The Secret

I heard Kelley Hrudy describe goalies as either Puck Blockers (like JS Giguerre who rely more on equipment size and positioning to do their job) and Puck Savers (like Kipper who rely more on athletic ability to do their job). The pads have gotten ridiculously bloated over the years and its taken the excitement out of the position because they can play a very boring Puck Blocking style and not have to rely as much on their ability (See Giguerre, Price and many others). I think shrinking the pads will force the goalies to have to use more of their ability to Save the Puck which will make watching the game more exciting. I think its about flippin time they do something about this issue personally.

I made the comment last night on how much I liked Craig Simpson calling the game. I hope all the best to Murph and his daughter.

You are right, that fight with McSorley has to be near the top of Probie's best list. IMO one of the best draws ever... i don't anyone won... they both did! Nice find Snepsts

You need to youtube some old Probert and Kocur matches. They had numerous 1 punch KO's that were too quick for Jersey grabbing. Check out Probert vs Coxe

Here is something we can both agree on! I am retiring from Crosby threads. THE END.

Next up... Kirk Maltby! Hahahaha. Maybe Maltby and Lilja should have a go, I bet it would look more like a Waltz then an ice hockey scrap!

The topic of the thread is "Sydney Crosby is leading by example". At his age, winning the trophies he has, putting up the numbers he has, already getting to within a few games of a Stanley Cup to me it leading by example. To dismiss the fact that he is leading by example because he whines or because he is being pushed in your face by the league is stupid. I'm not calling you stupid, the arguements i just listed are. When I talk of jealousy, I don't speak that of jealousy that he is not on the Wings or that he is a better hockey player then you but jealousy of the fact that you are seeing and hearing about him because is is a great player, a great leader and marketable for a sport that is trying to compete in ratings with Baseball & Football etc. There is no impuning going on here. How many of his peers are even near his level at his age with as much experience? Is that not more evidence of leading by example? How about all the added pressure that comes with the added media coverage he gets over his peers and yet still he handles himself like a professional... leading by example! How about the higher expectations expected of this young kid and he still able to do all that... leading by example! If marketing Ovechkin would generate the exposure and the profits that marketing Corsby does then they would be pushing him in your face and not Crosby. The kid is a great leader by example, whining does not take that away nor does marketing.

Add fighting to the list of things Lilja doesn't do well.

Wow, this reply gave me a trip down memory lane. Hahaha Ron Duguay, Chico Resch and Butch Goring!? Man, I lost those name over the years. I think i still have some of their 80's hockey cards.

They throw him out there because he is good and he makes them money for the league. If there were other players that would generate as much interest it would be them that they would throw out there but right now Sid's the one. Obviously there are many more fans interested in seeing him then not. And don't kid yourself there are plenty of whiners in the league. Its viewed as whining by those who don't want to hear what they have to say, but I'm sure it's viewed as sharing an opinion to others. I don't care for excessive whining by anyone but I think he more then makes up for it by his play.

I don't really have a favourite analyst from the American stations but being Canadian Grapes has always been my favourite. I think with Don Cherry you either love him or you hate him.... I always loved Don Cherry even if he is now a Maple Leafs homer. So if I can i will cast my vote for Grapes.

The Crosby roasting threads get to me too. I guess when the spot light is on someone so intensely everything they do is seen in a different light. I find it hilarious how the haters dismiss how unbelievably well he's done in his short career, stats-wise, hockey-wise, leadership-wise etc. And the biggest complaint is he whines, it is funny because there is no substance. It's like complaining that he has an ugly helmet, although it maybe true and annoying it does not add or take anything away from how he plays and how well he plays. The next is that he is poor defensively, which I don't find to be true... it may not be the best part of his game but he is not that bad, and he is improving. Remember a guy named Steve Yzerman? He was not always considered to be the best 2 way forward, it took the time to improve his defensive play and look where it got him. My belief is that is all stems from either extreme jealousy, or just plain stupidity. I have more respect for the people that just say I hate the kid... period! That I can live with. Isn't it ironic how many people whine about Crosby whining... there must be hundreds of LGW whiners that whine more then Crosby ever will. SWF is right, try to play a competitive sport just once and not complain about a call you feel was unjust... if you can do that then you are not human or you don't actually have the heart for the game.

Classic! Is that original material or did you recycle it from elsewhere... regardless I am still howling. Can I borrow that line? It might make a good signature!

Hank, I am jealous you bastard! Hahaha, that is truely a fantastic story and thanks for sharing that. Like all of us I have been an adoring fan of Yzerman for the way he played the game and for the way he conducted himself off the ice as well. I always wondered if he was as cool a human being as he portrays himself and to get actual confirmation just adds to his legend imho. "Hey guys, I'm Steve!" Come on. Another testament to how supremely lucky we all are to have Yzerman as part of our organization. To me Yzerman is the shining symbol of what it means to be a Red Wing! I also truly believe that this team is what it is due to having the best ownership in the NHL. Thanks again and next time to are given these tickets I get dibs, forget the Oiler fan! I will find my way from Montreal to Windsor in record time.

