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There is speculation that the offer was made only to help Bert in his case(s), but I haven't seen any real evidence either way. I feel bad for Moore (we all should), and 2m may have been too little, but 38m+ is ridiculous IMO. Is he also suing his teammates that jumped on him?

Why are Callahan's chances slim to none? He seems like a perfect 'Wings' type fourth liner to me. He has good skating, scoring, etc. and can play physical. They drafted him on potential, and he has been fulfilling that potential. I hope Callahan can bring it all together- I'm more worried about his maturity than anything else- and be on the Wings' fourth line in a few years. As far as fighting/prospects are concerned, I'm glad we kept Abby instead of Ritola (regardless of health issues).

Could have is all you can say though. In ppg they were close, but Ritola was also sent to the AHL during his playing time (which doesnt support your claim to his superiority). I felt as bad as anyone about Ritola's condition, but that doesn't lessen the bet. How about the new one? If you're so confident, let's make this bet for real.

Since last year you (smartly) wouldn't bet a Abby/Ritola shirt with me based on which would score more, how about we make the same (with a player of your choosing) bet that Callahan will play at least one game for the Red Wings in the next five years?

Why are you trying to make an argument out of nothing in this thread? It was stated that both fights were a result of players standing up for their teammates, and posters applauded that effort. Has it been so long since an enforcer debate that you had to make this one, or are you so against standing up for your teammates that you have to accost everyone here who saw the fights as a positive sign?

Callahan with the playmaker.

Probably will be up in a few hours. The Sens player was leaking pretty bad, but both got up relatively quickly and stumbled a bit.

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Wings are up two to one in the first. Callahan with two assists already.

More this (with less linesmen)...

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Wings lost. Detroit - Willie Coetzee - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 19:03 Can someone at the game report on these fights? They're very surprising.

Detroit - Joakim Andersson - (Fighting Major), 5 min, 9:14 Didn't think I'd see that. Game is tied at one in the second.

Callahan with a double roughing too. Not sure what happened in the second as far as the score went.

Hopefully the posters at the game can give us some good descriptions. I'm disappointed there's no stream, but I am watching the Leafs- I'm so excited that hockey's back.

I'm not seeing a stream yet, but I'm hoping for one.

@SlavaMalamud- Galimov's doc: "Burns on 90% of body, including respiratory system. Lots of internal injuries... Condition -- beyond critical". FIGHT, KID!

This is way off-topic, but how do you reach that conclusion from the recent deaths? Boogaard OD'd, while Rypien and Belak had documented mental illnesses before their suicides. There is no evidence that Rypien and Belak developed these illnesses from their role in hockey. Also, it seems Boogaard became addicted to painkillers after his recent injury, and the same painkillers are given to enforcers and playmakers. I haven't heard any retired enforcers coming out against the role, even as a lawsuit was filled by former NFL players against the NFL for mishandling concussions. Have you played North American hockey at a competitive level? If you have played, I have a question for you- would you rather be ran from behind or fight someone? Hockey is a physical and dangerous sport, and fighting is sometimes the safest way for two players to meet physically.

What incentive would Belak have to lie about having concussions or PCS after he retired? You could argue that there is incentive to lie while playing, but I can't see any reason he would knowingly deny symptoms when has retired. PCS is a serious topic, and one that is popular at the moment, but I don't think we can say he suffered from PCS if there is no evidence he did.

I think Ferdoruk's quote explains a lot. You likely have to be a certain type of person to accept the role of being an NHL enforcer, especially today when the majority of fighting is placed on one or two players per team. However, I don't recall seeing these issues in the late 80's and early 90's when many of the league's most active fighters were playing/retiring. Until there is an actual link to fighting, and not the personal demons these players had, I think naming this as the cause is a bit premature (as you suggested). I hope this is just a terrible anomaly that will help other players who are battling personal demons.

Same reaction here. This has been a terrible off-season for hockey fans, especially those of us who followed these players closely.

if I hadn't broken my collar bone four times in 28 months in peewee/bantam...

I agree. Not all hits need to be huge to be effective, but Abby has certainly had some big hits...

I've seen Conner play a few times- I watch a lot of games in that division. I was excited about the signing, but IMO there's a reason he's not cracked the NHL full time. I can see him taking the 13/14th spot, but he won't take Abby's spot. Abby is the better player IMO. Watch some videos of Abby's hits, or watch some old games and follow him. His hitting stats are very real.

Too early to guess, as most of the players we would suggest will be re-signed during the season.