!
All fans in attendance who wear pink will be eligible to win autographed Red Wings’ memorabilia. The fan with the best pink attire will win an autographed Chris Chelios jersey!
Markov signs with Russian team
Former Wings defenseman Danny Markov has reportedly signed with the Russian team, Dynamo Moscow, for two years. According to Paul at Kukla’s Korner, the salary is $1.8 million after tax.
Draper signs three year extension
The Detroit Red Wings have locked up veteran forward Kris Draper for three more years worth $4.75 million. Upon the conclusion of that contract, I’d expect Draper to retire as he’s 36 years old right now.
The yearly hit against the salary cap is $1.583. He was making $2.1 million this season. According to TSN, this is what Draper will be making in each of the next three seasons.
The deal will play him $1.85 million next season, $1.65 million in 2009-10, and $1.25 million in the 2010-11 campaign.
Hasek talks to himself during games
I have to go to class so the game recap won’t be coming until after I get back, but this quote in Bruce MacLeod’s article was just too funny.
“You don’t like to play games like that because you feel like you cannot get into the game,” said Detroit netminder Dominik Hasek, who had time during the game to come up with a humorous slant on his evening. “During timeouts, I took the puck and looked at the puck. I don’t see the puck too much in front of me, so I just put the puck in front of the crease and just looked at it. ‘Be sure you stop it the next time you see it’.“
Wings pushed for 84 game schedule
According to TSN, the Detroit Red Wings had pushed for an 84 game schedule for the upcoming season. This schedule would cap the preseason games at six while allowing home and away games against every team in the opposite conference. The league’s board of governors meets next month and Gary Bettman will present a schedule for the group to vote on.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks were supporters of the concept, which was delivered to most NHL owners and the commissioner’s office.
According to sources, Bettman persuaded Detroit to stop the campaign to increase the number of games from 82 to 84, as it was for two seasons during the early 1990s.
Politically, the timing isn’t right. Although, it’s believed the Red Wings intend to re-visit the plan in the future.
Sources say Bettman was not pleased with the way the NHL schedule was so hotly and openly contested by league executives last season and intends to keep a lid on public debate this year.
Personally, I like the idea of an 84 game schedule. Yes it’s two more games than what we’re currently seeing, but the number of preseason games will be really shortened (I believe I worked six home preseason games this year). I also love the concept of seeing every Eastern Conference team at the Joe each season especially when it comes to Toronto, New York, Montreal, and Pittsburgh visiting Detroit.
Lidstrom to sign an extension?
The blog Brochu is Hockey reports that Aftonbladet, a Swedish newspaper, is saying Nicklas Lidstrom is about to sign a two year extension with the Red Wings. I haven’t read this anywhere else so this is just speculation, but it would be great if GM Ken Holland could get Lidstrom signed up for another couple years this early in the season. I have read in the Detroit Free Press that Holland hopes to sign Lidstrom, Dan Cleary, and Kris Draper to extensions, but have not heard that the two sides were this close by any Detroit media.
According to Aftonbladet, Niklas Lidstrom is close to signing a two-year extension with the Detroit Red Wings. The Norris Trophy winner has been in negotiations with the Red Wings and a deal could be struck soon. “I can a lot well intend myself to extend and to continue after this season. I know myself still fresh in the body and is motivated,” said Lidström to the Swedish News Agency. Lidstrom’s contract ends after this season.
If anyone knows of a good online translator from Swedish to English, it’d be much appreciated!
Drake to miss two games this week
Veteran forward Dallas Drake will miss the two home games this week after suffering a hairline fracture in his left cheekbone in a game against San Jose last week. He is expected to travel with the team next week when they head to western Canada for a three game road trip.
“No surgery is required,†Holland said. “The doctor has ruled him out Wednesday and Friday. The doctor wants him to take a week from the time of the injury to give it time to heal.â€
Drake will see the doctor again on Friday. When he does return, Drake will be wearing a full face shield until the injury heals.
Despite his injury, Drake signed autographs last night at Hockeytown Authentics from 6-8pm.
10/23 - Quick Links
A few new posts I’ve written for other blogs…
No Yzerman retirement DVD in near future