Wing Across The Pond

I really would take this on as I love writing letters, etc, yet the whole 'being in Britain' thing kind of precludes me from direct participation. I am fully willing for people to sign my name via proxy.

I was thinking something like this, maybe plush toys that are given out on the door, that way they can all be thrown (and if a player complains about almost being hit by a soft toy, well... no need to say how fans will take his woosy-ness). What's more they can all be collected again and maybe sold off, say if players signed them for charity? AH SCREW IT! I'm writing a letter to whoever necessary at the Red Wings organisation! Would probably be difficult to get hold of top management wont it? Either that or get Mike Ilitch to run down to the glass and throw one himself. Then lets see security throw him out. No chance in hell.

Dan Rosen has tipped him for MVP. At least he's getting some recognition for his consistently good play. http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=559279

Agree, maybe even just use it as a ploy to sharpen up others. He should make a bold move, something like taking Z aside, assistant captain and all, and say to him, take a game in the press box and show everyone that any of them can be scratched. Just like to reiterate though, SOMETHING like that.

This situation is just confusing me

Looks as if Ozzie's back now, according to Official Detroit Red Wings on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/#!/DETROITREDWINGS Doesn't say if Joey's down again which I assume he is, or when he's going to be really ready for action. EDIT: Confirmed on Twitter too http://twitter.com/detroitredwings

Looking good after a few good results! A fresh goalie and one who will get some rest

I can only use an ESPN player over here so I'm not even guarenteed to get Detroit broadcasts God I hate watching things like Panthers broadcasts. At least I can get HD though I guess.

Not even that. Strangely the last few weeks over this side of the Atlantic, soccer has somehow become more aggressive than hockey, with two prominant games involving player-coach altercations. Soccer still sucks though. Good hit but it honestly seems that not just any old hits are going punished, but more than not hits along the boards are being particularly scrutinised.

Oh God I'm going to be stuck with Lebda again aren't I?

I think what people are trying to get at is that they suddenly come out with it after the hit to a Habs player (and some of the people involved are most likely Habs fans). That being said it may well have just been a "the next hit to the head and we're taking action" situation. I think its right what they did, but I can't rightly comment on their reasons for doing it. Just glad they did.

Fully understand what you're getting at and to a certain extent I agree. Just when the league doesn't seem to be addressing the point its nice to have someone with a substantial "interest" (term used very loosely) in the league to air their concerns. I'm never going to stop watching the Wings, regardless of how pathetically the league is run so their not really going to listen much to fans, unless it makes them money. If anything its made a talking point.

If THEY don't win their next game (I only use WE when THEY'RE winning), I'm jumping ship and becoming a Leafs fan. You can hold me to that. Please don't hold me to that I don't want to be a Leafs fan, they're rubbish!

I agree, I think it was a good decision to make it public. Some people are saying its childish but I think its pretty darn brave for a major company to do something like this. It gets us, as fans, talking about it and its reasons - in this case hits to the head. Its delivering a public ultimation to the league that they need to do something before something REALLY serious happens to a player. If there was a private chat you can imagine things would take longer to get sorted out when the public don't know about shady negotiations from the league. This way that process is cut out.

I think its more a, one too many without any action to stop it, kind of deal. I mean I bet most people in Canada are a little pissed about the Crosby injury, not to mention companies that sponsor the league. That effectively means they endorse everything the league does and agrees with them. Maybe the person in question is a Habs fan and so took particular execption to this hit, but that's not to say everyone involved at Air Canada is. Probably just the length of time it took to sort out the injury that drew most attention to it. I think this is a good move and should hopefully kick the league into gear when dealing with things like this, be it equipment changes (which Ken and Mickey seem to go on about a lot recently) or proper suspensions.

Interesting. It may just be, as someone said, that playing more games and not just moving up and down from the minors, may have taken its toll, but I was thinking the other day about something that this post seems to parallel. Do you think that the Wings ask players to play roles that they're not suited to, in order to fit their game plan, other that finding a place where that player would fit? Obviously players like Dats and Lids can really play with anyone, yet when you mention Abdelkader, it seems that for being named NCAA National Championship Outstanding player of the tournament the year he won it, he seems to be playing a grinding role when he might well have the potential for more skill. I know the system here works and I love it, look at when Stevie was asked to focus less on offence and more on defence, yet (and I've just remembered why I thought about this) I saw the Kopecky goal last night and got thinking about how much better he's been since leaving. Its not the only time its happened either. Just a thought, but if it was the case that they were asking players to change the way they've played since pee wee, would you prefer they continue and have a situation like Abs now (even though remember I still feel that its that he's getting a little tired from playing a physical game), or bring in new players that actually fit the system they want?

Huds did the same thing the other night. And I'm sure I've seen Ozzie do it to Drapes, if not vice-versa.

I think purely for the 'taking one for the team' aspect, they'll probably sit Drapes even though he's looking good. If not I wouldn't mind seeing Abdelkader sitting for a few. Hasn't been as rough and ready as he usually is. Give him a few games to think how he's getting back into the lineup.

The United States actually has no legal langugage at Federal level. Some states may choose to adopt a language as its native tongue but it certainly isn't legal nationwide. Hence why Texas, New Mexico and California (for examples) have official languages set as English and Spanish, yet New York doesn't. Nationally you can speak whatever language you like, as long as you can communicate with society. I think its a good idea to have to correct spellings. Living in England with a German surname I know how annoying it can be for people to pronounce your name differently, just by looking at how its spelt, etc.

This. We hit our regular post-New Year slump (if that's what you can call it every year) and now seem things seem to be righting themselves. Give Howard a bit more rest towards the end of the season and then he'll be ready

I wouldn't be as disappointed if they hadn't have said he'd be back after the all star break. Just say he'll be back when he's actually back. I understand its Dats who's saying he's not ready or something? So please just leave it at that. Don't get my hopes up with 'Feb 2nd' talk Just come back to us Pav!

Singlehandedly the greatest piece of advertising there is. That and probably Terry Crews - Old Spice It would also be great if they made a 'He Might be Ready' ad with Ozzie

Watching DiPietro vs Johnson back on NHL.com, there follows a lot of videos about other good/unusual fights, including Datsyuk vs Perry - I guess because Dats never drops the gloves yet still held his own. After watching them all, and it pains me to say, Crosby is a pretty darn good fighter and quick smart too when it comes to scrapping. And yes Emery is a nutcase. The fact that he smiles when he's about to fight, almost teases Biron when he's on the ice, and then laughs when he's getting beaten by Peters. Just nuts.

I live in Europe already so we can liaise (sounding fancy and owner-like already see!), and I can contribute my drawer. Its one of those drawers where I have no idea what's in it, just a collection of things that are part of other larger things, but have been separated along the way.

Not trying to hate on North America, but boy you guys love to sue. Just a cultural attention grabber with this. Suing isn't as bad over here, even if it is on the rise. My friend lives in France, with a cousin in San Diego. This cousin got into a fight - his parents were going through a divorce and was pretty ticked off at the time - it was just an outlet for his aggression really. The boy he fought, tried to sue and impose a restraining order. He would then kick and scream for a teacher when the cousin passed him in the corridor, claiming "He's breaking the law, get him away from me". Incidentally the judge actually never accepted the lawsuit for its trivial nature. Like 55Fan said, don't think suing is the answer. Stupid move in my opinion. Just name and shame and they wont be getting any work for a LONG time EDIT: SP