Detroit Red Wings Tyler Bertuzzi has a rare combination of grit and speed

Embed from Getty Images In a tough rebuilding season. One that has seen the Detroit Red Wings bottom out. The Red Wings young core has grown and taken big steps forward. One of those players has really shined. Tyler Bertuzzi.

Tyler Bertuzzi  is a bit of a throwback, in appearance with the missing teeth and the long hair. Do no let that fool you Tyler has absolutely blossomed this season for a Detroit hockey team that has struggled.

Bertuzzi plays with a lot of grit. He is not afraid to irritate opposing teams. His speed sets him apart. Yet the Red Wings are a much better team when Tyler is on the first line with Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha.

Bertuzzi wasn’t projected as a high-scorer when the Red Wings selected him in the second round, 58th overall, in 2013. That was a false projection. Through 58 games played Tyler has 16 goals and 33 points to go with 17 assists. He has found a home in front of the net. Tyler has been solid on the power play as well.

What really stands out about Tyler Bertuzzi is he is big on the puck, he has good  hands, he’s got the shot, He is not the most flashy player. Yet “Bert” as he known by his teammates makes the Detroit Red Wings a better more dangerous team.

One of his biggest attributes is Bertuzzi is not afraid to  play physical on the wall and in the corners or on the blue line. He is always looking for ways to get the puck. He also is always looking for someone to knock out of the way.

Tyler has shown  he can make great decisions with the puck. Something that takes young players a while to pick up on. What has helped the Red Wings now and will help in the future is Bertuzzi has the versatility to play on a top line while he can also play on the grind line.

Tyler Bertuzzi has become a fan favorite. He has endeared himself to his teammates and shown that he is a valuable player who will be key to the next wave of Detroit Red Wings playoff hockey. Which is coming soon.

 

Detroit Pistons Reggie Jackson is enjoying a revival

Embed from Getty Images At the trade deadline rumors swirled that the Detroit Pistons were looking to move Reggie Jackson and the Pistons were  five games below .500 at the time. Jackson was thought to hold the key for Detroit.

During the first 46 games of the season, Jackson’s numbers were ho-hum to put it nicely. 14.1 points, 4.1 assists, 34 percent on 3-pointers and 40 percent on field goals. Nothing to write home about to be sure.

After a pep-talk of sorts with Blake Griffin and head coach Dwane Casey, Jackson’s confidence seemed to come back.  The Pistons are enjoying revival as a team, it seems no coincidence after Jackson picked up his play.

In the past six games, Reggie is averaging 19 points, shooting 43% on 3-pointers, with 37 assists and only five turnovers. Those numbers are  similar to his 2015-16 season, when he helped lead the Pistons to the playoffs, with 18.8 points and 6.2 assists.

Reggie Jackson had battled through some leg issues. He seems to have finally moved past the injuries and his play if reflecting what the Detroit Pistons have thought since they drafted him. Reggie Jackson can be a difference maker.

While a healthy Jackson is important equally as important is that Reggie has seen a jump in his play and production after he was paired alongside Blake Griffin. While the pairing has not always gone smoothly, it has improved of late.

Injuries gone Reggie Jackson has no restrictions. He can play a more up tempo game. The Pistons are at their best when Reggie is shooting the ball. Casey has spoken to Jackson about shooting more and passing less.

The success of the Pistons rides in large part on Reggie Jackson’s shoulders. When he is healthy, when he is locked in Detroit is a dangerous basketball team.

When is is less than 110%, when he passes too many times, when he does not take open shots, the Detroit Pistons suffer. His play lately has come a a key time. During the stretch run and possible playoff run.

Minnesota Golden Gophers basketball Michigan and Michigan State thank you

Embed from Getty Images In one of the Big Ten basketball seasons this was one of the bigger upsets. The Purdue Boilermakers had a clear, clean path to the conference title. It all came unraveled last night in Minnesota.

The Mach 9 showdown between Michigan and Michigan State now both looms large and is now a game where the stakes are considerably higher. Higher as in  Big Ten championship high. Two bitter rivals meeting for all the marbles.

