T.Low

Those are good points. Same with Getslapped and Perrie, (well ok, they had some old guys on D, but you get the point. Yeah, nothing new in this article. If they want to write an article, why don't they tell me what Leino, Abs, Eaves, Bertuzzi and Helm are doign to train and improve and prepare for a season of different roles respectively. Why don't they write an article about Howard and his off season training and how "could this be the year" for him to make the jump. There's a ton of s*** to write about that i would actually find interesting, not a recycled same ole same ole 'Detroits lost its Mojo' article. Lazy ass reporters.

Do you think opponents would think something is up when they see two goalies on the ice? "Hmm..." thinks Tootoo as he looks around the rink and notices both Osgood and Cloutier on the ice at the same time. "My Inuvik sense is tingling, somethings up."

Not compareable, its a moot point. Clouts went after a goalie that was already fighting and as the third man in, no less. Wah went after a goalie that obviously did not want to partake of the joyous Quebecois tradition. Not even close. But yes, Clouts can throw the hammers like a mad man.

There's not enough laffy smilies in the entire world wide web... Thats the funniest one liner i've ever read on LGW!

Yes, I see. Of course thats what i would expect from someone who's screen name is lakerwings; that you would hate the Lakers and like the Wings and post random nonsensical comparisons between the two.

OK. You are obviously very young, and thats ok, we were all very young once. (Not being direspectful, I'm just saying...) I sort of liked the Lakers way back when Magic played for them because I played against Magic when I lived in Michigan. And I think you may mean that the Wings and Lakers are both successful historied franchises that include incredible dynasties. But don't let that commoness lead you to believe that a Wings fan would therefore also be a Lakers fan. Just because Johnny Cash and Mariah Carey are/were both successful certainly doesn't mean that because I like Johnny Cash I would aslo be a fan of Mariah Carey. But like other's have posted already, I don't like the NBA anymore. You may someday mature enough to understand that, or you may not. Not a big deal. However, I'm going to give you one chance to redeem yourself by setting you up for a genuine comparison (talent-wise) of Kobe and Pavel: I would compare Pavel Datsyuk more to Barry Sanders: they are/were both innovators in their respective games. Each has brought never before seen moves to their sports, and were truly amazing. Kobe does things other guys do, just sometimes better. Granted I see a couple minutes of playoff NBA every couple of years, but: What innovations has Kobe Bryant brought to basketball like Pavel Datsyuk has brought to hockey? Is he actually changing the way guys play like Dats has. Does he actually have new moves that haven't been seen before? Dr. J had new moves. Jordan had new moves. Pete Maravich and Oscar Robertson had new moves. Kobe? I don't think so, but you tell me and please provide youtube links.

(heavy sigh) If Bertuzzi could just stay healthy this season, he may actually be quite a contributor.

Me hanging out with DMac: DMac: "Whaazup T.Low?" Me: "My job sucks, and i'm not hardly making any money in this new economy, and I'm not playing in the beer league this year because the late games start at 10:15pm, plus I can't really afford the $400 this season. And my internet is slow so its gonna suck watching the feed for tomorrows game in Dallas. Whazzup wich you, D?" DMac: "I gotta play poker w/ Drapes, Malts and Holmer on the team plane to Dallas, then play a few shifts of hockey, and I think I get paid this week so I might buy another Corvette, or maybe another 4x4 this time, and a flat screen tv for my garage, and there's this girl in Dallas I've known for years, she's coming over to my hotel room after the game. We have time for a round of golf before we fly out to Denver the next day so we're gonna hook up with Hully and play this really swank club course. I can't really put my finger on it, but it always cheers me up talking to you T.Low!"

I knew Abs would add some old time hockey spirit to the club! As long as he remembers to take a long a designated driver friend. Don't need that kinda trouble.

No doubt about it. Its such a better ending than Darren falling off the face of the hockey world into the waste land of washed out drunken rock 'n roll wannabe losers. Says a lot about his fortitude to comeback, says a lot about Chris Draper, Mike Illitch, Holland and Devellano. A much better ending to the story. The money he made the last year in GR should be able to carry a guy a long way and that was a huge token of appreciation (and concern) from Mike Illitch. That should not be overlooked. I'll have to look up attendance figures for GR to see if they were noticeably higher during Macs time than otherwise.

