Travis

Had a chance to do some work with the Coyotes over the Spring. Everyone we talked to in and around the organization said nothing but the best about Doaner. He's their Yzerman, for sure, and does even more around the community than we ever hear about. Looking forward to the read.

#peskygriffs!

Yoenis f@&$ing Cespedes. http://m.mlb.com/det/video/topic/69972428/v39967983/baldet-cespedes-hits-a-grand-slam-to-left/?c_id=det I am so excited about him being a Tiger it's not even right.

I didn't know Getzlaf lived in Newport. Maybe I'll run into him at Pavilions or something. Don't get me wrong, Newport definitely has its niceties, but for my money - it can definitely be beat.

Just so you know, I shared your quote on Deadspin - who agrees with everyone's sentiments. Hope that's okay. http://deadspin.com/loyalty-in-sports-is-stupid-1603671213/all

The equivalent of a AAAA player in baseball.

Wow. Seriously? I can't believe the Red Wings ticket office thinks Billy Beane is the team's GM. (But seriously that's totally absurd if true.)

I can understand that, but Blashill has had success at every level he's coached. And with young players, at that. If this organization is seriously focused on youth, it might not be bad to bring the coach along with the youth movement.

As someone without a real understanding of Corsi, this is a bit over my head, but there's an interesting analysis about Green here: http://www.mc79hockey.com/2014/06/mike-green-karl-alznerjohn-carlson-who-stops-the-oppositions-best/

First, I apologize because much of this has likely already been discussed - but I've been absent from around these parts for quite sometime. Honestly, I've not paid a lot of attention to hockey over the past year, but free agency always gets me. Obviously, the Red Wings struck out on their targets and we're now talking back-up plans. Looking at Capgeek's Free Agent list I see some intriguing names, though. I understand that there are reasons for their current availability, but among available UFA defensemen I see: Michael Del Zotto Anton Volchenkov Shane O'Brien and Joni Pitkanen. Obviously, these aren't top tier defensemen that the team is looking for, but they could conceivably fill serviceable roles, no? I know time doesn't do many favors, but I recall Del Zotto being a productive defenseman for NYR at one point, and Volchenkov and O'Brien being former targets who could provide some proverbial sandpaper. Or perhaps there's some value to signing Pitkanen and immediately placing him on LTIR in hopes that he can someday return to form? Like I said, I've not paid much attention to hockey since the last lockout, so maybe these guys are little more than scraps - but at this point Mr. Holland and Co. need to get creative. I would hate to see them sacrifice their up-and-coming forward corps for someone like Tyler Myers.

To be perfectly honest, my interest in hockey has been wavering at best - failing to watch as much as a period of the NHL Playoffs to this point - but I am extremely excited for the Calder Cup Playoffs and to be at the Van Andel on Wednesday.

@Real_ESPNLeBrun: As per @DarrenDreger, Bobby Ryan to the Ottawa Senators for Silverberg, Noesen and a 1st rd pick

The wrong way down a one-way no less, with Brendan Smith's ID in his pocket.

Can he play 2B?

Given the fact that it'll no doubt receive some sort of corporate sponsor, I think The ___ Coliseum is a great idea.

There are also a large number of 'ticket brokers' who buy and re-sell tickets through TicketExchange and StubHub. I learned this first hand when one double-sold tickets a friend had purchased on StubHub.

@DetroitRedWings: #RedWings D-man Jonathan Ericsson confirmed that his new baby daughter, Liv, is named in honor of his late friend and teammate Stefan Liv.

That's understandable, but Nyquist or no Nyquist - that team is FUN to watch.

Report: Brad Ausmus to be next Tigers manager. http://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/11/3/5060110/report-tigers-hire-brad-ausmus-as-manager I like this move. No real rational reason to, but I like that they're (reportedly) going younger. Former catcher, history with the team, and a highly regarded baseball mind. Word is Lamont will stay on as bench coach. Should help Ausmus settle into his role. Hopefully Jones stays as well.

Ortiz's champagne cost more than Quintin Berry.

The worst part about a Red Wings game is when the seller you bought your tickets from manages to sell the seats on both stubhub and ticketexchange so you spend the first period in the box office trying to sort it out. That's what happened to my friends and I tonight. Obviously, that's not a regular occurrence but, I don't get to Wings games often and, I've never had a bad experience otherwise so it's the best I got. Also, seeing Brendan Smith "play" defense was a pretty significant bummer.

Came in here specifically to make this joke. I'll show myself out.

Holland may have said that Tootoo would be ready to go for game one, but it doesn't sound like he said anything about which team he'll be playing for when that game comes.

I actually like these more than their previous iteration. I'd like to see waist piping, but there was entirely too much going on up top before. While they are still quite busy around the chest and shoulders, it at least helps to alleviate some of that.