Red Wings taking best player available at number 24

This Associated Press blurb didn't have much to say, but has some pretty important information regarding the Wings' approach to the draft tomorrow:

DETROIT (AP) - Red Wings general manager Ken Holland says he's not expecting much any time soon from the team's first-round pick.

Detroit has the 24th pick overall Friday in the NHL draft.

Holland says the prospect probably won't be able to help the Red Wings for three to five years. He says the team will take the best available player whether he's a goaltender, defenseman or forward.

Defenseman Jakub Kindl, drafted 19th overall in 2005, got his first extended shot to play in Detroit last season. Defenseman Brendan Smith, taken 27th overall in 2007, might get his first chance to play for the Red Wings next season.

I have the Red Wings taking Jonas Brodin in my mock draft, which you can read here, but at that point he may actually be the best player available. Obviously, Holland and Jim Nill know what they're doing and will have expert reasoning behind whomever they select, but I'm really expecting they go with a defenseman in the first round.

Here are Detroit's picks this year:

Round 1: 24th overall
Round 2: 55th overall
Round 3: 85th overall
Round 4: 115th overall
Round 5: 145th overall
Round 5: 146th overall, from Flyers
Round 6: 175th overall
Round 7: 205th overall

2011-12 Red Wings schedule released

Just posted on DetroitRedWings.com, the Red Wings open up the season at home against the Ottawa Senators on October 7. Here are some other highlights:

• In October, the Red Wings have no consecutive games at home or away for the entire month. They either play at home then go on the road next game, or vice-versa.
• They have two six-game homestands, one at the beginning of November and the other in mid-February.
• Steve Yzerman and the Tampa Bay Lightning come to Joe Louis Arena on November 30.
• They visit the Washington Capitals on October 22, then play them at home on March 19.
• They play the Pittsburgh Penguins on the road on December 13.
• Detroit gets to host the Winnipeg team on December 10.
• As for Original 6 teams (other than the Blackhawks): @ Rangers, March 21; @ Maple Leafs, January 7; @ Bruins, November 25; @ Canadiens, January 25
• Regarding the Detroit-Boston game, Steve Lepore says this:

Looks as if Detroit/Boston will be the NBC Black Friday game. 

• Via Bill Roose: 

#RedWings will play 24 home games on weekend dates -- Fridays (9), Saturdays (11) and Sundays (4) -- during the 2011-12 #NHL season.

• More from Lepore: 

It would appear Hockey Day in America will be Feb. 19 - PIT-BUF and SJ-DET at 12:30, STL-CHI and BOS-MIN at 3.

• And, a pretty awesome note from Puck Daddy's Sean Leahy: 

2011-12 NHL season ends on Saturday, April 7th with all 30 teams playing that day. That's fantastic.

2011 NHL Mock Draft

A little disclaimer before I get to the mock draft: I have never done a mock draft before. For any sport. That’s why I’ve taken the whole process of putting this thing together with a grain of salt - for that reason, and also the fact that mock drafts are typically pretty hard to get right. Basically, I’m hoping that I’m somewhat close this year.

I love the draft, maybe not as much as others, but within the past couple of years I’ve come to like looking at not only Red Wings prospects but the talent pool in general. This year is no different as the 2011 edition is full of talent making for a pretty deep draft. So...

Here we go:

Lidstrom: "I think he could help our team"

Via RedWingsFeed, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press filed an interesting report from Las Vegas a little less than an hour ago, and it seems to be an endorsement of Jaromir Jagr coming from captain Nicklas Lidstrom.

LAS VEGAS -- Detroit Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom would welcome Jaromir Jagr as a teammate.

“I know he’s been over in Russia two or three years,” Lidstrom said. “But I know how hard it was to play against him, and I don’t think he’s gotten any worse by playing over there.”

The Wings have told the free-agent forward’s camp they’re interested at the right price. They're now waiting for Jagr to decide whether he really wants to return to the NHL after spending three seasons in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League. Jagr also is talking to one of his former teams, Pittsburgh, and might still find the $4 million to $5 million he could net in Russia more attractive than the NHL.

