sureWhyNot

Ya, but you fail to mention the teams who have worse goaltending issues (would like to point out Ozzie is 42nd in the league in GAA, and almost just as bad in SV%) aren't looking to make a competitve run at the Stanley Cup. Howard is not the answer, Conklin may be -- I think it's to early to tell, and Osgood, well, I like better coming off the bench (like last year) -- and I am hesitant to say I am confident regardless of the outcome this year as naming him our starter for next year. Goaltending is an issue -- it isn't an end of the world issue, or one that is of the highest priority -- I believe re-signing Hossa is number one on that list -- but it is something the Wings will have to take a look at in the offseason and unfortunately I believe some decisions/moves will have to be made.

I figured I would stoke the flames of the fire and toss a video up here from Cherry's "Rock 'em Sock 'em Hockey" (I have no clue what number). It's a Buffalo/Red Wings line brawl with Cherry's usual commentary. Gotta love it:

Bulls*** -- Get your facts straight. I am so tired of know nothings stating things as if they were true, when in all reality the statements are nothing more then the warped opinion of those posting them. When Downey didn't make the Red Wings lineup at the beginning of the year he was set to retire -- Instead Yzerman, Holland, Babcock, etc talked him into staying. I don't know exactly what was said, but it is well documented that he was ready to hand him up and the RW management convinced him to do otherwise.

Wow, this one really has you upset -- chill out brother, it was just a little puck commentary by one of the more famous Hockey personalities in the world. Here is who he was making fun of (the video below). Now please watch it and tell me he wasn't in the right to make fun of it -- I won't be expecting anything though seeing as though it is one of the more hilarious hockey clips out there from this year: Some of the things Cherry say may go overboard in some peoples opinions -- and that is fine, its up to that person to decide what they like/dislike. But to say that Cherry is "absolute joke", and that he doesn't "rip Canadian players" makes you sound as stupid as you claim the Cherry comments sounded to you.

You sir are downright silly in your arguments against Downey. Downey does not take dips*** penalties, I mean all you really need to do is look at the 56 games he played in a Red Wings uniform last year and you will see that what you are complaining is a complete farce. He never received an instigator penalty either, this means every time he received a FM the other team received a match penalty -- of course this means we were not short handed. The one Red Wings game Downey played this year was hands down the most energetic game of the year -- the Joe was rocking playoff style, and the fans overwhelmingly voted Downey the player of the game. You may not like him, you may not understand why he is being brought up (actually you clearly do not understand), but that by no means makes you right. Moreover could you do me a favor and show me a game that Helm has won for us this year? Doesn't that sound ridiculous? Of course it does, I am simply showing you how utterly incompetent you are coming across as. Truth be told, Downey rounds out the overall makeup of this team -- and whether you like it or not he is coming up. I for one couldn't be happier with the decision. I absolutely love Leino, and am amped that he will be a regular in the lineup come playoff time. That however does not mean that I think that Downey has no place on our roster. I think he will bring a lot of energy and an aspect of hockey we haven't seen a whole lot of this year. If you really want to nitpick stats then I would love for you to explain Downey's +/- of 0 last year. Now I know it isn't great, but it is very, very far from being able to label him a "liability" on the ice. Hockey is more then just highlight reel goals, and trust me while I love them as much as anyone, I also recognize the fact with guys like Datsyuk upping his physical game and Hossa being forced to fight there comes a time when you need to bring in guys to watch over those who provide us with the very highlight reel goals I speak of. I know it isn't completely the same, but for arguments sake can you also go ahead and tell me how much Dave Semetko hurt Gretzky and company in Edmonton? Or how much Kocur hurt us the years he was in the lineup and we won the cup, or even better, how much Downey and then McCarty hurt us last year (with Downey playing the majority of the regular season and Big Mac playing throughout the playoffs). If you can explain that to me then I will listen, if not then you should really keep your off base opinions, assumptions, and statements to yourself.

