ENFORCER

Have a great weekend, Opie!

This is a moot point anyhow... In typical Kenny Holland fashion, tomorrow night will be Downey's last game up with the Wings. When Homstrom comes back Tuesday, him and Erricson will be sent back down to AAA. I would venture to guest tomorrow night could be Downey's last NHL game prior to retirement at season's end. So, enjoy it and the anti-tough crowd can cheer in glee.

Before I leave work for the day, I just want to ask permission of Opie: May I watch the game tomorrow and enjoy checking and fighting or should I change the channel? I want to make sure what is allowed is respected by you.

Give me one reason why Downey shouldn't be in over Maltby anyday? Downey has 1 point, but the key is his 0 +/-. Maltby has played 58 games more than Downey, has 11 points, and a -6 +/-! Now c'mon...

RIP Mrs. Howe... Sorry to hear that Gordie.

Why such big letters? Well, I have a rebuttal to that... Neither do goalies! Know why? Not their job! See how silly of an argument that sounds.

Give me that over washed up Maltby anyday.

Opie? Isn't it okay for us to enjoy having an enforcer on the team? I know your profile states that you don't live in Detroit, but for those that do- let them buy tickets and enjoy a nice hockey game with Downey in the line up. Don't worry, the Wings will become Euronized in about a 2 months once the playoffs are underway.

lol... I like that we're all Wings fans and most of us with a good sense of humor. I'm glad 99% of us don't let this board get to us.

What are you talking about?

EXCELLENT POINT. I love when Opie writes dissertations on a subject, he ends up disproving his point about 3-4x per paragraph.

That's a silly argument. Sports in general are purely entertainment for fans, nothing more, nothing less. They're great fun and a business for the owners, but for fans it is purely entertainment. So in that case, lets also widen the nets 4 feet and change the game for more goals... it's entertaining right? I don't know about you, but every sporting game I've EVER been to has been for entertainment purposes. If the majority, by a landslide, of hockey fans love having Downey in and he's voted consistently as Player of the Game by fans, isn't that all you can ask for? His +- is respectable for an enforcer.

You stated it best and just countered your own debate. Lilja was TRYING to be an enforcer and clearly that is not and SHOULD not be his role. Also, Shaman, sure Downey is human and could get concussions... but if he was out a few games he's a 5 minute a game player, not our key penalty killing defenseman. Also, fyi, I just went through the yearly stats of Downey's fighting history- he's never missed games due to a concussion post fight. Boxing skills DO tend to help in fighting.

Oh absolutely right too... Laraque was there for his scoring last year, not to protect Sid the Kid... same with Godard. They'll never get it here, might as well save our breath.

That's not his point at all, horrible way to twist his words. It's all about retribution too and the possibility of fights when games get out of hand as well. Lilja vs. Weber= Lilja out for 5-10 games due to concussion Downey vs. Weber= would've been a hell of a fight with Lilja still in line up. Simple cause and effect.

Esteef, I like this guy... well thought out and clarified to the point, unlike Opie's posts. Also, Opie, not everything can be prevented, but that's not the point. It's also to avoid players who have no business fighting (but some people here think they're fighters trying to fight). I.e. Lilja, who said this today: So you're saying having Downey play 6 minutes a game isn't worth losing a player like Lilja for 60 minutes a game for 5-10 games from fighting? Wow.

Thank you for the plethura of clarification. I must say, you have quite the abrasive demeanor on this board. You mean from that forum you were only suspended less than one week for going on your vulgarity laced rant? Wow..... is all I can say.

Wow, I was a longtime reader on this board before finally joining. You have flat out gotten people to quit posting here from what I have seen from your 'dead horse beating'. It's obvious you're against rough hockey and that's okay, but why keep trying to convince the LGW world against it?

That had nothing to do with Downey.

Damn, I love watching Downey... see him charge the net!? That's hockey!

Downey was sent down today they said.

Your sarcasm missed by about 100 yards. What's with this board attacking, quite rudely in fact, new posters? Unbelievable disrespect.

I don't think this was that far off the mark. Franzen is overrated imo simply due to the fact he's a Red Wing. He's a good forward with good moves for a big man, but hardly a super power forward such as a Bertuzzi in his prime. I'd trade Mule, I don't think it'll be feasible to keep Franzen and Hossa and I'd rather have Hossa. Also, what is up with Franzen and him talking trash then hiding behind the linesmen when the opponent steps up?

Good point. But would any of us really be surprised if the Wings DID NOT make any moves? If so, it'd be Sammy or someone that's going to be FA at Year's end for a draft pick.