If not, the dilemma for Jagr comes down to money, and whether he’d rather play with Pavel Datsyuk or Sidney Crosby. There is talk that he’s also interested in Washington and the New York Rangers.

Lidstrom hopes Jagr picks the Wings.

“I think he’s still a heck of a player,” Lidstrom said. “From talking to friends that watched the world championships, they said he played real well in that tournament, playing against the top players in the world. So we’ll see what happens. But I think he could help our team, especially his size. I know he’s got the skills, but I think his size is something a lot of teams would like.”

Now, I'm not sure how much stock Wings fans should be taking into this, but when the captain says, "I think he could help our team," you know Ken Holland will be listening. Also, given the team's history with giving veteran players chances to produce late in their careers (see: Modano, last year), I don't think it's extreme to say that Holland will pull the trigger if the dollar amount is right.

Team Great Britain soccer at the 2012 Olympics?

Some pretty big news today out of Great Britain, as the British Olympic Association has come out and stated that players from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be eligible to play at the 2012 London Olympics (which I plan on covering, heavily, here on this site; hopefully from London) for the Great Britain soccer team.

From the Washington Post...

LONDON — The Welsh and Scottish Football Associations say they have no plans to be part of a combined Team GB at the London Olympics, despite claims from the British Olympic Association that an agreement has been reached between all four home nations for the tournament.

The BOA announced Tuesday that players from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland will be eligible for the men’s and women’s British soccer teams at next year’s games, following a landmark agreement with the English Football Association.

As expected, a joint statement was released from the heads of the countries not named England on that list, saying they do not want this to happen:

“The Football Associations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland reiterate our collective opposition to Team GB participation at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, contrary to the media release issued by the British Olympic Association,” it read.

This would be significant because Great Britain hasn't had a team in the men's tournament in 52 years. The Guardian used the word "furious" to describe the Welsh, Scottish, and Celtic FAs' feelings toward the announcement, so more will obviously come out of this in the upcoming months.

2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying is underway!

I guess I lied when I said on Twitter that I wouldn't be posting on here during my trip to Mackinac Island. I have a little bit of time in the hotel room (Mission Point, by the way) while watching Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final, so I wanted to post a quick update with some awesome news. To me at least.

2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying is underway. The road to Brazil has begun, and it has begun with two fine countries competing against each other: Belize and Montserrat.

Belize defeated Montserrat 5-2 at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago to kick off the first round of CONCACAF qualifying. Deon McCaulay scored three goals for Belize, with Harrison Róches and Elroy Kuylen also converting for the Jaguars. Jay Lee Hodgson had two for Montserrat, scoring in the 44th and 86th minute.

The two countries will play leg 2 on June 19 at FFB Field in Belmopan, the capital of Belize.

Update: Interesting. Looks like the second game of this series has been postponed...

Jaromir Jagr and the Detroit Red Wings?

Um, uh, well, via @NHLGossip and Dmitry Chesnokov here's what iSport.cz has to say (roughly Google translated):

Jaromir Jagr and the Russian league? This connection is already passé. After three years, where he worked for the legendary striker jersey Omsk in Siberia, in October will once again apply: Jaromir Jagr, the NHL star.

Daily Sports reported last week that despite the fact that Jagr intensely interested in St. Petersburg with Omsk and the courtship will not come. Recent statements by wealthy club boss it only recorded the SKA.

"We are neucházíme Jagr is mainly due to the budget. Salary cap is not inflated, the other reason is that we have a lot of foreigners. For six instead of five (permitted). Jagr would be the seventh. So this story ends, "said sports daily Sovětskij Alexei Kasatonov, general manager of the club.

Jágrův agent did not want to comment at length. "Nothing is new, it's just a statement in the newspapers," he indicated Jaroslav Zidek, that negotiations still continue. But in fact it's so that Jagr is not going to St. Petersburg.

On the table was a lucrative offer, although, personally flew to Prague to take further action by Alexander Medvedev, head of the richest club in Europe. But Jagr its verdict so long stalled, and the management team, who will coach Milos Riha, by itself said: No! Is Jagr to the mind, inside the cards. For his ideas in the past three weeks as it was directed more to the NHL.

