Datsyerberger

Er, isn't the offensively somewhat limited but still solid two-way at this point of his career Fedorov the best center for a checking role?

To be fair, this hit is only drawing more attention than 102912190411 other head hits of the same style and dirtiness because the player getting hit happened to get injured more than usual. That's not to say it's not a bad thing, but it's not like this player has done some wretched thing that only happens once every blue moon. It's a very usual head hit, for how often they occur, anyhow. That said, given both the severity of the injury and the stupidity of head hits, a message needs to be sent -- rest of the season and playoffs seems appropriate. Criminal charges.. well, that's up for legal people to figure out. Honestly, though, I don't have an issue with this guy having a hockey career beyond this year, provided he doesn't do that s*** again. I also hope that other leagues and particularly the NHL tighten down on headshots--there's way too many of them that go too unpunished, and it was only a matter of time before this occured. Courmier just happens to be the unlucky bastard who hit the wrong noggin. Edit: To a suggestion above, I think community service is a great idea.

Maggy has a better track record.

Took it 10 times: 7/10 Toews 2/10 Marleau 1/10 Keith Always knew Toews had a good head on his shoulders.

Gettin' raunchy there, 55! Bahahahaha. You've been loaded with the one liners lately.

For GMR:

"f*** Lebda" ? Yea, that sounds about right.

You mean that guy whose name I yell every couple minutes while watching the Wings? What's his name again? Oh right, "f***".

To be fair, it's hard for our star players to be star players when the opposing team is allowed to use them as trailer hitches for their hockey sticks all night long.

Now why can't the Wings look like that 5 on 5 in other parts of the game?

This team has an annoying inability to get anyone down low in the slot without faceplanting.

This. And Howard, for the most part.

Those only happen when the Wings can consistently hold their opponents to < 35 shots.

Excepting 1 good play by Lidstrom, terrible PP.

This team's inability to win a game in which they take a 2-0 lead is embarassing.

Yea, I'm sure JJ reads LGW all the time looking for ego boosts.

Actually, this should say 4th place, not 3rd. We can't take 3rd even if we somehow manage to surpass the Avs, because they lead their division.

Scored more points in ~45 NHL games than Lebda can in 78 or 65 at an age closer to prime (edit: on a team which was top 2 in league offense both of those years) -- I'll take that improvement.

Not a given, no, but to assume that the defensive game of a 23 year old defenseman has reached its developmental peak is generally silly.

Ah, the 'what have you done for me lately' mentality. As I said, he hasn't fully lived up to the hype. On the other hand, he's 23--younger than Ericsson in his first full NHL season--and currently has 4 goals / 14 assists / 18 points -- more than Brett Lebda has ever seen in an entire season (and more than many who may be NHLers well into their 30s ever will). Yes, he's -18. Some of that is from defensive error (though no more than Lebda). Some of it's bad bounces. Some of it's a sometimes questionable team defense. Remember, he's 23--still young for a defenseman. More of his defensive game is to come, and he already has quite a solid offensive touch. While he's certainly at his low for value, to say that the only selling point for a young d-man on a 1.4 million contract on pace for a 30 point season is hype is ridiculous hyperbole.

Odd, I don't see a bunch of high first round picks on the Wings.

Didn't Samsonov get in trouble for mary-jooanna?

I'm voting Ville just to build up some mojo for the guy. That said, I've loved Miller's stay here, and he's the more realistic vote. Consider it me taking one for the team.

Laughing my ass off at some of the people here. Comparing Lebda (who's played on the winningest--and one of the most defensively solid--teams since the lockout) to JJ (who's played on the Kings who have had epic defensive and goaltending issues this year) statistically--especially by plus/minus--is absurd. Yes, JJ has defensive issues, though they're markedly improved this year (in spite of his -18 rating). Defensively, he's no real downgrade over Lebda at least, while having way more offensive upside and a more physical game. Oh, and he's 23, and on the US olympic roster. No, the guy hasn't entirely lived to his hype, but he still projects to be a solid d-man over the long-term (quite more so than Lebda). Lebda (or Lebda + Leino) for JJ is a pipe dream.

There is a God. (And he sent Miller)