11\28 The Wings blow a 2-0 lead to Phoenix, losing 3-4. Scoring were Murphy, Shanahan, and 
Duchesne. Next up: San Jose at the Joe on Wednesday.

11\27 Steve Yzerman puts in #600 as the Wings grease the Oilers 4-2. Scoring were Yzerman,
LaPointe, Verbeek, and Shanny. Chris Osgood sat out to rest some bruises thanks to a couple 
Al Macinnis shots. But backup Ken Wregget stopped 39 shots for his third victory. Next up: 
red-hot Phoenix at the Joe on Sunday at 3PM EST for 1st place in the NHL.
     The Captain's 600th goal puts him in some elite company. He is only the 11th player to 
ever do it, only the 2nd to do it all with one team (Mario Lemeiux.) And he joins the best 
ever to play the game with 600 goals and 900 assists. Those he can now rub shoulders with 
are Wayne Gretzky, Gordie Howe, Marcel Dionne and Mark Messier. Good company indeed. Steve
Yzerman's 1503 points is 7th all time.
     Larry Murphy played his 1,500th career game, joining Howe, Alex Delvecchio and Johnny 
Bucyk as the only players to reach that milestone. Larry Murphy holds the NHL record for 
games played by a defenseman. 

11\26 From the Detroit News: "The Red Wings have called up Darryl Laplante from Cincinnati 
in the AHL to replace Draper. "He's been playing well, he's been their best player," Bowman 
said of Laplante. The Wings also will be without Sergei Fedorov on Friday when they host 
the Edmonton Oilers. Tomas Holmstrom, who suffered a sprained left knee against Vancouver 
Nov. 17 and missed the last three games, skated hard Thursday and could be available as 
soon as tonight."
     The FedEX SuperSkills event that the Red Wings were scheduled to participate in 
Saturday at Joe Louis Arena has been postponed because of the death of Darren McCarty's 
father, Craig. The funeral for McCarty will take place Saturday morning in Leamington, 
Ontario with many of the Red Wings planning to attend. A make-up date for the SuperSkills 
event will be announced.
     From the Freep: "Forward Marc Rodgers, a Canadian, has grown to love Thanksgiving in
November, because his wife, Sheridee,celebrates the American version with a huge family
gathering each year at home in Knoxville, Tenn. So for Rodgers, Thursday might have been 
tough to take if general manager Ken Holland hadn't helped. Rodgers is staying in a hotel 
while up from the minors. Holland, knowing Rodgers would be alone for the holiday,invited 
him to his house for dinner. "That was really nice," Rodgers said. "Really nice." I found 
out later that it was actually Ken Wregget, not Ken Holland.

11\25 Steve Yzerman played his 1200th NHL game as the Wings dropped the Blues 4-2, retaking 
sole possession of 1st place in the Central Division. Scoring were Brown, Dandenault, 
Verbeek, and Shanny(en). Kris Draper is out again with a broken wrist. Next up: the Oilers
on Friday at the Joe.

11\24 AP;Detroit: Craig McCarty, the father of Detroit Red Wings player Darren McCarty,
died Wednesday after a four-year battle with a rare form of bone cancer. He was 50.
     Sergei Fedorov is questionable for tonight's game vs. the Blues, but Doug Brown and 
Kris Draper will be back.

11\23 Injury updates: Sergei Fedorov is expected to practice today. Doug Brown has begun 
skating but is still a week away from joining practices. Yan Golubovsky pulled a rib cage
muscle and will be out a little while. Kris Darper will likely practice and play this week.
Tomas Holmstrom will miss 2-4 weeks with a sprained left knee. Wings players have missed 83 
man games because of injuries.

11\21 The Wings had a rough weekend, losing in Calgary 3-1 on Friday and 2-1 in Edmonton on
Saturday. Scoring were Kozlov and Dandenault. Yzerman reached 1500 points with an assist on 
the Dandenault goal. Sergei Fedorov left the game with a concussion on Saturday. Seems the 
Wings ran into a couple of hot goal tenders. Next up: St. Louis at the Joe on Wednesday.

