Dats Steals Another Selke, Jimmy Gets No Love in Las Vegas

The NHL Awards have once again come and gone, and while some things change, many things stayed the same when the names were announced for the winners of the prestigious trophies. Pavel Datsyuk was up for two awards: the Lady Byng for most gentlemanly player, as well as the Frank J. Selke trophy for best defensive forward, a nomination he shared with fellow Red Wing Henrik Zetterberg. Another Detroit player, goaltender Jimmy Howard, was nominated for the Calder trophy for rookie of the year.

And so...on to the results:

Byng: While Dats has reigned over this award for many years, I've found that Pavel has been trying to shake the image that stereotypically haunts winners of the award. He's been much more physical in his game in recent years, and has developed a nice tendency to not take shit from anyone anymore. It was no surprise to me that Datsyuk's Byng-streak was brought to an end this year by Martin St. Louis. All in all: No big loss for me.

Selke: Come on, a Red Wing was winning this award and everyone knew it. Even if Datsyuk, who won the trophy, hadn't been selected then his teammate Hank would have been the shoe-in. These two are the core of Detroit's two-way system: Without Dats' constant puck-thievery and Zetterberg's amazing defensive awareness, the Wings D-Corps would find themselves severely overworked by opposition forces. All in all? I'm glad it was my man Dats, nothing against Hank but that kind of constant robbery deserves the recognition.

Calder: ...I have trouble finding words to say about how this went down. Jimmy Howard, the rookie EVERYONE--not just Wings fans--talked about, the rookie who stepped in when we had no other options left in the crease, the ROOKIE who CARRIED DETROIT TO THE PLAYOFFS with a phenomenal statline...was beaten by a shot-blocking defenseman on a team that may as well have missed the playoffs. Yes, Tyler Myers of the Sabres took the Calder from Jimmy, and much to everyone's surprise (I'm sure), I'm a bit miffed about it!! How do you snub the efforts of a rookie goaltender who had to put his whole team on his shoulders while putting out such good numbers so as to turn doubts about even MAKING post-season into a belief that the Wings could make something of these Playoffs?

I can't fathom it. Regardless of the accomplishments, neither Duchene or Myers acted as the lynch-pin for their team's playoff appearance. Take away either player and both their respective teams still have a shot at the Cup. Without Jimmy, I'm convinced that our fears would've been realized: Detroit would not have made the playoffs.

But I think there's an underlying reason as to why Jimmy didn't win the Calder that no one in the NHL will want to talk about: Dig out the tinfoil hats, but I don't believe that the league was ready to give the Calder to a player who just barely met the requirements of a rookie. If memory serves, this was the last year in which Jimmy Howard could be considered a rookie due to his age. I feel the NHL wanted to give the award to one of the other rookies based on the fact that they're younger and fit the rookie description better than Howard in their eyes. All in all? Disgusted. Jimmy put together what will be one of his best seasons on the last year he can qualify for the ONLY trophy you get just one chance at winning...and we got shafted again by a Jackman-knockoff.

Makes me glad I didn't stay home to watch it live.

NHL Wants Wings at ChiTown Banner-Raising? Fine By Me!

So it seems from what I've seen hearing across the internets that Detroit is going to be playing Chicago in the Hawks' home opener. The Red Wings will be subjected to the ungodly amounts of lingering bandwagoners squealing their lungs out for the remaining 5 players from the actual Stanley Cup Champion team who will still be on the roster come time for the game. Detroit will also watch the raising of the banner into the rafters and wonder why the hell it looks so barren and sparse up there, then remember that it's a road game and they aren't playing in the JLA.

Some Wings fans seem distressed/annoyed/violently ill about the fact that we have to be there for the Blackhawks' banner-raising game. Me? I love it. We get to beat the piss out of a team whose fanbase can't get over their obsession with the Wings (Really...that stupid chant even went off during your Cup parade? Somebody's missing the poooint...). In the midst of this, we get to ruin Chicago's big party for having done what everyone bitched that the Wings do: buy their Cup win.

My ideal scenario at the end of this game? An 11-4 Wings victory. Just sayin'.

Flyers Can't Take Punishment, Kane Beats Philly for Cup Win

The world of taxi driving can rest easy this summer: Patrick Kane has won the Chicago Blackhawks the Stanley Cup.

Kane pocketed a goal past goaltender Michael Leighton like loose change in the early stages of overtime to clinch the Cup victory for the Hawks, allowing the cabbie world a nationwide sigh of relief: what the hell could possibly get him so riled up to punch an unawares chauffeur now?

On a much brighter note, Jonathan Toews was awarded the Conn Smythe trophy, an accomplishment that even the high and mighty Sidney Crosby has not attained, giving the young Chicago captain more achievements in his just-beginning career than the Pittsburgh poster-boy. If there is any consolation for a Blackhawks Cup win for me, this is it right here.

Further, it should be noted that the Hossa curse has been lifted. Marion Hossa finally whored himself to the right team at the right time and proved that selling yourself all over the place can eventually bring you success. Look for there to be an increase in NTC's league-wide dissolving and a 100% jump in players looking to join some other team where they can be admired more. Fellow Blackhawk AND Detroit defector, Tomas Kopecky, will also have his name added to the Cup this year.

So now that this year of hockey has finally come to a close, Wings fans can stop worrying about irrelevant games that really have no effect on us, and get pumped to make a brand new run for the Cup next season.

Enjoy the Cup, Chicago. Only 20% of your team'll be back for next year, so have fun with that.

The Brett Lebda Departure Watch

It's only a matter of time now. After numerous seasons of what I felt were mediocre play, it looks like Detroit defenseman Brett Lebda has seen his last run with Hockeytown, and the suitors have already started lining up.

Reports already confirm that Lebs has turned down an offer handed him by Dynamo Minsk of the KHL, sources claim that talks broke down with the club after "the American" asked for too much money. We'll have to wait and see if any other Eurpoean teams have a deeper pocket and a thicker skull and offer Brett something more to his liking.

Or perhaps it'll be a team back here, in the NHL, who comes knocking for Lebda's...services. There always seems to be someone looking to add a piece of the Red Wings to themselves in hopes to better their own team. Heck, by next season maybe we'll see Lebs in Chicago, since that seems to be the place all reject Red Wings go nowadays. Or maybe he'll hook up for some binge parties in Philly with Ville.

Wherever he may go, he will be Lebda, and he will shine. Not brightly, only at about 55-60% efficiency, enough to make you wonder if it's time to change the bulb or not. Then before you know it, he's been there for 5 years. Ah well, time for some other club to walk around in the dim light that is Brett Lebda, Detroit's D-Corp will be looking much brighter next season.