Monday, February 25, 2008

Sup, 1997?

By Kyle Bauer


I’m back from a long long looooooong break where I intended on updating here and there but hey this should be used mostly for OU sports anyway. With the NHL trade deadline tomorrow, the Pistons in the stretch run and Tiger baseball in Lakeland right now, I have plenty to post about.

On the OU hockey show, I was recently lucky enough to interview M-Live.com/Booth Newspapers, Red Wings beat writer Ansar Khan who discussed the Wings trade deadline prospects with Corey, Brad and myself. Here's what he was hinting towards.

The Wings will likely get Fedorov back if anybody, while Darren McCarty just rejoined the Wings today. Mac is getting a contract and being assigned for a 2 week conditioning stint in Grand Rapids which by the end of that he'll get a shot and fight Downey and Drake for a spot in the line up and in the playoffs. I cant believe this is really happening I’m almost speechless about it.I’m actually not too pumped for McCarty coming back but hey miracles happen. He is tearing up the AHL right now and so far has tallied 7 goals and 13 points total in the 20 minor league games he split between the IHL's Flint Generals and American leagues Grand Rapids Griffins.

My worry is that similar to Maltby, he'll get a spot on the team and take up space from younger players in his mold that are hungry to make an impact, such as Downey, Hartigan, Ellis and Kopecky. Those three players could be the ex factor for the Wings to make a deep playoff run while standing up to physically imposing teams like Calgary, Anaheim and San Jose. Mac should come back in fine shape. Thankfully Babcock is making him earn that spot on the roster and that should leave little to no room for complacency on McCarty’s part. If he can make an impact, he’s welcomed and its nothing but a positive story.

Fedorov is actually tops on the Wings wish list because of his 2 way impact and affordability. If Fedorov comes back I will be excited for that because if you stick him on the second or third line, on the pk, on the point for the powerplay he'll fill some gaps. I’m not sure how much he'll score but sandwich him with Hudler and Fillpula, I think he'll open up some ice for them. Fedorov may not be able to score at the pace he used to but his versatility could be an asset to any hockey club, especially when you figure the gritty defensive battles the NHL playoffs usually hold. With the possibility of Sergei coming back it will bring back an old face to the Wings could pump some new life into their slumping offense and inconsistent defense. Fedorov will at the least improve the depth of this team with little question marks.

Vaclav Prospal is another rumored forward coming to the Wings. Prospal would make more of a scoring impact, likely larger than Fedorov but the detractor from Prospal is his lack of versatility. In my opinion he'll produce but he's a soft one way player. He's never been a playoff producer either and actually the Lightning won the Stanley Cup when the Anaheim Ducks were renting him. Tampa will likely want a good deal from the Wings in return for Prospal who is averaging almost a point a game. He would be the biggest point producer the Red Wings would get though.

The LA Kings Brad Stuart is a likely defensive candidate for the Wings which he’s solid, not nessacerly who I want but I could settle with that. I'm hoping for someone the caliber of Filip Kuba, who adds more size and consistency than Stuart who has struggled every since he left San Jose 3 seasons ago. But only big name defensemen have come up on the block so far and really only smaller offensive minded defensemen such Kuba’s counterpart Dan Boyle, Brain Campbell from Buffalo who wouldn’t be a bad acquisition but the price tag might be too high and then J.M Liles from the Avalanche who now look to be a buyer instead of seller as they just picked up free agent Peter Forsberg. Marek Malik is another rumored player to be on the way out of the Rangers but once again, the price tag might be too high. Price is a key factor on what the Wings are willing to deal because they do not have that much depth in their farm systems.

The Wings may not be able to swing for a defensemen at a reasonable price, that is where the Wings will need to look to the youth that has stepped up in the absence of the Detroit’s injured defense. I’m excited for Jonathan Ericson. If the Wings cannot manage to swing a deal for a defensemen hopefully he could come out of nowhere and step up, then maybe Quincey could join him if injuries continue to nag our defensemen. Ericson at 6'5 is the biggest defensemen the Wings have had since Jiri Fischer, who absence may had been the difference from the Wings getting to the finals last season. It's an old bit but size does matter deep in the defensive zone and Ericson is the first player the Wings have seen in a while that posses such an attributes.