Therefore, the possibility of falls, that would eventually signed a contract in Omsk, where he worked in the past three seasons.

The main reason? Jagr, the Russian involvement in the case had been reported to camp in late July and not enough time to devote to what is happening in Kladno, which led his father as co-owner and president.

"It is not easy in this 20th July to collect, train and go all over to leave home, "he said to himself recently-year-old Jagr. Yesterday it would not comment on it.

So the Czech fans can look forward to seeing again in the NHL player who is one of the best hockey player ever in the history of the competition. It is the most European, in the historic scoring throughout the league he is in ninth place (1599 points).

"I would like him to return to the NHL wanted and recommended. I'm sure that his account there is not yet closed, "said Marian Jelinek, Jágrův long known. During June, about talking with the attacker wanted to hear the opinion of the coach, who after Jágrová side spent several seasons in the NHL.

And since the current coach of the Pilsen heard, "NHL even try!" Now it probably would happen.

According to sports information in game four clubs, but most traces of the current situation leads to an elite group of Detroit Red Wings. "When we are talking about and Jarda, I also told him that this team was appropriate. And because the older players have a good long-term experience, "says Jelinek.

Jagr could replace veteran Mike Modan (41), who during the season injured and did not leave an extraordinary impression ... And the scouts during the Championship club could see that for Jagr would be a different case.

Although he is 40 years in February, it still has to rule. They might aspire to the position in the second formation. Salary could be an estimated $ 2,500,000, about 43 per million.

"When I went to the NHL, I do not just play there. But I want there and help, "said Jagr during the championship in an interview with the Sunday Sport.

Immediately after the championship it seemed that he could go to Montreal. But this option, according to sports information does not build up so ardently Canadiens coach. And now it turns out more like the dock in any U.S. klubu.Ve game is Pittsburgh. In contrast, the Rangers, Jagr played where, allegedly returned to the hate ...

At the beginning of July when the market gets going with free agents, it should be clear.

A little table at the end of the article says this...

WHERE WILL PLAY JAGR
85 % NHL
There are four clubs, it looks like it might decide between Detroit and Pittsburgh.

10 % OMSK
In Omsk, after living a very happy site, is the star of the entire CT, so why risk overseas adventure?

5% positive
He once returned to Kladno, it is clear. But not now, the club will be managed by his closest collaborators in the distance.

Again, that's all Google translated, but I'm just not seeing this as something that would end up happening. Hopefully.

USA-Panama quick take

I know the game was almost three nights ago, but I haven't been able to get around to writing something about the U.S.' first ever loss to Panama. Long story short: it pretty much was a failure.

This is really one of the only ways I can look at it: It wasn't a failure, per say, a complete and utter abomination of the sport of soccer (er, football, for my non-American readers). Saturday night's loss was like failing a test you really didn't study for but expected to pass easily.

The test, in this case, was Panama. Ranked 67th in the FIFA World Rankings, Panama was that math test that you know is going to be something you should be able to ace. Especially after you did quite well on your previous test, which you happened to take last Tuesday night at Ford Field that featured a couple of questions with Canadian spelling. The "you" taking the test (well, it could be me, considering it is a math test in this probably misguided metaphor) is the U.S. Men's National Team, feeling pretty confident in the case to be champions of math test-taking in your region.

You get to the test, and it throws a few curveballs at you. Two things in the "center-back" part of your brain do not exactly perform all that great throughout the test, although one did do well on a converting problem. (That things' name happens to be Clarence Goodson.) The other one, though, swung and missed on a question that didn't require extra brain power, causing you to comeback in the second half of the test. (Tim Ream, if you're still following along.)

The mid-part of your brain wasn't able to distribute information to the front of the brain, even thought your brain coach's son (he's part of the brain in this metaphor) is supposed to be performing at a much, MUCH higher level than he has been. His other middle friends didn't do so well, either.

But all of the sudden, things start to click in the second half of the test. You're feeling confident, and the questions are being answered so quickly that it makes you wonder why you couldn't perform like that in the first half. You almost are able to answer possibly the toughest question on the test with no problem, but somehow, you, close to leading your class in percentage, screw up and get it wrong. (Hi, Chris Wondolowski!)