Couldn't of said it better myself. Again -- perfectly put. Everyone in the place paid money to be there in one form or another. It is no ones right to tell them how to act, when to show up, when to stand up, how to locate their seats, etc. Like Shoreline said, I really don't care how the fans act in Sweden, much like I could care less how they act in San Jose, Calgary, Boston or any other NHL city -- the Red Wings are an original 6 team with one of the most storied histories in the league. How Detroit fans act at Red Wings games is completely up to them -- and as long as they aren't acting in a manner in which people are literally in danger I do not think it is anyone's right to critique 'em. Worry about yourself and the game being played -- if you stick to that you will be just fine.

It probably isn't the general consensus around here but I think there is some truth to what Cherry was saying. Now, before you rip me let me say that a) the key word is "some", not all of what he said and b) the way he went about expressing it was somewhat gaudy and over the top. Also, I understand the economy is horrendous right now, and that has without a doubt had an effect on attendance. But I do think that some of the Red Wings attraction has diminished over the years -- I think a lot of it happened when Yzerman retired (seeing as though to a lot of casual fans he was one of the only players they knew), but I also think that there new approach overall has resulted in a style of play that a lot of non Red Wing fanatics find somewhat boring. I mean I know they won the cup last year, but the three cups prior to that all were won by Detroit teams that did have grittier, role playing guys -- who had a downright snarl to their play. Even last years team had Downey in the line up for 56 games in the regular season, Drake in the lineup throughout it all and McCarty dressing in the playoffs. Before you reply, just think back to the single game Downey played in a Wings uniform this year. Not only did the Joe look and feel rowdier (keep in mind we were losing pretty soundly also in this one) then I have seen it at any other point this season -- But Downey also won the fan voting with close to 50% of the vote. Now I know that isn't the end all be all, but I do think it says something about the type of player (at least one of em) a lot of Red Wing fans want to see play on a nightly basis. There are a lot of fans out there who have nothing to do or post on these boards, but that doesn't mean that they don't exist -- and while the general consensus around here is that we are better off without the grit of guys like Downey, I think that if the general Red Wing fan base was asked the reply would be overwhelmingly in favor of. That's just speculation so take it for what its worth. Personally I would rather see some grit in the lineup, however as I have said before winning trumps all when it comes to the Red Wings -- so right now I am super happy as is. But with Dats hitting the way he has been, Hossa fighting, and Lilja getting TKO'd I think Kenny may want to at least kick around the idea of inserting a little sand paper into the roster.

Ha ha, this video is so funny I just can't seem to let it go. Here is some more on sledge hockey (pics and more information on their sticks/swords and the penalties that accompany them when used improperly): The Stick/Sword It turns out that in the advanced Sledge hockey leagues there is a different bench/penalty box set up then that of the amateur leagues: Holy s*** -- Here is a video that entails the "official rules", but it's much much more -- take a look at the big hits or as they are better know as in the sledge hockey world "Teeing". If you have a couple minutes this video is definitely worth watching: To close this bad boy I figured I had to toss a "Highlight reel" that show some of Sledge hockey's best players, most memorable plays and unforgettable moves:

OK -- here are some pics detailing sledge hockey, the set up (benches/penalty box), and some action shots. Enjoy -- I know I did: Is it me or is the ref laughing at the guy in the pic below ***The players bench in most arenas is inaccessible. The players sit on the ice along the boards in front of the benches between the blueline and redline. For penalties the players sit in the semi-circle in front of the penalty box.

BAHAHAHA now that you mention it I am incredibly interested. I am going to go try to dig up some pics and I will post them. As to the guy coming in like a bat outta hell from the U.S. -- I want to know, and I am pretty sure he did, leave the bench. Now, I want to know whether he did so under coach instruction or if he was just having an Adam Mair moment where the emotions got the best of him. Here is the actual video from the link initially posted as well:

If there is one thing this team is lacking it's the veteran presence needed for a successful playoff run. I mean Chelios, Rafalski, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Draper, Maltby, Sammy, Homer, etc. are good, but not enough -- that's where Dandy comes in right? I mean forget the fact we are routinely rotating Chelios and Lebda out of the lineup night in and out, a trend that will surely keep up in the playoffs with the possibility of even more names thrown into the rotation (Erickson), we still need the guy who couldn't make the lineup on a steady basis with the Habs. I mean the upside of this move is simply non-existent. I understand fully that we couldn't get a top 4 D-Man, or even a top 6 without moving some cap space out of the lineup -- but that doesn't mean we should add more below mediocrity talent to the back end of our defense that is already mediocre. He brings nothing whatsoever -- nada. He doesn't put pressure on anyone to do anything.

