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Frank, I can not add anything to what kliq said. He and I are both on the same page. I don't have anything against fighting per se, but I'm against fighting just for the sake of it for the reasons kliq already stated. And I'm therefore against guys whose sole purpose is doing exactly that. I watch enough European hockey here (DEL) and don't worry the NHL is still harder and far more enjoyable to watch. Even without staged fights and guys like McGrattan.

I dont like the long term effects of fighting in the NHL. If there was no such thing as concussions/Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy my stance would likely differ. On the topic of staged fights, my biggest issue is I feel that people can only be hit in the head so many times before long term damage begins. So if there is going to be fighting in hockey, at least if it was once in a blue moon, the amount of blows to the head these guys take would be limited. When you have staged fights, they are just getting hit over and over and over again, and I feel that issues down the road are inevitable. After seeing what has happened to guys like Probert, Boogaard, Belak, etc. and seeing proof that these guys (not sure about Belak) had Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, I don't want to see other players go down this road or God forbid we ever see a Chris Benoit situation ever happen in the NHL. If this is directed at me, I completely agree that concussions can also come from hits. But to think they dont come from fighting is just plain wrong. Taking hitting out of the game would obviously change the game drastically, even taking out fighting could change the game drastically as I see the argument that this could lead to guys taking cheap shots as there would be no fear of ramifications. But staged fights.....taking them out would change nothing.

You say its their decision, but in some cases these guys have no choice I can tell you with 100% certainty that some of these guys want to just play hockey, but are pressured by coaches/management. You also say they know what they are getting themselves into. Interview guys that are now in their 50's or 60's that fought back in their day all the time that now have concussion issues (just look at all the lawsuits, or at how many guys are now dead). I guarantee you a lot of them will say that if they knew then what they know now, they would not have fought as much. Its like a teenager who drives like an idiot because they think they are indestructible, its not taken seriously until its too late. People need to move forward. With the advances in medicine and concussion research, and the ridiculous athleticism/strength of athletes now a days, fans need to learn to move forward and realize that we have to start looking at the health of these players, and not our own personal entertainment. Bottom line, staged fights and constant blows to the head for no reason need to end. Yes this is a sport, and people do get hurt, but the NHL needs to be smart about this and try to do whats in the best interest of the players.

I'm honestly really excited about Mrazek getting an opportunity to be the starter. I was honestly hoping he would get a chance at some point this season in some ways. That's not to say I hoped Howard got injured, but injuries happen, and if it did, I was hoping they would use it as an opportunity to really give Mrazek more of an opportunity. I also figured that might be likely because Gus isn't always healthy either, so it just seemed like it was a reasonable possibility... And what do you know... But yeah, I'm pretty excited. I think Mrazek is likely to surprise some people, and as I said before, I don't think the quality of goaltending is going to drop severely. Howard's been having a great year, but Mrazek is more than capable of winning games and will no doubt continue to improve the more starts he gets. He's clearly a confident goalie, if anything maybe too confident at times, but ultimately, that'll serve him well. This is a great opportunity for him and for the team to see where he's really at.

Honestly, other than Howard, no Wings player has stats that look All Star quality. Not sure why every team needs to have a rep.

Until the back to back when McCollum plays.Which honestly. I'll be excited for. I enjoy watching our prospects simply because I rarely get to.

At some point in his career he has to learn how to handle the pressure and the starts in the NHL. Looks like that time has come a little earlier than expected but I think he will be fine. He made the playoff with the Griffins several times and won a Calder. Thats as good as it gets before you play in the big league. And if he doesn't we still have the Monster. While we probably won't be as great as with Howard we're good on the goaltender position.

Completely agree with the point in bold. While I do believe he will be a good goaltender in the NHL, its really tough to see where someone is from a small sample size. Playing a game every once in a while is one thing, being relied on to possibly play 3 times a week on a playoff contender in a position that has more pressure on it then any other in the sport can be hard.

A buddy of mine who is turning 21 can't play contact hockey anymore after having way to many concussions and NOT a single one came from fighting. He got them all from getting hit. People saying that concussions in the NHL is straight from fighting is ridiculous and should probably just go watch girls hockey.

