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The post practice video game some interesting insight into what seemed like a less than ideal circumstance. Detroit started the year with 3 goalies and there was some interesting back and forth about the dynamic. LaLonde speaks openly about the original intent for Lyon to be the starter in Grand Rapids. As the season progressed more teams started to have injuries and the concern of a waiver pickup came into play. Everyone who has kept track knows that Husso’s injury presented an opportunity that Lyon has taken advantage of. In the final 7 game stretch Detroit is sitting just outside of the wildcard spot and Lyon is being credited as part of the reason for that station.
The press continues to talk to Edvinsson as the big man seems to have grown into a fixture on the regular roster. As he continues to learn the game and how to take advantage of his reach and physical attributes there seems to be a growing fondness for #77 amongst the reporters. It seems that he’ll likely start the season in Detroit next year as the trend of 19 and 20 year old prospects who aren’t subjected to the former “overripe” model seems to continue.
The Wings face the Rangers tomorrow with Buffalo, Washington and Pittsburgh all on the slate soon after. This final set of games doesn’t give the team the luxury of looking ahead. Pretty much each game has to be played “here and now” for a chance to see the post season. It will be butterflies to the end for the fans. The upside is proximity, the downside is a fairly crowded pack that all want to see post season action.
Speaking of post season, Arizona has apparently been slapped with some ultimatum action that has been cleared for release.
On March 20th this blog reported on some of the information coming out from the GM meetings. In relation to Florida:
Then something vastly impractical was announced: Arizona is staying in the college stadium for another year. The owner said he will be in the bidding for a parcel of land in the Phoenix area, but that bid isn’t until next June. You then have to get approval and build a stadium. I doubt that the NHLPA is happy with this bit of news.
Well, that process has been adjusted.
Brian De La Rose revealed a few things about the Arizona situation:
“However, Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reports (video link) that the team does not have the green light to start working on contracts for next season at this time. As has been well documented, their arena situation is once again in some question for a few more months at least, pending a possible land purchase which would be late in the spring. It was also reported after the trade deadline that GM Bill Armstrong wasn’t able to retain salary, limiting the returns they received on Jason Zucker and Matt Dumba. At this point, it’s far from a must to begin extension discussions at this point in the season but if those internal restrictions continue into the offseason, it could be something to keep an eye on”
The team has actually been told that they can’t work on contracts for next season yet and need to make headway toward getting away from the revenue disaster of playing in a 4,600 seat collegiate stadium. What’s odd about this release is that it contradicts the GM releases of a land bid happening next June. Now there’s a process for this spring that will be looked at.
Those of you who have lived through some of this know that securing land and getting a stadium greenlit are both lengthy and expensive processes. Even just updating an existing building to meet league standards (getting naming rights, sponsors etc) is a town hall meeting that could be a heated one if bonds are in play. The team was unable to retain salary on trades, which reads that the organization (not the same as the owner) is not experiencing positive cash flow. This is finally coming to a long overdue head as teams know a stalled cap is going to have more and more fallout. Let the games begin!
Also, let me know your thoughts. Can this Detroit team find a way to overcome in the next 4 contests? Montreal comes in afterward and could easily play spoiler. Buffalo has embarrassed Detroit at times. In reality, the team needs to focus solely on the Rangers. Look ahead or behind and you could get rolled. Let’s see what the team can put together.
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