Congratulations are due for the Anaheim Ducks for winning the 2007 Stanley Cup. I'm particularly happy for Teemu Selanne and Drew Miller. Teemu has had a tremendous career, is an ambassador to the sport in his native Finland, and seems like an all-around good guy. Drew only played two games in the Finals, but now will have his name on the ultimate prize in all of sports. And as I said in previous posts, this will completely wash away the disappointment of not being on the MSU National Championship team of 2007. Good for both of them.

Reflections from the Finals:
I think you have to give a lot of credit to Anaheim's defense. They were able to shut down the highly touted threesome of Dany Heatly, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson. At the same time, you have to give credit to the Detroit Red Wings forwards for not disappearing in their series with the Ducks. If the injury-riddled Red Wings would have found a way to have won their series against Anaheim, there's no question who would be Cup Champions this season. And with a healthy Matt Schneider and Nicklas Kronwall, I think the Wings get there.

A lot of people enjoy making a big deal about how low-rated television ratings for the Finals were in America. I really don't care. I'll care when the buildings don't fill up with fans and fan ship continued upward trends in the NHL last season. The bottom line is that Anaheim is still a franchise in its infancy and doesn't draw a lot of national attention as opposed to an Original Six team or team they can actually market like a Pittsburgh Penguins.

It should be a very interesting off season, from free agency to observing the steps the NHL is continuing to make. Stay tuned...