OK. I can agree with the idea that 4th liners are, to varying degrees, replaceable players. So let's take a look at what's been this team most used combination on the fourth line: Miller-Gledening-Andersson. On this current team, I think it's very clear that you don't replace Drew Miller or Luke Glendening with an enforcer type player. Detroit is 5th on the PK in the league, and a whole lot of that has to do with Miller and Glendening. They both hit (not a ton, but enough), block shots and make smart defensive plays on a nightly basis. That leaves Andersson, who I fully admit is not an ideal 4th liner. Doesn't hit or block much - his ability to play on the PK is pretty much his only redeeming quality at this point. As I mentioned before, this team uses eight guys on the PP, leaving four to work the PK. In this case, Andersson's value is that he's not going to make guys like Sheahan or Abdelkader work on both the PP and PK. I just don't get the idea of adding a player whose sole contribution to the team is dropping the gloves and "keeping people honest". I named a few guys who are effective in other ways (Dorsett, Prust, Roussel, etc.) who I would take over Andersson without a doubt, but all of them chip in offensively, or also work the PK. There is zero room for a "pure" enforcer type player on this team. It just doesn't fit this team's needs. Not to mention, when this team's fully healthy, it's not using Andersson on the 4th line - it's likely Weiss or Helm. And I just hope you're not advocating using someone like McGrattan or Boll over either of those two.

So if I'm understanding you right, you aren't against fighting because of hating it you are against it because of health concerns? Let me tell you if a player doesn't feel like doing it he shouldn't. Tie Domi, The Grim Ripper are former enforcers who are doing very well if life now. Stu is an attorney But you are right it's an incredible tough job hence why I'm having so much respect for these guys

Agreed, Mrazek has been fine so far. However, now we are getting beyond a small sample size for the first time. Can he consistently give the Wings a chance to win games behind a bad defense like Howard has all season? I'm worried, to be truthful. Jimmy has been spectacular and a month stretch could greatly influence the Wings playoff chances. Mrazek has a bright future, but I'm not convinced he's ready for this role yet. Hopefully getting Monster back soon will give the Wings a decent tandem should Mrazek falter.

mrazek will play to his ability, and take howies job. howie then gets traded for other needs. this is what i'd like to see happen.

Fun for who? As mentioned, they still have to travel and take part in the festivities. The time off would be much better for two aging players that we are going to desperately need down the stretch. I personally can't wait for the day they abolish the ASG anyways. Haven't watched one in years, so from a fan perspective, it isn't fun for me either.

It's like saying going on a business trip is fun. They still have to travel, stay in a hotel, do endless interviews, participate in skills competitions, play in a meaningless game and try not to get hurt or stay at home with your family, maybe go to a warm sunny climate, have a few adult beverages, etc. I'd rather have Z and Pav be off their feet and relaxing instead of going to the stupid all star game.

Yep. Most Wings fans here don't like that part of the game because they've never seen their team actually play it.

And you are wondering why we European fans and players are having the reputation of being *******? It's their decision if they know what they are getting themselves into so be it. As a German you should know how much some leagues are sucking - outside of the big 4 - , a rougher playstyle would go a long way off making things at least watchable again. the nhl has never been that boring but they are approaching that territory in rapid fashion: hip checks almost gone, Stevens like hits gone, Kronwalled? almost gone next up fighting? Sounds like an interesting league doesn't it... Basically the SEL just with more skill.. Kliq: I'm just not interested in watching UFC the entertainment in hockey fights is so different << fans are fired up teammates come together, the atmosphere is electric It's like doing bungee jumping the testosterone is at its peak and people who watch it are loving every second

Gus' groin against average is as untouchable as Gretzky's records

You've lived in Windsor too long, man. I know Uncle Eddie used all his money on the Aquatic Centre, but the city is supposed to salt the roads

I still want a RH offensive d-man.

Our goalie tandem has the worst groin against average in the league.

And his GA ( = groin against) is just pathetic compared to other goalies.

This is the main reason for me why enforcers don't belong to the game. How can you enjoy a staged fight if you know the storys of Boogard and our very own Probert ? If a fight sparks from the heat of the moment, fine, let them go. But those barenuckle fights are just to dangerous to do them night in and night out. And I don't want players on the ice forced to do them.

There's no such thing anymore. He hasn't done anything in the playoffs for the past five years.

Except he is a two way player that uses his size and is an amazing passer who plays hard....but other then that JUST like Franzen LOL.Also the games I was at he was center for the griffins and I go to quite a few.