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Detroit Red Wings: shocker

Embed from Getty Images What seemed like a slam dunk sure fire ending turned into a surprise when the Detroit Red Wings brought general manager Ken Holland back on a two year extension.

 

In a move that both shocked and angered Red Wings fans Chris Ilitch has picked Holland to finish the rebuild he started. It actually may not be a bad idea. Here’s why.

For starters young players stepped up. Dylan Larkin showed he is ready for a job anchoring the first line. Young Winger Anthony Mantha grew as well as left wing Tyler Bertuzzi. Other young players showed they are ready to help out as well.

This speaks volumes for Holland and the player development  Detroit has in place. Now the hard part comes. It would seem like having a bunch of draft picks would be a great place for the Wings to be in. Holland and his scouting department must be spot on in this years draft in order to speed the rebuild up.

As for owner Chris Ilitch he seems to be signaling he wants a veteran to spear head a difficult rebuild.  In his time before he was a general manager Holland, was a top amateur scout. He is getting back to his roots as he plans to go and personally scout players. In my opinion that is a very good move.

After all is said and done Ken Holland was only given a two year deal. Perhaps, they want to keep him on a short leash. There is still a lot of work to be done. The Detroit Red wings lack an impact player and goalie Jimmy Howard will be 34 years old entering next year and on the last year of his contract. With no goalie help in sight.

Only the Red Wings front office brass knows if head coach Jeff Blashill will be back. Based on player growth I’d say he will.

 

 

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Detroit Tigers: prospect profile Christian Stewart

Embed from Getty Images He is the best power hitting prospect in the Detroit Tigers minor league system. He can hit for both power and in the gap. Christian Stewart is on tract for Motown.

 

He was a compensation draft pick when the Tigers lost free agent pitcher Max Scherzer, to the Washington Nationals in 2015. Stewart ,played his college baseball at the University  of Tennessee. He was a gap hitter at Tennessee , who transformed himself into a power hitter.

 

Throughout playing in Erie, Pa with the Seawolves, Christian Stewart cut down his strikeouts and improved his walk. At 6′ 0″ hes not a prototypical power hitter. He has a compact swing and can pull the ball.

Even though Stewart, Has a good eye at the plate his is aggressive that is what makes him on the fast track for Detroit. His defense lacks as he does not have very good range. His arm is strong enough and he doesn not make many errors.

Given he bats left-handed he fits nicely in Detroit’s long term plans when the teams rebuild is done. Because he lacks range I have to believe he projects as a corner outfielder.

Christian Stewart, had a very solid spring training in Lakeland Florida, with the Tigers. In the end he was sent to Triple A Toledo, and will get some at bats with the Mud Hens. Christian Stewart should make it up to the show this season.

He is a very nice  “compensation” player the Detroit Tigers should be able to count on for a while.

 

 

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Columbus Blue Jackets Bobrovsky

Embed from Getty Images He is one of the top goalies in the world. He is a two time Vezina Trophy winner (best goalie.) The Columbus Blue Jackets hope Sergei Bobrovsky  is about to become a playoff rock.

 

For all of his achievements Sergei, has yet to help his team make it out of the first round of the playoffs. Before it is even a thought. Yes other players need to step up as well. It is after all a team game.

Bob, as he is known to everyone in the hockey world is one of the best regular season goalie. He is a highlight reel in and of himself. Yet, when the Blue Jackets make the playoffs his play goes down. A lot. It very well could be a confidence issue. Or the fact playoff hockey in much more intense that regular season games.

Sometime goalies need to get in there a few times to get the timing down. Because this is the first time in franchise history the Columbus Blue Jackets, have made back to back play appearances that may go along way in help Sergei Bobrovsky get over his playoff funk.

The Blue Jackets have one of the NHL’s young and deepest bluelines. Not to mention they are a very solid group. This years playoff birth finds the Blue Jackets pitted against the Washington Capitols. This should be a very interesting match up. As Bob is 7-10-4 lifetime vs the Caps.