In the end, it looks like you probably should have prepared better so you wouldn't have done so badly. Maybe it was your teacher, whose name happens to be Bob Bradley (also the brain coach in this metaphor), who didn't have you prepared enough because he decided to teach a defensive kind of math called the 4-4-2. Some adjustments will need to be made before the next test.

The next test happens to be tonight! It, much like the last one, should be one you take care of easily. The unit is called "Guadeloupe." Get it done.

(If you were able to figure out some kind of analysis in this post, say so in the comments. That way I won't feel as bad knowing that this is probably one of the worst written things in the history of the world.)

All-Star Game voting is a joke (something you all know)

I just returned from Comerica Park, where I witnessed Detroit Tigers catcher Alex Avila hit two triples in two at-bats, along with a walk and a run scored. I then went on the Internet to find this piece of information:

2011 AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR BALLOTING (as of June 7)

CATCHER
Russell Martin, Yankees: 1,317,557
Joe Mauer, Twins: 829,073
Alex Avila, Tigers: 722,385
Carlos Santana, Indians: 588,407
Yorvit Torrealba, Rangers: 515,274

Now, Russell Martin is having a pretty decent season in the Bronx. Second among qualified AL catchers in OPS, has nine home runs, and has walked 23 times. He should be in the All-Star Game, I guess. As a backup.

Here's where the fun starts.

One Joe Mauer, he of nine games played this season and 34 total at-bats, is (as of June 7) 106,688 votes ahead of Mr. Avila. I am about to blow this out of proportion, but this is a travesty. A travesty, I tell you. And you know why.

Look at the season Alex is having:

Among AL qualified catchers:
First in average (.297)
Second in OBP (.359)
First in slugging (.535)
First in OPS (.884)
First in home runs (tied with nine)
First in RBI (32; stupid stat, but whatever)

And that's just the mainstream statistics. A team of nine Alex Avila's would score 7.05 runs a game, compared to the 4.93 nine Russell Martin's would produce. His OPS+ is 146, Martin's is 113. Not only is Avila dominating AL catching, but he's not doing too bad among all American League players this year.

He's eighth in RC27, 18th in average, eighth in OPS (as a catcher!), and 10th in slugging. He's doing very well.

Of course, all of this means he won't be starting for the American League in Arizona in July.

So, yeah, I guess the point I'm trying to make is: This is why using ASG appearances (or starts, even worse) when comparing players is stupid.

Gold Cup soccer? I'll take more, please

USA and Canada enter the Ford Field pitch Tuesday night.
Photo: Nick Barnowski

It almost seemed like I took a journey into the obscure on Tuesday night. There I was, sitting in section 120 at Ford Field, home of the NFL’s lovable Detroit Lions, watching the soccer team from a county called Guadeloupe -- home to 405,000 citizens, fewer than the city in which they were playing -- take on Panama in a tournament called the Gold Cup.

In a way, it seemed fitting that these were the teams playing in the first soccer game I had ever seen live in person. Soccer is a sport that can be played in its purest form no matter where you may be on the globe, and, at risk of sounding ignorant, the fact that Panama, ranked 67 in the FIFA World Rankings, and Guadeloupe, not even eligible to play in FIFA contests because they are an overseas department of the French Republic, were playing made me feel like I was witnessing a game that was true to the sport’s roots.

But being treated to a match between the United States and Canada after getting to watch the two Group C opponents battle to a 3-2 result in Panama’s favor? It may not seem all that special, but to a fan with growing interest in the sport who was less than a year old the last time international matches came to metro Detroit, it was nothing less than special.

Aaron Westlake drafted in third round by Tigers; rest of draft picks

I guess, for as long as I'm home today (I'll be making the trek to Ford Field for tonight's Gold Cup games around 4:15), I'll throw this post up here and keep it updated as the MLB Draft continues.

