Scotty Bowman heads to Chicago
Shocked would probably the appropriate word to describe my feeling when I read the TSN headline “Blackhawks name Bowman to front office post.” How many times did we hear Scotty had turned down offers from both the Maple Leafs and the Blackhawks? We all were led to believe that Scotty was content where he was, happy with his “retirement.”
Am I upset he left for another team? Heck no. Bummed? Definitely.
But I can’t really stay bummed for too long because he’s done too many great things for the Wings to be anything but happy for Scotty and his new position. He led the charge and convinced Steve Yzerman to transform from an offensive powerhouse to one of the league’s top two-way players. He created the Russian Five. He brought the Cup back to Detroit after a 42 year drought. He returned that silver chalice a year later. He then made sure not to disappoint fans with a Hall of Fame line-up and got one of the best teams ever to win the Cup in 2002. Scotty has been there for our good times. I can only imagine how much help he was to Mike Babcock in his first years with the team. Scotty probably acted as the parent whose kid is riding a bike for the first time after graduating from training wheels. He believed that Babcock could successfully run this team, but he was running behind Babcock ready to assist him to make sure the team didn’t fall off or apart. With Babcock’s contract extension and his own Stanley Cup win, perhaps Scotty felt that Babcock no longer needed him running alongside cheering him on.
But what do I know about their relationship? I’ve only had two true interactions with this coaching genius. The first was at an autograph signing at Goalie’s Den the day after the Yzerman jersey retirement ceremony last January. He signed a used puck from the warm-ups of that game and my Yzerman jersey. He was kind to all of those waiting in line and was quite talkative to those who engaged him in a discussion of the game. My other interaction? Okay, let me preface it by explaining the following: at the Wings, there is a locked glass door that leads into the business offices with the PR offices being the closest to the door. So when someone knocks on the door, it’s the job of one of the PR interns to determine who it is and if they are allowed to come in. Well one day, I heard a knock. Quickly followed by four more loud knocks. Annoyed, I got up and turned the corner to see who was obnoxiously knocking on the door like that. And who could it be but Scotty Bowman himself. Ever since then, I never roll my eyes when I get up to “answer the door” because I never know who might show up.
Anyways, Scotty will certainly be missed around the Joe, but I certainly wish him the best of luck in Chicago as he finally unites with his son, the assistant general manager for the Blackhawks. I don’t know if I can say it much better than Wings GM Ken Holland:
“I really believe he’s going to Chicago for personal reasons,” Holland said. “I’d like to think professionally we offered him everything that he wanted, but I know he has his son involved in the Chicago Blackhawks. If you ever get a chance to work with your family, that’s special.”
Holland said the Wings are “indebted” to Bowman.
“He really allowed us to go from being a talented team in the mid-’90s to a championship team,” Holland said. “He came in and he drove our players. He made some moves as the director of player personnel to bring in Slava Fetisov. Who is ever going to forget that?
“Who is ever going to forget him putting together the Russian Five? Or Scotty really willing Steve Yzerman to become, in my opinion, the best two-way player in the game? And obviously the championships.”
Thank you Scotty for everything you did for this organization over the last 15 years. We honestly could not have done it without you.
Wings re-sign Filppula for five years
Yesterday as my work day neared an end, I went to my iGoogle page where I saw in my TSN.ca widget that the Wings re-signed Valtteri Filppula. I let out a quiet yelp of joy because this summer was going to have a happy ending. There would be no arbitration and GM Ken Holland took care of all of the key signings before August.
Let’s quickly recap this summer:
- Wings win the Stanley Cup. That alone makes any summer absolutely amazing.
- Dominik Hasek retires.
- Wings extend Mike Babcock’s contract extension for three years.
- Brad Stuart signs to stay with Detroit for another four years.
- Todd McLellan leaves to become the head coach of San Jose.
- Wings sign Ty Conklin on the first day of free agency.
- The shocker of the summer: Marian Hossa signs a one year deal with Detroit!
- Dallas Drake announces his retirement.
- The Chicago Blackhawks make an announcement that they will face the Wings on New Year’s at Wrigley Field.
- Wings re-sign Filppula for five years.
- Scotty Bowman leaves to advise Chicago. (Thanks to the Forechecker for reminding me to put this.)
Man, Wings’ fans have been pretty fortunate this summer, huh?
