Sergeiwasmyfav

Beautiful.

OP: I agree with what you said to an extent. I do think Wings fans complain way too much about ridiculous things that other teams would love to have as their biggest problem. However, I do think it's important to take note of what areas need improvement. Personally, I feel that we need a big, tough defenseman who also knows how to play and a forward who can put the puck in the net while also showing some grit (Iginla-type, although someone of that level will be basically impossible to get, but someone with that type of play) for the playoffs. I do not think that this team would win the Cup if it went into the playoffs as it is today (and I'm thinking how it is today as if all the injured guys were back). They need two or three more pieces in my opinion for them to make it to the Cup. I have no problem with people expressing what they think needs to be done to win or stating that they don't think we currently have what it takes to get a Cup. What annoys me beyond words are the posters who make the ridiculous sweeping statements, especially when they don't back them up in any way or explain them further. Examples: "The Wings won't win the Cup this year" and that is the entire post; "Sammy sucks, Lilja is awful, I hope Lang burns in hell" and that is the entire post; "The defense sucks except for Lidstrom" and that is the entire post; etc. I'm not saying every post has to be an essay, but at least when a person makes some huge statement that they seem to think everyone should agree with, back it up with something. Those are the complainers who annoy me b/c it seems they are complaining just to complain and have nothing to support their whining.

I think you mean adversity, unless you mean that they are getting different players up b/c of the injuries?? Not sure. Still can't believe no one else has noticed Raf's terrible hair.

Maybe in his few days off he can do something about his hair, since he clearly did not do so over the All-Star break.

Absolutely. I think Feds would improve if he came back with us. Of course we can't expect what we expected out of him ten or even six years ago. But, I think it would rejuvinate him to be back here. A friend of mine who is a paralegal for a firm that does legal work for many professional athletes in Detroit told me Feds still has a house here and will likely live here when he retires. I don't know how accurate that info. is, but she works right at the firm so I think she would have a relatively good chance of knowing what is going on. I make that point to show that he likes it here. Surely being somewhere you enjoy being has to help other aspects of what you are doing, such as your job. Hockey is his job.

Cool, sorry about that. I think Franzen is doing alright. I thought he played a very strong game yesterday against Anaheim. Sometimes, though, as you and others have pointed out, he doesn't really seem to do a lot out there. I do think his play has been stronger lately, and he seems to be playing a little bit more physically of late. For some reason, and this is not about his play, I just really like him. Maybe it's his Mule nickname. He seems like he really tries hard out there, even if it doesn't always translate into a great game. There's just something about him I like, and I would be sad to see him go. However, if it would help the team as a whole, then I would be in favor of trading him. But only for the right deal.

What's wrong with being a third line player? No team will ever consist entirely of players that belong on the first or second line (Ok, maybe the '02 Wings, but that was essentially a different era and will probably never happen again). Third line players are very important to a team's success, as most teams that win the Cup role four lines consistently. If your argument is that we could get a better third liner than Franzen, then I think that is a legitimate point, although I think Franzen is doing a pretty good job right now. However, your argument made it sound like he should be traded simply because he will never be a first or second liner, which, in my opinion, makes no sense. Many players will never be at that level, but it doesn't mean they are not important or should be traded. Perhaps I misunderstood what you meant.

He had to have taken the purse for a reason, even if it was only for a prank. He makes almost $600,000 a year for heaven's sake! I can't believe he did it for the cell phone and the money. Maybe he's a klepto, and if that's the case then there's the answer. If not, there has to be more to the story.

Actually, we don't. Yeah, Fedorov was my favorite player, but if it came down to it, I would say Yzerman was more important to the franchise overall. I think they were equally important in the Cup runs.

