Detroit Red Wings lose Hossa and Kopecky

First of all there should be absolutely no panic in Hockeytown over this rather predictable outcome to free agency. Lets not forget the Wings did just win a cup without Hossa in 08 and lost the defacto Stanley Cup Finals to the Anaheim Ducks the year before in a very grueling Conference finals.

And by the for all those Pittsburg fans who think we are "scared" of there sudden decade long reign of being Stanley Cup favorites each and every year and having 1 superstar after another take less money to play there. You are simply on dream street and also come no where close to being "the city of champions". 1st of all Sid the Kid should be estatic that Hossa did not sign back with the Penguins so he would not be the 3rd best player on his own team. Its great to get all those goals cherry picking at center ice and taking advantage of the "new NHL" but all it does is make him a one way one trick pony. Get back to me when he decides to get his nose dirty in the Defensive Zone and decides to pay the price along the boards and in front of the net. I have all the respect in the world for the Pens best player in Malkin because I saw first hand how hard he worked on Defense and how strong he plays with the puck in and out of his zone against the Wings. Of course I realized I just broke the "Bettman Rules" and actually critizided his golden child but any true hockey fan who takes off his rose color glasses will know this is true.

Sorry about the small rant but seeing way to much hype about the Pens and Hawks right now.

Once again lets remember we have already signed one of the other top 5 forwards in the game to a very nice cap friendly deal in Zetterburg during the season and signed an emerging elite power forward in Johan 'mule' Franzen. BTW we also have the 2 year running Selke Award given to best 2 - way forward(take note Mr. Crosby) and Hart finalist locked up nicely. And please name me another team that had so many youngsters come straight out of the minors into the cauldron of the playoffs, due to a staggering amount of injuries, and perform as well as they did. Justin Abdelkader scored 2 huge goals in games 1 and 2 and was a punishing force up front. Darren Helm broke the record for most Playoff Goals before his 1st regular season goal and is a carbon copy of a younger and improved Chris Drapier. Not to mention players like Jonathan Ericsson on Defense to go with young and improving forwards Valteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. So thank you Chicago for trying to close the gap and providing another batch of good hard fought games and good luck Pens in handling your Stanley Cup hangover.

I will always stand by Ken Holland and trust his every move impicitly. No GM or team has ever earned as much faith and trust in how they run a team as the Red Wings have. I of course was briefly disappointed but 3 years of 1 cup, 2 finals appearences, and 3 conference finals is pretty special.

Jason