55fan

This explains a lot: Thanks for that link, Gizmo. Now we know why Brodour wasn't suspended, and why Backstrom won't be. Was this sudden injury thing becoming epidemic? Perhaps Allstarjokeitis?

I believe you are correct on that. Thanks to letsgopavel for the correct translation. Mine was obviously way off.

If they're doing this to make a statement, then I would guess they'd play with a short bench before they'd lose someone to waivers. If Mule and Stuart are back, it wouldn't be short. Forwards: Cleary, Hossa, Hank, Homer, Val, Sammy, Huds, Malts, Drapes, Kopy, Mule and Meech. Dmen: Raf, Kronner, Stu, Lil, Lebda, Cheli. From the article posted last page, it sounds like it's being done with Holland's blessing.

I don't speak French, but as best I can tell it says: The NHL has suspended Datsyuk and Lidstrom for refusing to participate in an event sponsored by the league. They will be suspended without pay. Brodour received the same treatment after missing an allstar game. Gary Bettman, the bastard offspring of a mutant iguana and a leprechaun, has imposed these sanctions after the Wings told him to blow it out his bum, which is, as the rest of him, full of unmentionable waste product. OK, I made the last paragraph up. But the first part is as close as I can come to accurate. EDIT: lets go pavel's translation below is accurate. My first paragraph is not. Ignore it.

:clap: :clap: So, now for the game against CBJ we have no Lids or Dats. What's up with Mule and Stuart? Will they be back and ready?

He was. Before the surgery. Now he reminds me of Rumplestiltskin. I can just see him hopping around his office.

I doubt that the last-minute requests will be treated the same. They would have already made plans, and were not chosen to participate. What I wonder is why the Wings are the only ones mentioned. Are they the only ones who aren't planning to show up? And why is that? Are they showing Bettman that this voting thing is a farce? Is that what Bettman is really mad about? Tune in next time for "As the Puck Turns".

Gee, that would make him look like...a penguin.

I sense panic from Bettman. The Stanley Cup champions have no representation. It makes the game look like a joke even to people who don't follow hockey. The rest of us already know that, of course, what with the voting and all. Has this suspension issue even come up before? Have there ever been players who didn't miss games due to their injuries (or other reasons that kept them out) that have been suspended? Or have all players who skipped the ASG prior to this missed a game before or after?

You're So Vain- Carly Simon

This is a product of the training-wheels-on-the-tricycle generation. When I was a kid, you got on the bike and spilled until you learned to ride. You scraped you knees, licked some spit on them to get rid of the blood and got back on the bike. It was part of being a kid. Now you wear pads and have mommy standing by with the anti-bacterial spray and bandages. There are many risks that are a part of life. You can't eliminate them all. Sure, things like seatbelts are a good idea. They save lives. You can still drive your car, but you're safer. This is like taking the car out of the picture. The guys have equipment to make the game safer, but there is no promise that they won't get banged up. They know this. If they want to make the game safer, make players accountable for their actions. Get rid of the instigater rule, and keep the game honest. Or tape pillows to their heads.

He just has to show up for the handshaking, tux-wearing, tv interview stuff. He doesn't have to play if he's injured. They just want the big names there for the photo ops. Stupid, but there you have it. (The tux-wearing comment was sarcasm, but you know what I mean- posterboy stuff.)

Luongo missed last year to be with his wife, who was pregnant in Florida. I think he missed some games before or after, so the suspension didn't take hold.

They'll still have it. They've spent the money and sold the tickets. They're just re-billing it as the Canadiens vs the Ducks. EDIT: TSN just said Sidney will play after all so as not to get suspended. See the link in the "Bettman threatens to suspend Datsyuk and Lidstrom" thread. Game's on!

Call Me- Blondie

As long as there are cheap-shotters, you need fighting to take care of them. It's protection of your star players. Get rid of the guys who take cheap shots, and then you can get rid of fighting. But only then.

That's Why I'm So Blue- Mme Blueberry (playing the role of Miss Kitty)

Blue- Leann Rimes

De Do Do Do De Da Da Da- the Police

I'm getting plenty of sleep. Of course, being old and laid off (lots of time; no money) has a lot to do with that. The person below me checks products for outdatedness (new word) and knows the codes for major companies so they don't buy something past its expiration date.

People are People- Depeche Mode

Back in my younger days, yes. The person below me has tried to play an oboe. (I can't get a sound out of it.)

I never thought of it that way, but you're absolutely right. Maybe we could keep a ton of stats like baseball. Goals, assists, hits, SOG. The score would come out looking like Wings 3-7-7-28; (other team) 2-4-6-23. That sounds like a high-scoring, action-packed game. (Little bit of sarcasm in that last part.)

I think it's wonderful that the NHL has found something for the higher-ups to concentrate on that isn't completely stupid. It keeps them from coming up with ideas that are completely stupid. How many times have we groaned because Sammy or Zata hit the crossbar or post? Plenty. This can only mean more goals for Z; and Sammy will learn to aim somewhere else. Sure, it might mean more goals for the opponent as well, but we have Lilja to block the shots before they get to the net. I suggest they put all of their decision makers on this at once, and leave them there for a long time. Kind of like giving a baby your spare keys. They can rattle them all they want, but as long as they aren't near the ignition, you're fine. And it shuts them up and keeps them happy.

Not a chair, per se, but if you count stools as chairs, then yes. The person below me remembers where they were when they heard the US had beaten the Soviets on Feb. 22, 1980.