Nice! How true. Look at what the Oilers are doing to Penner right now. They are expecting waaay much more for what they gave him. With Hossa we added to what was already great and so we all expect more... naturally. Guys like Filpula got a nice pay day and needs to produce to what he has been given and IMO has not done that consistently.

Mistakes I can live with because they can be corrected. Whats scares me is bad habits and bad attitude. We all know how hard it is to break bad habits, and we all know how easy it is to go back to a bad habit. It will be less worrisome when there is proof, even a little proof, that we are getting away from the bad habits. Bounces, good and bad, we cannot change, but we cannot rely on them either. I need to see steady improvement on what we are falling short on, that will make me worry less.

Have you watched any of the games this year? We are not at all seeing the team play the way we are used to seeing them play. We have not come out and won decisively any night this season and we have outright failed against some of the tougher teams. Its concerning because our problems do not seem to be going away. Honestly, if we play this way in the play offs it will be a short season. Way too many holes in our game. Its cool that we are finding ways to win, its cool that our record is not at all bad. But the way we are achieving it is whats alarming everyone, including the players and coaches! I have faith that we will tighten everything up but right now its not fun to watch us blow leads in the 3rd period and take a million penalties, and turn the puck over, and get pushed around.

Unfortunately I live in Montreal now and it does not surprise me if the fans are cheating on this. They do have a very dedicated and loyal fan base and this year their team is doing quite well but.... They are as bad or maybe worse then Maple Leafs fans. All I get to hear is how bad Detroit is and that Montreal is the run away team for winning the Cup. And despite the fact they have not won a cup since '92? They are the best franchise in the league as well! Hilarious if you ask me. They barely squeeked by Boston in the first round last year and the have a celebration RIOT! Loyal but classless fans here in Montreal, oh yeah, to boot I have heard the conspiracy theory that the fix is in for the Canadiens to win this year because its their 100 year anniverysary, the ASG is here, and I believe the entry draft is here too... that naturally means that its all set up that they will win it all this year to honour them.... I hate the Habs! Their fans blow hot air too! PS. I will have all my fellow Wings fans know that I proudly wear my Wings gear despite being in a hostile environment here in montreal! GO WINGS!

I miss him! He was great to have around.

I agree that there is a good chemistry between Zetts and Franzen but a good, consistent 3rd is required and I also would like to see what Leino could do. Sammy, Hudler have both failed. Filpula has been the best option but IMO he has not been earning his keep for his new salary.

Its a good question as to wether Brad McCrimmon is not coaching the team well or not. Its a good possibility too. I never realized what a massive difference good coaching could make until we got Bowman as head coach. That fact was shown further after Bowman retired and Lewis took over... he was horrible, and we choked until we got Babcock! Now that McLellan has move to San Jose, and they are a completely different team this year, it really does make me wonder if McCrimmon was really the man to replace him? I guess time will tell!

We really seem to scramble too much when we have the opposition sustaining pressure in our zone. Players chasing the other team too much and getting caught out of position, at least thats what I saw last night in the 3rd period. No one person in particular to blame.... not even Lilja or Sammy even though i hate them. Pitsburgh took back the momentum of the game and ran with it. Looked like 2 different teams playing in the 3rd then from the first 2 periods. Cup hang over, poor coaching, what ever the problems are they need to be found and fixed because there are way too many great teams this year and this type of play will certainly produce and early exit come play off time. No need to panic but there definately needs to be some thorough examination and correction done ASAP. Although I am thoroughly embarrassed by last nights loss I have total faith that we will find our game.

This Week1 - San Jose Sharks (13-3) No need to worry about a relatively slow start from Joe Thornton when the Sharks are getting All-Star production out of Ryane Clowe. Key Injuries: G Evgeni Nabokov (lower body), RW Jonathan Cheechoo (upper body). This Week6 - Detroit Red Wings (9-2-2) Getting the best out of Marian Hossa, who leads the team in points (17), plus-minus (plus-9) and is tied for the team lead in goals (8). Key Injuries: LW Johan Franzen (knee). http://www.tsn.ca/fantasy_news/feature/?fi...topRelated_main I have to agree that to date the Sharks are the team to beat... I don't agree with their rankings for 2 - 6 though. Hossa has been our main man and I think like the Sharks we need our secondary troops to start chipping like Ryan Clowe!

I can't believe our good fortune having Hoss on our team. The more I watch this guy the more I like him. In my opinion he has been by far the best player on our team. He fits in like he's been there forever and he is still gaining speed. Would be nice if we could keep him but if not at least it will be nice if we could benefit from him and win another Cup.

No thanks... Not interested and not needed!