OMG that is the best video I have seen in a while --- It all began when my man slid (not run) into the goalie. The refs couldn't contain the madness. There are going to be some harsh suspensions handed down from that melee for sure.

Dude, please -- spare me. I do not care to hear your rationale as too why acquiring Mathieu Dandenault is a good move. It isn't -- he puts pressure on no one any more then Erickson (sp?) does or would. Your mentioning the fact "he's also a forward" does jack s*** for me as well seeing as though we have 3-4 guys in GR who would be more productive, as well as he just adds to an overload of mid sized roster. He has no snarl, he isn't exceptionally good on the PK or the PP, he is more of what we have. I know it was only a 5th round pick, but good god, it would of been better spent as a donation of good will to a struggling franchise (sarcasm for the few who didn't pick it up.)

This has got to be a f*cking joke. I am praying this is a joke, and when I say praying I mean on me knees next to my bed pleading out loud that this not be true. This move, if true, is simply a move to make a move -- it in no way, shape, or form makes this team any better. Nostalgia may be enough for some folks around here but it certainly isn't for me. The sad thing is the more I think about it, the more I expect it to be true. I mean Jesus, it would make sense that we go grab a guy well past his prime, and was a healthy scratch night after night in Montreal.

Maybe the Wings are looking at Exelby and not Havelid (or Lehtonen). Exelby's only getting 1.3 million whereas Havelid is at 2.7 million. Who knows, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Well you're somewhat right about him having a long term contract (4 years left if you count this year), the way his contract has him being paid shows that they definitely did and do expect him to be a $3 million dollar a year player this year, next year, and the years after that. Take a Look for Yourself That said, my original statement still stands -- this guy is wicked overpaid and if you are holding your breath for him to breakout into the superstar so many people think he is or has the ability to become -- well, I guess you will just have to prepare yourself for severe disappointment.

I could care less about other teams. I was curious as too when the last time the Red Wings lost by 8 goals was?

When was the last time we lost by an 8 goal margin? I am curious.

Ha ha, well I see you are still making excuses -- I don't care if Detroit outshot them 10-1, whats your point? I wish I could be like you guys, but I can't. Sorry bout that.

Man -- I am seriously starting to think you have a learning disorder. I mean it's the only thing I can come up with that would explain your idotic statements on such a steady basis. "Mediocre"? WTF are you watching bro -- this is the worst game we have played in years. That is reality, not "fair weather". Is it the end of the world? Nope. Is it something that is going to and deserves to be discussed? f*** ya. You are the type of fan who is over joyed when we win the President's trophy -- and then the same year when we lose to Edmonton in the early rounds of the playoffs say "we'll get 'em next year." Sorry but I don't work like that, nor do a lot of fans around here -- and it has NOTHING to do with being "fair weather."

Wow, you are spot on to be completely honest. Some people won't like to hear it, and will continue to downplay what happened tonight, but the majority (you know, the ones with slivers of rationale) will see this and applaud it in the same manner I am.

Free ARBY'S?????? Can anyone clarify this for me?????? Bahahahahahaha 8-0 to the Predators -- good god this is sickening on a level that is impossible to put into words. WOOOHOOOOO ICE GIRLS!!!!! No reason to worry though -- absolutely NONE... I mean so what if we lost by 8 to the 28th ranked offense -- the wheels come of teams in magnitudes similar to this all the time.

Bahahahahaha -- the combination of this and the "Vroom Vroom party staaaaata" have me yucking it up over here.

Hey it isn't all bad. Our PP's really buzzing tonight.

Ha ha, this one actually had me laughing out loud -- that ended though when Nashville scored their 7th goal.