The Spartans now have a chance to clinch at least a share of their second-straight regular season Big Ten title on Saturday night, if they beat Michigan. While the Wolverines could clinch at least a share of their first regular season conference title since 2014.

Thanks to the Golden Gophers being, well golden last night The Michigan vs Michigan Sate game has turned into a prime-time, must-see game that will be played on ESPN. The network scrambled to switch prime time games after Purdue went down in defeat.

The funny part in all of this is that both Michigan and Michigan State, team, coaches, fans and players were rooting for Minnesota. Both schools had a united common denominator. A Purdue loss.

Now the fans bases and schools will get back to the business of total and utter dislike for each other schools. Winner takes a share of the title. A Northwestern win Saturday against you got it Purdue gives the Wolverines, Spartans the title outright.

It should be a great game Saturday night.

Filip Zadina scores his first NHL goal for the Detroit Red Wings

Embed from Getty Images When a rookie has only played in three games that is hardly reason to break out the anointing oil. But when it is a so-called can’t miss prospect it is hard to not feel excited. That is what Red Wings rookie Filip Zadina did for not only the Detroit Red Wings but also the Wings fans.

Last summer when Filip Zadina fell into Detroit’s lap at #6 in the first round of the 2018 NHL draft Red Wings general manager Ken Holland raced to the podium to make the selection. Holland did not use the full two minutes. Nor should he have with a player like Zadina who was thought to go top three.

“What I like is he’s looked more and more dangerous every game,” coach Jeff Blashill said. “He’s real dynamic on the power play. That is putting it lightly. Zadina has generational talent. He flashed it last night in Colorado when he sent a laser past the Avalanche goalie .

It goes a bit deeper, Zadina saw significant ice time. Over 18 minutes. His 5 on 5 play has gotten better in his fourth game. He was given a shot at the power play where he found the back of the net.

This is why the Detroit Red Wings are giving him a nine game look. They wanted to see if he could grow game to game at the NHL level. He has.

In his fourth straight game since being called up from Grand Rapids on Feb. 23, Filip Zadina was noticeable all over the ice. His defense even took a big step as Filip laid a hit on  Ian Cole.

Zadina also jumped on a loose puck in front of his own net and skated the puck up the ice to create a scoring chance in the second period. Again positive steps for the 19 year old. Showing the speed of the game has slowed down for him.

It is because Filip Zadina is a pure  shooter/sniper the Red Wings have struck gold. He is destined for 40 goals in Motown. When he makes the team out of training camp. Which could happen next season.

Now what did I say about anointing oil?

 

Miguel Cabrera not sorry for signing albatross Contract with the Detroit Tigers

Embed from Getty Images On a team that in 2019 is going nowhere. On an organization setting it’s sights on a brighter tomorrow, one thing remains. Miguel Cabrera and his eight-year, $244 million contract extension from the Tigers in 2014.

At 35 years old and his best playing days behind him Cabrera is owed $162 million through 2023. The past two seasons, he’s missed 156 games with injuries.

There was a time that Miguel Cabrera put fans in the Comerica Park seats. A lot of fans. In his prime he was among the greatest right-handed hitters that game has ever seen. Recently there has been a problem. The past two seasons, Miguel missed 156 games with injuries. While collecting a large sum of money.

While the blame falls squarely on the Detroit Tigers. That is because they made him the offer. There is no athlete that would not take that contract. That is where things are right now player  in decline and the team stuck with a bad contract.

Cabrera says he’s all-in, for the Detroit rebuild, and has no interest in going anywhere else. He wants to be around when the Tigers win again. Cabrera has stated he wants to lead a new group of Tiger players back to the playoffs.

Being that his contract is untradeable there really is not much more he can say. Cabrera has to know he can not ask for a trade. No team would take on that contract for a 35 year old now oft-injured player.

When he goes into the Hall of Fame, and he will, he will go with Tigers cap. He has to. The hope in all of this is that the Detroit Tigers have learned a lesson about what size contract to hand out.

The will have that opportunity again after next season when the team beings to pursue free agents once again. No need to overpay. That hopefully is a thing of the past.

