GMRwings1983

The game has changed a little bit, but not as much as some people here believe it has. Some posters here believe the NHL is the KHL and probably think fighting is illegal in hockey. I'm guessing they only watch Wings games and no others. That way when someone drops the gloves with a Wings player once in a blue moon, everyone here is quick to label that guy a goon and a dirty player who's just trying to hurt one of our guys. Enforcers have been withered down in the "new NHL", but not eliminated, since they're on every team (except one).

The theory is that fans who push for enforcers aren't "real fans", because they don't appreciate the current team's makeup. It's a silly theory, but some posters here constantly badger that point.

How is the league changing if pretty much every team has an enforcer? Just because the WIngs don't have one doesn't mean the whole league is like that all of a sudden. Holland has done many things right, but putting together a team full of turtlers is not one of them. Maybe some of you guys don't mind it when Franzen does the chicken dance or some s***bag like Perry jumps an injured Rafalski, but I sure as hell do. Enforcers are still a big part of the game. Not in Hockeytown, but in just about every other place. Too many people living in denial here.

Simon is a more talented offensive player than Kocur ever was. He's not just some untalented thug. Yeah he's had some dumb moments, but the guy just spent an entire season in the KHL. He's probably softened up from playing with euros all this time.

I started a thread last summer about who'll go down higher all time in the rankings, and most people picked Lidstrom. However, when it comes to impact on the organization, it's Yzerman easily. Best captain ever and a guy who carried this franchise for a long time by himself. Lidstrom has never had to carry a team by himself. Also, he doesn't have the God-like status amongst Wings fans that Yzerman does. Just look at how many people wear Yzerman jerseys and how many wear Lidstrom jerseys. You could easily say that Lidstrom was the better player for the last 6 or 7 yeard of Yzerman's career, and the most important player on the team even, but as far as all-time importance, it would still be Yzerman by a landslide.

We did sign Bertuzzi a few years back, who basically crippled a player and ended his career. I'm sure Holland signing a "goon" as you call it wouldn't be a big deal compared to that.

He doesn't have to bring anything else. What did Kopecky bring? What did Maltby bring last year? There's room on this team just for one tough guy. I don't think the OP suggested that we should have a team full of goons. It's better than chasing after Williams again.

In the penalty box all the time? You've been watching Slapshot too many times if that's your definition of a tough guy. Too much stereotyping going on there. Was Downey in the box all the time? As long as there's another player in the other team's box too, than it's all good.

He just said "a" goon. Don't overdramatize. McGrattan and Simon are both good options at this point. We can also try to trade Datsyuk for Boogaard, but I don't think people here will buy that trade. So guys, what are the chances that this thread turns into an enforcer debate?

Simon says, "Please sign me Kenny". "I'm just as good as Kopecky." Also, he's used to playing with euros since he just spent a season in the KHL. This would be a terrific signing by Kenny. I know Simon can be dirty at times, but we're talking about a GM that signed Bertuzzi, who basically paralyzed a man once. What's Simon compared to that? Likewise, he has more skill than the average enforcer, so that would satisfy the people here who always complain about untalented thugs and crap like that.

He'd give us that great right handed shot on the PP that we've been missing every since Sammy left. Thank you Kenny for making this offseason come full circle. Maybe now we can sign Claude Lemieux as our enforcer.

I'm glad Holland didn't sign him. This poor beast actually fights and plays rugged, physical hockey. Not what the sport needs right now. He'd mess up that great 4th line chemistry that we had last year.

That's what I'm talking about. Unfortunately, you're going to get flamed by all of the odd Hudler lovers on this forum. That midget did have a lot of backing here despite being a 3rd line player who disappeared the second half of the playoffs.

How would you explain Kopecky, then? He wasted roster space from more important players in GR. He was certainly not one of the 23 best at anything on the team. Also, hopefully this Callahan is tougher than "Dirty Harry" Callahan.

Oh yeah, well I guess he almost got what he deserved. Now the Canucks fans will blast me for giving them less credit than how far they actually got.

Fats didn't do anything for the Canucks, so why should we expect anything better here? And don't start in on the Swedish connection crap, because the Canucks had plenty of Swedes too. His antics last year with the Leafs got him exactly what he deserved. A first round exit.

I just want the Wings to sign more Canadians. That would also bring some diversity to Hockeytown.

He'd be a solid replacement for Kopecky. Also, with Lilja out, we need a backup at the enforcer position. I don't think Jason Williams is able to do it at this point.

Can we bring Brad Norton back too? At least he fights. It looks like our 4th line this year may be even more useless than last year's, especially if we waste cap space on some of these names being considered. Sign Grier and an enforcer. After that, we shall see what we shall see.

We did last year. Actually, I shouldn't say anything bad about Conklin. He didn't play in the playoffs, so I can't say he was the reason we lost.

No, I just wanted to say that for fun. Nobody here or in life knows what they're talking about.

Boogaard for $6 million a year!

Can you imagine seeing him back on the point on the PP? Just when Sammy is gone, this fool comes back to fill the spot. At least Sammy was good at keeping the puck from being turned over on the point.

His best days are behind him, which is why the Pens basically cut him out of their lineup. Holland should have acted earlier before all the top free agents were signed. That's why he's now going after someone like Williams or Sykora.

I would rather have Kyle Calder back than Williams. I can't believe the people who want him back are forgetting why we got rid of him in the first place.