Wings Sign Lidstrom, Stevie Y Departs

The Hat Trick is back for the occasional post as we work out way through the move from Washington, DC to Philadelphia. One nice thing about this move is the Hat Trick does get to enjoy the Stanley Cup Finals living in a city that is in the Finals...although the mood was a bit bleak after the Blackhawks took a 2 - 0 series lead but it appears the Flyers are back in it after a 4 - 3 victory on home ice this past Wednesday. This should set up an interesting Game 4 tonight here in Philly.

Red Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom signed a one year, $6.2 million contract this week to play another season for the Red Wings. There had been a lot of speculation that Lidstrom would retire after the 2009-2010 season, especially with the Wings being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs. At 40 Lidstrom has definitely had a long and solid career but The Hat Trick is happy to see him come back for another year. He is one of the few players left from the great Red Wings teams of the 1990s and I still remain nostalgic for that time, even though the Red Wings teams of 2000s have been pretty solid as well. Good luck Nicklas and I hope you have a great year, especially if it is your last in a Red Wings sweater!

On a sad, though highly expected, note the Red Wings will finally lose "Stevie Y" Steve Yzerman. After almost 25 years of service to the Red Wings organization as a player, team captain and team vice president Steve Yzerman will join the Tampa Bay Lightening as their new general manager. While it's sad to see him go, this is the next logical step for Yzerman's post playing career and the Hat Trick congratulates him as he makes this next big step. Maybe after some time in Florida Stevie Y will be able to come back to Motown and lead the Red Wings as an executive! Congratulations Steve and thank you for all the contributions you have made to the Red Wings over these many years.

The Hat Tricks Are Moving!

Some big changes are in store for the Hat Tricks. Due to my continued unemployment Mrs. East Coast Wing has accepted a position with a company in the Philadelphia area and we will be leaving Washington, DC. After almost 15 years in the DC area it's a little strange to be leaving like this...I almost always thought if we got a chance to leave we would be heading back to the Midwest and not another East Coast city. Still, it's a great opportunity for Mrs. East Coast Wing and at least there is a history (and interest in) hockey with the Philadelphia Flyers. I'm not sure what will happen to my own career but am looking at this as an opportunity for a new start. We'll see where it goes...

With this big change upon us East Coast Wing's Hat Trick is going to take some time off as moving preparations take center stage. Hopefully I will have some time to post once the move is complete. As always, thanks for reading!

Road Trip to New Jersey

The Hat Tricks were up in the South New Jersey area this past week. Mrs. Hat Trick had an interview with a company int the area and they encouraged the whole family to come up and check out the housing situation in case an offer comes. It's a little hard for the Hat Trick to imagine living in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area but stranger things have happened and at least there is a rich hockey history with the Philadelphia Flyers to enjoy!

We stayed for two nights at the Mt. Laurel Marriott. The property was an average Marriott full service hotel; not bad but not overwhelming. The public spaces have been modernized but the rooms appeared a bit dated. The housekeeping left a bit to be desired (did they really bother cleaning the toilet?) which is a sore point with the Hat Trick. However, the front desk staff and the restaurant staff were exceptionally friendly, helpful and responsive. This was particularly helpful when traveling with the Little Hat Tricks...the Hat Trick himself even survived breakfast alone with them and the help of the nice restaurant staff!

All in all not a bad stay and I would probably stay at the property again given the great attitude of the employees. An improvement in the housekeeping would definitely make me return!

The remainder of the trip was uneventful. Driving I-95 between the DC area and the Philadelphia area is underwhelming except for the "highway" robbery (ha ha) with tolls in Delaware and Maryland. Mrs. Hat Trick thought the interview went well so we'll see where this puts us. Even if the job doesn't work out for Mrs. East Coast Wing it was nice to get out of DC for a few days.