Michigan State’s Cassius Winston a finalist for point guard of the year

Embed from Getty Images He is undoubtedly one of the nations best point guards. Michigan State’s Cassius Winston is in the running for the  Bob Cousy Point Guard of the Year Award. Named after Class of 1971 Hall of Famer and former Boston Celtic and Holy Cross guard Bob Cousy.

Winston joins a list of 16 of the countries best guards. His resume speaks for itself, Cassius is averaging 19.2 points, 7.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 47.4%  from the floor and 42.9% from 3-point land.  He currently  ranks third in the Big Ten in scoring and leads the league, and ranks No. 3 in the country, in assists. Not bad.

Also going for him is the fact Winston has scored at least 20 points 16 times this year. Cassius has also pulled off the rare feat of average at least 18.0 points and 7.0 assists per game. That is incredible.

One telling stat about Cassius Winston is this has been named the Big Ten Player of the Week five times this season. That is a Michigan State record. When you factor in that the school has seen the likes of Ervin “Magic” Johnson, Steve Smith and Mateen Cleaves among others it makes Winston’s feats stand out even more.

It goes without saying that Cassius Winston, will go down as one of the all-time greatest Spartans.

 

Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons leader keeps the team focused

Embed from Getty Images Blake Griffin dispelled any rumor during the NBA trade deadline saying he was happy in Detroit. If there was any doubt they can be put to rest. Blake Griffin is the Pistons unquestioned leader.

“Being the 6th or 7th seed is absolutely nothing to be proud of. We tricked off two months of basketball.” That was Blake Griffin on the recent success of the Detroit Pistons.

On one hand it sounds like he is slamming his team. Which is was. On the other hand it sounds like he is trying to keep the Pistons focused. He is. You see by letting the team and media know that the Pistons played two bad months of basketball, they have somehow managed to climb back into the playoff picture.

That is what a good leader looks like. Acknowledging where they have been while keying in on where they want to be and are going. on Jan. 29 with the Pistons 7 games under .500, mired in bad play, Griffin offered this:
“I don’t know how many games back we are. Can’t be more than 2½, three. So that’s a solid 10 games of basketball and some losses from a team that’s right ahead of us.”

Again letting everyone know the sky was not falling and there was still time to salvage the season. Check.

It is almost as if the trade deadline brought a focus that was missing. It also seemed to bring team chemistry that had bee absent all together. “As players, you’ve got to trust the front office,” Griffin said shortly after the team  picked up Thon Maker for Johnson and rookie Svi Mykhailiuk and a future No. 2 pick.

Blake Griffin said “My message to our guys is, like, what have we done? We’ve had a good stretch. A lot of teams have had good stretches.” Griffin has embraced his role as team leader and brought a new found focus to the Detroit Pistons.

Leaders are a dime a dozen. But when it’s authentic, it’s pretty easy to spot. Which is why Griffin stands out.

Michigan Wolverines will look to Hudson and Gil to bring stability to the linebackers

Embed from Getty Images It was not going to be easy to replace Devin Bush Jr’s production. Yet the Wolverines may be able to use two to get the production of one. At least that is the thought process.

Michigan will count on a pair of experienced veterans Khaleke Hudson and Devin Gil to help bolster the linebackers. Hudson, rings speed and  skill that few others can match on the roster.

Hudson brings a flexibility to the field as he can line up as a hybrid linebacker-safety. Khaleke is also a  two-time all-Big Ten honorable mention selection so that brings hope that he can help out a starter.

Devin Gil, brings perhaps the best run-stopping ability to the linebackers. In 2018 Gil  had 33 tackles (3 1/2 for a loss) and 1 1/2 sacks. Nice stats. Again Gil is likely to be named a starter in 2019.

As with the entire Michigan defense depth is a real issue and a real concern. It simply is not there. That puts pressure on both Hudson and Gil. Both played in a backup role last season will now have the spotlight on them this season.

This is not the kind of sink or swim moment either one was looking for. Yet, that because of the lack of depth  is exactly what it is. Sink or swim. Part of it is on the coaching staff to put them in position to succeed. Part of it is on the two players to do their job and make plays.