11\18 The Canucks didn't have a chance as the Wings put on a clinic, winning 7-2. Steve 
Yzerman got assist #900 and goal #599. Tomas Holmstrom left the game after a cheap shot by, 
who else, Donald Brashear. I can't stand that ape. From ESPN:"Steve Duchesne set up three 
goals while Brendan Shanahan, Martin Lapointe and Stacy Roest each had a goal and assist. 
Marc Rodgers, Sergei Fedorov Steve Yzerman, and Yuri Butsayev also scored for Detroit, which 
improved to 12-4-3 and moved into a tie for top spot in the overall NHL standings with the 
idle Los Angeles Kings." Ken Wregget got the win. Next up: at Calgary on Friday night.

11\16 The Wings pounded the Ducks 6-3. Bodies were flying all over the place. Fedorov left 
with a charlie horse and Draper left with a bad cut on his nose from a Paul Kariya high 
stick. Igor Larionov had 4 assists. Scoring were Shanahan, Murphy, Kozlov(2), LaPointe, and 
Lidstrom. Next up: a 3 game western Canada swing. First stop is Vancouver on Wednesday at 
10 PM EST. From the Detroit News: "A published report in Calgary listed the Wings among a 
handful of teams interested if the Sabres shop forwards Dixon Ward and Brian Holzinger." 

11\15 The Wings play Anaheim tonight at the Joe. Now I know what happened to that game in 
October, I must have an unrevised schedule. Brent Gilchrist cleared waivers as expected and
is still a Wing. Darren McCarty will be reevaluted today to see when he'll be back.The Wings 
are 0-for-12 on the power play in their past four games. 

11\14 From the Detroit News: "There's been a lot of talk lately about teams of the decade. 
The World Series between the Yankees and Braves sparked debate in baseball. In hockey, a 
handful of teams could make a claim to being best of the 1990s.But the Red Wings, and their 
opponent Friday, the Penguins, might have the strongest arguments. The teams won two Stanley 
Cups each this decade (Wings in 1997 and '98, the Penguins 1991 and '92). The Red Wings lead 
the NHL in victories this decade (400), and the Penguins are second (377).The Red Wings have 
won four conference titles, the Penguins three.According to Coach Scotty Bowman, who coached 
each team to Stanley Cups, "you could make a strong case for both." But defenseman Larry 
Murphy, who won a Stanley Cup on each team, said the Wings have an edge."The Red Wings have 
been more consistent," said Murphy, who noted a brief slide by the Penguins in the middle of 
the decade. "That would be the tiebreaker."Murphy said the Penguins' 1992-93 team, which 
failed to win a third consecutive Stanley Cup but dominated during the regular season, might 
have been the most individually talented team he's played on.Incidentally, that team had the 
second-best season record in the decade (the Red Wings'1995-96 was the league's best).But 
that particular Penguins team would still have difficulty defeating one of the Wings Stanley 
Cup teams."It would exciting (to see a matchup)," Murphy said. "Both teams were real strong 
puck control teams. It would be interesting. It would be a case of both teams would use their 
talent to beat the other team, and you don't see that at that level." 
     Darren McCarty didn't play Saturday after injuring his groin Friday against the Penguins.
The Red Wings will reevaluate McCarty on Monday.... Brendan Shanahan's 400th goal Saturday 
came seven years to the day after Steve Yzerman scored his 400th.... Bowman was ejected with 
1.7 seconds left in overtime Saturday by referee Paul Stewart.Said Bowman: "I have to get my 
money's worth. It's better to do it during the game rather than after." Anybody else think 
Paul Stewart is an ass? 

11\14 The Wings go up to Toronto and leave with a 1-1 tie. Scoring his 400th career goal was
Shanahan. Next up: at Vancouver on Wednesday.

11\13 Sergei Fedorov gets the game winner 36 seconds into overtime against the Pens. Scoring
were LaPointe, Lidstrom(sh), and Fedorov. The bad news is, the Wings allowed another last 
minute goal that could've cost them the game.Ken Wregget gets his first win. Next up: at 
Toronto tonight, and Shanny is back. Darren McCarty pulled a groin muscle during the game 
Friday and isn't expect to play. Damn them nuts!