Soon the hockey world will know if the struggles are confidence related or something else. Or if Bob is indeed ready to take the next step. If he does the Columbus Blue Jackets will be one step closer to being a Stanley Cup championship caliber team.

Bobrovsky’s contract is up next season. This years playoffs may determine if he gets and extension or if the Columbus Blue Jackets choose to move on.

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Detroit Tigers in Gardenhire we trust

Embed from Getty Images The Detroit Tigers rebuild is under way. Young players are in the lineup and others will be called up from the minor leagues throughout the season. General manager Al Avila, tabbed Ron Gardenhire as manager to over see the project.

Ron Gardenhire, a baseball lifer who has been there and done that. He is well respected around the league and all of his former players have nothing but glowing words and love for him. Given his work with young players it was a great hire by the Detroit Tigers.

There are plenty of young prospects in the Tigers system who will soon by the Motown. Under Gardenhire’s watch they will be ready for the daily challenges that each day presents. Former Detroit skipper Brad Ausmus seemed lost at times and unprepared other times.

Gardenhire, is a notorious stickler for doing things the right way and honoring the game of baseball and it’s history. He has gone on record as saying “we may or may not win a lot of games. But, I’ll tell you this we will be prepared.”

That is very good to hear. I feel the Detroit Pitching prospects will shine when they get to Comerica Park. Because Gardenhire will have it no other way. That should make Tigers fans happy. It is yet another reason to follow the team during this learning period known as a rebuild.

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Detroit Red Wings remembering the Russian Five

Embed from Getty Images Five Russian hockey players who would go to form life long friendships and one of the most deadly lines in the NHL. They were a sight to behold. No team could slow them down. No team could stop them.

Igor Larionov centered the line he was anchored by Slava Fetisov on the left and one of the greatest players I have ever seen play Sergei Fedorov on his right. No team to date has a line that scores goals as quick as this line did.
They got the puck down low and before opposing teams knew what happened they were skating off the ice with another goal on the board.
Vladimir Konstantinov and Slava Kozlov were the defenders who dominated and punished offensive players. And left many bruised and battered.
Konstantinov was severely injured in a limousine accident after the 1997 Stanley Cup championship. He is in a wheel chair and is accompanied by Sergei Fedorov whenever he is seen in public. Once a teammate always a teammate.
There are no words for what these guys did during there time in Detroit. But the city and Red Wings fans still talk about them today. Many including myself think the team needs to retire Sergei Fedorov’s number.
Today’s NHL play of getting the puck down low and playing smothering defense is a direct tip of the cap to five guys who changed hockey.
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Detroit Lions offering second chances

Embed from Getty Images We all fall short in life. No matter if it is our upbringing, curses, someone does something to us or we just make bad choices.

Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia, recently said that under the right situation and depending the depth of the issue he would “be open to giving a person another chance.”
Notice he said person and not player. He is humanizing the subject. Patricia went on to say he went into coaching to “make a difference in people’s lives.”
That is very refreshing to hear. Giving the win now attitude of teams, owners and fans. General manager Bob Quinn has done his best to steer clear of “red flag” players.
Yes, it is true that a certain amount of homework must be done before considering if a player should be blessed with a second chance. It is also true that every single person should have a second chance. Why do you think we feel good when there is a comeback?
I invite you to think back on your life and think of a time a better choice should or could have been made. Were you shunned? We need to show others the same mercy we have received.
We as a society need to stop judging people from a mistake. And embrace them and help them. The Detroit Lions reaffirmed for me Matt Patricia is the right guy to lead them.
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Embed from Getty Images Yes, Beau Burrows, is among my favorite Detroit Tigers prospect. I firmly believe he will be given a start or two in Motown this season. Given his quick uprise through the Tigers minor leagues.

 

The Erie Seawolves, kicked off they’re season yesterday and Burrows, took the mound. He picked up right where he left off last season. In short Burrows, was in complete control. He is one reason the pitching talent pool in Detroit is so deep.

 

In 5 innings of work he surrendered 1 hit, 2 walks along with 6 strikeouts. His fastball touched 96 mph. He had full command of both his pitches and the trike zone. For his first start of the season, 5 innings of locked in pitching more inning were not needed. So it was wise to save them for another day and another start.