Kyle Quincey has been another impressive youngster that seen playoff time last year in lieu of Mathieu Schneider’s injury. Quincey is once again on the smaller side but has been sound and capable during his time up with the big club.
Derek Meech, similar to Quincey is a smaller but another stay at home defensemen and a player who I think should be in the line up every night over Andeas Lilja, but he's getting his chance now and hopefully will in the playoffs.
With these 3 young defensemen, combined with a healthy Kronwall (which you cant count on) the Wings just might be ok as is, heading into and through the playoffs. The key for any Red Wings defensemen in the playoffs is playing tight in the neutral zone and tough out in front.

We'll see what the Wings do tonight and through tomorrow. Don’t expect a big move for several reasons the first being the Wings lack of depth with quality young players, second being that every team is still conceiving in the playoff race except LA, Tampa, Edmonton and Toronto. Remember, the Wings need a player who will fit their puzzle, not someone too big or too small. Fedorov, McCarty and Stuart among other may be the perfect fit.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

OU Hockey Show Wednesday 5-6pm Nationals Preview

OU Hockey Show is on from 5-6pm on Wednesday on 88.3FM WXOU and www.wxou.org to listen live online:

Was the disaster on Friday vs Davenport a preview of things to come?

After Friday..the one and done crowd has grown are they correct and why should we doubt them?

We will discuss the Keys to stopping the Sooners

What makes us most nervous about the Sooners?

Can Oakland match goal for goal vs the Sooners?

If you were Oakland what would you do?

Your gut feeling about Nationals?

Bracket Predictions

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Mickey Renaud Tribute Video

As we said on the show our thoughts and prayers are with Mickey Renaud's family and friends in this difficult time. Here is the tribute video the OHL has made:

Todays Show

Posted for you all http://wxousports.com/Audio.html

Monday, February 18, 2008

What We are playing for

Think it is time to bring these back out:




OU Hockey Show 5-6pm Wednesday Listen Live online

We return to the studio this week on "The OU Hockey Show" from 5-6pm Wednesday on 88.3FM WXOU andListen Live on wxou.org message us on aim at wxoudj

We will be joined by Detroit Red Wings beat writer Ansar Kahn from MLIVE as we approach the NHL Trade Deadline

Review Oakland vs Adrian

Preview OU-DU

Senior Night Friday we discuss what the seniors have meant to the Program

Ask the question Is Oakland Ready for Nationals?

What first round matchup are you most looking forward to Nattys?

How much of Oaklands success is the doing of the Coaching staff and can they push the same buttons at Nationals with so many guys having never been there on OU?

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Brian Sommariva

I know some of the OU Hockey vets will want to know that it was good to see Brian Sommariva helping as "Head Coach" with Joe Stefan at todays Plymouth Whalers game. With the Whalers Head Coach Greg Stefan suspended its good to see a former ACHA guy doing good things in the OHL. Brian Sommariva is one of the Plymouth Whalers assistant Coaches. I know some of you Grizzlies will love that. Brian is doing well for himself.

Today's OU Hockey Show Posted

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Show on Now til 6pm

Click here to Listen

Go to Oakland University Hockey

Oklahoma it is

As I wrote about: Oakland will play Oklahoma Saturday March 1st 10:30 AM we will discuss this on the Hockey Show today at 4pm on wxousports.com

Monday, February 11, 2008

Who will OU play in Nationals?



I have been asked that very question. I think its down to 3 with these 2 being most likely: Oklahoma or Liberty.

I don't see it being Delaware after they swept Penn State. Can Delaware move past PSU? they Should. I mean if your logical about it they should since they swept them. It's tough because Penn State does not deserve to be #4 when you look at the body of work they have but Lindenwood can't fall after a 3-1 period but splitting with Central Oklahoma is nothing a top 3 team should do. Sweeping Rhode Island as Penn State did is not like it used to be since they are doen for Rhode Island standards.

Lindenwood can't be #2, If they are #2 Delaware would get screwed plain and simple. Illinois is clearly # 1 no debate with that. Oklahoma drops since Delaware swept Penn State and has to move up. They only drop 1 spot because a loss to Lindenwood is nothing to be ashamed of and you call it a wash with 1-1 vs Liberty. I put Liberty where I did because of the split with the Sooners and sweeping Slippery Rock. If Liberty would have played someone tougher then Slippery Rock and swept then I would have put them over the Sooners.

