Wings in 6

All in all, a good game and the end of a good series for the NHL. The Wings proved to be just too fast, too smart and too experienced.

The more I watched the finals, the more I found myself pulling for them. What a professional group. That showed after the game, too. Their celebration, perhaps a bit muted since so many had been there before, was handled with class and an emphasis on family. Long after NBC cut to the local news, CBC stayed on the air, getting a particularly poignant moment with an emotional Dan Cleary.

A few other thoughts:

• Worth saying again. I was really impressed with the Penguins. They were a trendy preseason pick to win the Cup, before injuries to Crosby and Fleury. The fact that they continued to improve with those two out of the lineup and then after the roster shakeup at the trade deadline shows that the organization is heading in the right direction.
• The Pens will look a lot different next year. Interesting to see if they make a play for Hossa, who was outstanding in the postseason. And what of the legendary Gary Roberts, who was talking retirement a few days ago? Anyone else agree that Brooks Orpik would look good in a Sabres uniform next year?
• At one point in the Red Wings celebration, somebody pointed out that the team had a payroll of about $39 million this year. How do you do that? A few big contracts, lots of good players on their way up and some role players on their way down. Buffalo’s organization is a far cry from Detroit’s, but Sabres fans can take solace in two things: 1) You don’t have to blow the bank to win; 2) Signing near-ready college players like Gerbe, Kennedy & Butler could allow payroll room for a few experienced spare parts that could give Buffalo the right mix for another deep playoff run in the next year or three.
• Maybe I’m being overly optimistic. I just hope Ryan Miller wasn’t watching.

~ by Porky on June 5, 2008.