Now the deal is $15 million over five years, which costs us $3 million against the cap each season. I think most fans would agree that Filppula isn’t necessarily worth $2 million next season. Even Holland said that Filppula probably would’ve only received $1.5 million each season for two years in arbitration. So why is Filppula making $2 million this year? Holland believes that the $3.5 million Filppula will be making over the final three years of the contract will be a bargain.
“Fil does so many things that don’t show up on the scoreboard,” Holland said. “He’s versatile, a left wing-center. He’s got real good speed. He plays hard. He plays hurt. He’s got character. … Where’s he going to top out offensively? I don’t know that anyone knows.”
What are my thoughts? I think Filppula is just on the verge of a breakout season and this seems like just the year to do it.
Help Katie Fight: An Online Hockey Auction
I recently received a press release about an online hockey auction that is going on until August 7th with the proceeds going towards helping Katie, a Denver woman fighting Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
The auction begins today [July 28] and includes signed sticks, jerseys, pucks and pictures by current and former all-stars and Hall of Famers including Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Gordie Howe, Brendan Shanahan, Steve Yzerman, Patrick Roy and Evgeni Malkin. In addition, other sports memorabilia including signed jerseys and helmets from John Elway and Brett Favre are up for auction.
If those items are of an interest to you, please check out her online auction on eBay!
You can view Katie’s blog here.
A delayed look at the Wings schedule
Most people quickly look for the big games on the Wings 2008-2009 schedule. I’m not one of them. My first and only thought? How many Wings games conflict with Michigan football games? Last season, the Wings had a home game on the same day albeit later as the Wolverines-Buckeyes game. Other games have been on the same day, but one of the two teams would be on the road so it’s not a big deal. So when this year’s schedule was released, I quickly scanned it for any potential conflicts. The results? No Saturdays where both teams are at home (yay!).
Aug 30 / Michigan vs. Utah - No Wings Game
Sep 6 / Michigan vs. Miami (OH) - No Wings Game
Sep 13 / Michigan @ Notre Dame - No Wings Game
Sep 27 / Michigan vs. Wisconsin - No Wings Game
Oct 4 / Michigan vs. Illinois - Wings @ Toronto
Oct 11 / Michigan vs. Toledo - Wings @ Senators
Oct 18 / Michigan @ Penn State (4:30pm) - Wings vs. Rangers (7pm) [I will miss this UM road game]
Oct 25 / Michigan vs. Michigan State - Wings @ Blackhawks
Nov 1 / Michigan @ Purdue - No Wings Game
Nov 8 / Michigan @ Minnesota - Wings vs. Devils
Nov 15 / Michigan vs. Northwestern - No Wings Game
Nov 22 / Michigan @ Ohio State - Wings @ Flames
So now that the worry has been alleviated, it’s time to ask BTJ readers which game are you looking forward to the most (outside of seeing the banner raised & the Winter Classic)?
Kneed 4 Relief: A fundraising campaign
For my BTJ readers, you may have noticed a new development in the site’s design. In between the first and second posts, you will now find an advertisement for BetUS. They are an online sportsbook that lists hockey odds and lines among other things. Why am I mentioning this here? Well, BetUS has become our highest advertiser as of today and the proceeds from the BTJ ad sale are going towards something very close and dear to my heart.
About four months ago, I requested for approval for a medial meniscus transplant operation that I had hoped to have next summer. My insurance company denied my request arguing that the surgery was considered expiremental and they wouldn’t pay for it. I appealed two more times within BCBS and failed to overturn their denial. I then appealed to the Michigan board (an external review essentially). They too denied my request. So unless something miraculously changes, I have to raise $30,000 in the next 11 months so I can have a surgery I desperately need. As many of my readers know, I’ve had 9 knee surgeries and deal with chronic pain on a daily basis. I am not allowed to run, bike, swim, or even walk for exercise. I’m in constant pain and standing or walking for any length of time aggravates the knee. My surgeon, who is one of the first orthopedic surgeons to start performing this procedure over 21 years ago, believes that this surgery should reduce my pain by at least half of what it currently is. A reduction in pain by that much will hopefully prevent me from being in serious pain after shopping at the mall or standing at a UM football game. I will most likely never be able to run, but I would love to walk and stand without pain and maybe someday be able to swim or bike or use the elliptical with little pain.
Ok, so why am I telling you all of this? Well, I have started a fundraising campaign called Kneed 4 Relief to raise enough money to have my surgery by next summer. BetUS‘ advertising deal with BTJ gave the Kneed 4 Relief campaign a $500 start and is very much appreciated.
I am not someone who wants to ask for donations from my wonderful BTJ readers, but if anyone has even $5 that they could donate using the PayPal button below, I would be incredibly appreciative. I have created a page up top called Kneed 4 Relief and all of my donor supporters will be recognized there. If you have any questions about this campaign, my knee, the surgery, etc, I am more than happy to talk to you via email.
As this campaign rolls on, you will likely see more posts about it on BTJ. I hope to eventually put on an auction (whether it’s online or not still needs to be determined) where there should be numerous Red Wings items available so I will definitely make sure you all are aware of it when the plans have been cemented. I am also working on a blog just for the Kneed 4 Relief campaign, but it’s not ready just yet.
Thanks again to BetUS and to the BTJ readers for being understanding about why I decided to insert an advertisement in between the first two blog posts.
Wings to play Hawks at Wrigley Field
It’s finally official. The Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks will play on New Year’s Day next year in their 701st meeting at the historic Wrigley Field. The game is scheduled for 1pm (EST) and will be shown at NBC.
“I’ve been there once for a baseball game a few years ago,” Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby said. “It’s a chance of a lifetime, obviously with two Original Six teams playing in a ballpark with the history that Wrigley has. It’s going to be great, but everybody is going to have their fingers crossed for good weather to allow us to play on some good ice.”
Wrigley Field, the second oldest major league ballpark (after Boston’s Fenway Park), has been home to the Chicago Cubs since 1916. Cubs great Ernie Banks dubbed the ballpark the “Friendly Confines” for its intimate setting in the Wrigleyville neighborhood.
The New Year’s game will be the fourth meeting of the 2008-09 season between the Central Division foes. The game comes two days after the two clubs play at Joe Louis Arena on Dec. 30.
“The NHL is delighted to bring its most historic rivalry to one of the most historic venues in sports,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a staement. “We thank Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough for their vision. We thank Mike Ilitch and the Red Wings for their cooperation.”
I plan on attending my first Cubs game at Wrigley Field within the next month so I will get a feel for the ballpark before it’s transformed into an ice rink. Hopefully, I will be able to attend the Winter Classic either as a fan or an intern, but we’ll have to wait and see.
For Chicago, this is a great event. The Blackhawks will get a chance to showcase their rising team both on and off the ice. In addition, it will give the city of Chicago a chance to show the IOC how they can handle a big and unique event in their bid for the 2016 Olympics.
Red Wings adjust ticket prices
Yes, the Detroit Red Wings have adjusted their ticket prices for the upcoming season, but considering they just won the Stanley Cup it’s not bad at all and even cheaper in some cases.
Until August 4, season ticket holders have a chance to renew their seats for the current price. After August 4, those seats will cost $2 extra. The biggest changes are as follows:
A total of 1,869 tickets for seats in the upper bowl, which were priced at $44, have dropped to $33, while some $54 seats have gone down to $44.
And the first three rows off the ice in the lower bowl, which were $85 last season, have gone up to $125 (although the Wings stress they’re still the second-least-expensive such ticket in the league).
So if you have the really nice seats, you’re going to have to pay quite a bit extra next season for your seats. But if you are in the $44-$54 range (like my family), we could see a reduced rate which is great news with the struggling economy.
The Wings’ reasoning for the change in ticket prices?
Violetta said lowering the prices for some of those upper-bowl seats — which basically run from goal line to goal line — was done after research from this past season. Many of those seats were unsold as fans simply went to the next section up and bought $22 tickets.
When the Wings brought in Violetta, we have really seen a big change in how the Wings are doing things. They started doing the $1 hot dog nights, the giveaways, allowing season ticket holders to pay as they go in the postseason, and reducing the playoff ticket prices from the previous year. It’s great to see that this reducing prices measure (in some areas) will continue into next year despite the team winning the 2008 Stanley Cup.
Dallas Drake announces his retirement
After 16 seasons in the NHL culminating in a Stanley Cup win, Dallas Drake announced his retirement earlier today.
“I think it’s a good way for me to go out,” he said.
The 39-year-old Drake said he’s still mentally fit to play, but that “the wear and tear on my body” has become impossible to ignore.
“I just don’t recover very well anymore,” he said. “Physically, I’m done.”
Drake ended the 2006-07 season on the Blues’ injured reserve with a wrist injury. He has several minor injuries this season.
Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said Drake was “a big part of us winning the Stanley Cup this year.”
“The physical pounding that Dallas laid on the other teams’ defences is something we didn’t have in the last couple of years,” Holland said.
There were certainly points during the season where Detroit fans questioned the wisdom of Holland’s signing of Drake, but come playoff time we could certainly feel his veteran presence. Plus the team had a greater incentive to win the Cup for Drake so that didn’t hurt either. Congrats to Drake on a great career and a wonderful final NHL season!
Taking a Breather
As you may have noticed from the less frequent posting, I have been taking a bit of a breather after the free agency excitement and before the start of next season. I plan on posting more than I have in the past week, but until I leave Chicago on August 11th updates most likely won’t be daily.
I’m trying to get the most out of my internship in Chicago for the remaining weeks of my PR internship here so between our final project and the many things to see and do, I’ve been staying busy. Just the past three days, I have volunteered at the AVP Tour this weekend and the Chicago 2016 Bid Dinner yesterday.
Me with a friend before the woman’s final on Sunday. The final consisted of the two teams that will represent the US in beach volleyball next month in Beijing. Kerri Walsh & Misty May, the 2004 gold medalists, won in three games. It was May’s 100th open win, which is a huge accomplishment. Following the match, they signed autographs and took photos with the fans so I got a nice souvenir out of the deal as well. On Saturday, I shagged balls for nine hours for both mens’ and womens’ matches during the day.
Photo courtesy of Crain’s Chicago Business.
Just last night, I volunteered for the Chicago 2016 bid dinner at Millennium Park in which they raised $12 million toward their Olympic bid efforts. I was a hospitality volunteer so I got to hang out in the VIP tent during dinner with the who’s who of Chicago including the mayor and supposedly some Chicago pro athletes (but I’m afraid I didn’t recognize them as they walked past me). None of the athletes were hockey players, which probably explains my lack of knowledge. After the dinner, they attended the nice ceremony with music and a reflection of Jesse Owens that culminated with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the 200+ volunteers carrying the flags of the representative countries. I enjoyed the experience and it was great hearing not only how excited the mayor was (this Olympic bid is his baby, his hopeful legacy to the city of Chicago) but how much the volunteers wanted to see their city get the bid.
Is Lilja on the trading block?
Thanks to George @ Snapshots, I was able to read the transcript of the WDFN interview with GM Ken Holland. While the entire interview makes for an interesting read, the most intriguing part is below:
Mike Stone: You mention defense, I was kind of surprised that you re-signed Lilja. Not that I think that he’s bad or anything like that, but, with the three young kids, Meech, Quincey, and Ericsson, I really thought this was going to be the year they’d really get to play a lot, and I was kind of surprised. Talk about the reason you decided to re-up with Anders…
Ken Holland: Well… (pauses) Um, we like the kids; are they ready to go? You know, our feeling is, we’re gonna go to camp; we’ve really got ten defensemen that we think can play, now, are gonna be NHL defensemen. We’ve got four kids on the back end, Lebda, Quincey, Meech, and Ericsson, Kindl’s probably a year away…
Lilja’s an insurance policy. If they’re not quite ready, he can play; if they are ready, then we’ll have to make some decisions on, everybody’s looking for defense. We’re not gonna have any problem if we want to make a trade in training camp. You know, on the defense, we’re talking about, they all make, you know, Lilja’s the highest-paid player at a million-and-a-quarter, everybody and lower, I don’t see that we’re going to have any problem making a deal. Let’s get to training camp, let’s evaluate where we’re at with those kids, and we’re basically, I guess, we’ve deferred to make that decision in September instead of in June.
I must say that Holland’s remarks make me feel better. I must admit I was surprised when Lilja was signed before the first day of free agency, but if we had been unable to re-sign Brad Stuart it would have been important to lock him up. I’m just relieved that Holland sees Lilja as an insurance policy and that there is a strong possibility for a younger player like Ericsson to make the squad allowing Holland to put Lilja on the trading block.
As Holland did with the signing of Ty Conklin, he likes to see the players earn their roster spot by signing on someone to act as their competition. The Wings are fortunate in that they can allow players to take their time developing in their respective leagues so there’s no rushing players up to the big league.
I wonder why I ever doubt Holland. The man is a genius and his reasoning of late certainly has proven sound. It wouldn’t surprise me if he could get Hossa locked up for long-term as a Hockey News columnist would suggest.