Trade Deadline Day: SNOOOOWWW DAY

It's March! And there's Snow everywhere!!!!!

And in New York, they're probably a little more tired of Snow than we are...  (I'll get to that later)

You guys probably care more about the David Legwand trade, donchya?

I think this was a panic deal from Mr. Holland.  A last second "OH SHIT WE NEED A CENTER" deal due to the Weiss set back, Pavel's knee, and Helm's headaches...

But... We gave up a 3rd(2nd if we make the playoffs,) Patrick Eaves (who's days as a Wing were done) and Calle Jarnkrok, who is actually a good-rated prospect.

The price, compared to other deals done yesterday... was WAY too high, another sign that it's a panic deal, in my mind...

But I like the deal.  Legwand is a hometown guy, unrestricted at the end of the year, but a center.  So we needed him.
He's not having a bad year thus far either, not a great year, but not a bad year.

I like this deal.  It's a player we need, a player who could resign (if Ken wants him and Legwand takes a pay cut.)

What's interesting is Jarnkrok was untouchable a year ago.  We refused to include him in a possible Ignlina deal.
Rumor has it, he was very displeased with a lack of a call up this season, and wanted to be at the NHL level next year or he was going to bolt for Swedish Elite League.
If that's the case... I wouldn't want him on the team next year anyways.  Attitudes and egos must be checked at the door when you're apart of this organization.

But if he becomes a 40 goal scorer in Nashville (which he won't) then I'll say this is the worst deal ever.

I know the counter argument is WHAT'S THE POINT WE AREN'T CUP CONTENDERS.

If you get in, you're a contender in the NHL that is a fact.  We took the champs to 7 games last year, anything can happen now.
Go for the playoffs, roll the dice, get some guys back and let's make a run.

Back to Snow in New York...

Garth Snow blows it AGAIN.
Trades Moulson for Vanek... Vanek refuses extension with Isle (do you blame him?) so he has to trade Vanek.
What does he get?
A scrub prospect and a second round pick.

Brilliant.

Hey Kenny, how come ya didn't make that phone call?

Olympic Puck Prediction Time!

Gather round kids! It's time for Olympic Puck!

Take a break from all that curling action I know you're watching (I'm not kidding either, watch it.)
(I heart Eve Muirhead, CALL ME?!?!?)
Anyways, the event that I care most about starts today at noon, so for the record, I got my predictions post up before the pucks dropped.  You may just be reading it after some games played. Lazy people... why didn't you wake up for the first games?!?! Or at least read my blog...

So I'm gonna cut right to the chase, medal predictions because that's all we care about.

Bronze: The Ruskis of Mother Russia
This'll be disappointing for the host nation, but hey at least they'll end the Olympics with a win?  Russia is strong, but so are the rest of the Olympic squads.  Russia's advantage is home ice advantage.  The Russian crowds have been loud for curling, just imagine what they'll be like for hockey?
Key to success: Pavel Datsyuk.
The health of their captain will be key to their success.  Sergei Bobrovski called him the leader of their team and their best player.  (Not Ovechkin, Dan Patrick, stop being stupid.)  If Pavel is healthy enough to be Pavel for Russia, they could easily find themselves in the gold medal game in their home country.  I just think the teams I put ahead of them are too strong.
Speaking of teams ahead of them...

Silver: Team Canada
The favorites of every hockey tournament every year and defending gold medal winners are going DOWN!  Which is hard to predict, because they're so damn good.  Mike Babcock is at the helm and has been hush hush about his starters, but as for forward lines it literally doesn't matter.  They have the best forwards in the tournament.  John Tavares is slotted to be their fourth line center. Tavares. Fourth center.  Let that sink in...
Key to success: Whoever the hell is in net.
Four years ago, Martin Brodeur started and struggled. The Canadians switched to Bobby Lou and won gold.  This year Bobby Lou is back... but probably as their third or backup goalie.  Carey Price is probably favored to get the initial start and Mike Smith is also in the mix.  Whichever one they pick, he won't nearly be as talented as the goalie they go against in a gold medal game, which brings me to this...

Gold: USA USA USA
Aaaahhh was there any doubt who I'd predict? Logic be damned!
Well even without my tremendous homerism, the United States has a legitimate chance at taking home the gold.  Between the pipes will be arguable the best goalie in the NHL with Jonathan Quick.  The forwards are good and most of the team played in the 2010 games so there's experience and cohesion. Shocked to see Bobby Ryan and Jack Johnson left off the team, we'll see how those decisions turn out...
Keys to succes: Patrick Kane and Phil Kessel
Why those two? Cuz they're my favorites.  And they're big time players.  Patrick Kane was the best US forward 4 years ago and loves the international stage.  If those two goal scorers are scoring goals, the Americans will be in great shape.
Also, i want Jimmy Howard to play ONE GAME. But it won't happen...

