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They should have gone back to these, IMO.

I wonder if centcougar has been paying attention?

Ok, we gotta have a topic here for the Calder Cup Finals. Grand Rapids Griffins are taking on the Syracuse Crunch, who are the defending champions (Tampa's affiliate was Norfolk last year). They have only lost 4 total games the past 2 post season, only 1 so far this post season. I know we were kind of worried/looking forward to this, but with the big clubs. However this should be pretty exciting for Wings fans. Game 1 Sat., June 8 GRIFFINS at Crunch 7 p.m. Game 2 Sun., June 9 GRIFFINS at Crunch 6 p.m. Game 3 Wed., June 12 Crunch at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. Game 4 Fri., June 14 Crunch at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. *Game 5 Sat., June 15 Crunch at GRIFFINS 7 p.m. *Game 6 Tue., June 18 GRIFFINS at Crunch 7 p.m. *Game 7 Thu., June 20 GRIFFINS at Crunch 7 p.m. Watch for free http://theahl.com/watch-the-finals-for-free-on-ahl-live-p184148 For those that haven't seen it, this is the Playoff intro video the Griffins had at the beginning of the postseason.

That was a fun game to watch. I hope I find some streams for the Finals too. I might have to try some AHL GDT's.

Next year I'll hate Boston...this year I like Boston. It's a weird sport.

These were better.

Pittsburgh is losing, and I'm smiling.

So far... Malkin - 0 goals, 0 points and is a -4 Crosby - 0 goals, 0 points and is a -3

*queue my one allotted sexist comment for the day* Are any of us surprised that most men value their balls over their brains?! *thus ends my rampant sexism for the day. I apologize.* Back on topic, I totally agree with the concept that an individual should be able to make their own dumbass decisions about how they want to impact their health (smoking, triple double baconator of death, willingness to take pucks to the dome)--given that that decision does not adversely affect others. These players are not only investments money-wise on someone else's insurance dime, but as others have pointed out they are an investment that a team makes to reasonably assume that a particular role is filled, frequently long term, on their team. Their coaches rely on them being there. Their teammates rely on them being there. And I, as a fan, rely on them being there and doing everything they can to ensure that my team stays competitive. If a player wants to have unprotected sex with a Thai hooker whilst drinking moonshine and inserting cockroaches into his ass, fine. Just don't flipping do it while you're signed to play for my team. So...uh...I guess I feel the same way about the visor issue. Signed to play for my team? Then wear a damn visor, wear a damn helmet, and no damn Thai hookers. *Mic drop*

Not a big deal, 73% of players voluntarily wear visors already. Before the "let the players do whatever they want" crowd chimes in, explain to me how this is any different than having legal/policy mandated safety gear by your employer depending on your line of work. One difference though... Hockey players are much more valuable. Well, most of them.

Actually if you're looking for video highlights and more Griffins focused media including player/coach interviews go check out the Griffins Youtube Channel. FULL HIGHLIGHTS

Congrats to the Griffins! Looked like they had a packed house in GR tonight, that's great! I heard Jurco had a sick goal, anyone got any video?

Billins is a local kid (at least for me). He's from Marysville, MI and played his college hockey at Ferris State - helped guide Ferris to the National Championship game last year. The knock on him has been his size. I think scouts realized his offensive abilities but he was doubted as to how well those would translate in the professional game and how well he would keep up in his own end. After this season, he's shown that he definitely has the skills at the AHL level. I think he will at least get some offers for a tryout somewhere in the NHL and, at the very least, some team will put him on their protected roster. He just turned 24 - you never know what could happen with some more time in the AHL.

Awesome! Thanks so much for taking care of this. You rock!