Tigers select James McCann with their first pick

Due to, you know, the signings of Joaquin Benoit and Victor Martinez, the Detroit Tigers' first pick in the MLB Draft came in the second round, number 76 overall, and with that slot, they selected catcher James McCann of the university of Arkansas.

McCann had been drafted before, in the 31st round by the Chicago White Sox back in 2008.

Here's a little scouting report via the Arkansas baseball website...

"James is an outstanding defensive catcher that keeps getting better with the bat all the time. He's a tremendous leader and was selected as a team captain. He's the anchor of our defense. We have so much confidence in James that we let him call most of the pitches. I think he's got a great feel behind the plate. We're looking for him to have a great season."

This season he hit .306 for the Razorbacks, with six home runs and 38 RBI. He slugged .469 and had an OBP of .388.

At least it wasn't a relief pitcher.

Update (12:55 PM): Baseball America did a little Q&A with McCann back in March. Among the answers:

Is your defense your main identity as a player, you think?

Defense is what I pride my game on. Every day I come to the ballpark, I want to lead the team from behind the plate—catching, receiving, blocking, throwing. And that's something I can do every day. No matter how good a hitter you are, you aren't going to be able to hit every day. As a catcher, you can lead the team every day from that position.

Do you have a favorite big league catcher that you kind of pattern yourself after?

He's not playing anymore, but Mike Matheny. I grew up watching him, and I loved the way he played the game. He led the pitching staff, led the team from behind the plate. He was one of the best blockers I've ever seen. Just the way he went about his business behind the plate—he was one heck of a ballplayer, and he had a great career.

I just hope he doesn't hit like Matheny.

Update (1:05 PM): Looks like McCann's strength is defensively behind the plate instead of hitting up at the plate. He doesn't have great bat speed but is able to hit for power, something that can't be taught. He's not going to hit for average, but I think he has the tools to be an all-star catcher if the power keeps up.

Here's Keith Law on McCann:

Behind the plate McCann has average or slightly above-average tools across the board, with good hands and footwork and some arm strength, and he has a good build for the position. As a hitter, his hips tend to leak (meaning they move forward, toward the pitcher, too early, shifting his weight before he's really begun his swing) and he only has average bat speed. There's some rotation in his swing and he projects to have 15-20 home run power, but has struggled to even hit .300 this year against college pitching.

McCann was named one of the 13 semifinalists for the 2011 Johnny Bench Award, which is given to college baseball's top catcher.

Seems like a pretty safe pick to me.

Here's a couple of YouTube videos:





Update (1:10 PM): Not sure what my thoughts are on the pick. Obviously, we have to judge MLB Draft picks differently than, say, NFL or NBA picks, and I think that in this draft you should go for the best talent available. The question is: was McCann the best talent available at number 76? It's hard to judge, but only time will tell.

Plus, the Tigers picked SIX catchers in the 2010 draft, so that may skewer some opinions.

2011 Gold Cup: Mexico, Costa Rica open up with victories

The Gold Cup rolls around once every two years, and while I don’t think it gets quite the media attention it deserves, it still is a very important tournament and will carry extra value for the United States team this go around.

The winner of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup will qualify for the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil. (Hey, remember that tournament? Beating Spain and almost beating Brazil? That was cool.) Not only that, but the U.S. will look to retake the title from Mexico after being beat down in the 2009 final 5-0, and put on a solid showing after the thrashing delivered to us via Spain on June 4. (And yes, I will use “us” when referring to the U.S., with no hesitation at all.)

Hopefully the lessons learned from the Spain game will be used against our neighbors to the north, Canada, tomorrow at Ford Field. Yours truly will be in attendance, and I’m very excited, as I’ve never been to a professional soccer match before, let alone the U.S. Men’s National Team.

I think that this edition of the Gold Cup is important for two reasons (obviously, there’s more than two, but whatever): 1) We can build on the success at the 2009 Confederations Cup with a ticket to the 2013 tournament, and 2) A chance to get a look at what the roster may look like heading into World Cup qualifying.

