RedRockit

Again: Of course. Except I'm already freaked about THIS year's contracts precisely BEAUSE I've got next year's in mind. That's why we can't afford Smyth. *sob* but ohwellennyway.(but geeeesh, if we can afford Smyth then maybe we can afford Chrissy?)

Of course.

I'm sorry, Crymson (hope yer handle is a ref tio OSU- GO BUCKEYES), I mean no disrespect, but... ROTFLMAO when I think back to Feds' negotiations BITD, and his resultant humoungus, and groundbreaking, contract with the Wings. IF we could get him, IF we need him, he will not come cheaply even now. Me, I'd like to see him back. But then I badly want Chris Drury in red, and that ain't gonna happen this year either.

This list makes me pine wistfully for Mac, even though I know that's just so wrong on so many levels-- it's like secretly digging Def Leppard when you hear 'em on 94.5. *sigh*

What's happening here? Salaries sky hi (and not that they don't deserve it), but WTF!! The pressure is on the org to giive the big $$ to early signees.

Proof? I see that yer an old-school posta, so I'm reluctant to disbelieve you, but... kinda.. whoooaaa... whaaattafa... ...never saw that on CBC.com.

Konstantinov. He's the tougher man. Still.

I'd have Koz back in a heartbeat... IF I thought he wanted to come back, which I don't. And I;'m kinda pissed off about one of the reasons why I personally think he doesn't want to come back, and that's because Detroit (as a whole: org, city, fans) have never given him his due. He's not coming back-- I'd like it much, but ain't neva happen.

argh, I know I'm dummish for not doing the HTML, but yaya to what you said. That's my point: PROaction is PREvention in hockey, but the blighty instigator rule prevents that-- especially and invertively because we know that it's the RETALIATORY pen that gets called. Hey, if one can get away with it in hockey, I'm all for it. I'd like my players to NOT headhunt, ala Pwronger, but I do like my hockey hard... just don't do it against MY Guys, 'k?

“I knew Claude Lemieux. Claude Lemieux was an enemy of mine, and you, Pronger, are no Claude Lemieuxâ€Â. Agreeing with SWF that Maltby has done, and still does, more for this team than most other players that get more credit, fame, and $$. Lucky to have him, we are, and history will bear me witness.

In answer to the bolded part of your post, yes, agreed. But an enforcer has NEVER been able to PREVENT a cheap shot on any player: Probie couldn't stop the hits on Stevie, for instance. What he COULD do, is kick major arse to the offending culprit, and make him sorry that he gave Stevie so much as a sideways look. It wasn't so much about retribution as it was about making the The Othere Guy think twice and thrice before messing with a Wing. After all is said and done-- what did Pronger suffer for what COULD have been a career-ending injury for Homer? He was rewarded for his day(s) off-- he lifted the Cup.

Oh my achin' Roy. If Jiggy would be the super goalie you claim he' d be, even given smaller equipment, then why oh why ISN"T he using smaller equipment? Being trendy, is he?

What possible use is an enforcer with the instigator rule so firmly in place? Yeah, I'm REALLY unhappy with what I saw in the playoffs (and before that), and it wasn't just the Pronger-led Ducks v. Wings series. There was a deal of Senator borderline and over-the-line cheap crap dished out to Buffalo as well.... they call it "physical play" and "let 'em play" but I call bulls***. If the new NHL truly wants to clean up play in this New NHL, then for heavens" sake, refs, call the Bad Stuff (you know, the Pronger bloody hits that didn't get called on ice, or Alfy's boarding hit on Tallinder:again a no-call), not the petty barely-hooking, barely-tripping calls, that happen away from the play. Get consistent, get 'core about your calls-- care about players' heads, if you care about anything at all. It may slow down the game for a season or so, but at least you won't turn off fans for life, or damage players for life. Get rid of the instigator rule. Get rid of the instigator rule. Get rid of the instigator rule, and let the players defend themselves, since it's obvious that the refs won't/can't/are helpless to do so.

Actually, SabFriend was initially sold on DB, but feels he gives up waaay too many easy TOs and backs off of battling in the corners (in SF's opinion, and it's sorta kinda true). Yes, some team will be thrilled to get this guy, I think he's great. But Sabres org is up against it, and they cannot pay big $$ tio anyone this season, assuming they can keep Chrissy. I'm STILL POd about this HNIC SC opener exchange: Ron MacLean: What do you have to say about Buffalo, who are going to have a difficult... Gary Bettman, interrupting: Oh, Ron let's talk instead about these two wonderful teams we're here to see: the Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks! Tell 'em what they've won, Don Cherry! (ok, so he didn't REALLY say that last bit, but he all but...) MacLean, persevering after several rebuff:s: But Buffalo can't expect to do well again next year under theIr financial restrictions under the cap, so how... Bettmann (fake smile firmly in place): I can't comment on that, Ron-- MAYBE THEY SHOULD RAISE THEIR TICKET PRICES. (sorry, I know I'm going slightly OT with this, but my blood bolied when I heard that, and my heart bled a little for my SabBud, because I knew that this year was pretty much all BUF had at the brass-ring shot)

Agree. We can't afford Smyth, we just can't. Darnitall, he WOULD be a sweet addition: but the reason I don't buy the Louis Vuitton Speedy for my daughter is the same rationale why Wings cannot sign Ryan: the numbers won't crunch, Both LV and RS are luxuries, and when it all comes down to it, luxuries that she/Wings don't need to succeed, anyway.

