55fan

You forgot Lebda. No Lebda=no cup. Seriously, the last time we won a cup (long, long ago, in an arena far away), we did it because of Z and Mule amongst others. They and Pavel and Kronwall are older and Lids is gone, but we have a new generation of hot young guns coming up. They now are providing the leadership once provided by Lids and Rafalski. I'd say that once the kids mature a wee bit more, we're sitting better than we've been in a while. Mule, Z, Pavel, and Kronner aren't as young as they were, but they can still get it done. Mule and Z must regain their health first, but if they can do that as the kids are progressing, the future is bright.

Agree with everything except the Kronwall part. He had a lot of injuries early in his career, but he hasn't had injuries to the same body part. In the cases of Mule and Z, they have issues with head and back respectively. Those recurring injuries, and the fact that they are injuries that can linger and/or reignite, make them what I would call "injury prone", Kronner has had many different injuries partly because of the way that he has played, which is less physical now that Lids is gone, and partly because that's the way the puck bounces. Aside from that one thing, I applaud your post.

Would you settle for a box? There may or may not be a dead cat in it. Sorry. Nerd break. I agree that buying out Z is something that will never be discussed by the Powers That Be. Maybe a thought or two about Mule since they know more about his condition than we do, but I doubt it. Of course, around here, it's kind of dead around the Olympic break. I guess we need something to keep us off the streets and out of trouble.

If Franzen can't come back due to his concussion, we can Pronger him (LTIR for the rest of the contract). If he can come back physically, but isn't sure how well he'll play, we can use the buyout. Those are huge "ifs". For all we know, with proper rest and recuperation and not getting in the head again, he may do just fine. As for Hank, we can LTIR him as long as needed and then he'll be back. Even on LTIR, he's valuable as a leader. Buy him out? I'd rather kiss Bettman Eddie Olchezechkzkhzc.

Lions let go Delmas and Burleson. I was kind of liking Delmas and was fond of Burleson. Too bad, especially considering that Burleson redid his contract to be cheaper in order to stay in Detroit. (Source: Lions website.)

Go ahead. I kept them anonymous since this is the internet.

Kind of off topic, but it reminds me of a Michigander friend of mine, who is Hispanic and has family still in Mexico. His much younger brother played hockey and LOVED the Red Wings. My friend follows hockey but didn't play. My friend would tell his brother that he liked the Wings because the Wings have a Mexican player. The conversation would go something like this: Friend: I like the Wings because they have a Mexican guy. Brother: They don't have Mexicans. Friend: Oh, yeah? What about Pablo Datsyuk? Brother: It's PAVEL Datsyuk. Friend: Pavel? There aren't any Mexicans named Pavel. Brother: He's Russian. Friend: No way. There aren't any Russians in Mexico. Brother: He's not from Mexico. Friend: All Mexicans are from Mexico. Brother: He's not Mexican. Friend: Sure his is. Why else would he be named Pablo? This would go on and on until the brother gave up. The brother is grown up now. Game over.

Still living in Livonia.

Wings to Sochi: The vodka is pure, but it's a terrible place because you can't drink the water. Wings to Mexico: The tequila has a worm in it, so who cares if you can't drink the water?

2018 Olympics: Gold: Russia (capt. Kovalchuck) Silver: USA (capt. Chelios) Bronze: Sweden (capt. Samuelsson) Seriously, if the NHL pulls out and other leagues (SEL, KHL, etc.) still play, we can pretty much kiss good-bye the hope of ever winning a medal for the US or Canada again. I think the Russians will dominate. I doubt that the big names making big money and/or the franchise players will purposely take on contracts that will leave them free agents in Olympic years, but some guys who are borderline players who happen to be free agents might consider playing abroad so that they'd be free to get the chance to play in the Olympics. If we're watering down the pool, guys like Hudler, who will be 34 in 2018, might leave the NHL early for the chance to play if they've never been chosen before. I know it will kill my interest in Olympic hockey if I don't know any of the names.

Fargo via Saskatchewan. (Actually Fargo via a whole lot of places, but that's beside the point.) I've only lived in Fargo for 19 years and in the US for 43 years. To the OP: If you have the jersey and you're buying the C, maybe you could just find a seamstress (or whatever they call them nowadays) that could sew it on for you. Maybe check your local yellow pages for dressmakers or tailors. If they do alterations, adding a C should be a breeze for them.

Fair point. I understand that perspective. If that's where people are coming from, I can see that. I'm reading it as though he should be playing differently if he gets more money, but I could be reading it wrong.

Wear the A as a badge of honour. It says, "I've supported this dude for a long time." The longer he plays, the more time-honoured it is.

I'd rather judge someone's performance on how they play without including what they cost us. They have no control over what we traded to get them and what their salary was at that time, nor can we blame them (and their agents) for getting the most money possible. That said, Q has made a lot of great saves defensively. He's turned over the puck and blown coverage, but I have seen a lot of good things in him too. I'd call him 4th after Kronner, DD, and E, but YYMV. Smith may pass him with more experience, but that is in the future (hopefully the near future). Plus he has great eyebrows. As far as tonight's game... I feel really bad for Flip and Stamkos for having to miss the Olympics, but I'm kind of relieved that they won't play tonight against us. Let's get a Big W as an Olympic sendoff! Go Wings!

Both, I think. Huds is only about 5'8" IIRC. Pro basketball players are usually much taller. Huds looks like me shooting- except that he made one at the end.

Awesome. I've heard better chirps from a dead bird.

Sounds like he got drunk and wanted to go to Sochi. Good to know that the airlines could handle it. Hopefully this will deter any real attempts at this sort of thing. Dude's gonna be in a world of hurt when he sobers up.

Time flies when you're crushing bones.

TNG *crickets except from a few Star Trek fans*

They're optimistic that he'll be able to continue his career with proper treatment. So young it's scary, but it happens to young people too. Best wishes for a full recovery.

Oh, the implications...

Best wishes to both for their recoveries. The Cities have some excellent medical facilities. They're in good hands.

No phones? No lights? No motorcars? Not a single luxury? Let's hope there's plenty of bamboo. Honestly, unless one country is singled out for better or worse treatment than the rest, they're all on the same playing field. Maybe ones from less advanced countries will benefit because they're used to a rougher existence, but the others are in the same boat... luge... whatever.

I may be remembering this wrong so I'm putting this out for those who may remember in hopes that someone will confirm or refute this. As I recall, Vladdy was amongst those benefiting from the Toast of Hockeytown and other fund-raising charitable events when he was first injured and began his rehab up until his lawsuit against Gnida and/or the limo company was settled. As far as responsibility, I'd think that the NHLPA would be more beholden to help than the team, but I can see why the team (and owners) would have a personal reason to step up and help. In the end, we don't owe each other (outside of our families) anything. Rising up and giving to each other out of the goodness of our hearts is what makes us realize the good that is out there and gives us incentive to carry on and contribute to help those who need it in the hope that they will continue as they are able.

Remember back when the Olympics was started in the hopes that it would foster friendship amongst countries and that we'd all put aside politics and just watch the best athletes in the world do their thing? Me neither. I'm not that old. Sure would be nice, though.