Okay, folks, $573.36 just sent to Children's!! WOO HOO. Sorry I can't take a screen shot for some reason - all it does is give me a new browser tab no matter what I do. I've copied and pasted pertinent, non-personal information below. Don't ask me why "Birthday" shows up - I chose the "other" option and typed out "Thank you." Thank you for your donation to the Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation. A formal thank you letter will be mailed to the address indicated on the donation form which will also serve as your receipt for tax purposes. Please contact us at (313) 964-6994 if you any questions about your contribution. Thank you again for your support which will help improve the lives of children and their families. Sincerely, Children's Hospital of Michigan Foundation Please print the following for your records: Transaction Summary Transaction Date: 6/5/13 Level: Enter an amount. Amount: $573.36 Gift Designation: Use my gift where most needed. Tribute Gift Type: In Honor of Tribute Title: Mr. Tribute Name: and Mrs. Mike Ilitch Tribute Gift - Occasion Birthday Notificant's Relationship to the Tribute Recipient: Grateful Detroit Red Wings fans.

Here's hoping for a historical win tonight for the Griffins!!!!!

Another rule I hate. The trapezoid took away all the work a goalie might do into handing the puck so the D man won't get killed. It was designed for more goals all its done is create more injuries. You want to change a rule, try hybrid icing.... That's one that on paper and on screen looks great. No more guys getting their legs broken chasing down the puck!

This is the big thing. If they're used to them, it won't change anything for them. If they have to suddenly start wearing them, it will. If you've always (or at least for many, many years) worn glasses, you don't even think about it, but if you get a pair after never wearing them, you have to re-learn how to see. I'm at the reading-glasses age, and it's a royal pain. My supervisor has worn glasses since he was a kid, and I've never seen him with fogged-up glasses no matter how hot and humid it gets, but you can put a pair on me in the dead of winter, and I'm apparently exhaling out of my tear ducts. Visors aren't a bad thing- far from it. Having to change your game in the later stages of your career is a pain, and they've avoided it by allowing grandfathering. It's a good call.

we already lose our minds with discretionary calls, and you want to add another discretionary call for the ref? i'd rather they make puck over glass like an icing. defensive zone faceoff and no change of players

I think Dats wants to change positions... look out howie you have some competition. haha

Go Bruins

tatar is more than ready.

I'm still trying to figure out why everyone is up in arms about this. "It's very important to sign him" Duh. No one is arguing that. "he's got options, too. I'm going to make a call to his agent. I'd like to have a conversation." Of course he's got other options. We've been debating whether he'll stay here or go KHL for months. Also, he technically and legally does have the option of going to another team, and it has happened where other players have stunned their fanbases by leaving. Pavel has said that he wants to come back, and I believe that he's telling the truth. This isn't a situation like Borque/Hasek/Gretzky etc. where other factors, some beyond the player's control, some involving getting to a winning team, were happening. Still, other teams and the KHL are other options and Kenny can't just assume that we have a done deal no matter how much both want one. Remember Feds. I know, another different case, but still a case for not enumerating pre-natal poultry. Kenny is going to call his agent. Good plan. No one can argue that course of action. Carrier pigeon is SO last century. "We know he's on the team next year." Ya think? His contract doesn't end until the end of next year. If he was going to retire, become a monk, bolt for Russia, or become a lounge singer, he'd have done so already. Trade him? Never! What on earth could you possibly get in return that the league would even allow. Three wishes with the option to use the third wish for unlimited wishes? Not happening. "Negotiations are tough, because the player is trying to find out what's fair for him, and the team is trying to find out, competitively, what makes sense. Just because somebody says they want to stay doesn't mean you're going to have a contract done in a month." Nope. Contracts don't write themselves. Plus since he can't sign another one until the 5th of July, and this quote came before the 5th of June, he can't sign one in a month. All this means is that they need to work out the details. You have to have details. If Pavel wants only red M&M's in his lunchbox, he'll get it, but he may have to forgo the ever-popular NTC to get it. Or vice versa. There's nothing here that says to me that there will be any difficulty on either side, just that they can't do it immediately and that they have to actually sit down and do it. Business, and nothing more, and nothing offensive or dismissive that I can find at all.

If I wasn't posting from my phone, the "I've never been more aroused" gif would be making an appearance right now. But to stay on topic, I can't think of another player that makes me sit back and say WOW like Dats does. SO glad he's ours for a little while longer!

No need. They'll have him on LTIR, so he won't count against the cap. If he comes back, we're a better hockey team. If not, he won't hurt the team's cap situation.