Wing Across The Pond

Like the fact he spoke his mind which is all too lacking these days, couldn't care much about the hit, but think Lucic made no attempt at the puck, he throws up the hands because he knows he's messed up and it'll be a good laugh to run a goalie. If it was any other player, the puck is still gone, still moving his feet, still a penalty. Think goalies are fair game, but think Lucic made a s***ty play. I'm just glad someone out there isn't saying "oh well they played really well, and they're a great team, and we have to respect that". Finally someone said "you know, I don't like him, or the way he plays"... see...

Oh no don't get me wrong, completely understand where you're coming from. Just bugs me to hell when officials in any sport, start to interpret rules. Ruins a sport. But another discussion for another day

Tell me about it. When Scott Hannan checked his face into the boards, he couldn't even draw anything more than 2 Minutes - Holding

This is pretty much in effect now. An official will wave off the icing if there is a chance the defenceman can reach the puck before it crosses the goal line. Your proposed rule would mean they can fire it down, miles away from the defenceman and get away with a cheap play. Scenario: A team plays the trap, has a defenceman in their own zone. He's covering the side of the ice that the puck is on (say the left wing). Opposition defenceman with the puck on said left wing, passes it across to the right sided defenceman, who one-times it down the ice. With your rule in place, the initial defenceman is effectively out of the play, and the other team has a cheap icing play ruled out. Take this scenario further: The initial defenceman is in position to receive the puck when it is iced (in your ruling, no call, play continues). However, both of the oppositions defencemen may still be in their own zone, and so the defenceman with the puck, can just do the same thing and ice it back without a call being made. One side of it is incredibly unfair, negating careful defence, and allows arguably even more boring icing plays to go uncalled. The other side, is that it could lead to both teams simply throwing the puck from end to end. You can't really impose a rule for a team playing the trap, because there is no definitive way for an official to say a team is doing so. Too many men penalises a team for having an extra man on the ice, who then plays the puck. This is physically definitive: A player hasn't made it to the bench yet, as his replacement plays the puck - there will be six or more players on the ice. To impose a rule for a team playing the trap, would mean officials would have to INTERPRET a teams tactics. I know from watching soccer over here in England, that interpretation of the rules is the only thing that makes me throw my slipper at the TV. I think the trap is just good defence, and will force offensive teams to be more creative with their plays.

Wait... what do you mean? We have Drew Miller don't we? He loves to take a face wash

Imposing a rule would set a bad precident whereby league regulations dictate tactics that a coach can impliment. If a 1-3-1 defense works for a team like Tampa, let them do it. If another team is too lazy/thinks they're clever by running down the clock, instead of trying to work some offense, there should be no rule but perhaps officials should take the initiative to blow the play dead more often like they did in the 1st minute of the game - think of those times where the puck is in the crease and they blow a quick whistle? It screams of a lack of ambition from a team. Can you imagine the uproar on here if Lidstrom just held the puck for 30-40 seconds after the opening faceoff? Some fans in Tampa may find the lack of a forecheck boring, but I guarantee more will take the enjoyment from seeing their team win 2-1 as a result. It just works. They don't want to see St-Louis try and hit someone twice his size (believe me I went to the home-opener this year, and it's not a pretty sight). More peed off with Philly here than Tampa. If they had actually tried some offense, they might have done something in the 4 or 5 mintues they sat on their asses, and may have got a regulation win. As a result, they lose in OT.

I understand what you mean, I've noticed a little bit as well that there doesn't seem as much zip to him, no nifty little moves like we've been treated to in the past (apart from one attempt to flip it over the net last night). Have to be honest, is it just me who thinks losing people like Rusty has had a bigger affect on him than he thought it would? He did wear Rusty's number during the pre-season, and he is the only Russian on the team in the wake of a Russian tragedy. Might not be everything, but from his actions and comments in the pre-season games, he seemed to be struggling with it all emotionally. If so, this could well be a problem for him further down the line, as I'm sure the majority of people on here know, grief can destroy a person if not dealt with right.

I disagree. This. It would take a hell of a lot for me to lose faith in, and replace, the only coach in history to be part of the Triple Gold Club.