Seems to me they're getting rid of Briere to keep Drury, and I cannot fault them for the move. My Wing-hating SabFriend tells me (and has told me since before the season ended for the Sabs) that the Wings are welcome to DB's FA. That alone tells me he's not a fit for our team, because SF is always right. SF further absolutely loathes the idea of Zubrus going to the Wings.... hmmm....

My kinda analogy. The Prof is my favoirite player of all-time, so yeah, I'm a bit homerishtical, but there's valid reasons for aforesaid favoritism (need I go into 'em, they've been done to death here already), and I think he gets in this year. There's international sensibilities to be stroked taken into consideration.

Hmm, I wish I knew that story, sounds so "Bond, Slava Bond"!! From Fetisov's own HOF page: http://www.nhl.com/hockeyu/halloffame/fetisov.html "Fetisov has always been a man of principle. He broke the barrier that held back Soviet players from competing in the NHL when he joined the Devils in 1989. But he did not defect, he did not run away under the cover of night. He waited for the proper clearances from his government and persevered in a battle that had beaten down others before him. Upon arriving in North America, he battled again to eradicate the preconceived notions about Soviets that made him an outcast and a target wherever he played. Again, he won. Fetisov treasures those victories as much as any trophy or award in his overflowing trophy case. "It was not easy, it sounds easy, but you always have to fight for everything and I fought for everything I have in hockey," said Fetisov. "I also won the biggest fight away from hockey. That was the fight against communism, the fight for freedom of choices. "I won that fight, but it was not easy. I was all alone, I was not allowed to do anything and I kept battling until I won. I had a big name, which hockey gave me, and that was all. It was probably the hardest fight of my life, but I won. I think winning that battle has opened the door for many European players, especially Russians. " _______________________________________________________________________________________ Never forget that many of "our' Russians, and those Russian athletes in any other sport that competed internationally, were also prey to the Russian mob as well (one reason I never thought that Fedorov himself was greedy, he did what he had to do).

You haven't been telling lies: both guys had a lot to do with breaking the Iron Curtain of Hockey. Fetisov is unfairly somewhat less highly regarded in NA than Larionov, due to style of play (Slava was a beast, Igor was, well, "The Professor"). <---My Guy, and I'm thinking he makes it in this year due to political considerations. IMHO, he deserves it ANYWAY!

I have no idea what to expect from him, honestly. I do believe he's a man in search of redemption, and that makes a good case for "heart", FWIW. *shrug* I think he likes playing in Detroit and will give his all for the team: just how good his "all" will prove to be may depend on his physical status. That bad back of his worries me, but even with recovering from that, and that being aggravated by the "talibone injury" (in quotes because, well, who knows?), he still got better and better in the POs. I appreciated that enough that I'd like to see him back, if for no more than curiosity's sake. (I know, I know-- curiosity could prove pricey if I'm wrong!!)

It's been touched upon by several people in this thread, forgive me if I'm being redundant: the better question is "Who Considers The Wings Their Rivals?" Rivalry games are generally played harder, which is why fans love them so. I don't really consider any present team a rivalry per se (Avs hatreds are ancient history: and although I personally wouldn't mind putting ANA up there in their place, somehow I feel the Wings won't consider them in the same light as the Avs of the 90s). Even if the Wings/Wingnuts don't consider Team Whatever to be a serious rival, I'm now wondering which teams the Wings can expect to bring everything they've got for a W. A weak team, normally discounted, could prove dangerous given those parameters. An underdog is also a hungry dog.

Darrlin' (I can say that, I'm a CHICK!), I know you didn't mean to make a deal of it-- I just still don't see the dents. (but then, I could never find Waldo, either). And this IS a fun thread, with or without emotismilicons. And you are not in need of Kegels. I'm sure your girlfriend is, however . (think it through, that's a HUGE compliment to you.

Thank you. PC was an efficient, talented, and welcome addition to the Wings in the day... ...but... ...well, I was taught to not say anything bad about someone behind his back unless I was willing to say it to his face, and I'd have only good things to tell Paul to his face, and I would sincerely mean it. ...but... *stuffs hand in mouth before foot gets there*

Well, that's your own very good taste to NOT do that on another team's forum. Especially any of the Other Teams" Forums that I've looked at (not just Dux)-- YIKES, freaky: please leave your IQ at the door. But this isn't just ANY forum: this is THE forum for our ******* RED WINGS and we can take it, take the differences of opinion and LIKE IT, because we know that HOCKEY is the Universal Religion: just because one doesn't worship Yzerman Lidstrom, doesn't necessarily mean that one of another faith fandomage isn't deeply devotional too. Otherwise, we become no better than Shiiites and Shias-- ultimately s***heads, hmm? Blowing each other up because of disagreements on minor details of something everyone reveres.... eejiocy. *shrug* FWIW, I enjoyed RobWho's pic, but I got over our PO loss faster than I thought I would. For some, it may indeed have been a tad too soon. Kegel exercises help, I'm told, when IT hurts. (pretty opinionate for a noob, eh? Sorry if I've gone too far)

I don't see a dent-- what I see is sun and/or photog light reflection. *shrug* After all that Cup has been through (and I cannot, not do I want to, imagine the tales that are too XXX rated for public consumption...!!! Ehh, Pronger's tongue doesn't seem so horrible, after all. (darnit, I WISH I could find the article where CP spoke of Frenching the Cup (ykes!!!)-- no one believes me, but it was prolly from TSN and I absolutely canNOT find it now)