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I see on the Griffins' site that Smith was assessed a fighting major on the 16th. Did anyone see the fight?

Good to see E stand up for dats there. It wasnt a dirty hit but it was dangerous. Bs move by the refs giving the instigator and not the two for punching with the refs stepping in.

The Dats fight was much better IMO. If you watch any of the heavyweights, you will see that they are much more controlled than in this fight. There was a lot of energy here, but that doesn't result in a good fight. I do give props to Crosby for apparently trying to shed the lid. I hate when players don't do this (see Kunitz's fight from this game). He may not be my favorite player, but I will applaud this.

I am hoping he will develop an offensive touch in GR next season with a more offensive team. On the low end, hopefully he can become a good 3rd/4th line NHL guy. However, these are some of the more difficult positions to crack in the Wings' system depending on the year.

I agree. Too many times the high-scoring games are one-sided. I prefer the low scoring (and thus close) games. While I loves goals, a close game is always more exciting than a blowout IMO. High scoring, close games are also good, but I would imagine most games with 6+ goals are won by a margin greater than one.

I wouldn't wait too much longer (unless the game becomes a landslide). Orr challenged him at the beginning of the game, and later had a huge (dirty?) hit. Boogy has a hurt finger I believe, so maybe he is holding back unless he absolutely has to fight.

The game used to be slower, the players didn't wear helmets, obstruction was rampant, etc. The game has changed and I don't think it is because of respect.

I was hoping Abby would be in tomorrow. I understand not changing the lineup while the Wings are winning, but Abby is as good of a player as Miller (and others) and adds a physical aspect that the Wings lack. Hopefully this extended break is just to get him to 100%.

It says here that he is cleared and ready to play. http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2010/10/red_wings_mike_babcock_third_l.html In earlier reports, he said he was ready to play but waiting clearance. It was also reported that Abby would play if Burt couldn't against Anaheim. Therefore, we can conclude that Abby is ready to play (not necessarily 100%, but ready).

Source?

Hopefully Abby plays tonight. His style fits this game very well.

While I don't condone or support Rypien's actions here, he is not a Matt Cooke type player IMO. My guess for the suspension is 10+ games. There are some lines you cannot cross, and this is one of them.

To me, this is a decision that the NHL players should be able to make. Making visors mandatory in the CHL, ECHL, AHL, etc is okay because the players are less likely to make a living (life long) from hockey. The NHL players are able to determine if wearing a visor is 'worth it' to their career. If you make 10x+ the average American per year while playing hockey, you have to ability to determine the 'cost' of wearing a visor. If Mike Modano thinks he is better without a visor, who are we to tell him he needs to wear one. He knows he is risking his eyesight, but he prefers not to wear one. When it comes to saving lives, I am all for mandatory measures; however, you cannot (and should not try to) protect everyone from everything. The fighting thing worries me due to the increase in take-downs over the past few years. I'm against them in general, but that's another argument altogether.

What about for fighters? Also, is the percentage of facial injuries as a result of 'random pucks' that are preventable by visors very high? Further, how many of these injuries are serious? I don't think these statistics would be enough to make me think visors should be mandatory. As I said before, the types of injuries helmets prevent are much more serious than the injuries visors prevent. Personally, I would rather have a shiner than a broken hand.

Have you ever played without a visor? Also, what is your argument for visors?

I wear one of these visors as well. I think they offer a good balance of eyesight and protection. I would hate to see the NHL implement a mandatory visor rule. Does anyone have the statistics on career ending eye injuries for players with/without visors? These players are making 500k+ a year, and should be able to make the choice themselves. Helmets prevent injuries that could lead to death- the absence of visors does not increase the risk of death (I believe). Also, fighters would rarely ditch the lids on non 'square off' fights. Many fights occur 'in the heat of the moment' when a lot of players don't have time to shed the lid. An example is fighting in college (particularly club where fighting is more prevalent) hockey. Most of the players have played in junior leagues where cages weren't mandatory and fighting was allowed. Despite this, there are more fights that begin with cages on than without. Usually, the result is the player who gets the others' helmet off first wins. While a cage is more advantageous than a visor, the player with the visor still on has a distinct advantage.

I was wondering this too. Miller filled in on the 'higher' lines last year when injuries stuck. Maybe Babcock likes keeping Helm and Eaves together.

I think the Leafs will contend for a playoff spot. They don't have elite talent (although their D and goaltending are above average), but they seem to be playing well as a team. I am rooting for the Leafs to do well this year. Other than the Wings, I probably watch the Leafs most of the time.

If this happens, don't be surprised to see Draper signed to another contract (he if wants it) similar to Maltby's. I don't see Draper retiring after playing <20 games in a season unless he has serious injuries.

For this year? Maybe, but Draper provides a lot of intangibles for the team that don't show up on the score-sheet. In the long term- probably not. It can also be argued (and I wouldn't disagree) that the Wings' commitment to their veterans is part of the reason the team is able to sign/retain players in the future.

I mentioned it in another thread, but Rosehill is also on waivers today.

Rosehill on waivers now.

I believe it was for instigating a fight with a visor.

He seems to have more of an offensive ability than a lot of the current pure enforcers in the league- this probably stems from his skating ability. He isn't a super-heavyweight, but he is tough enough to be the Wings' enforcer.

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