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I've been casually viewing this site for awhile but until today I never felt the need to share my opinion. Today, however, was different. My brother was diagnosed with leukemia while playing junior hockey in Saskatchewan earlier this year and he had a bone marrow transplant a couple months ago in Calgary (he's had to live there for the last several months due to the lack of facilities in Sask.). We have been die-hard Red Wings fans since we were really young and it's been a dream of ours to someday watch a game at the Joe but today he experienced the next best thing. Mike Babcock gave him a call this morning and invited him to the Wings practice in Calgary and invited him to meet all of the Wings. Every single Red Wing took the time to not only introduce themselves but genuinely get to know him. He was encouraged by Dats and Zets to stick around for practice prep and to come back after practice for some autographs. Ken Holland offered him tickets for tomorrow's game and Babs invited him back tomorrow to once again hang out with the Wings after their morning skate. For a kid who's been through a lot in recent months, he was on cloud nine today. The Wings have always been my favorite team but today they turned it up a notch. I was absolutely blown away by everything today and I think it's safe to say we all cheer for one of the classiest organizations in the NHL .

To be honest I'm not exactly sure on the details of how Babcock found out. He hasn't sent me any of the pictures he took but I snagged this one off his Facebook profile page:

Cleary is convinced that today is the day he can pass through solid matter, goddamnit.

yeah, that's the Mo I remember!! No more shut out, ha!

Modano is a horrible point man. Ericsson useless as usual. Howard on top of his game. Shame he had to get scored on with that laser but I am loving me some Howard right now. Franzen getting a penalty for physicality. Great shot. Datsyuk looking pretty good. Lidstrom kinda old looking, but not bad. Referees may just be the difference in the game. Horrible calls all over the place.

At least the Pens are getting pounded by Dallas tonight. And Jersey's even still beating THE CORE!

Good to see Mickey on the road

This Pistons game can end anytime. Basketball is so lame.

Its funny how when Hudler is playing like s*** and wasting a roster space there are a lot of people on here who defend him even though he is a horrible plus minus and getting manhandled out there every shift, but the wings cant have a decent enforcer type that can play a regular shift because they cant play hockey

Kovalchuk's deal is obscene in a lot of ways.... but his cap hit is really pretty manageable. He's 24th in the league in Cap hit, behind inferior players like Vanek, Eric Staal, Nash, Lecavalier, Gomez, Drury, Bouwmeester, etc... It's not Kovalchuk's deal that is the ridiculous one when it comes to cap management and fielding a team. Lou threw out no trade/movement clauses like candy at Halloween to players who didn't warrant them... and now he's stuck with overpaying guys like Rolston (5 million cap hit for 2 games so far, and 37 points last year...), Zubrus, Langenbrunner, and Elias. And the Defense Lou put together is composed of players who have never put points on the board: Volchenkov, Tallinder, Colin White, etc... Imagine Datsyuk and Zetterberg trying to put up points without guys like Raf, Lidstrom, and Kronwall moving the puck. Think they'd stay at a PPG? The blame doesn't rest on Kovalchuk's shoulders... His cap hit isn't bad, and he didn't put a gun to anyone's head to make Devils management sign him and sign all those other bad contracts.

Brad McCrimmon and Paul MacLean are now assistant coaches for some average Midwestern team whose name escapes me at the moment.

And this is the exact reason that the Detroit Red Wings are the best organization in professional hockey (and possibly in all of professional sports). I hope your brother gets well soon!

OK. Hey Kippie!! How are you likin' that SHUT OUT!??? shut out, shut out, shut out!! Go, Wings, come back out in the 2nd and make 'em pay!

This game is just awful. Can we bench these idiot zebras during the intermission?

Mickey's not happy with the one-sided officiating thus far, me thinks.

And....that's let go? Holy s***.

Mickey on a west coast trip? Awesome.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words and the warm reception to this site. My brother told me he read some of your comments and was really moved by it. Positivity is key in a situation like this and it is awesome to see so many Wings fans unite.

I love all these naysayers suddenly speaking in absolutes like ten games in. Lol.

My best wishes to your father. My own Pop went through surgery and radiation twice in the last few years. He's doing well these days, mostly due to the breakthroughs in medical technology in recent years. As far as shaving, I've rocked a Manson-like beard for 30 years, with it only coming off once for an appearance in court 20 years ago. I recently put the # 9 shoe on my Wahl trimmer for a friends funeral. That's about as far as I go. Especially with hunting camp coming up. I'd actually be scared to see what's been hidden behind the beard all these years. On another note, did they send Parros' 'stache to the HHOF for archival purposes. They should have a display for such things. Clark Gillies' beard, Babcocks hair, Lanny's broom. Etc...

f*** Cancer. There's nothing I despise more in this entire world than Cancer. Both my parents are survivors and someday your brother will join their ranks. Classy move by the organization, it only furthers my love and respect for this team and the people involved with it. The important thing is that it made your brother happy and has lifted his spirits.

through 8 games played, he has 3 points and is a -6..i realize its early..not on pace for the 50/60 points everyone was guaranteeing around here not too long ago..Clarkson is exactly what we need. Hard hitter, not afraid of anyone, and he brings a bit of an offensive presence. Ive been hoping kenny would ****** this guy ever since his rookie season.

...and? I'm thinking trade deadline. Having someone with a $2.8M cap hit sitting is a waste.

He was on the 4th line last playoff season because he was injured, and he was on the 4th line in '06 because he hadn't really come into his own offensively yet. He was most certainly not on the 4th line in his other three playoff years here, and he was one of our most prolific goal-scorers in '09. The team has played nine games. Relax!

I dread the day he retires. Last season wasn't his best but he was and is better than 98% of the defensemen in the league and it's debatable about the other 2% .