11\12 Scotty Bowman was fined $1000.00 for the bullshit in Tampa Bay. I'm just glad it's 
over now. It looks like the league didn't close the case after all.
Injury Updates: Kirk Malby's surgery went well, but don't expect him back until after 
New Years...Doug Brown should be about 2 or 3 more weeks...Joey Kocur will begin skating with 
the team next week...Brent Gilchrist should be back about the same time as Brown, should he 
clear waivers on Saturday...Vladimir Konstantinov's #16 is unofficially retired, Pat Verbeek 
has worn it most of his pro career and Kenny Holland said 'sorry, that's Vladdy'd number.'

11\11 The Wings made a few mistakes, but still pulled out a 4-2 win at Dallas. Scoring were 
Dandenault, Yzerman(1+1sh), and Larionov. Yzerman's goals move him past Mario Lemieux for 
7th on the all-time list. Next up: Pittsburgh at the Joe on Friday.
     Brent Gilchrist was put on waivers to clear a roster spot for Verbeek...Chris Chelios 
wore the 'A' in place of suspended Shanny...Ken Holland is preparing to talk to Igor Larionov 
about a new contract...Those two Yzerman goals last night were incredible.  

11\10 This just in: The Wings have signed former Dallas Star right winger Pat Verbeek to a 
two year deal. He's expected to play tonight at Dallas.

11\10 Shanny got a 2 game suspension for the incident at Tampa Bay. The Wings called up Marc 
Rodgers from the Manitoba Moose of the AHL to fill in. Scotty, Stevie Y, and Marty all made 
statements about the incidents in Tampa Bay. Marty said "The truth is I would never spit on 
somebody. I would punch him first." Shanny added,"The guy had a camera. I'm sure if it was a 
true he wouldn't just be saying it, we'd be watching it on TV." As near as I can tell, the 
NHL has cleared everybody and closed the case.

11\8 Jeez, where to start. The Wings lost at Tampa Bay 2-3. Scoring were Yzerman(sh) and 
Fedorov.The Wings are 1-3-1 in their last five. Brendan Shanahan got a gamer after time 
expired for trying to take Lightning center Darcy Tucker's head off. Ken Wregget is now 0-3 
on the season.Then the fun begins. Apparently between the 2nd and 3rd period Scotty Bowman got 
into a tussell with a photographer. Then in the 3rd period, Yzerman tried to reach over the 
glass near the bench to take the guy's camera, the Marty LaPointe told the guy he was coming 
over the glass and began to spit in an arc to clear the glass and hit the guy. At the next 
stop in play, the Wing's bench complained about the guy and he was asked to leave the ice.
Now, that's what's being reported, but there has to be more. We know Scotty has a short fuse 
sometimes, but Steve Yzerman, forget about it. When more facts come to light I'll post them. 
The NHL is investigating. Next up: at Dallas on Wednesday.

11\7 From the Detroit News: "Trainer John Wharton and the medical personnel working with 
Vladimir Konstantinov had a goal to get Konstantinov on the ice this season. It finally 
happened near the end of practice Saturday. Konstantinov skated for nearly 15 minutes at 
Joe Louis Arena, to the joy of teammates. "It fired everyone up," Wharton said. He said 
getting Konstantinov on skates was a "symbolic goal." "Everybody is always happy to see 
Vlady, but to see him skating was really great,"Wharton said. "And as far as Vlady, he 
couldn't stop smiling all day." Wharton said he would have liked to have gotten Konstantinov 
on the ice earlier in the season, but the schedule didn't permit it. Saturday afternoon's 
practice was perfect timing for everyone. Konstantinov was led to the ice toward the end of 
practice by Vyacheslav Kozlov and Aaron Ward. Kozlov and Ward clutched Konstantinov's arms. 
"It means a lot of Vlady, he's very happy," said Kozlov, one of Konstantinov's closest
friends on the Red Wings. Konstantinov has improved physically to the point where is 
maintaining his playing weight and increasing his strength. But Konstantinov has stalled in 
his progress mentally. Improvement is slow and even a big event such as Saturday's skate 
might be forgotten in a matter of hours. Wharton said he'd like to get Konstantinov skating 
on a regular basis, maybe once a week if possible. "That may be difficult, but we'd like to 
try,' Wharton said. "It helps him being around here and the guys love to have him here." 