Penn State Blew it meaning the #2 seed and Lindenwood doesn't get punished because of that and Penn State doesn't doesn't just get #3 because they are Penn State

BUT

wait a minute this gets confusing Kent State is #11 and went 2-2 in that ranking period Kent State lost 5-0 Friday night and 6-2 Saturday night to Ohio, who OU split with. #10 Iowa State also went 2-2 with a sweep by Illinois however Oakland went 3-1 against D2 Davenport and D2 Michigan State in close games. all the wins were in a shootout which is why Oakland has to stay at #12. If Oakland had of played good D1 teams and went 3-1 then OU could have moved up 1 or 2 spots.

OU can't fall because the teams below then for the most part cannot get it together really.

The rankings are not as a whole done logically. I try to think in College Football/ Basketball Rankings when thinking about these things. You can go through and say how is so and so ranked there when they beat and lost to so and so.

Finally I also am keeping OU at #12 which means in my situation they will play Oklahoma.


My Top 6 If I had a vote:
1. Illinois
2. Delaware
3. Lindenwood
4 Penn State
5. Oklahoma
6. Liberty

Since the Last Ranking Period

Illinois: Swept Iowa State and RMC
Delaware:Swept Scranton and Penn State
Penn State: Swept Rhode Island Swept by Delaware
Liberty: Split with Oklahoma-Swept Slippery Rock
Lindenwood:Swept Duquesne, Split with Central Oklahoma, beat Oklahoma once
Oklahoma: Split with Liberty, Loss to Lindenwood, Swept Central Oklahoma

Plymouth Whalers @ Kingston Frontnacs Brawl and other Fights from Tonight



Plymouth's Geldart vs Kingston's Francella



Plymouth's Cunningham vs Kingston's Marsden



Plymouth's O'Neill vs Kingstons's Brown

Sunday, February 10, 2008

OU Hockey Show Wednesday from Plymouth

The OU Hockey Show is on Wednesday from 4-6pm Live from the Compuware Sports arena in Plymouth before the Plymouth Whalers take on Steve Stamkos and the Sarnia Sting.

How to get to the Show: Click Here

Topics:
-We will recap OU-MSU
-Preview OU-Adrian
-Is Oakland regressing as we get closer to Nationals?
-Why has OU come out flat lately?
-Will Chase return to the Championship form that we saw at Nattys last year
-We discuss the good as well.
-Discuss the Whalers for a bit
-If you were an NHL GM what would you do to get the #1 pick and draft Steve Stamkos #1 overall
-Possibly a guest from the Whalers may join us

Saturday, February 09, 2008

Oakland vs Michigan State Shootout Video

Friday, February 08, 2008

Ansar Khan- Red Wings Beat Writer Joins us Feb 20 5pm

Ansar Khan the Detroit Red Wings beat writer from MLive will join us on "The OU Hockey Show" at 5pm on Feb 20 to discuss the Detroit Red Wings and the NHL Trade deadline which is on Feb 26 at 3pm

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Tony Yearego joins us today

OU defender Tony Yearego joins us between 5-6pm today

Monday, February 04, 2008

OU Hockey Show Wednesday Topics and Live Stream

5-6pm on Wednesday is "The OU Hockey Show" on 88.3FM and LIVE ONLIVE HERE at www.wxou.org call us at 248-370-4274 or message us on aim at wxoudj

Goose vs. Owl we discuss
Why was the OU Broadcast team heckled at Davenport?
Review OU-DU
Preview OU vs MSU
Jim Martin Head Coach and General Manager of the Michigan State Spartans will join us in Studio.
Jonah Rogowski from the Davenport Panthers will join us to review the weekend series.
Chris Joswiak from the Davenport Panthers will join us as well.
OU continues to be clutch.

Maybe some Grizzlies will join us to even things out?

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Brett Haugh Goal Video and Shootout Video




Jim Martin Joins us Wednesday on The OU Hockey Show

I'm just getting home here, Thoughts on OU-DU later but a memo: Jim Martin Head Coach and General Manager for the Michigan State Spartans will join us in our WXOU Studio Wednesday for "The OU Hockey Show" at 5pm