The Detroit Red Wings' lease at Joe Louis Arena is coming to an end, and after experiencing the cushy confines of Nationwide Arena for the NHL Draft in Columbus, Tim Ottusch is convinced that the Wings need a new building.

With the departures of Jack Johnson and standout seniors T.J. Hensick and Matt Hunwick, Red Berenson's University of Michigan Wolverines are likely in for a tough time of things in 2007-08.

In his latest column, Tim Ottusch takes a look at the recently-completed NHL Entry Draft, breaking down the pluses and minuses of the event as hosted by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Detroit Red Wings announced this week, to no surprise, that they would not be bringing back forward Robert Lang for next season. Lang came to Detroit from the Washington Capitals during the 2003-04 season.

With 49 wins and 103 points during the regular season, hopes were high for a playoff championship and a trip to the Memorial Cup for Michal Neuvirth and the Plymouth Whalers, and they delivered in convincing fashion.

In junior hockey, player movement is constant; they come and go frequently. The result is it normally leaves a very small window for teams to capture a championship. For the Plymouth Whalers, it is this year or bust.

For the second straight year, the Central Division champion will either be the Predators or the Red Wings. Last season, 32 points separated the second-place Predators from the third-place Blue Jackets. At this year's All-Star break, the second-place Wings are 19 points ahead of the third-place Blues.

In this new recurring feature, Tim Ottusch interviews Plymouth Whalers goaltender Jeremy Smith, and they will cover virtually everything dealing with being a goalie at the OHL level. In the first edition, they discuss Jeremy's experience playing in the Under-18 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka.

It is late November, just 15 games into the season, and the University of Michigan is looking towards the future. This past weekend, the Wolverines played in the 14th annual College Hockey Showcase, which pits them (and Michigan State) against Minnesota and Wisconsin.

It’s hard to believe that a third place finish can be considered a down season, but that is just what it was for the University of Michigan last season. Can Jack Johnson help lead the Wolverines back to the top?