T.Low

Thanks for the read, MF.

...sorry for attempting to inject a little humor into LGW, I'll watch myself more closely in the future.

It must have been on NHL.com where some player said "If I were still in a 'Grinder' role, I'd be playing the best hockey of my life this year. But I'm in a scorer's role, so [ I haven't produced s***]. What is Cleary's role on this team? I see him as a utilitarian guy, able to play grinder, able to play up on second line as a tier two scorer, responsible defensively, great forechecking, PK, and now he has some good experience to rely on. Does that about sum up his role? I have seen him make a bad pass here and there, but you guys got to remember the speed of the game and opponents are out there trying to make life miserable. (While you're Gnipping, he's Gnopping!) I guess I'm not seeing the disgust with Dan Cleary. I'm trying to be objective, as I do really like the guy and his story.

Bertuzzi comes to mind. 2005-06 Vancouver Canucks 2006-07 Florida Panthers Detroit Red Wings 2007-08 Anaheim Ducks 2008- Calgary Flames '08 FLames

But you all gotta admit, thier record and stats to date are pretty funny, being so even.

WTF? were ya causing trouble on the Ranger's board again? Filp intercepted a pass in the slot and rifled it by LAbomba. Then Dats and Zetterberg scored one two on the shootout on identical forehand deke to backhand shots, while Ozzie stoned the first two, so no 3rd shooters were needed. Yeefrikinhaw baby!

Great point. My suspician is that time comes Wednesday note in Anaheim. Thats gonna be a good game. See you at Duck Guy's house.

Gauthier (SP?) not only had the boards, but had a guy along the boards to pass to. What makes a guy clear it up the middle in that situation? The relentless pressure the Wings were pouring on in the final minutes. It had been building all thru the 3rd and someone finally s*** themselves and through it up the middle to Filp for a game breaker.

Well said.

Thanks for the heads up. Has Federov always been that humble or has he learned some humility over the length of his last contract?

They're both deadly combinations, we are the luckiest fans in the world. Zetterberg, I think can play better on the 2nd line than Hossa could, for some reason that I just can't put my finger on. HE will gel with who ever is out there. Way too bad about Franzen, but that will give CLeary, Huds, Veino, somebody the opportunity to step up and show they can play with Zetterberg. Hossa looks possessed out there, he's a man on a mission. He wants to win, ans he wants to make sure that no one can say that he is along for the ride. He wants to be a difference maker on an already great team. I love the way he kind of coasts in,wisely in position taking up a passing lane, all the while looking for his prey. Then bam, he's on his target and takes off like a Lion. Love how many times I've seen him chase somebody down from behind, lift their stick and take the puck away just like Z and D but with more explosion and the announcers go wild about how fast he can be. They're both deadly conbinations, but I like the new. The depth is incredible.

When will we get to see Erockson play?

Legace didn't blame Palin for the injury. "She's been pretty good for our game," Legace said. "I'm starting to like her more and more. No grudge." I'm starting to like her more and more, too. She just needs to dump her stupid republican handlers and be her badass self.

A couple related points about the new nhl in regard to keeping the goalies crease clear of opponents. 1. Traditionally, you could clear the crease like a snow plow. What exactly are the rules now? 2. It seems that in the first few games the Wings were getting caught with two opponents below our one and only defensemen, one on either side of the crease, and getting scored on. Now yes, I know that happens in hockey every now and then. I guess my second point is, is that in anyway related to the new rules regarding what defensemen are and are not able to do? Somebody please enlighten me.

I haven't neccessarily noticed all that, but I have noticed the D in general is not in mid season form yet. But since its not mid season yet, I don't really mind...oh yeah, and they are still winning. I may have to break down and get cable tv, thogh, I getting tired of watching on my laptop; You can't always see who it is that is doing what. I haven't noticed, but now that you brought it to my attention I'll kinda look for it more.

Are you trying to give me more reason to kick your ass in rod hockey?

I withheld comment before thinking about it... My first thought was that Palin is indeed a hockey mom, let her drop the puck. But after reading your post, I realized that even if Obama or Biden were hockey dads, it would disgust me if one of them dropped the puck. So, yeah, it shouldn't happen during a campaign. But I do stand by my first post; It will bring good ratings numbers for the NHL as well as the GOP.

Its all about ratings numbers for both NHL and GOP. Look at SNLs ratings.

We could have an HZDH line.

SO I take it that nobody has picked up McCarty yet off waivers? Any updates?

There's no way Holmer can keep up that pace. I have him at 36. Holmer that is.. the guy that Scotty Bowman said to "If you want a job in the NHL, go stand in front of the net".

Dude, there is no way he can maintain that pace throught an 82 game season. I've got him around 135-145. Johan Franzen, that is...professionally known as The Mule, whom The President of the Untied States refers to as Sir.

One element of the game that the Wings are missing is the role that Dallas Drake filled so well. Noone has singed up for Monster Hit duty. HE laid say licks on guys last year. He was a man on a mission; a man possessed with Now or Never Stanley Cup Fever and it showed every single shift throughout the year. We are all hoping that Hossa has that same fever, but there is a significant difference in the nature of their respective roles that allowed Drake to prosper where as Hossa may or may not: Drakes role is one of emotion and determintaion and he is in control of his own destiny in fulfilling that role of Monster Hit man. Hossa has to gel with linemates more so that Drake had to. Drake got psyched up and went out and laid some lumber to guys, and got the whle place rockin, not needing to be so dependant on gelling with linemates. Hossa needs to work with Datsyuk and Holmer, getting on the same page inregards to spacing, timing, positioning etc. As of this early date on the schedule, I haven't noticed anyone really picking up where Drake left off. Don't get me wrong, I don't want this to be the weekly "Need more Grit" thread, but I haven't seen anyone taking over for Drake, and think he was a bigger part of this teams heart than people may think. Does the team have the same attitude this year without Dallas Drake? Edit: If I am right, isn't this the type of feedback Scotty Bowman would give to Kenny and the Braintrust with a phone call from FLorida? (because, of course, I'm in the same league as Scotty Bowman )