RIP Mr Probert..


July 6, The Oakland Press: Probert’s career with the Red Wings was a profound disappointment, though. When it was over, he played eight nondescript seasons with the Blackhawks as one of those Detroit-bred athletes, who just looked strange wearing the other team’s colors.

The Red Wings didn’t start winning championships until Probert departed - and that addition by subtraction did seem to be a major reason why. The ultimate distraction was gone.

But his time with the Red Wings is looked back upon like it was a championship era. It was a time when the Red Wings weren’t the best team in hockey, but the "baddest." And in this town, I’m not sure sometimes which is more important. Some would Probert got everything out of live because of the way he lived it. Others would say he wasted many opportunities. We can all agree on this much, though. Bob Probert’s life ended too soon. And it’s impossible not to feel sad about it.