Teams to watch out for to totally bust up my predictions:
Sweden: Sweden won gold the last time the games were in Europe on the gigantic ice.  They have six Red Wings and Jonathan Ericsson's older brother so you know they're good.  They also have King Henrick in net.  I have them finishing fourth right now. Just cuz. Also, one of the Sedins pulled out, so that's like losing two players cuz one can't play without the other.  That's how twins work, right?
Finland:
The Fins have arguable the best goaltending trio in the Olympics with Annti Niemi, Kari Lehtonen, and Tuuka Rask.  But the Fins suffered three big losses when Valteri Filppula (yeah that guy) Mikko Koivu and Saku Koivu all pulled out from the team.  They'll go as far as their goaltending can take em.
All the other teams except for Latvia and Slovenia.
Those two teams aren't quite as good... especially Slovenia.  They have Jan Mursak.  Remember him? No?  Red Wing prospect who flamed out and is now in the KHL.  He shoots right handed so I'd take him back any day, but that's neither here nor there.

USA takes on the Slovaks of Slovakiatown tomorrow at 7:30 AM watch it live or else twitter, or ESPN phone app or your neighbor's dog will spoil it for you.  They always do...

NBC sucks at covering Olympics.

The Winter Classic.

Aaahhh Back from a nice Winter break.  How was everyone's Christmas and New Year's?  Hope it was all swell.

Quite a lot of stuff happened over break. The Lions blew it, Schwartz got canned, Michigan never showed up and Michigan State won the Rose Bowl (Congrats Spraty...

But I have something to share with you all. An experience like no other.

I was fortunate to be one of the 105,000+ to be crammed and huddled up in the Big House for the 2014 Winter Classic between our beloved Detroit Red Wings and Original 6 rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
Now unfortunately, The Leafs came out ahead via the dreaded shootout, but it didn't sully the moment even one iota...

Okay maybe it did, but still, The Winter Classic is an experience like no other.

The atmosphere of this game was unmatched by any other sporting event I had the good fortune to attend.  Wings fans and Leafs fan came in droves but both participated in good natured ribbing, rather than drunken belligerence.
Every "Let's Go Red Wings" was followed with "Go Leafs Go."
The roar of the crowd when Alfredsson scored to give Detroit a 1-0 lead was unlike any other roar I had ever heard at a hockey game.
Except for the one that came after Abdelkader scored the tying goal at 2-2.

The Winter Classic was an experience.  One I hope others get a chance to experience in the future.  I think Detroit/Ann Arbor proved it was the perfect host...

(only problem is Big House seating is... well Big House seating.  And I got like the worst Winter Classic card four pack ever.  Really ticked me off.

And how cool were the Alumni Games?  Those was the most fun I ever had watching a hockey game. Especially the second game when it was just a flood of childhood nostalgia.  Federov should think of coming back... we need some scoring and depth at center...  He could still do it.

I hope you all had a great holiday period and enjoyed time with your family.

Same Old Lions... Again...

Aaaaahhhhhh They did it to us again.  From the jaws of victory, the Lions snatch away defeat.

Now they no longer control their playoff destinies.

Lions Football Baby.

The Lions lost on Monday Night football in the most important game of the season 18-16 after Justin Tucker nailed his sixth field goal of the game from 61 yards that barely made it in the bottom right corner.

The defense played more than good enough to secure the win, only allowing field goals, but after am opening-drive touchdown, the offense stalled the rest of the way.

It was until they fell down 15-10 that they made back into the end zone to take a 16-15 lead.

But it wasn't meant to be.  In typical Lions fashion, they lose on a 61 yard field goal.

Matthew Stafford the fearless leader then threw a pick on the first throw with 30 seconds left.  We had all three timeouts, so the situation should have called for complete any pass to get us going. Instead, Stafford over threw Burlesson and it was intercepted by Elam.

Staff threw 3 second half picks, including a pick on 3rd and 2 in the fourth quarter in their own territory that luckily only yielded a field goal that could have put the game out of reach had Baltimore got a touchdown.

The Lions were in the driver's seat.  Cutler was hurt, Rodgers was hurt, and we had the easiest schedule remaining in the league.  I warned everyone in my sports writing class not to get too excited.  They said I was "too cynical" and that these weren't the "same old Lions."

