Red Wings

[Rocky Bleier]

Lites went on to be GM of the Stars, no?

I'm not sure what his title was. I think he's in their marketing department now. He didn't talk to me much after he went to work for the Wings. He gave me some free tickets now and then, but that all faded away. We weren't friends, I was a gopher in the law firm where he worked. I just know that later he and Denise Illitch were divorced and he went to work for the Stars. He was a lawyer, but he really got excited about hockey when his former father-in-law bought the team.

[FCRhodes]

Drop the damn puck already. When does camp start?

[jaadam4]

no shit

[gjdodger]

Methuselah back for a 969th year.

Chelios signs one-year deal with champs
Veteran defenseman set for 25th NHL season
Bill Roose Detroit Red Wings
Sep 9, 2008, 1:52 PM EDT


DETROIT ? It was inevitable that Chris Chelios would return for a 25th NHL season, but it finally became official Tuesday afternoon when the 46-year-old defenseman signed a one-year deal with the Red Wings. His illustrious career dates back to the 1983-84 season when he skated in 12 games for the Montreal Canadiens.

?Obviously in my situation and age, and being on the best team in the league -- you have some young guys on the team that you have to play or you?re going to lose them -- so I understand the situation and I love playing here,? Chelios said. ?My role, I?ve accepted that, so I?ll make the best of it. I guess I can say I?m a survivor because I?m still here at this age. But things change quick in this game. We?ll start the season and I?ll make the best of it and work hard.?

Chelios agreed to accept a lesser role this season, noting that many of the younger defensemen ? namely Brett Lebda, Kyle Quincey, Derek Meech and Jonathan Ericcson -- need more ice-time.
?The only difference is that guys have to play. It?s understandable,? Chelios said. ?But when you watch and see what happened with Brett Favre -- and I don?t put myself in the same class as him by no means -- but that?s the nature of the beast. For now, I?m happy to be back, and I?m looking forward to another great year.?

Chelios was back for his first day of informal workouts at Joe Louis Arena before the team heads to Traverse City for training camp in less than two weeks. Also back in town for the first time since winning the Stanley Cup in June where forwards Valtteri Filppula and Aaron Downey, and defenseman Niklas Kronwall.

Chelios, the second oldest player in league history, played in 69 games last season, scoring three goals with nine assists and a plus-11 rating. He suffered a knee injury in the playoffs that forced him to sit-out the Stanley Cup finals. He had arthroscopic surgery in mid-June.

?The biggest thing in the three rounds that I played, I felt that I contributed and didn?t hurt the team?s chances to win,? he said. ?It?s hindsight, and it gave some guys the opportunity to play and we won, which was the biggest thing.?

The Red Wings? logjam of defensemen means that Chelios will likely sit more games that he?s been accustom throughout his career, but general manager Ken Holland is excited to welcome back his veteran?s leadership.

?Obviously, the base is a little less than he made last year with taking the bonuses out, but he?s anxious and he?s in great shape,? Holland said. ?We?re deep on defense; it?s going to be a competition and we?re going to dress the best six.?

As for retirement, Chelios said he thought he was close to hanging up his skates after the 1998-99 season. But now he doesn?t predict when that day may come.

[Tom]

I'd rather they give playing time to Ericcson and Quincy.

[Malto Marko]

Methuselah back for a 969th year.

Hey! I have never played for the Wings but have watched them for much longer than that!!

[jaadam4]

I'm glad to see Chelly back.

[gjdodger]

"Hey, you kids! Get off of the ice!"

[FVD]

Matthieu Schneider just got waived by the Ducks.

[Timmy]

Fire Millen....

[Malto Marko]

Matthieu Schneider just got waived by the Ducks.

Sign him tomorrow, Kenny!

[gv laker]

Nah, defense is solid and Schneider is old. The Wings proved they didn't need him last year.

Educate the younger guys and keep it going.

[Malto Marko]

You can always use a warrior with a strong shot from the blueline during the playoffs. That is why I am confused as to why they resigned Cheli. While he is a warrior, the past two seasons he has been useless in the playoffs.

[DanO]

I don't know Malto. Wings are pretty strong defensively as it is and trying to find ice time for the players they got.

GO LIONS "08" !!!!!!!!

[Malto Marko]

Schneider is a smart and skilled player. He has a shot that makes most coaches salivate over from the Blue Line.

I understand the need to bring the youngins in to take over but, when you can teach with a Cheli and Schneider, it becomes an unprecedented teaching team.

If you feel a need to give the youngins ice time, rest the Vets. It has already been established that when you count on a single player to carry the cross, he might be the next player in the ER.

Schneider would shine in this organization as he is not required to be the every night backbone of the D.

He is a better gamble for productivity than Cheli.