Michigan should find out if Hudson and Gil can bring stability at the linebacker position during spring practice. They will be under the microscope fair or unfair. That is what happens when it is the next man or men up.

In theory the Wolverines should be alright. They are getting Devin Bush’s run-stopping ability as well has his pass coverage ability. Only it is not just one player it it two. So there will be an adjustment period.

Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay passes away at 93

Embed from Getty Images 4- time Stanley Cup champion and Detroit Red Wings legend Ted Lindsay has passed away. Lindsay who was born in 1925, played 14 of his 17 NHL seasons with the Red Wings, winning Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1950, 1952, 1954, 1955. The left wing was nicknamed “Terrible Ted” for his toughness on the ice.

Ted Lindsay, leaves a huge legacy behind. Ted’s on-ice excellence was matched by his off-ice commitment to improving the lives of his colleagues, as well as children. He started the players union. So players are better off because of his hard work.

He started the Ted Lindsay foundation for autism and children. Lindsay’s interest in autism was sparked nearly two decades ago, when he was working out with John Czarnecki, his physical therapist and trainer. Czarnecki had a young son who had been  diagnosed with autism. In true Ted Lindsay fashion he jumped in to help out a teammate.

To date the Ted Lindsay foundation has raised $3.5 million for autism related causes. On ice Lindsay though small 5′ 8″ was not to be messed with. Period. There was a reason players called him “Terrible Ted.” He famously said “I do not worry about the big guy, they fall farther than little guys. That’s all.”

Ted was the league’s top scorer in 1949-50 with 78 points. He’s sixth in goals in franchise history with 335 and fifth in penalty minutes, with 1,423. He received more than 600 stitches during his time as a player. Lindsay scored 335 of his 379 goals in a Red Wings sweater, ranking sixth all-time in team history behind Gordie Howe (786), Steve Yzerman (692), Alex Delvecchio (456), Sergei Fedorov (400) and Henrik Zetterberg (337).

For myself I will remember the kind gentle Ted Lindsay who made regular stops at Detroit Red Wings games. I always make it a point to walk past his statue in Little Caesar’s Arena. As our family has been touched by autism. Mr. Lindsay was a loud voice for these children. A voice that is now in the hands of current Red Wing, Dylan Larkin.

Detroit has lost a champion for the city. Autism has lost a champion for the cause. It is a sad day in Motown.

 

Michigan State suffers Big Ten title blow in loss to Indiana

Embed from Getty Images Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo said he is not worried about the Big Ten title. He is more concerned with how his team will play in their next game. Given the up and down Spartans season, it is a just concern.

Michigan State who looked so good and so complete last Sunday when they beat rival Michigan looked the complete opposite in the second in season loss to the Indiana Hoosiers.

Michigan State was in total control of winning the Big Ten outright only to be upset again by the Hoosiers. Michigan State now sits one full game behind the Purdue Boilermakers who steamrolled Ohio State.

Michigan State is currently tied with Michigan for second place. Michigan plays at Maryland, Sunday afternoon. Of the two schools Purdue has a much easier path to the Big Ten title, as they have both Minnesota and Northwestern left to play.

Michigan will rematch Michigan State March 9. “We are not going to worry about this team or that team. Who can help us who can’t help us” Izzo said.

That is the correct thought process the Spartans need. Focus on the next game. Focus on what you can control. Another Indiana performance could sink Michigan State’s season. They would be faced with an uphill battle in the Big Ten Tournament as well as a mid-lower seeding in the NCAA Tournament.

I can not say injuries have caught up to the Spartans. They rallied and won three games in a row after three starters went down. It is possible Michigan State has lost a fourth player when Kyle Ahrens went down with an ankle injury and his status is up in the air.

In sports no team cares about injuries. They see Michigan State on the front of the jersey and understand they are playing a team that usually is in the mix for best in the conference. So there is a bullseye on them.

Izzo will not let his players feel sorry for themselves. They will have to rally together one more time if they want the ending they have dreamed about.