2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs

About two months ago, I wrote an article about the 10 best prospects in the Red Wings system, but recent events have inspired me to focus on a a player who has already started making a name for himself in the Motor City.  

We continue our "Top 10 Most Painful Moments" feature, counting down the ten times that the Penguins have caused Flyers fans the most pain over the past few years. Before continuing, here's a rundown of the previous moments we've counted down on OBG...

No. 10: Sykora's Called Shot

No. 9: Letang's OT Winner

The Stanley Cup loss is still fresh in Red Wings fans minds, but the painful memories must quickly be pushed aside as the free agent extravaganza is fast approaching.

The Red Wings are undoubtedly going to lose several familiar faces to this annual phenomena.

But, the real question is who stays and who will join the ranks left vacant by fellow UFAs?

First things first, the Red Wings have several free agents on their roster, they are: D Chris Chelios, G Ty Conklin, RW Marian Hossa, LW Jiri Hudler, LW Tomas Kopecky, LW Ville Leino, and RW Mikael Samuelsson.

Chris Chelios didn’t have much use for the NHL’s regular season. He wasn’t much different from many hockey fans in that regard—both casual and intense.

For it’s the postseason that stirs the hockey fan’s blood—and the hockey player’s, too.

“This is the time of year I like the most. I live for this time.”

The words were Chelios’, and he spoke them to the interloper sitting beside his personal space in the Red Wings’ locker room.

The interloper was I.

As free agency in the NHL approaches, I take a look back at the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals and notice there were five distinct turning moments that led to a Red Wings loss.

Turning Moment 1

Although it was already a forgone conclusion around video-game forums, EA Sports has officially announced that Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane will be the cover athlete for their upcoming game, NHL 10.

Kane will be the first Blackhawk to be placed on the cover in the United States since EA began their NHL series in 1991. Tuomo Ruutu was on the cover of NHL 07, but that particular cover was only for retail in Europe.

The wheels have finally started to turn.

Two of the summer's hottest upcoming unrestricted free agents, Daniel and Henrik Sedin, have finally broken the silence as to what kind of contract they're hoping to sign if the Vancouver Canucks wish to keep them around for years to come.

How does $63 million over 12 years each sound?

At first glance it may look as though the Sedins fell completely off their rockers when asking for such a massive contract (times two, no less) but if that is in fact your conclusive belief, I advise you to look again.

The 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs undoubtedly will go down as one of the most exciting, drama-filled post-seasons in recent memory.

The big names, big games, and fantastic story-lines that came out of every single series were a treat to watch. From the first drop of the puck, to Sidney Crosby lifting the Cup in victory, the fans were certainly given their money's-worth.

And then some.

Here now, is a look back at the most memorable, the most exciting, and the most jaw-dropping moments from the playoffs this season, good and bad.

Some kids never grow up. 

Others just need a little time.

At 21, Sidney "The kid" Crosby was finally old enough to legally drink Bud-Light from the Stanley Cup, but after a lopsided and downright embarrassing loss at the hands of the mighty Red Wings in game five, the burning question still remained: Is Sid man enough? 

As some of you know, I am not a big hockey fan; hence, I tend not to write about it.  But, this year’s playoffs, for several reasons, were the most intriguing in years in the NHL, and I actually watched some of them.