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This is so stupid. I seriously think Bettman and Co. wanted to take a year off, devised a plan for doing so, and are following it through to fruition. They were responsible for setting the meetings, which they did at the last minute, and ever since then they've had a negative rhetoric about how far apart the two sides are. Then they announced right off the bat that they would not use the option to play another year on the current CBA and they would go for a lockout. All of this screams bad faith. The initial low-ball offer I can understand from a negotiation point of view even if it reeks of smarmyness <---It's a word because I say so. I don't see any effort on the part of the league nor any urgency as the deadline approaches. Either they seriously don't want this season to happen or they are posturing, and doing so badly.

I'm almost positive he got the name before he came over to the NHL. It was given to him because of his play (he did very well in the SEL), not his size/height. I read it in an NHL article somewhere when he first came over to the league. Could be wrong, though. Edit: Looked up his stats in his last season in Farjestad. So I think it was because of his play. Regular Season: 42 games, 1.96 GAA, .932 Sv% Playoffs: 13 games, 1.03 GAA, .961 Sv% Sheesh.

Since there isn't much going on (still), thought I'd put up this picture that was just shared by the Detroit Red Wings Facebook... Monster sure looks good in the red and white, and I have to say those pads look sweet. Simple, crisp white. Like an Ice Monster Excited for the new season when I see things like this.

Honestly, at this point anyone would help. We need warm bodies on defense or else we're in real trouble once injuries hit.

A "new" set of tires for Holland to kick!

Well I can identify Chelios, Lilja, Babcock, and MacLean for certain in that photo. The guy behind Chelios looks to be Jason Williams, and the guy behind that looks to be Filppulla, although I'm not 100% sure on either. The years that Babs, MacLean, Chelios, Lilja, Williams, and Filppula all played for the Wings are only 2006 and 2007. In 2006, Filppulla only played 4 games and none of them were against the Wild, so this photo is likely from 2007, assuming that everyone is properly identified. The photo was taken at a home game, and we played Minnesota twice at the Joe in 2007. On December 22, and again on the 27th. Lilja did not play on the 27th, so my guess would be this photo is from December 22nd. (http://sports.yahoo....?gid=2006122205) Chelios is not pegged as having any penalties, although Veilleux did get a roughing penalty in the second period (I don't know for sure if that is Veileux in the pic). The photo looks to be taken in the second period as well, as the defensman are closest to the camera, which is situated on the center ice side of the bench.

bleacher report = /thread

What's funny about this scenario is, Ryan Suter said he called Dany Heatley and asked him if they could win in Minnesota and Heatley said "yes" and that made his decision to scoff the Wings and go with in-laws a little easier, so if the cap goes down and they have to dump salary, Heatley will be the one traded... I find this very ironic and f**ckin All-Star hilarious! on a side note, I cannot wait for Suter to regret being swayed by his in-laws...verbal agreement with Detroit, then persuaded to go to Minny by wife and her family...for basically pennies more (when it comes to the millions he signed for) that is sad...so sad...

As much fun as it is to hear you crap on trade proposals, I've already made my position clear several times regarding the flawed reasoning of your "name who" game. If you're still interested, you're more than welcome to go back and read them.

I can toss you a link if you want from a source you can download it from online. I do warn you, there's a pretty vicious cliffhanger and there's a long wait until the 2nd half of the last season, so be prepared.

So am I correct in my understanding that there are no official talks scheduled for this week, but there is an owners meeting scheduled for next week to affirm support for a lockout? I wish I was at the point to say I don't give a s***, but I'd be lying. I'll be heartbroken if we lose the Winter Classic because of this crap.

I simply recognized his awesomeness and immediately knew who it was. esteef