If Hossa and Franzen Sign, Who Goes?

After Henrik Zetterberg agreed to a 12 year deal that will keep him in a Detroit Red Wings uniform for life, it posed the question to many of us in the media, who’s next? Well, Red Wings General Manager and Executive Vice President Ken Holland answered that question for us during Zetterberg’s press conference at the end of January. Holland is working tirelessly to sign both Marian Hossa and Johan Franzen to contract extensions. Both players are unrestricted free agents after this season and could end up on different rosters next season. Now, that is the worst case scenerio and I think at least one, if not both will be here in Detroit. However, it all depends how much each player is willing to give in order to keep the Winged Wheel on their chest. Signing players like Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk to long term deals means Mr. and Mrs. Ilitch are dedicated to keeping the core in tact. Captain Nicklas Lidstrom is here for at least one more season and then he becomes an unrestricted free agent too.

What is interesting about hockey players is that they are willing to take less money to play for a winner. You see it all the time in baseball, basketball, and football, where an athlete will follow the money and jump ship. Alex Rodriguez and Ben Wallace are the two names that jump out at me as money followers. Hockey, however, is different. Marian Hossa told me last week that his agent, Ritch Winter, is trying to work out the details and come up with a contract extension that keeps him in Detroit. Johan Franzen, I’m sure, would like to stay on the team that helped him win his first Stanley Cup for at least a few more years. But in order to get, you must first learn how to give. I think winning the Stanley Cup is worth more than an extra million dollars on a team that will not even make the playoffs.

If Hossa and Franzen do sign contract extensions, it could be Jiri Hudler we miss next year. Hudler is having a phenominal season and already has 20 goals with 24 games left in the regular season. Hudler is also 4th in points, behind Datsyuk, Hossa, and Zetterberg. Not bad company, eh? Hudler will command much more than the million and change that he is making now. Remember, he does not even play on the first line and still puts up some great numbers, plus Coach Babcock uses him during shootouts. Hudler would definitely be a valuable player for any team in the NHL.

Stay tuned, this offseason for the Red Wings is set to be an interesting one.

NCAA Men’s Final Four Coming In April

Basketball fans are in for a treat during the first weekend in April. Many of the events surrounding the Men’s Final Four are free to the public and worth making the trip to downtown Detroit to attend. Rather you have a ticket to the game or not, fans will be able to get up close and personal to all four teams during their practices on Friday from Noon to 4:00 p.m. Ford Field will open its doors at 11:00 a.m. and it’s first come first serve basis for seats. Bring your cameras, posters, and any other college basketball piece of memorabilia, because I know from past Final Four events, some athletes will take time after practice to mingle with their fans. Immediately following the practices, the best senior basketball players in the country will be participating in The Hershey’s College All-Star Game, which is also free to fans. This is only the second year the game will be played in the Final Four venue.

An interactive must see from April 3-6 will be the NCAA Hoop City refreshed by Coca-Cola. Fans of all ages can run, jump, shoot, and play basketball in different competitions and clinics. There will be plenty of prizes, photo opportunities, and autograph sessions.

If you are in the mood for a good party, be sure to head down to the Detroit Riverfront for the AT&T Block Party from 6:00-10:30 p.m. on April 3rd. It’s a free event with plenty of live music, food, and fun. Big Dance Saturday is also along the Detroit Riverfront on April 4 from 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. National and local muscians will be on hand to perform. Event promoters will announce the musical acts later on in the month of February.

Fans supporting their teams will have the opportunity to meet at the same restaurant to get ready for the games. Detroit Beer Co. will host the winner of the South Regional and Hockeytown Cafe will welcome the fans from the winner of the West Regional. The restaurants hosting the East and Midwest regional winners will be announced at a later date.

Anywhere you go, there will be something for everyone. Get ready Detroit, the Final Four is coming and bringing thousands of fans to our great city!

National Signing Day

For student athletes across the country, this day will change the next four years of their life. It’s National Signing Day. Some athletes know for weeks where they will play college sports, but some wait until the very last minute to make their decision. Either way, for an athlete to get the opportunity to play any sport beyond high school, is a tremendous honor.

This morning at Brother Rice High School, I was able to witness five student athletes sign their letters of intent. The young men sat there with pens in hand, papers in front of them, plus hats from their respective schools. The principal came up made some remarks, then the head coach, then it was time to sign. Cameras flashed. Big smiles came across many faces in the room. With the stroke of a pen, their commitment became legal.

One mother sat in the front row with a camera in hand and a huge smile that never left her face. Her son, Kenneth T. Watkins II (safety, signed with the University of Minnesota) is following in his father’s footsteps and playing football in the Big Ten Conference. Kenneth Sr. played at Northwestern, then played DB for the Lions. He, too, could not contain his excitement for his son. Both parents told me that they would be traveling to every single home game that Minnesota plays next season. I hope the newest safety for the Golden Gophers realizes what a blessing this will be.

Among the others signing letters of intent today, Shamari Benton, safety, signed with Central Michigan, John Farney, wide receiver, signed with Butler University, Ed Viverette, linebacker, signed with Wayne State University, Kevin Dzierzawski, midfielder (soccer), signed with Dartmouth, and Zachary Cherocci, offensive guard, will sign with Hillsdale College. Cherocci was in the hospital this morning and not in attendance.

This day is one these student athletes will not soon forget. They may question their decision once that first workout in the heat comes up, but I guarantee, four years from now, they will be glad they spent the morning signing their name to this special piece of paper.

Katrina’s Blog on Super Bowl XLIII

There is not a better way to start the Super Bowl than two fabulous performances by Faith Hill and Jennifer Hudson. Being a daughter of a music teacher, I always appreciate the beautiful music surrounding an event like this. These two ladies treated all of us today!

How about the flyover? I always get goosebumps when I see our military fighter pilots in the air, in formation, flying high above a stadium. Thank you to all of the men and women serving our country on this Super Bowl Sunday.

6:53 p.m. Could not believe Ben Roethlisberger did not get in the endzone on the  Steelers first drive of the game.  Great challenge by Arizona.  We were all cheering for Mike Tomlin to go for it on 4th down, but apparantely he is playing it safe.  Ok, so three points is better than zero.  I get it.  The Dorritos commercial is by far my favorite.  Nothing like throwing a snow globe into a vending machine to grab a bag!  Looks like the Steelers are putting together another good drive.   Let’s see if they score.

7:22 p.m.  Well sports fans, we have a game.  Thank you Kurt Warner for connecting that one yard pass to Ben Patrick.  10-7 Steelers lead it right now in the 2nd quarter.  How about former Michigan wide receiver Steve Breaston with three catches for 30 yards already!  Look for him to continue to be a good target for Kurt Warner tonight.  All the guys in the office loved the second Dorritos commercial, especially when the woman’s clothes blew off.  I liked the Pepsi commercial where the guy got blown off the ladder.  So far so good.   I can’t wait to see the rest.

7:53 p.m. With 18 seconds left in the first half, Arizona is ready to score, take the lead, but then James Harrison makes the play of the game.  The 6’0, 242 pound outside linebacker from Akron, Ohio needed his teammates to block for him and run in back 100 yards for the touchdown.  Momentum shifted in favor of the Steelers and so it will be up to the Cardinals to rally in the 2nd half.  I could not have predicted that Larry Fitzgerald’s first catch would come with just 52 seconds left in the half.  I sure thought Larry would be a bigger factor in this game. Ok, so all of us here in the sports office put on our 3-D glasses and watched the three commercials.  I thought there would be more 3-D action in them, but there really wasn’t much to see.  I did like the E-Trade commercial with the two babies.  Those are always super funny.  Ok, time to watch Bruce!

8:33 p.m. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band rocked the pirate ship down in Tampa.  It amazes me that he is 59 years old and continues to ignite his fans like that.  Great job!  Now it is time to see which team will win it all and show up in the second half.  Enjoy!

9:20 p.m.  It looked like the Steelers would be able to put it on cruise control in the second half, but Larry Fitzgerald finally got in the endzone for Arizona.  I would love to see this game go down to the wire.  I’m a little disappointed with the commercials in the second half too.  Hopefully I’ll see a few more that will get me laughing.  Be sure to tune in tonight after Local 4 News for a special edition of Sports Final Edition.  Rob Parker and Lomas Brown are both in studio to break down this game.

10:03 p.m.  I thought Larry Fitzgerald solidified this game for the Arizona Cardinals with that amazing 64 yard touchdown catch from Kurt Warner.  But then, Ben Roethlisberger needed two passes to connect with Santonio Holmes in the back of the endzone.  WOW!  Two feet down to take the lead 27-23.

10:11 p.m. Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for beating the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII 27-23!  Definitely an instant classic for sure!  Tune in tonight for a complete recap of the entire night of football and commercials!