 

Something he improved on last season. He went into the 2018 season rated as the Detroit Tigers, fourth best prospect. In my unprofessional opinion I had him as the third best. He may have the best fastball in the Detroit system. He spots it very well.

 

At any rate Beau Burrows, has shot through the Tigers system and is developing into a top 3 pitcher. The final piece is for Burrows, to carry his production to triple A. Which is coming sooner than later. It is just a matter of time before Detroit wants to see one of the franchises top pitching gems in action. The will come at some point this season.

 

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Detroit Pistons further proof

Embed from Getty Images I have given my feelings on the need for a bench leader for the Detroit Pistons. To me this is the nail in the coffin. Simply put excuses bring everyone down.

 

Excuses, excuses if there is one thing I absolutely can not stand it is excuses! A couple of days ago Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy said the Detroit season would have been totally different if Reggie Jackson was healthy the whole season.

 

I have to admit I was fuming at this statement. Exactly why would the leader of a team say if a player did not have an injury or two the season would have been different? To me he was trying to get out of doing a good job by this remark.

 

Why would Van Gundy not say what every quality head coach has ever said “injuries are part of the game. We need other guys to step up?” Anything other than blaming one players injury to dooming the entire team.

 

To me this is yet another reason Stan must go. If he were truly a good coach he would have come up with solutions and not excuses. Every team has injuries. Yet the Pistons coach tells the media this was the dagger in the entire season.

 

It wares fans down. I can not help but think it wares Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores down as well.

 

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The Columbus Blue Jackets need more seasoning

Embed from Getty Images One of the youngest teams in the NHL is nearing championship level. Work still needs to be put in. Also, dues must be paid first.

For the first time in Columbus Blue Jackets franchise history the team has made the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs. Lead by head coach John Tortorella, the team is closing in on being a consistent playoff team.

Tortorella, not too long ago was out of the league. His brashness, blunt honesty, and temper lead to his downfall. He then took over for the struggling but talented young Blue Jackets. He is just what the doctor ordered.

A locker room that lacked discipline and a strong leader would be in for a rude awakening give Torts history. But, that never happened. John Tortorella, had and has changed. According to players he’s still brutally honest. But, his players both current and former love him. Unlike what the media says.

 

He has come to Columbus and has done a fantasic job. There is no way around it. He continues  to be the stabilizer for the young Columbus Blue Jackets. Yet, there is plenty of work that needs to be done. The team will once again face the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2018 NHL playoffs.

I think they will meet the same fate as last seasons team that lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champs. That is in no way a bad thing. Dues must be paid. Respect must be earned. The best thing for a young team is get to the playoffs and get beat. That will help them to get mentally tough until they take down the mighty Penguins.

Columbus, is loaded with talent. From the amazing Artemi Panarin and Cam Atkinson. To perhaps the best defensive pairing in the league Seth Jones and Zach Werenski not to mention promising rookie Pierre- Luc- Dubois. The Blue Jackets time is coming.

 

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Detroit Red Wings Anthony Mantha finds consistency

Embed from Getty Images He drove his coach crazy. He drove fans crazy. It probably safe to say he drove his general manager (Ken Holland) crazy. Anthony Mantha lacked consistency and I dare say confidence last season.

Scoring 17 goals, yet missing so many opportunities for more goals. He also had big lapses in his defensive game and was benched at least two different times during the season.
This season has seen Mantha, more focused and more mature. Standing with 24 goals is nice. But, there is more. Anthony has greatly improved his passing and his defense has been stellar.
I do not believe it is a coincidence that young center Dylan Larkin has found his game and taken to playing center and suddenly Anthony Mantha has found his game.
Mantha and Larkin. Larkin and Mantha. They form a really good duo on Detroit’s second line. They will be on the first line down the road.
They have great chemistry together and give the Detroit Red Wings a bright future as two staples in the Wings rebuild. It will be a lot of fun watching these two grow and continue to get better and better.
This years NHL draft is one of the best in recent years will help Detroit speed up the rebuild.