I think the reason why sometimes Fedorov fans respond that way to those who don't think the Wings should bring him back is because of the tone of their posts. Granted, it is sometimes hard to determine how someone meant something in writing, but I think most people on here are pretty skilled at expressing emotions/feelings in their writing. It seems that a lot of the people who don't want Fedorov back don't just say it in a casual way, as in "I just don't think he is what we need" or "He is getting older and not the player he used to be." Some people have have explained their reasoning in this way, so I'm not saying everybody here. However, many of the other people have a tone of such anger and, yes, bitterness in their responses. "Why would we want him back", "He's old and useless", "We don't need such a selfish player here", etc. Those responses are very different than the ones I gave examples of above. If someone feels this way, fine, that is their opinion and these forums are open to anyone who wants to express their opinion. But if the tone of a post reeks with anger/bitterness/dislike, I see nothing wrong with calling someone out on it. Likewise, I see nothing wrong with calling someone out if their pro-Fedorov post reeks of "I've been in love with you since I was 12," as some on here have.

Why does him thinking that Fedorov is better than Yzerman make him an "Yzerman hater"? Personally, as I said in an earlier post, I think this whole debate is absolutely ridiculous. But, if someone decides to participate in it, I don't think that their opinion that one player was better than the other means that they hate the other player. I think Cleary is better than Maltby, but I like Maltby more. Thinking a player is better than another player does not mean that a person hates the player that they do not think is as good. I don't believe he ever said in any of his posts that he hates Yzerman. It is his OPINION that Fedorov was better. You do not have to share that opinion, and no one is saying that you should. I know it may be shocking to some Wings fans that not everyone thinks that Yzerman was the be all and end all of the team, but if they don't, that does not translate into hating Yzerman. Personally, I think that had you taken away either player during those Cup years there would have been no Cup.

Why are we debating about who was more important to the team, Yzerman or Fedorov? Yzerman brought things no one else did: the heart, the determination, the leadership, scoring (especially in his younger years). Feds brought incredible skill, speed, the ability to play basically anywhere except goalie, that "superstar" quality. They were different players. They went about things in different ways. But they were both incredibly important to this team's success and the three Cups. Steve was the face of the franchise, and I do think that sometimes Feds was underappreciated by the fans. Not by his teammates though. I think everyone in that locker room knew how important Feds was to this team, and I think that is what should be important.

I had no idea why your post got moved. I was confused about that myself b/c your story was awesome as well.

Very valid points. I will be the first to admit that just the thought of him back here makes me smile, and yes, that is nostalgia. He was my favorite, I still try to catch Bluejackets games if possible, and I miss seeing him out there with the Wings. I agree he is probably not what we need right now, but I don't think he could hurt either. However, if it came down to Feds or a tough, hard-hitting defenseman, Kenny would be a fool not to take the D-man. I see that. By the way, thanks for being classy in your answer and actually making some very good points instead of some of the answers others on here choose to give when their views are challenged.

Why? I'm not looking to start an argument, I'm just curious. As others have pointed out, he is a great playoff performer, and does many other things than just score. Do you have a legitimate reason for not wanting him back, or are you just bitter about a decision that he made in the off-season almost five years ago? I'm genuinely curious, and again not trying to start an argument.

Obviously I want him back here. So yes. As for his number being retired, do I think it will ever happen even if he comes back? No. If he comes back and plays good hockey, should it? Yes. But it won't. Personally, I don't think Feds was ever really appreciated here for everything he brought to the table. Yes, people knew he was good, yes people wore his jersey, yes people wanted us to re-sign him. But when it came down to it, he did so many other things than just score, that many people didn't realize how valuable he was to this team. People would say that he could be lazy during the regular season and didn't always come to play, and at times I saw that; that's just being honest. However, rarely did he have a game in the playoffs like that. When the pressure was on, that's when Feds played his best hockey. Personally, I'd much rather be the kid that does ok through school all year and then aces his final exams than the kid who gets the As on all the homework and quizzes and then fails the final.

Your story is awesome. I'm very jealous of you right now. I would love to see Sergei back here. I get goosebumps just thinking about it! He belongs in the Winged Wheel, I don't care what anyone says! Please, Kenny.

