Broken 16

That's what I keep thinking. They were looking for inspiration in Hossa (to a degree)... this is WAY better.

Grasping at straws to prove what, exactly? That Bettman IS and always has been an idiot? Is this a new revelation for you or something? Because I'm pretty sure everybody in the free world knew this years ago. I never disputed that Bettman was a toad. Ever. Furthermore, I never disputed that this whole mess wasn't Bettmans fault to begin with (as a matter of fact, someone in another thread mentioned Shanahan and I think he would be awesome... I'm tempted to make signs). I just don't buy the Bettman Loves Sidney More Than The Wings scenario. Sorry. Or maybe I'm grasping to prove that I'm very disappointed that the Wings couldn't use their enormous amount of efficiency to get ONE GUY to the ASG with, at least, 2 days notice? That straw? Oh wait... you're the guy that was hurt because Sidney Crosby looked like he was almost thinking about possibly giggling when asked about the suspensions. Hehe... talk about grasping at straws.

Hehe... never thought of that. That IS messed up.

Not to people that understand hockey. But I'm sure a lot of Wings haters are soaking this up and exploiting it as much as possible. Or I could be paranoid...

I don't think he was asked. But it seems like an endorsement from Holland and Babcock would have been enough to persuade Bettman. The guy would have been awesome there. Ton of skill. Ton of energy. Funny as hell. Flashy and talented. Having a career season. I would have been glued to the TV all weekend.

Time served. It's not really a suspension. The whole point of making them sit a game is to help ensure that there is an actual injury and that players aren't faking (or exaggerating) injuries to avoid the ASG.

What concerns me most is what will happen if a lot of pressure starts being put on Bettman over this. How far will he push the Wings under the bus to save face? Hopefully this all just blows over and goes away till the next ASG...

You rang?

Did you see the MacLean interview? He's such a waffler. You could see the hate in MacLean's eyes.

Zzzzzz... Zzzzzz... Zzzzzz Oh wait... you're one of those 'gotta get the last word in' kind of guys, aren't you? I'm sorry... The floor is yours.

Coming from the guy that called me a f***in' retard for no good reason... You really are a toad...

I understand the time crunch. I just find it very hard to believe that: A) Between Holland, Babcock and Bettman... not a single thing could be resolved between Wednesday morning and Friday morning. That seems ludicrous. I mean... this is the almighty Holland right? The guy that can make anything happen? You expect me to believe that sending a Wing to the ASG was out of his realm? C'mon...The end result... no players from the Wings are present and we look like arrogant dicks. (Queue the Bettman Conspiracy Theorists) B) That not a single player on the roster was willing to take one for the team and go partying for an entire weekend on Bettmans dime. I just think this whole thing reflects badly on the Wings and it's not all Bettmans fault. (Queue the "He's a troll/What team do you REALLY root for?" crowd) That's just my opinion. Feel free to disregard.

I won't let it die? Lol... so the 4 pages since I was on late last night? Fake accounts? Again you seem really, really fixated on Crosby and his 'special deal'. Whats with the Crosby obsession? Is it a man crush? If you still insist that this is some conspiracy between Bettman, Crosby and the Wings... I really have to wonder about your sanity. Obviously, they knew they were injured Tuesday night. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say early Wednesday. Why couldn't Holland make a quick phone call to Bettman, knowing that the ASG was looming. Then again, didn't Holland say that he refused to bother Nick and Pavs with a phone call? Nobody knows the exact timeline of what took place, what phone calls occured when. But I find it HIGHLY doubtful that Bettman was only willing to work with Crosby. Who knows... maybe a few months down the road we WILL find out that it was some sick, twisted conspiracy and that Bettman and Crosby high-fived when nobody was looking. If that ever comes out, I'll be happy track down Bettman and give him a swirly. Till then, this Bettman/Crosby hate is just senseless garbage.

Hudler was just an example. I'm not sure who they asked for as far as replacements go... but somebody should have went, in my opinion. Oh well.

Very funny... I hate Bettman (and Crosby) as much as you guys, but I am very disappointed that the Wings couldn't get it together and send SOMEBODY. Jesus... send Hudler. He would have s*** himself. Bettman is obviously the clown in this scenario, but I feel the Wings fell short as well.

I was just judging your analogy based on its own merits... and it sucked. Thats all. Analogies almost always have gaping holes in them. Sometimes it's just better to refrain. Food for thought.

Jesus... get over the Lidstrom and Datsyuk thing already. It's played and over. Players have been a puppet show for the media for as long as I can remember... aside from a few memorable exceptions. I don't believe a thing they say concerning injuries or locker room discussions or discussions with the coach/GM/owner. It's all spin to some extent. Nothing that is said will make me understand why they didn't bother to send a single representative from our team. Like I said before, I understand that you have total knowledge of player injuries and travel plans. Are you also claiming to know that not a single player on that roster would have been thrilled to go for that weekend? Like I said, I'm over the fact that Lidstrom didn't go. I really wasn't that upset about HIM in the first place. I'm just very disappointed that the Wings didn't send a single player to represent the defending Stanley Cup Champions. I've been watching and playing hockey since I was 7 years old. Even so, the hockey snobbery I see around here is awful. Since when is it ok for the SCC's to blow off the ASG? I just find that completely unacceptable and I really couldn't give two s***s wether or not you agree.

Not really. We all pretty much knew this anyway.

It's called a direct response to someone that responded to me. Not rocket science...

Worst. Analogy. Ever.

Really? Read the line above your quote. Its what I was responding to, you dips***. Just when I thought you couldn't be more of a doosh... you prove me wrong. Well done. Furthermore, who cares about Lidstrom not going? I'm over it. I still think SOMEONE should have been there with a Winged Wheel. Period. I'm embarassed that our Stanley Cup Champion's didn't even bother to send a single representative to a national event hosted by the league. You can't sit there and tell me that not a single person on the Wings wouldn't have been excited to go. Oh wait, I forgot... aside from carnal knowledge of the Wings injuries and travel habits... you're also have a finger on the pulse of the dressing room. Talk about getting a life... you need to come back to reality dude. Seriously.

I see. Up until Tuesday they were slated to play in the ASG over the weekend. But somehow, magically, they were able to achieve the very same feats that you claim to be impossible. While battling a crippling injury. They were injured so badly that they decided to book these huge, fictitious, vacations in a matter of a couple days. Are you seeing the flaw in your logic yet? It must be really simple if they were able to construct these huge, irreversable family vacations in the span of a couple days. I can see it now: Team Doctor: Hey Nick, I'm sorry. Those elbows aren't looking good. Lidstrom: HONEY!! DID YOU HEAR THAT!?! I'M HURT. BOOK THE FLIGHT TO SWEDEN... NOW!!! Get real...

Suspension was warranted. It's the original rule. It was voted on and passed by the GM's. This rule has been in effect all year. I don't blame the league that teams didn't take the rule seriously and make arrangements when all they had to do was pick up the phone and handle it like Crosby did. Think before you post. Lidstrom could have went and, in my opinion, should have. He's not injured. He has sore elbows. The bottom line is that the Wings could have, and should have sent SOMEBODY. I'm sure more than a few younger players would have been thrilled to go. It looks to me like the Wings basically thumbed their nose at the league. The Wings are at fault here too, in my opinion. Obviously not as much as Bettman.

Maybe they could dress the ushers up in Chippendale costumes?

Agreed. The voting process was really, really stupid.