On the Wings

On the Wings has moved

Published on 2006-10-30 12:27:00

On the Wings has moved to its own domain: onthewingsblog.com. All future updates will be here but this site will remain for archive purposes. Please update your bookmarks!

Great resource: The Hockey Recap

Published on 2006-10-19 19:28:00

If you're looking for quick information on last night's games, go here. (via Mirtle)

Filppula Called Up

Published on 2006-10-19 18:33:00

The Red Wings today called up forward Valterri Filppula after the injury to Brad Norton. Norton has a left shoulder injury suffered in last night's game against Anaheim. If he arrived in time, he could be in the lineup tonight. In two games with Grand Rapids, Filppula has recorded one goal and one assist, with a rating of +1. Also, Brett Lebda will replace Anreas Lilja tonight.

Malik: Wings’ Foul-Out Endemic Of An Arrogant Organization

Published on 2006-10-19 17:28:00

George Malik continues his practice of posting excellant columns on Kukla's Korner with this critique of the Wings' PR department. He gets a lot right in the first section, where he accuses the organization of arrogance. I do think, however, he somewhat overestimates the response the team would receive if they were to change its ways. Hockeytown has become more and more Pistonstown and Tigerstown lately, and I suspect it will be hard to return to the glory days of Wings fanship.

Greg Johnson Retires

Published on 2006-10-11 17:30:00

Due to his heart ailment, Greg Johnson has retired from the NHL. I don't want to blame Ken Holland too much on this one, other than the fact that a physical could've been demanded prior to signing him. And catching the ailment before signing him would've allowed the Wings the cap space to go out and get a young forward. Obviously this is all in hindsight and neither Johnson nor Holland saw this coming. Enjoy your retirement, Greg, and I hope your condition improves.

Griffins Update

Published on 2006-10-06 16:36:00

This is a new feature at On The Wings that Matt has asked me to write. Hopefully, I will write about once a week just to report what’s going on with the Wings AHL affiliate. The Grand Rapids Griffins are made up of players assigned by either Detroit or Edmonton, as well as a few with AHL contracts. I will focus mainly on Detroit prospects, though the general success of the team will be reported. Tonight is the Griffins season opener. They play the San Antonio Rampage in San Antonio at 8:00

Don't write about hockey, Drew Sharp

Published on 2006-10-06 08:48:00

Sharp got his annual "let's bash hockey and the Wings" column in today's Free Press. Go read it if you can stomach it. Favorite bit of editorial wit: But change hit home like a cold slap Thursday. Steve Yzerman took the ice in only a ceremonial role. Brendan Shanahan was opening on Broadway. And the goalie that everyone in Detroit truly wanted was on the ice.The problem was he played for the other team. Yes, Drew, the first two were definite slaps to the face but you're speaking for yourself on

Shanahan gets 600th goal

Published on 2006-10-06 08:15:00

I really would have loved to have seen that. I wish he could have gotten those two goals while still in Detroit. Congratulations, Shanny! As for the Wings, they lost last night and didn't look good while doing it, though it was still great to watch them again. Definitely a lot of rust, for just about everyone on the team. Hopefully they'll be better on Saturday against the Pens. It was very strange to see Lidstrom wearing the "C," but Draper and Zetterberg look good with the "A." Now I have to

Wings final roster set

Published on 2006-10-02 14:40:00

Brad Horton made the cut as the 13th forward, as the players preferred. So, the team will look like this: Forwards Dan Cleary Pavel Datsyuk Kris Draper Johan Franzen Brad Horton Tomas Holmstrom Jiri Hudler Tomas Kopecky Robert Lang Kirk Maltby Mikael Samuelsson Jason Williams Henrik Zetterberg Defensmen Chelios Chelios Niklas Kronwall Brett Lebda Nicklas Lidstrom Andreas Lilja Danny Markov Mathieu Schneider Goalies Dominik Hasek Joey MacDonald Chris Osgood

Kubina may be suspended for shot at Hudler

Published on 2006-10-02 12:30:00

Update (7:39 PM): The TSN article has been updated to say that Kubina has, in fact, been suspended for Toronto's first regular season game. He'll forfeit $26,737.97 in pay. - Matt The Leafs' Pavel Kubina was assessed a match penalty during last night's exhibition game in Toronto (a 3-2 shootout win for the Wings) for a cross-check to Jiri Hudler's face. Now, the league is reviewing the play and may suspend the defenseman for at least Toronto's season opener against the Senators. I only caught

Wings give Ken Holland and Jim Nill 3-year Extensions

Published on 2006-09-29 15:17:00

It looks like the Red Wings organization is buying into the offseason "success" that Ken Holland had...I would've liked to see the Wings wait until the end of the '06-'07 season, and at that point either re-sign Holland or give Nill the GM position. We can't expect Jim Nill to be assistant GM forever...

