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The vid on TSN from the league explaining the suspension was pretty clear it was a head shot. Long overdue. He should have been banned from the the league earlier. As others have said, hopefully this forces him out of the league next year.

I know a lot of people have been saying lately how they'd like to see him sent down and develop there and that's understandable. Personally though, I think this was the right decision and I hope he gets to stay. My reason for this is that I like the idea that he can learn from Pavs and Hank before they are gone - what better centers to learn from??? Very happy for Larkin. He's going to have a long and fantastic Detroit Red Wing career.

When you consider that over 70% of NHL Defencemen shoot left handed, It certainly helps to have a Right Handed shot when it comes to bubble players in the pre-season and/or free agents in the off-season. No, you aren't cutting Nick Kronwall to make room for Nick Jensen, but the theory of having an equal number of each stems from basic (positional) fundamentals and not just because it's simply good to have a balance of both. Ideally, you would like to have 3 LH and 3 RH Defencemen at all times - because it's much harder to play the opposite side as a Dman than it is as a Forward...Alot of Forwards actually prefer to play their off-wing because its beneficial in most scoring area's around the slot. As a left handed Defenceman playing the right side, it is much more difficult to retrieve the puck off the boards and move it quickly when sustaining offensive zone time... At NHL level, retrieving pucks on your backhand at the blueline to keep the zone (especially at even strength) typically gives the opposing team too much time to make a play. It's also harder to "play catch" and set up your offence at the top of the zone if both Dmen are Left Handed, and opposing teams will key in on this. Not to get too crazy, because we are talking about the best in the world here... but it's also easier to pivot, and force opposing forwards to the outside when you are playing the correct side. On the PP, it's also beneficial to have both shots out there (think Lidstrom, Rafalski) - because once possession is established after the faceoff is won, the Defencemen can "switch" and create two shooting lanes as opposed to just one. Doing that, also creates room down low because the shorthanded team has to send 2 guys high... It's not really overblown, and although you aren't arbitrarily a better player based on the fact you shoot right handed, you can certainly put your team in a position to be better. This is why they command more money every off-season, and more demand every trade deadline then left handed shooting players.

Won't be surprised if he does end up being put with Zetterberg when it comes to game day. A lot of our roster has been groomed under Hank. Hudler, Filpula and now Nyquist to name a few. I think the combination should workout fine and be in Larkin's favor as far as his development is concerned. I just hope he plays center.

1. We finish above the Canadiens. 2. Mantha scores 30+ in GR. 3. The return of the Nordiques announced by the end of the season. You knew one jackass was going to write them in bold.

If you agree with all he said I don't get what the deal is. We did really want one. they are important. We did talk about it a lot because we wanted one and they're important. Since we want one and they're important when discussing players it gives the edge to the Righty. Haven't seen anyone make it the only consideration. What's the problem? Maybe just sick of hearing about it? Our GM has definitely thought about it since we have drafted a lot of RH Dmen and the search that lead to Green. As a side note, Green gave an interview recently where he said the Caps strategized around our lack of Righties. (I'm guessing that meant breakout along the boards on the side of the Dman on his off side). It's a weakness. Anyway, we have Green. I think one of Marchenko or Jensen are destine for the 3rd pair next year (or late this year and the other will be 7th guy. 2 out of 6 would be a good ratio (or 3 out of 7)

about time it's pre season and he could have held back. Now he has 4 months to think about it.

Ya I'm hoping Larkin centers that line

Luongo put him up to the mullet thing via twitter. This is a dream come true for those of us who remember when the hot guys were all wearing mullets.

Raffi Torres contrbution to the Sharks.. Played in 28 games Suspended 47 games. Love it

41 games. NHL finally has some balls.

/Raises a dram of the Macallan in salute to the epic awesomeness of Jagr's mulletude.

At first, I thought the report of 41 games was a typo. Then, I remembered that this is Raffi Torres we're talking about...

Gotta love this guy. http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/jaromir-jagr-says-he-will-bring-back-his-famous-mullet-181207269.html

I'll will be pissed if Andersson is in the lineup ahead of Jurco or Pulkkinen. I know, one is a "center" and the other two are wingers, but we have more than enough viable options down the middle that Andersson doesn't need to be in that 4th line center spot...

Nope.

1 redwings at least make the conference finals 2 redwings have the most players on a team to get 20+ goals in the league 3 mrazek becomes the true number 1 in detroit

That would be a LONG time coming. Torres is the worst kind of garbage.

I knewwww it had a gut feeling he was gonna make it , kids are finally getting the chances with Blashill as coach Now if he starts racking up the points there's no way they could send him down Ummm what if he does so good in the top line we gotta keep larkin there ? Datsyuk centers 2nd line with Gus and Tatar?, sheahan goes to wing for this year?unless we make some moves if mule stays healthy he might have to go on the 4th line ... We might have the deepest 4 lines we've had in forever Scary team this year and laughable these experts I seen on tv in montreal all took detroit 5th place and beyond in our division When datsyuk returns ... Zetterberg larkin abdelkader Tatar datsyuk nyquist Sheahan richards pulkkinen Helm/jurco glendening Franzen Miller cleary anderssen ... When pavel returns and if larkin sticks unless someone good gets hurt we might have to depart with one of helm/jurco/pulkkinen I'd package a helm/smith or prospect /high draft pick type deal for a byfuglien if possible or someone similar ... Our d is where we clearly need an upgrade

1. The Red Wings make the playoffs 2. The Red Wings will win more games than they lose 3. A goalie debate will occur this year

Here's my predictions, all Red Wings related because... F*** other teams... 1. Pulkkinen leads the Red Wings in both power-play goals and total goals on the year. 2. Howard gets nominated and plays in the All-Star game and is in the Vezina conversation at the end of the season. 3. Zetterberg plays in 80 games and puts up 70+ points, which is good for second in team scoring.

Deke the hell out of him, even if you know you won't score on it, get him moving side to side till you hear a slight tearing sound.Enjoy scoring the rest of the period till he realizes he can't continue. Amirite?

Nice to read this! I've always liked him, he's definitely a "what could have been" type player. Sucks to have your body let you down the way his has. I admire his perseverance.

Pretty sure it takes more than being an average athlete and competitiveness to score 786 pts in the NHL by age 34. But hey, that's just me.

Yeah, he'd cup check them into shape