The Confederations Cup was huge for U.S. Soccer development. The team made it to the final, almost (meaning: should have) took out Brazil, and dethroned Spain along the way. A trip to Brazil in 2013 would give the team a tremendous confidence boost, as it did leading up to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Winning the Gold Cup is the only way to get to the next edition of the Confederations Cup, which makes winning this all the more important. It would allow the U.S. to get more chances to play the ‘A’ teams of World Cup contenders and get the team acclimated to the environment they’ll have to play under in Brazil.

And when you get as far as they did in 2009, the team will be hungry to get right back in the final again.

I also think that the Gold Cup will allow coach Bob Bradley to address some of the grey areas in the team roster and formation. Carlos Bocanegra, right back Steve Cherundolo and center back Jay DeMerit will be 35, 35 and 34, respectively, in 2014, so Bradley can audition those spots to players such as Tim Ream and Eric Lichaj. Midfield is also unsettled, and when Stuart Holden returns, it will complicate things even more.

If Bradley is for sure going with the 4-5-1 instead of the 4-4-2, then questions surrounding Jozy Altidore will be asked, as it’s looking more and more like he won’t be the striker in that 4-5-1 formation.

With all that, I’m still picking the United States to beat Mexico in the final, for what it’s worth.

Play kicked off today at Cowboys Stadium, so here’s a quick recap of the action:

Mexico 5, El Salvador 0
Pretty safe to say that Javier Hernandez was the man of the match in this one. He scored three times for Mexico as they used his services and a great defense to shut out El Salvador. Eighty-thousand people were on hand for this one, and most were cheering for Mexico. They were treated to a show as their team scored four times in a 12-minute span to open up the game. El Salvador only managed two shots on goal, compared to Mexico’s nine.

Costa Rica 5, Cuba 0
Another 5-0 game, this time it’s Costa Rica getting off to a hot start at the Gold Cup. Marco Urena opened up the scoring in the seventh minute and Costa Rica didn’t look back. Costa Rica played a brilliant defensive game, as Cuba didn’t even manage a shot on goal.

Another Michigan Wolverine signs: Brandon Burlon with New Jersey

As I said in my Louie Caporusso post (which John Buccigross of ESPN actually retweeted the link of), I consider the Michigan Wolverines to be my college team to cheer for, so I like hearing about their players moving on to the next level. This time, it's defenseman Brandon Burlon. AnnArbor.com's Jeff Arnold sent out this tweet:

Defenseman Brandon Burlon signs with New Jersey Devils; will forego senior year at #Michigan.

And at around 2:30, AnnArbor.com posted a blurb about the signing...

Defenseman Brandon Burlon will forgo his senior season with the Michigan hockey team after signing an entry-level contract Thursday with the New Jersey Devils.

Burlon, 21, had 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) last season and was part of the all-CCHA honorable mention team.

Burlon signed his deal three days after Louie Caporusso, who served as a captain his senior season with Michigan, signed a two-year entry-level deal with the Ottawa Senators.

Burlon had 13 goals and 34 assists in 116 games in three seasons with the Wolverines. He had a rough second half of the year, as he lost about 20 pounds in nine days after a battle with esophagitis, which knocked him out of postseason play. As assistant coach Billy Powers said, I don't think that factored into his decision either.

Burlon is definitely reliable in his own end, due to he great hockey sense and ability to almost always be in the right position on the ice. The second-round draft pick of the Devils in 2008 has awesome, awesome skating skills and mobility, and will improve on his already solid two-way play in the minors next season.

With this decision, I'm looking for Jon Merrill to have an outstanding sophomore season with the Wolverines next year, as expectations for him will continue to increase. Interestingly enough, Merrill is also a Devils draft pick.

"Keeper of the Stanley Cup" Phil Pritchard chats before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final

Phil Pritchard with my dad and I at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Photo: Nick Barnowski

The Stanley Cup Final begins tonight as the Vancouver Canucks and Boston Bruins will battle for the Stanley Cup. In honor of the greatest trophy in sports history, I talked with the Hockey Hall of Fame's Phil Pritchard, also known as the "Keeper of the Stanley Cup," about his job, his white gloves, and, of course, his encounter with Peggy in that Discover card commercial. Listen below:



*The interview was done over Skype, so that's why the qualify fades a bit at times. I apologize.