11\6 The Wings end their three game skid by edging the Hurricanes 3-2. Scoring were McCarty,
Fedorov, and Larionov. The Wings gave up yet another last minute 6 on 5 goal, but played 
much much better. Shanny watched his red line shot toward an empty net for his 400th goal
clank off the post. I think he'll get it tomarrow in Tampa Bay, at 6PM.
     From the Detroit News: "He's like the Dick Clark of hockey." - Brendan Shanahan on 
Igor Larionov.

11\5 AP:DETROIT -- "Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe has been
                 diagnosed with skin cancer on his left shin and will undergo surgery to
                 remove it, the Detroit Free Press reported Friday. 

                 Doctors don't think the situation is life-threatening, according to the
                 newspaper. However, Howe's wife, Colleen, said: "We don't know.
                 We're hoping for the best." 

                 Howe, 71, is scheduled to have the growth removed Nov. 29 in Toledo,
                 where one of his sons is the head of radiology for three hospitals. 

                 Until then, he will continue to make public appearances. 

                 "Oh, things are fine -- except for a little rotten spot," Howe told the Free
                 Press. "The only thing that scares you is the name. Cancer. The word
                 scares the hell out of anybody." 

                 Howe discovered the growth three months ago but thought nothing of it.
                 He thought it might have been a cut he suffered while swimming near
                 some coral in Florida. 

                 "You know how hockey players are: They ignore these things," Colleen
                 Howe said. "It's just built into his character. He puts it out of his mind. He
                 doesn't fuss over some red thing down on his shin." 

                 But last month, she forced her husband to ask their son for advice.
                 Murray Howe examined Howe's leg, then referred him to a cancer
                 specialist." Good luck old friend.

From the Free Press:" In an instant, Tomas Holmstrom's temper exploded Thursday. Frustrated by 
his failures during a drill at Joe Louis Arena, he began smashing his stick against the 
Plexiglas. Bang. Bang. BAM! It broke into pieces, and he threw his stick, somehow still intact, 
into the stands. No one said a word as Holmstrom skated over to the bench and grabbed a new 
stick. Maintenance workers attended to the damage." hehe. Aaron Ward left practice early to get
his back examined but is expected to play tonight.

11\4 L.A. skated out of the Joe with a 1-1 tie. Scoring was Yzerman. Next up: Carolina at the 
Joe on Friday. Kirk Maltby is headed to Montreal where he'll undergo hernia surgery.... The 
Wings are still waiting for a response from Brendan Shanahan about his contract extention...
Claude Lemieux was traded to New Jersey yesterday....

11\2 From the Detroit News: "Doug Brown, who was off to a hot start, suffered a broken bone in 
his left foot when he took a shot off the stick of Blues forward Pierre Turgeon late in 
Saturday's game. The team says he will miss a minimum of three weeks. No injury is a good one, 
but this one really stings the Wings.Through 11 games, Brown was a plus-4 with three goals and 
two assists and had played well defensively. He, Sergei Fedorov and Tomas Holmstrom formed the 
Wings' most consistent line." 

11\1 All-Star balloting has begun at NHL.com. Nominated for the Wings:

North America:
Centers- Steve Yzerman
Wingers- Brendan Shanahan
Defensemen- Larry Murphy, Chris Chelios
Goalie- Chris Osgood

World:
Centers- Sergei Fedorov, Igor Larionov
Wingers- Slava Kozlov
Defensemen- Nick Lidstrom

And don't forget to go to Zamboni.com to vote for Al Sobotka to drive the Zamboni at the All-Star 
game this year.