Good, on two counts. 1- It means Bert wont stink up the ice. 2- It could possibly mean that Bert has been stinking up the ice because he's been playing with an illness, and therefore will (hopefully) improve

I'm of the opinion that it's always better to start shakey and finish strong, rather than the other way around. My two pennies (Sterling, not dollars. So I guess three cents given the current buying rate.)

Is it at all possible that we could trade something away for him at the deadline, it would be beneficial for both teams: the Wings get Weber for a few months to have him settle, show him the atmosphere and the dressing room/system before he signs for good/strengthen the chance of him signing rather than going somewhere else; Nashville doesn't lose him for nothing?

I'm liking some of the choices here, really good. I'd argue that our offensive ability isn't bad at all, we've still got world class players who can score goals - don't chastise me because we're in a slump, we still have those great offensively skilled players. For this reason I'd go with what we need, a guy with a bit of pop who can get a momentum going and drum up some dressing room confidence and cohesion. So I'd overlook the quote-unquote obvious players for those on the bottom 6 who bring something that we need - look at the 08 win, that bottom 6 had a bit of everything: checkers - Helm, Maltby, Draper, etc; they had guys who could score some goals - thinking Sammy; they had tough guys - Downey AND DMac on that roster for example. We looked unstoppable. So I'd take someone like Drake '08. Nothing to prove really, just going to sit on those bottom 2 lines every week, help out the young kids, throw the body, occasionally throw the gloves as well, chip in a few goals, and generally lead by having a good time in their last season, back at home where it all started. The one thing that annoys me now, is pretty much the entire bottom 6 are employed to eat minutes on the PK. I'd argue there's no other reason for it. EDIT: If not I'd take Modano, but only if I could have him c.1994

In a strange way, I think that if you keep playing, say 2 games a week, you'd be in a better position to continue doing well. It sounds weird but after a long grueling season, where you go the distance and win it all, an off-season break with lots of rest can put you in a situation where you can't get going again. Probably what's happened. They'll take some time but wont be bottom come season's end - nowhere near.

Hey everyone! First of, two sorries: - First, sorry, this is my first time on since about June I've been busy looking for a job and with the off-season, had little time to visit (I feel so ashamed!) - Second, I did look to see if this had been covered before and it appears not, so sorry if I've missed it and made extra work for someone/wasted their time. OK! Here goes. I've just got home from my FIRST EVER trip to the wonderful United States of America, after visiting my girlfriend's grandparents in Tampa. Whilst there I got to take in my FIRST EVER NHL game (lots of firsts here!), when I went to see the Lightning host the Panthers (good game, home-opener, wore my Wings jersey to support Stevie, got away with it as my girlfriend is a Lightning fan - FEW!). Anyway to cut a long story short, whilst there, a silent auction was held during both intermissions selling signed merchandise, pictures, etc, with all the proceeds going to help the families of the players lost in the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane distaster. Whilst me and my girlfriend couldn't afford to bid for anything, we both bought a wristband which I've taken a picture of. It was a nice thing for these people to do, and nice for the Lightning to endorse it, but I was wondering if anything similar had happened at the Joe? It's a nice band, simple enough, enscribed with "Love for Lokomotiv". If not for the charity aspect, it's nice for me to remember the people that I watched so many times and remember fondly.

One positive? At least they're coming out an explaining their decision. Even if they are wrong/harsh.

Just to defend myself, I can't agree more that Holmstrom has been fantastic in his role with the Red Wings, and he is a guy that, if time had frozen, you'd put in the lineup all the time. But like someone said, I just think Cleary now does more. He battles in the corners, he does his best in front of the net, he has a bit more zip, etc. I think it works better than throwing Dats, Fil and Franzen up on the first, or something to that effect. All of these lines and beautifully balanced (apart from the third line, which is just 'Murder INC.' that line is killer). Just sad to say now that Homer is in the Maltby role c.2009, and the Draper role c.2010. Just out of interest, did he get any PP time the other night? I saw Cleary out there with Dats and Z incidentally?

I actually think it was a stroke of genius working the lines around as it gave a spark. The main plus? Putting Danny Cleary on that top line with Z and Dats. He brings more than Homer ever did with those two, will get points, will always give 100% every game he manages to play, and compliments both the guys well. Not only that, by throwing him into the top line, it frees up guys to create lines like the one quoted above ^^ it's looking promising.

I get what you mean and agree. But with that being said, does that mean you're saying Fedorov is having as big an impact for this organisation than Howe still is? Even into his 80s? Like I said I agree that time-frames affect things. But when talking about the 3 best players in this teams history, Howe arguably, hasn't left. He's still working with the Wings as their biggest face. As someone mentioned earlier, Yzerman wasn't stellar towards the end of his career but still gave everything each game, even with one leg, not to mention being the longest serving captain. If any on the generally approved list is vulnerable, then it's Lids, but consistently the best defenceman in the league, first European captain of a Stanley Cup winning team, 7 Norris trophies, an eventual Lady Byng nom, firt European to win the Conn Smyth. List goes on, not to mention he's a fantastic spokesperson for this organisation. I think Howe, Yzerman, Lidstrom is fairly solid as a top 3. But love the out-of-the-box thinking. Immediately when I saw the topic I wondered how many people would include players like Fedorov or even Dats for his consistancy in an increasingly difficult league.

I personally, have had one of the worst days in a few years. One of those days where everything conspires against you. But after getting home, getting dressed for bed, and now sitting here (1:35AM GMT) I see this, and feel ashamed that I became so angry at myself and at others around me, when there are far worse things happening in the world. I saw the Red Wings Facebook feed, and had heard nothing about it. It was only when I saw their pictures and names on the Wings site that I found out, and sat with my head in my hands for what seemed an eternity. I feel so sad for the accident, for these peoples families, and for the hole that is left in hockey, not just now, but over the course of this last year. But more than anything I feel disgusted that I became angry for not getting the job that I had gone for, for being short with my family despite the fact they had done nothing wrong. I urge everyone, go and hug your loved ones. Because I bet all of those left behind wish they could.

Don't know if this is the same, might just be presenting the website, but it appears the Wings have had a presenting sponsor before in AT&T... Clarification on whether I've misinterpreted would be nice http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=587621 (Across the top where the Red Wings name and logo are). Think its automatically a terrible idea, for the sole reason that the (seemingly) majority of the fans are in disgust of it, not simply an "it's a shame hockey has to have sponsors" but more in a "they're a dispicable company for such a respectable organisation to be associated with". That in itself should be enough for the Wings organisation to know they've made a mistake they cannot turn back on now.

First off, sorry if this is in the wrong forum, please move it to the correct one if someone can. Secondly, in October I shall be in Tampa, my first trip to the US and thought I'd take in my first NHL game as well. I think I'm heading to see Tampa face the Islanders (was going to be the Sabres but my girlfriend's cousin is at college during the week, so we're not able to), and I'm sure I'll love it even if it isn't the Wings. Have no fear though, I shall still represent and wear the Winged Wheel proudly in the St Pete. The main thing however, is wondering how I could somehow get Stevie to sign my jersey (was thinking of asking him to sign under a big 'C' to the right of the logo), or if it's even possible to get a GM to do it? I understand players are a bit easier, but now Stevie is part of the management I don't know how I'd go about getting my opportunity. Safe to say, this trip might be my only chance to get an autograph for a long time, I don't even know the next time I'll be heading across to the US, let alone to watch some hockey. Just wondering if anyone had any experience with GMs. Any help would be incredibly useful, and I really can't wait to get over there! Thanks

Said it in the 'Bold Posts' thread also, but agree the Pens probably wont make it if Crosby doesn't return. They lose too much. However don't think that Winnipeg will make it this year, maybe in a few. Essentially the same team as last year, and whilst a change of location and atmosphere can do wonders, no one on the roster put up 60 points last year. Andrew Ladd lead the team with 59 if I'm not mistaken. Rangers could sneak it if Richards plays well... As for the West, pretty much spot on. With the pieces they aquired this off-season, the Wild may be the outside shot, and I agree the Kings will do better than SJ. They're a team that's been progressively getting that little bit better year on year, whilst the Sharks traded away some useful pieces this year.

Yeah that is true, Abdelkader sometimes stands up for teammates, like Lilja used to do sometimes, but agree its not often enough. Having said that, I think you'll find the Pens need someone to stop Howie fighting Crosby!

Apologies, read it wrong/misinterpreted, and thought you meant that a shocking piece would come BACK TO Detroit. By that, I thought you meant Lebda, which is why I would have had to kill someone... So apologies all round Edit:SP