Jakub Voracek: The Latest Victim of Being Kronwalled

The Wings lost to Philly tonight, 3-2, blah blah blah, boring usual stuff blah.

Enter: The Kronwall:

Um. OUCH. I really would not want to be Voracek right there. Niklas Kronwall, for being 5'11" or whatever he is, sure does hit like a damn freight train.

I'm going to be honest here; I'm a Wings fan when it comes down to it, but I also have a brain and know how to not be biased. I love hockey too much to be a homer. That said, I have no idea how Kronwall hasn't been suspended at all in the last nine years or however long he's been in the league. There have been many a time where he should have been fined or suspended for either leaving his feet or just a dirty hit. Don't get me wrong, I do love most of the hits he throws, but goddamn. I think I'll be more surprised in the morning if I find out that he hasn't been Shanabanned for at least a game or two for this hit, though.

Not to play Devil's Advocate or anything, but in Kronwall's defense, Voracek did have his head down the entire time, and was even looking behind him at one point. Um, you can't do that. The first thing they teach in pee-wees is don't skate with your head down. Ever. Especially in the NHL. Especially with Kronwall on the ice. Be aware of your surroundings, man.

I still love you, though, Kronwall, don't worry. Jakub Voracek, get well, kid. I wish nothing but the best for this guy.

Glove Tap: Valtteri Filppula

Sure, you've heard of the guy. "Oh, yeah, he's that one guy on the Wings with Datsyuk and Zetterberg and all them, blah blah blah". Drafted in the third round in 2002 (95th overall), the Finnish native was projected to be a pretty decent second line centerman. As the Wings do with all their prospects, they let him develop by playing two more years in Finland and two more in Grand Rapids with their AHL club, before earning a permanent roster spot in the big leagues in 2006-07.

Putting up a respectable 36 points (19 goals, 17 assists) in 78 games for his first full NHL season, Filppula's been relatively consistent since then. With point totals of 40, 35 (only 55 games that year), and 39 in each of the following seasons, it was beginning to look like maybe he wouldn't pan out as he was projected. Oh, but is patience a virtue...

At first glance, his 18 goals, 30 assists and 48 points this year may seem a little underwhelming. However, if you take a deeper look, Valtteri is quietly having a heck of season. With two more goals, Filppula will top his career high that he set in his rookie year. Not to mention he's currently at a +14 and another +3, (admittedly, a potentially deceiving stat), will be a career marker in that category as well.

Keeping in mind that while he may not be a superstar such as his counterparts in Datsyuk and Zetterberg, he is reliable. Mike Babcock uses him fairly often, and even if he's not the team's primary penalty killer, he has seen about 51 minutes of shorthanded time this season. That ranks him 7th among PK time for forwards on the team, and that's mainly because of players like Darren Helm and Justin Abdelkader getting the majority of that ice time. Pair all that with the fact that he's only taken 12 penalty minutes all season, and I'd say you've developed a quality player right there.

He's kown as more of a playmaker than a shooter, but Fil has a decent shot and some pretty nice moves to go with it, as seen here. Again, I'm not saying Mr. Filppula here is the next coming of Gretzky or anything, but he definitely deserves more credit than he's received. "That one guy" is having a pretty good year so far.

"Hockeytown vs The Center of the Hockey Universe"

That quote, along with the fact that Brian Burke never does his tie or top button of his shirt reaffirms that he's one of my favorites in the league. Either way though, it's official now. Leafs vs Red Wings next year for the Winter Classic.

One bummer for now though, is that there's currently no deal for HBO's 24/7. Granted, they have 10 months before they would start filming, but dang. Get that done, that's gonna be the best series yet. If 24/7 ends up being an annual thing, I have a good feeling it's just going to get progressively better; at least that's how it appeared this season. I didn't think it was possible to get better than the Penguins/Capitals series, yet HBO showed themselves up and the Rangers/Flyers was outstanding.

I'm basically just repeating myself here from last night/earlier this morning (that's what happens with minimal sleep, I suppose), but I'm really excited for the alumni game. Kris Draper said he's for sure playing. Even Shanaban said he would do it and he would try to convince Stevie Y to join (!!!!). I have one request, however: The Grind Line. If Draper's in, Maltby and McCarty have to do it. At the very least, Joe Kocur. Maybe Burke can put Colton Orr in for the alumni game so Joey has someone to dance with. What? Orr has to be retired first? Oh. Well, sorry, Joey.

The press release quoted Bettman and the bunch (that sounds like some awful TV show: Bettman and the Bunch) that there will be 115,000 tickets available and that they hope to push the attendance record and such. Holy crap. Also, there is/was a pre-sale site for the tickets, but I read on Twitter at one point that it crashed. How much you wanna bet tickets sell out within an hour?

Take that, Winnipeg.

2013 Winter Classic to be Hosted by Detroit

So, if you haven't heard by now, there's a "major announcement" in Ann Arbor and Detroit, Michigan later today/early this morning. Just like last year in Philadelphia, it's the worst kept secret that the announcement will be that the Winter Classic will be in Michigan next year, featuring the hometown Red Wings and the Toronto Maple Leafs. This is good for the league and for the state of Michigan. It's win-win, really.

The NHL will get a ton of publicity having the outdoor event at Michigan Stadium with over 100,000 people surely attending. Also, throughout the weekend, there will be plenty of other outdoor games going on in Detroit at Comerica Park. The Great Lakes Invitational, usually held at Joe Louis Arena, will be a feature that weekend, along with a couple OHL games, an AHL game featuring the Marlies and Griffins (the Leafs and Wings respective AHL teams), and also the ever famous alumni game. You think Stevie Y will take a break from managing down in Florida to play? That'd be pretty interesting, to say the least. Perhaps a regrouping of the Russian Five? Or maybe Wendel Clark, Dougie Gilmour, or any other past Leafs? I can't begin to fathom the revenue that will be brought in from all those events. No matter what, that weekend surely won't disappoint.

One other thing: HBO's 24/7 might be the best yet next season with these two teams. Ron Wilson, Brian Burke, Mike Babcock...three guys that aren't afraid to say what they feel, all uncensored and on camera? Hoo, boy. Laviolette and Tortorella will definitely have some competition, that's for sure.

Anyways, cheers to you, Michigan. Now let's hope the weather is a little more wintery than in Philadelphia this season.





A view of an outdoor game at Michigan Stadium between Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.