Well, I watched the awards show tonight and got a pleasant suprise. Of course, all of the awards should have gone to each of the different Red Wings - but they didn't. I am such a big Datsyuk fan, and it was a good night for him; however, as much as I hate to say it, and believe me, I hate to say it, I really think that the trophy for the "best coach" should have gone to the Pittsburgh coach. I know - he wasn't there all season - but he did a hell of a job from the time he arrived to pull that team up, get them in the playoffs, and, ultimately win it all. Good show.

Pleasant surprise? Malkin - based on his words/actions at the mic, I was very impressed with him - a very nice kid; but, I'm still gonna kick his ass from my chair in front of the tube when he's skating against the winged-wheel.

Thoughts? Don't know! From what I gather from the Freep, the players all like and respect Hossa and have asked him to come back; he wants to come back, but salary cap limits may prevent Ken Holland from offering him a do-able contract without having to let too many other players go. I'd like to see Ty Conklin stay, but again, the same thing applies. The Red Wing suits tied up a lot of money in giving Dats, Z, and Mule very long term contracts. They've also got Rafalski, Stuart and Lidstrom at the high end, too. There is talk that Samuelsson won't be back, nor Hudler, and maybe even Holmstrom if they sign Hossa. Would I sign Hossa? Yes, but you know - they didn't ask my opinion.

Chelios won't be back. I think he wants to go to 50, but sadly, it won't be in as a Red Wing. I'd like to see him end his career in Chicago if that's what he wants. Actually, I wrote the Free Press the other day striking out at all the negative Wings fans and their comments. Sure, I yell and scream, and complain and moan about something the front office does, or when Stuart turns the puck over in our zone - twice, and Malkin scores. The bottom line, though, for Wingnuts is that we are a very lucky fan-group to have the wonderful ownership, front office, coaching, scouting, support staff and players that we do, year, after year, after year; so I can tell you that I'll just sit back and relax because whatever decisions the suits make, I'd bet a big chunk that the Red Wings will be in the hunt next year for sure.

Finally (about time, huh?) didn't you just LOVE the lack of applause the audience didn't give Gary Buttman when he took to the podium?
What a game. What a league. Let's have even more fun next year folks, and,.................GO RED WINGS GO! Cheers,...........mwh