TSN: Konowalchuk announces retirement

Published on 2006-09-29 12:23:00

Yes, I know he's a Colorado player but it's relevant because Greg Johnson is in a similar position. I expect we'll be hearing about his retirement pretty soon.

Bootland sent back to Grand Rapids

Published on 2006-09-28 04:23:00

It's bad news for the lady fans in Detroit but good news for Darryl's large female fanclub in GR, as long as he clears waivers. Booter may have literally fought his way out of a roster spot, because the Wings could obviously use a physical presence. However, they don't necessarily need a fighter in today's NHL. Update (5:49 AM): Um, I see now that Bootland did, in fact, clear waivers, in case you were worried. Update (3:53 PM): Joe Conklin of The Grand Rapids Press has more on Bootland here.

Bob McKenzie: Johnson may retire

Published on 2006-09-27 18:42:00

"Sources say Johnson may soon have to announce his retirement, but he is seeking secondary medical opinions to be sure." I don't see how any doctor could clear him to play if another told him he couldn't. I've been skeptical of the whole Johnson deal all along but in reality, he would have been helpful to have (I'm still not convinced he was the best acquistion the Wings could have made but anyway...) so it's a shame they would have his servises. The good news, though, is that his condition was

Steve Yzerman named Red Wings Vice President

Published on 2006-09-25 13:38:00

So, he won't be Ken Holland's right-hand man, he'll be Jimmy Devellano's. It's fitting, given the fact that Jimmy D is the man who drafted The Captain in 1983. Pretty good first post-career job, I'd say. Congratulations, Stevie!

Khan: Markov has slight MCL sprain

Published on 2006-09-23 00:59:00

So, two of our big acquistions are having medical issues. Great.

AP: Wings to name new captain at opener

Published on 2006-09-21 21:38:00

I highly doubt the final decision will come as much of a surprise. It really doesn't seem likely that it would be anyone other than Lidstrom. Also, the season begins two weeks from today so regular posting will be coming soon. Expect a season preview in the week leading up to the opener on October 5th.

Johnson to miss camp due to abnormal EKG

Published on 2006-09-16 14:32:00

The news that he failed his Thursday physical broke yesterday and was followed up by the Wings assuring us that they are not concerned. Now, they aren't taking any chances, given what happened to Jiri Fischer. Hopefully, everything's okay.

Anson Carter signs with Columbus

Published on 2006-09-13 20:07:00

He'll get $2.5 million for one year, again making either the Franzen or the Johnson signing look silly.

Buy ten Wings tickets, get two Jan 2nd seats

Published on 2006-09-12 09:54:00

Simply select the game(s) that you would like to attend, purchase a minimum of 10 individual single seats in any combination (10 to one game, 1 to 10 games, etc.)* and guarantee yourself 2 upper bowl seats side by side** for this memorable event! * All 10 or more singles must be purchased in 1 order to qualify for Steve Yzerman Night seats. ** Seat locations will be based on availability. Um, is it just me or do they seem a little desperate to sell tickets? That little deal is a tad e

The Final Piece in the Puzzle: Devereaux to attend camp

Published on 2006-09-09 13:23:00

Yes, that's right, Boyd "Devoid" Devereaux is attending the Detroit Red Wings' training camp. There's the offensive punch we've been looking for! A 23-goal scorer returns to the team! Yeah! Oh wait.... that was over 256 games.... Why, oh why, Kenny?

Journal News: Shanahan getting a head start

Published on 2006-09-08 08:13:00

Sam Weinman catches up with the former Red Wing as he settles into his new life as a Ranger.

Red Wings Season Ticket Availability

Published on 2006-09-05 20:26:00

(Click image for full size version) It looks like the recent success of the Pistons and Tigers has shortened the season ticket waitlist for Wings tickets considerably. It's been three years since I signed up for the waitlist, and back then it was a rumored 10 year wait for season tickets. Has anyone else gotten the letter?

The Captain's #19 to be retired January 2nd, 2007

Published on 2006-08-30 13:57:00

The CP is reporting that the one-hour jersey retirement ceremony will take place before the Wings' Jan. 2nd game versus the Anaheim Ducks. Steve Yzerman's jersey will be the 6th to be retired by the Wings and will join Terry Sawchuk's #1, Ted Lindsay's #7, Gordie Howe's #9, Alex Delvecchio's #10 and Sid Abel's #12 in the rafters of Joe Louis Arena. If you want tickets to that game, camp out on your computer the night they are released because they'll be gone very quickly, I'm sure. It's either

Dumont to Nashville for two years, $4.5 million

Published on 2006-08-29 13:42:00

Sure makes either the Franzen and Johnson signings seem even more redundant, eh? Dumont could have been ours, had the Wings not signed one of those two. Ah well.