H e arrived 10 years ago as the final piece, a bright, bold player who wanted to be here, and helped launch one of the great runs in Detroit sports history. And now Brendan Shanahan departs, one of the final links to an era we knew couldn't last forever, even if it seemed like it would.
Another day, another touchstone star gone, another reminder that change in sports is absolutely inevitable. The Red Wings, perhaps more than any franchise, had defied it for a while, but no more.
The Wings are different today, less complete today, now that Shanahan has left for the New York Rangers, signing a one-year deal Sunday. Someone else will take his spot and try to compensate for the loss of his team-leading 40 goals. The Wings won't fall apart but, suddenly, they have a lot to pull together.
Whether or not the Wings and GM Ken Holland were ready for it, it's here. Less than a week after captain Steve Yzerman retired, the Wings are in the throes of a full-scale transition. After three straight early playoff exits, some of it is necessary.
Without a trace of resentment, Shanahan recognized it, which helps explain why he left for the same $4 million the Wings were offering. The move also brings him to a major media market, closer to his offseason home in the Boston area.
"There is a changing of the guard in Detroit, but I don't see it as a bad thing," Shanahan said by phone Sunday. "It's not something I'm bitter about. It would've been an easier choice in some ways to come back. I loved playing there, loved living there. But I've always trusted my instincts, and I just felt, with the way the Wings are set up for the future, I was more associated with the past."
Shift is under way
Maybe, at 37, Shanahan is right. It's a sense Yzerman also detected, that a shift was under way.
This is how it works in sports, especially in the salary cap era. Memories get stowed, and the smart teams and players know when it's time to move. Ben Wallace left the Pistons last week for more money, but he also wondered how he fit into the future here.
The Wings and Pistons are being nudged perhaps quicker than they expected, or preferred, but I actually think fans understand it and accept it. Both teams had terrific regular seasons, the best in their leagues, and disappointing postseasons, and the calls for change were growing, especially for the Wings.
It's dangerous any time a 40-goal scorer departs, so don't kid yourself about that. But there's nothing sinister about this. How can there be, after a nine-season run since Shanahan's arrival that included three Stanley Cups and the rise of Hockeytown? It was a period never to be forgotten, a period Shanahan talked about with such reverence, you almost wonder how he could leave.
When it appeared his stay here might end after the 2004 playoff elimination, Shanahan sat at his locker, dressed in full uniform, and wept. This time, it was less somber. As with Yzerman, the realization struck Shanahan slowly.
"I can honestly say I didn't really expect this at the conclusion of the season," Shanahan said. "It has been strange watching players leave. And although my decision wasn't based on Steve's, it'll be a little weird not seeing him there.
"The Wings have drafted well and have great young players, so I don't believe they have to strip the car clean. With me and Steve gone, this allows some focus to go on younger players. There's nothing bad I can say about the Red Wings. This was about having a new challenge. I don't know how much longer I'll play, but you don't get many more chances to have this type of fear and excitement again, to play for another Original Six team.
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He had a great run, but I am more concerned what holland will do after he waited fifty years for these guys to make up their minds.. everyone knew shanny was outta detroit.. i just cannot believe they wanna dwell on this cause we have so much more that is important to teh team right now..
Now we all know I love shanny! i am a huge fan and supporter... he was a great leader in HockeyTown.
he will be sorely missed... and I know as a fan i wish him well with his life and all the best to his family.
Another day, another touchstone star gone, another reminder that change in sports is absolutely inevitable. The Red Wings, perhaps more than any franchise, had defied it for a while, but no more.
The Wings are different today, less complete today, now that Shanahan has left for the New York Rangers, signing a one-year deal Sunday. Someone else will take his spot and try to compensate for the loss of his team-leading 40 goals. The Wings won't fall apart but, suddenly, they have a lot to pull together.
Whether or not the Wings and GM Ken Holland were ready for it, it's here. Less than a week after captain Steve Yzerman retired, the Wings are in the throes of a full-scale transition. After three straight early playoff exits, some of it is necessary.
Without a trace of resentment, Shanahan recognized it, which helps explain why he left for the same $4 million the Wings were offering. The move also brings him to a major media market, closer to his offseason home in the Boston area.
"There is a changing of the guard in Detroit, but I don't see it as a bad thing," Shanahan said by phone Sunday. "It's not something I'm bitter about. It would've been an easier choice in some ways to come back. I loved playing there, loved living there. But I've always trusted my instincts, and I just felt, with the way the Wings are set up for the future, I was more associated with the past."
Shift is under way
Maybe, at 37, Shanahan is right. It's a sense Yzerman also detected, that a shift was under way.
This is how it works in sports, especially in the salary cap era. Memories get stowed, and the smart teams and players know when it's time to move. Ben Wallace left the Pistons last week for more money, but he also wondered how he fit into the future here.
The Wings and Pistons are being nudged perhaps quicker than they expected, or preferred, but I actually think fans understand it and accept it. Both teams had terrific regular seasons, the best in their leagues, and disappointing postseasons, and the calls for change were growing, especially for the Wings.
It's dangerous any time a 40-goal scorer departs, so don't kid yourself about that. But there's nothing sinister about this. How can there be, after a nine-season run since Shanahan's arrival that included three Stanley Cups and the rise of Hockeytown? It was a period never to be forgotten, a period Shanahan talked about with such reverence, you almost wonder how he could leave.
When it appeared his stay here might end after the 2004 playoff elimination, Shanahan sat at his locker, dressed in full uniform, and wept. This time, it was less somber. As with Yzerman, the realization struck Shanahan slowly.
"I can honestly say I didn't really expect this at the conclusion of the season," Shanahan said. "It has been strange watching players leave. And although my decision wasn't based on Steve's, it'll be a little weird not seeing him there.
"The Wings have drafted well and have great young players, so I don't believe they have to strip the car clean. With me and Steve gone, this allows some focus to go on younger players. There's nothing bad I can say about the Red Wings. This was about having a new challenge. I don't know how much longer I'll play, but you don't get many more chances to have this type of fear and excitement again, to play for another Original Six team.
-------------------------------------------------------------
He had a great run, but I am more concerned what holland will do after he waited fifty years for these guys to make up their minds.. everyone knew shanny was outta detroit.. i just cannot believe they wanna dwell on this cause we have so much more that is important to teh team right now..
Now we all know I love shanny! i am a huge fan and supporter... he was a great leader in HockeyTown.
he will be sorely missed... and I know as a fan i wish him well with his life and all the best to his family.
posted by *Manda* @ 5:30 PM
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