What team do you play for?

OK people, I know that the disengagement is coming up in 11 days, but I'm just so sick and tired of talking about it, writing about it, even thinking about it. As the husband wrote, everybody wants your opinion, screams at you for your opinion, then doesn't even accept your opinion as valid.
So, you know what? At least for this week, I'm not writing about it. I'd like to write about one of my passions. A passion that was ripped apart from me for over a year because of greed and a lack of common sense. That passion is hockey. I'm obsessed with it. It's my favorite sport. And, the Detroit Red Wings are my favorite team. With hockey back in full swing, meaning free agency and training camp starting soon, my life has gotten a little bit more exciting. After the collective bargaining agreement was signed a couple of weeks ago, a new era of hockey was born. It's a new world for those who love the sport, and for me, it's been very exciting and a little bit sad so far. Hockey has instituted a salary cap. That means that each time can only spend a certain amount, and each team has the same amount of money to spend. This means that teams that used to be in the bottom levels of the hockey world, both financially and in performance will be on a level playing field with the higher echilon teams like Detroit, Colorado, and Dallas. This has already resulted in many surprising results. Teams that had no name players and low budgets have been able to reach into their pocket books and add big name players. For instance, yesterday Edmonton bought Chris Pronger from the St Louis Blues. Players, like him, who have been cornerstones for their teams for years are now moving elsewhere b/c their teams either can't afford to keep them or are looking more long term. Detroit lost a player who's been a staple for the club since he started playing there 11 years ago; Darren McCarty. Those of you who love and know hockey knows why him being let go is such a big loss to his fans. (If any of you would love to comment on your favorites moments from him playing with Detroit, please feel free to do so.)
Now, I don't want to confuse or bore those of you who aren't interested or know much about hockey. But, this is a very interesting time for those of us who love the sport. Big name players are going to teams none of would have expected them to go to. This can be good or bad for those lower level teams who can now afford the big stars. It can either turn out in a situation where a team buys a big name guy who they know will fit into their team's chemistry and orchestrate playoff success. Or, it can turn out like the New York Rangers. They spent a ton of money on every big name guy they could find, but they couldn't win. The players they got didn't get along. Therefore, players with the money to play right now have to be careful not to get into a situation where they feel like they've won the lottery, so they buy every luxury item they can find. But, if it works out, we can see teams like Columbus, Florida, or even Pittsburgh (teams with numerous losing seasons) competing in the playoffs or even for the Stanley Cup against the normally top teams. Top teams that have a lot of money from their cap already invested in their top players and, therefore, can't afford to keep some of their stars or can't buy any new ones and have to invest in some "B" level guys. In any case, it'll be fun to watch, and I think curiousity alone (to see who'll succeed in this new world) will bring fans back to the game after more than a year's absence.
GAME ON!!!!
-OC