Sometimes I hate being right...

Catch Up on Things I Care About

Sorry for the delay bearded followers, but I've been out of commission for a bit, got run over by a car.
That's not a joke, I did.  Only fractured a rib so it's all good.  Just sore.

Anyways, I've missed a few things whilst I was gone, so here's a few short comments about stuff you already know about.

• Famous Jameis WInston won the Heisman in a landslide.  No surprise there.  However, 13% of voters completely left him off their ballot.  I guess they weren't satisfied with the legal system giving him the all clear.
• Michigan led almost the entire game at home against the number one team in the country, but found a way to squander an 11 point second half lead, and an eight point lead with 5 minutes left.  Yes, plenty of time, but they should have found a way.  GRIII disappeared down the stretch, but he looked amazing in the first half.  Can't wait for him to play a full 40 with that effort.
• Navy beat Army for the 12th straight time, winning this bout 34-7.  An absolute route.  It's a shame because I look forward to that game every year.  It's my absolute favorite game to watch.  No rivalry will ever match it because it isn't about pure hatred.  It's about respect... and a little bit of hate.  If you've never watched an Army Navy game you must.  The Bearded One commands it!
• Tottenham suffered their worst home loss in like forever, losing 5-0 to Liverpool. I haven't heard any official announcement, but word on the street is this loss has cost Andre Villas-Boas his job.  Good.  His tactics have been extremely frustrating for all the Spurs fans out there.  His insistence on inverted wingers and only one forward have hampered Tottenham's ability to produce goals.  They're the only team who hasn't score more than twice in a game.

The Lions take on the Ravens tomorrow in a mucho important game because the Bears won today.  I expect the Lions to lose.  Because their the Lions.  No other reason is really needed.

Oh and I guess I can officially announce this now.  

Your's truly, has earned an internship position with MLive covering high school basketball starting in January.  This is a great opportunity, and I am super stoked.  I'll be sure to link you guys my articles.

Take it easy y'all, enjoy your Sunday

Same Old Lions: The Snow Bowl Edition

And from the jaws of victory, the Detroit Lions miraculously find snatch away a defeat from the Philadelphia Eagles in a snowy mess of a football game.

In typical Lions fashion, the fourth quarter came and suddenly professional football players forgot how to play...
(And officials forgot the rules a bit too)

But do not blame this on the referees.  Yes, the Eagles had a touchdown because of a highly highly highly highly questionable roughing the passer call.
But Jeremy Ross didn't care.

Instead blame the Lions inability to figure out that McCoy got his footing back and was burning them on the same cutback draw play after play after play.
Blame Dominic Raiola for confusing a motion sign for a snap it sign.  Then Stafford for not just diving on the ball.
Blame the Lions for managing zero rushing yards in the fourth quarter in conditions that dictated an importance of running the ball.
Philly figured that out.  Detroit did not.

This was a game we've seen a thousand times in Detroit.  Just with the added bonus of snow.
Every time this team appears to turn a corner, the Same Old Lions creep their heads around the corner and go "pssstt I got somethin for ya buddy."

Next thing you know you wake up in a field in Nebraska without your phone, wallet or pants.

Luckily for the Lions we still have the important edge over the Bears.  But it would be nice to be able to control our own destiny and actually take control of it.

But hey... at least we're not the Vikings.

Roses are Green, Ohio is Blue

Michigan State takes down Ohio State 24-24 and claims the Big Ten title and it's first trip to the Rose Bowl since the `87 season.

And exciting game from start to finish, Michigan State was able to grind out a victory on the ground led by tailback Jeremy Langford, who became the first back to run for over 100 yards against Ohio State this year.
He finished with 128 yards and his 26 yard touchdown run with just over two minutes left sealed the upset win for the Spartans.

Defense still wins championships.  After the offensive shootout of the SEC championship, it was refreshing to see a key defensive stand set up the game sealing touchdown.
It's refreshing to see defense at all in this day and age of college football lets be real here.

The game was ridiculously back and forth.  Why ridiculously?
MSU scored the first 17
OSU the next 24
MSU the final 17.
How silly is that?

Conor Cook was named the game's MVP throwing 3 touchdowns, a pick, and 304 yards, leading his victory to the Rose Bowl.

Pound Green, Pound.  Michigan State pounded the rock and beat OSU by playing their game.  A championship well deserved.

Didn't I tell you guys that MSU would win?  Cuz I picked Ohio.

You're welcome East Lansing, now Sparty on to Pasadena.