KrazyGangsta 79 Report post Posted May 24, 2011 It's very sad to see that some Red Wings players will eventually retire. * Rafalski - Retired * Lidstrom - Last Year / Retiring * Holmstrom - Last Year? * Kris Draper - Last Year * Ozzie - ??? I know Modano is retiring too but in my heart his not a real Red Wing. Worst part is that all of the above players are probably the key components for our stanley cup success. I'm really going to miss all of them. 3 Zeowingsfan, wingnut40 and Veery reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted May 24, 2011 You know, the off-season would be so much easier if I didn't love this team. 2 Majsheppard and pavelpasha13 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kira 451 Report post Posted May 24, 2011 It's not official with Rafi yet. But it will be an end of an era indeed when these guys hang them up. You can bet we'll not see their likes again. 1 pavelpasha13 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HankthaTank 1,100 Report post Posted May 24, 2011 It's the unfortunate nature of all sports. To see Stevie, Shanny, Fedorov (although he wanted to) leave it was like an empty lost feeling. Almost didn't know who could step in but as we know there are players on this team that are cementing their very own legacy. One thing I have come to learn is that the Red Wings are a revolving door for amazing world class talent and even if we aren't at the top in the next 10 years or so, I will always support and love this team more than any other. 2 Byorski and WizardOfOz30 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
atodaso 279 Report post Posted May 24, 2011 It's very sad to see that some Red Wings players will eventually retire. * Rafalski - Retired * Lidstrom - Last Year / Retiring * Holmstrom - Last Year? * Kris Draper - Last Year * Ozzie - ??? I know Modano is retiring too but in my heart his not a real Red Wing. Worst part is that all of the above players are probably the key components for our stanley cup success. I'm really going to miss all of them. i have a feeling lids, homer, and ozzie will be back. drapes wants to play more so if there is room he will be back too. however, this time around next year could be a really sad time... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted May 24, 2011 i have a feeling lids, homer, and ozzie will be back. drapes wants to play more so if there is room he will be back too. however, this time around next year could be a really sad time... Homer's still got a year left on his contract I believe. He'll definitely be back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hooon 1,089 Report post Posted May 24, 2011 Felt the same way when Yzerman retired. It'll be strange when those guys are gone, but its still incredible that they've been around so long and had such great careers. Especially all the guys who were around for the 90s cups. It'll be real rough whenever Lids makes the call. Luckily we have had excellent transition, and when those guys finally do hang em up, the Wings still have a great team of guys to root for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
irishtemper14+25 11 Report post Posted May 24, 2011 I have it from someone very close to Ozzie that he doesn't have it in him anymore, he might come back after he thinks it over more but thats unlikely. Sad day in red wing nation...these next years are where the new generation takes over Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted May 24, 2011 Everyone talks about how the Wings need to get younger, now is that opportunity. I'd like to see Lids stay, because he's obviously still in a class all his own; but I feel like it's time for the others to move on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blgillett 48 Report post Posted May 25, 2011 (edited) It's very sad to see that some Red Wings players will eventually retire. * Rafalski - Retired * Lidstrom - Last Year / Retiring * Holmstrom - Last Year? * Kris Draper - Last Year * Ozzie - ??? I know Modano is retiring too but in my heart his not a real Red Wing. Worst part is that all of the above players are probably the key components for our stanley cup success. I'm really going to miss all of them. it is hard to swollow isnt it. Nick and Drapes will be almost as hard to take as when Stevie Y left Edited May 25, 2011 by blgillett Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winger30 20 Report post Posted May 25, 2011 Haven't given much thought about it - however I was pretty bummed when Stevie hung 'em up, and Shanny left for the Rangers. yeah it killed me Stevie called it quits and Shanny left too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SiLkK19 67 Report post Posted May 25, 2011 It's sad for me because those guys are the last ones remaining from when I first started watching the wings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Shoreline Report post Posted May 25, 2011 (edited) I honestly wasn't too sad to see Stevie go. He's long been my favourite all-time NHL player, but you could tell by his last season his ability to play had been hampered by injuries and it was simply his time. I wouldn't have wanted him to beat himself up any more and even put the team at risk further by pushing it. He did the right thing, didn't pull a Brett Favre, and took the more mature path, and as you can see he's reaping rewards, from getting the position in the Red Wings office, to being GM now for Tampa who are 2 wins away from the Cup Finals. The guy gave us three Stanley Cups to celebrate. I didn't see any reason to be sad. I wear my Stevie Y jersey with pride. Edited May 25, 2011 by Shoreline Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Redwings 1926 47 Report post Posted May 25, 2011 I honestly wasn't too sad to see Stevie go. He's long been my favourite all-time NHL player, but you could tell by his last season his ability to play had been hampered by injuries and it was simply his time. I wouldn't have wanted him to beat himself up any more and even put the team at risk further by pushing it. He did the right thing, didn't pull a Brett Favre, and took the more mature path, and as you can see he's reaping rewards, from getting the position in the Red Wings office, to being GM now for Tampa who are 2 wins away from the Cup Finals. The guy gave us three Stanley Cups to celebrate. I didn't see any reason to be sad. I wear my Stevie Y jersey with pride. I see what you are saying, but it was still tough for me, seeing as he had become the face of the franchise. By the time he hung them up in 2006, he had literally been with the Redwings all my life, and the captain all but 4 of those years. It was strange, just as it will be strange when Litdsrom, Ozzy, and Holms move on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weGotTheCup89 41 Report post Posted May 25, 2011 I see what you are saying, but it was still tough for me, seeing as he had become the face of the franchise. By the time he hung them up in 2006, he had literally been with the Redwings all my life, and the captain all but 4 of those years. It was strange, just as it will be strange when Litdsrom, Ozzy, and Holms move on. It was hard when fredrik olausson retired. I'll be celebrating these guys' careers instead of feeling bad for myself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt198913 932 Report post Posted May 25, 2011 The only time I was ever upset that a Red Wing retired or left was when the captain hung them up. That one hurt Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IllinoisRedWingsFan 49 Report post Posted May 26, 2011 WOW! Sad days ahead. I remember when Stevie, Darren, Shannahan and Federov retired and that was a sad day. Deja vu all over again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted May 26, 2011 Not to sound like a sap, but I hope you all recorded games over the years like I did so your memories of the players mentioned, and also Yzerman, Shanahan, Fedorov, McCarty, Lapointe, Maltby, etc., will be with you for the rest of your life. 1995-present has been a very special time, I don't think I'll ever be as connected to a team like I have been with the Red Wings, especially with Salary Caps in sports. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites