8\31 Dino Ciccarelli is retiring after 19 NHL seasons. The right-winger is ninth in NHL all-
time goal scoring with 608 goals -- two behind Bobby Hull. He also had 592 assists in 1,232 
NHL games. Dino played for the Wings in the early 90's, but most recently played in Florida.
Next to Stevie Y, Dino is my favorite player of all time. Nobody played the pest around the 
net and got garbage goals like Dino.

8\25 This from the Detroit News:"The Hockey News is picking the Red Wings to win the Stanley 
Cup. That's nice to know, but the magazine also picked the Wings to win last season. The Wings 
are ranked third in publication's overall preseason rankings, trailing the defending Stanley 
Cup champion Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche, who eliminated the Wings in the Western 
Conference semifinals. The magazine, considered the leading authority of the sport, believes 
the Wings will prevail in the playoffs. "No team has both the hunger to redeem itself and 
wherewithal to see it through as do the Red Wings," writes Mike Brophy, who also notes the 
fact owner Mike Ilitch's mandate is to win at all costs." 

8\24 Sorry everybody, I was on vacation. Here's what happened while I was gone: Nick Lidstrom 
signed a 3 year,$22 million contract with the Wings. I could feel the wind of millions of 
Wings' fans breathing a sigh of relief all the way down in Cincinnati. Also, Uwe Krupp has 
been suspended without pay because of his refusal to release medical information to the Wings.
     This from the Detroit News: "The parent company of the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red 
Wings has acquired a new jet to transport both teams. Ilitch Ventures Inc. said Friday that the 
DC-9-51, with luxury seating for 52 people, will replace the Red Wings' former plane, Red Bird 
One. It also will replace the Pro Air Inc. charters the Tigers have used in the past."  
     Steve Yzerman and Darren McCarty have yet to sign contracts. Yzerman's should be coming 
soon, but I haven't heard a word about McCarty. There were a few other blurbs on the Wings' 
wire: Jamie Macoun has retired, and the Wings still have an eye out for another defenseman, but
do not consider it a priority. Training camp opens in two weeks. 

8\19 This from the Detroit News: "Nicklas Lidstrom told Swedish sportscasters Tuesday he 
expects to make a decision on whether to stay in Sweden or return to the Red Wings by the end 
of this weekend. Whether Lidstrom will come through or not with a firm decision, remains to be 
seen.  Lidstrom has indicated on other occasions this summer he's close to making a decision, 
but then came up indecisive again. But this time, Lidstrom might have to decide once and for 
all. Vasteras, the Swedish team he is considering playing for, has already started its 
exhibition season. The Red Wings report for physicals for the start of training camp Sept.4.
Then, there is the family issue. Lidstrom's oldest son Kevin, age 5, will begin kindergarten 
this autumn. School begins in both the United States and Sweden in a few weeks." 

8\18 Tickets for exhibition games go on sale today. It has been very slow lately newswise.

8\10 The Wings have resigned both Assistant coaches (Barry Smith and Dave Lewis)for the next 
two years.

8\7 From the Detroit News: "The Detroit Red Wings have signed a 30-year contract to move their 
top minor league team to northwest Ohio. Under the agreements, the team will pay $5,000 a game 
in rent and 10 percent of ticket sales in excess of $3 million per hockey season. In exchange 
for managing the arena and amphitheater, Olympia will receive money for operating expenses, 
and a percentage of the suite license fees, premium seating license fees, advertising, 
concession and merchandise sales. If revenue bonds being used to finance construction of the 
arena are paid off before 30 years, the team may pull out of the arena if the Red Wings wish, 
said Keith Wilkowski, Rossford law director." 

8\4 Bill Ranford signed a one year deal with Edmonton. There is more discussion about Lidstrom 
and McCarty in both Detroit papers, but no real news.

8\2 Wendel Clark has signed with the Blackhawks.

7\30 Aaron Ward has signed a one year deal. Nick Lidstrom may sign, or anounce he's leaving, 
as early as Tuesday.

7\27 The WIngs are close to re-signing Aaron Ward. But not any closer with Nick Lidstrom or:
(From the Free Press) "Contract talks with forward Darren McCarty are proceeding slowly. The 
Wings remain interested in landing a veteran defenseman and have displayed interest in Jeff 
Norton, who played at Michigan in the mid-1980s. Norton's agent, Robert Murray, said he 
expected to talk with Holland this week."


7\26 There hasn't been any news lately. When there is, I'll post it immediately.

7\16  (From the Detroit News) "The Red Wings signed goalie Manny Legace to a multiyear deal 
Thursday. Terms were not disclosed. Legace, 26, played 17 games with the Los Angeles Kings last 
season and was 2-9-2 with a 2.60 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. He spent the 
previous four seasons in the minors. It is likely that Legace will compete with Ken Wregget to 
back up Chris Osgood. Wregget, who played with the Flames last season, signed a multiyear 
contract with the Wings on July 9."   

7\14 ESPN and both Detroit papers have bits on Yzerman's contract being close to signed. The 
schedule for the 1999-2000 season is posted on my schedule page.

7\13 Doug Houda has signed with the Sabres. Doug spent last year in Adirondack with a short 3 
game stop with the Wings. He was the Wing's 2nd round pick in 1984. Todd Gill will likely not 
return, he's received an offer from another team that is more then the Wings are willing to 
spend.

7\11 The Wings signed backup goalie Ken Wregget on Friday to a multi-year contract. He played in
Calgary last season but sat out most of it due to injuries. Nick Lidstrom received an offer from
his old Swedish club. His agent is suppose to meet with Ken Holland this week. The Wings' 
training camp will be September 5-10 at Center I.C.E. Arena in Traverse City. 

(From the Free Press)   The Wing's exhibition schedule:

                             Home games in CAPITALS

                             1999 schedule

                             SEPTEMBER

                             12 (Sun.) NY RANGERS, 7:00

                             14 (Tue.) NASHVILLE, 7:30

                             16 (Thu.) at NY Rangers, 7:30

                             17 (Fri.) DALLAS, 7:30

                             18 (Sat.) at Philadelphia, 3:00

                             22 (Wed.) BUFFALO, 7:30

                             24 (Fri.) at Dallas, 8:30

                             25 (Sat.) at Nashville, 8:00

                             27 (Mon.) PHILADELPHIA, 7:30


7\7 (From the Free Press) "Negotiations with Darren McCarty and Nick Lidstrom are likely to 
linger into the regular season. Talks with Ward also could drag on. Negotiations continue with 
backup goalie Manny Legace, who seems like a good fit for Detroit and is seeking about what the 
Wings are offering. The Wings are speaking with a few unrestricted free-agent defensemen as well, 
but most are seeking much more than the Wings are spending."

7\4 Richard Gnida, the putz who was driving the limo that paralized Vladimir Konstantinov is
back in jail after getting a DUI this weekend.

7\2 The Wings are beginning to sign the several free agents from last years team. Kirk Maltby is
signed and Yzerman is close. McCarty, Ward, and Lidstrom are left. Todd Gill is also being 
saught after. The Wings are also beginning to look at goalies to fill the huge hole Hodson and 
Maracle left.