(Psst. Dude... is that really your Camaro?) Have you guys ever noticed in the USA Hockey News map of USA Hockey Regions, they have all the regions numberred and a bunch of states will be lumped together to be Region 4 and a bunch more lumped together makes Region 3, and so on. Well Region No. 1 is Michigan, all by itself. I think Region 2 is only one state also, like Minny or something, but then the rest are all made up of multiple states.

HEY! The point is, we thought the bench was bare, now we have otpions and versatility amongst the lines. Good thing. Juri Hudler has left the building. Todd Bertuzzi has donned the Winged Wheel Sweater. And so it shall be for '09 /'010. Let us break bread and skate.

Why did Iginla and the Flames not want him back? Because he's got nothing left. The man is beat down physically and emotionally. The talent will not surface often enough. He will be a defensive liability and put us a man down all too often. Then he will do the infamous Bertuzzi Pout. And I was a fan of bringing him here the first time. I would love to be wrong, but the math does not add up favorably.

Truebladearmy is SPOT ON. Holmer is top line because he fits the Wings system of having an invasive net presence to open up the ice for the skill players, obstruct site lines of the goalie, and deflect shots and jamb in rebounds. Holmer is awesome at all of the above. He is not an energy 4rth line guy. He is a very role specific player. Hell, Scotty Bowman told him "If you want a job in the NHL, go stand in front of the crease".

Most people are fine with him wanting more minutes and wanting a leading top six role with a competitive team. No one is harping on that. More moeny and more significant minutes. Excellent. Its the frikin Grand Piano comment! He says he carried the Grand Piano, so other guys could shine while plaing it! WTF is that? He's a power play sniper and a bit pf a playmaker, not a frikin grinder, not an awesome checker or pk'r. Please, from this point on in the thread, explain the justification for the Grand Piano comment!

Qoute from MLive: "dragging a grand piano" (i.e. doing heavy lifting to support the team's virtuosos) Yeah, I think he needs to explain this. Exactly WTF is he talking about?

Hey Rookie, your avatar is absolutely awesome. Well done. You just might have a future around here, kid.

I think you got a point. Take Vancouver for instance. Its has become one of the most dynamic and culturally diverse cities in the world. I really enjoy the international element of the city and its population. But in certain parts of town, as a Yank, I'm hard pressed to find a good 'ole Canuck around anywhere. It can be all Asians, East Indians, Russians, etc. That in itself is not a problem, its just the way it is. The releveant point of that is the influx of foreigners brings down the overall percentage of the population that are hockey fans. I don't see that as being a problem. Its only a problem if the raw numbers are shrinking, not if the ratio or percentage is shrinking.

Youv'e got to smoke a lot of dope to be able to sit around and watch poker.

What you said about Zherdev could certainly be said about Bertuzzi, minus the smallish statement. I had high hopes for Bertuzzi, but his time has come and gone. He's in it for his retirement $ now. Bertuzzi's upside is soft hands, great passing...,uhm, and a,...uhm, am I missing anything? Bertuzzi's downside is his back, his baggage, his lack of determination, lack of grit, he pouts, he floats, there's no D in Bert, yada yada yada. I really was excited to see him here, but it didn't ever seem to fit right. I 'll give him a huge chance if he ends up here, but I'm not texting Kenny Holland with the "Bert: Git-r-Dun, Kenny!" message.

The OP has a good point. I, myself couldn't help but notice that there aren't any women in the NHL. I think that would really benefit the organization to have a chi, a woman, as the face of the team. Or, like the news casts, the Wings could get a black woman and knock out 2 diversity points with one person. And that should promote hockey thru the female community and the black community.

Then Lidstrom retires, Lilja retires due to injury and we have Rafalski, Stuart, Ericson, Lebda, Kindl. Hmm

Lidstrom; from Sundin and Forsberg.

Sensible post. I'd like to see Cleary get some rest during the PP so he can continue his incredible fore checking and all round hustle. Then put him in a PP every now and then so things don't get stale.

I am more than excited to see that 2nd PP unit. Fillps has been watching and learning how to score from Johan, he'll be just fine. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6hWmSeaRdA...feature=related