Great post. That's exactly what I was trying to say about being objective when watching Lilja play. You just put it much more concisely than I did in my post.

Lilja is not as bad as many on here like to make him out to be. I haven't noticed him making any bad turn-overs lately at all. How long does he have to go playing some decent hockey before some people on here will admit that maybe he is improving his play and being more careful with the puck? I have no problem with him not being someone's favorite player, but I don't understand why some people can't get past their dislike of him and at least acknowledge that he is playing pretty decent right now. Is it really that hard to be objective about what is going on in a game? Yeah, I like Lilja, but I can see that he can make bad plays and be sloppy with the puck and has cost the team goals or scoring chances at times. I also see that he has not been doing that lately. Is it really that hard to be objective about a player's performance?

1.) Koivu-Have to respect his determination and heart to come back from cancer. 2.) Ovechkin-I would pay to watch him live no matter who the Caps were playing; personally, I can't say the same about Crosby unless the Pens were playing the Wings. 3.) Sakic-Always kind of reminded my of the Avs' version of Yzerman; he was an oasis of class amongst his teammates during the best years of the rivarly. 4.) Pisani-Really impressed my throughout the '06 playoffs, not just against us, but throughout the Oilers' entire run to the Finals. 5.) Khabibulan-Best name in all of hockey as far as I'm concerned.

Well, I can't speak for others, but I think the dislike of Crosby may stem from the fact that he is the NHL's poster-boy and can basically do no wrong when there are a lot of other great players out there too that don't get the same attention. Personally, it doesn't make me dislike him b/c it is not his fault. I don't believe he went to the NHL and demanded that he be the new face of the league. However, some people really don't like him b/c of it. As for Phaneuf, I don't hate him, and I would actually like to have him on my team any day of the week. Maybe some people hate him from the playoffs last year. Iginla made my list b/c I think he can be a really dirty player, and I saw him really show that side of himself in last year's playoffs. He is without a doubt one of the most talented players in the league, but I just didn't like the way he conducted himself last year against us. However, like I said in my other post, he doesn't bother me that much when I watch him play against other teams.

Since when has looking like Keanu Reeves been a bad thing?? I also don't understand all the hate for Kariya, I have never thought of him as a diver, but everyone has their own opinion. Ok, here is my list: 1.) Tootoo 2.) Pronger 3.) Iginla, but kind of only when we play the Flames. I'm watching Hockey Night in Canada right now, and Calgary is playing, and he doesn't really bother me when we aren't the ones playing them. But when we play them, I do highly, highly dislike him. 4.) Tkachuk 5.) Forsberg (If he comes back, if not, I still hate him.)

Then why aren't you in the NHL??? Yeah, I know, smartass comment, but couldn't help it.

I agree completely with whoever said that the songs they choose to play often relate to what is going on in the game, and I really enjoy that. One of the best examples ever was during intermission at a game earlier this season when there was a fight in the crowd. It was actually a pretty good fight and both guys were throwing some hard punches. Security had to come down to break it up, the guys were escorted out, then they had to bring a mop down to clean up the mess. What starts playing while all this is going on? "Ain't that America" or whatever the song is called but one of the lyrics that is repeated over and over is "ain't that America." I was cracking up; it was perfect, and I do not think the timing of when it was played is a coincidence. There are a lot of other examples as well when I think the DJ does a really good job of referencing the game in his selection of songs. So I disagree with a lot of you about this issue; I think the DJ at the Joe is actually pretty good.

To me, Ovechkin is just a more exciting player than Crosby. Personality wise, Crosby is kind of boring compared to Ovechkin. I'm not saying I want hockey players to do all the showboating you see in other sports, not by any means, but showing a little personality is never a bad thing. I find I get more of a sense of Ovechkin's personality when I watch him than I do with Crosby. I would take Ovechkin on my team over Crosby for all of the reasons everyone else has given, and I don't see how he cannot be considered for the Hart.