Stiffy

For all intensive purposes, you are a couple of pedants. It's so much fun to talk about hockey here. So inviting. So friendly.

Well, the way he is playing he should volunteer for a big cut so this team has some more space. I'm sorry, but I am disappointed in him this season. Is he our best D? Of course, but as captain and our star player he has to take some responsibility. Proceed with your calling me out for being a bad fan, not appreciating the years of his amazing play, the Cups, the Norris trophies, the nearly amputated ********... he is not playing up to his standards. Even so, I will say this. Once he is gone, if you guys think this year is rough, just wait.

Well, if this isn't sign of a conspiracy, I had recently cleared my browser cache and history (no, not porn, just keeping things clean) and I go to type in www.letsgo... and the Google type ahead thing fills it in with.... LETSGOPENS! Jesus H Christ, can anything related with hockey and a screen not hype the Pens! I want a melt down. I want Washington to sweep them in the playoffs and hold Crosby scoreless. Not out of hate, but fairness. Let the bright star fall so others can get attention.

This was the BEST. You have this arrogant yet ridiculously skilled goalie who has owned us enough times do this absolutely stupid moronic thing (all motivated by his massive ego) leading directly to letting us back in the series and then shelling him to death in the next game where for all intensive purposes the greatest rivarly in hockey in the past 25 years ended. Truly Epic stuff.

I thought the reason was he could get more $$$ somewhere else. Midfly, I don't understand what you mean - what's a challange and cup before christmas?

You guys and all this trade talk. I actually dreamt (nightmare) that I logged in here and read we had traded Franzen. So, could you knock it off with all this, you are negatively impacting my sub conscious! :-)

For those who want to make sports their life, see the movie Big Fan to see how pathetic it can be.

Excellent observation and perhaps one of those Star Trek-esque discoveries of a time-space paradox applied to hockey! If we criticize Crosby, we become more like him and what we criticize...

Is this or any of the "logic" demonstrated here at all new to you? I think the mods should post THIS in the stickies. I took a logic and critical thinking course in college - highly recommended and it is easy to spot the all too common logical fallacies in so many arguments, political speeches, news shows or even at work, the dinner table or a party! Alas, it seems most people take the debating class approach and it is not the same thing. Sadly, unless we lived on the planet Vulcan, logic and well formed arguments rarely rule.

Yes, but it can be lessened and it has declined - from over 20,000 per year in the 80's to about 13,000 in 2008. That's significant change, but certainly not enough, especially if you are one of those 13,000 or related to them.* You are right to bring up other issues - texting and cell phones, because while progress continues on the drunk driving fatalities, these devices are the cause of new fatalities. It's insane. No stats I can find, and they do not tabulate it yet specifically, but they think that cell phone usage may account for 2-3000 deaths per year. Driving while texting is more "impaired" than most legal drinking blood limits. So, in terms of pure numbers cell/text is not killing as many, but in being just as bad in terms of how it impacts your driving, it is just as bad or even worse. The numbers will get worse before they get better. I have been guilty of all three at one time or another (drinking as a teen) and I have no problems admitting all make me a dangerous driver. My damn Blackberry is super addictive, but I absolutely will not touch it while driving. It's an easy habit to break if you try a little. * annual US stats http://www.alcoholalert.com/drunk-driving-statistics.html Oh, on topic, I think Chelios has nothing to be ashamed of in how he acted, but the video is, I am sure, embarrassing to him. Obviously a cop or some police official had a part in this getting out, correct? Who else would have access? The parent address being spoken is awful. Maybe they are in the phone book, but still, not cool.

You are right, after all is said and done it is just a game. That's what this place is for. Life is more important.

That's the thing, we know they can do it, they just have to do it more often! This is not a team that should be losing. Today brought back some pride.

I agree on the coaching staff. They need to be under the microscope from management and the press. Nick as a leader with press statements is painful to watch. He is 100% safe and by the book. I think it speaks to his character and personality, but I am yearning for the brutally honest responses of Stevie Y. When things weren't going well, he took the majority of the blame and laid it out that everyone else was part of it too. No way would I want to be a slacker in that locker room after Yzerman spelled it out. Very simply, he got angry and showed it, but not overtly. Do you know what I mean? Yelling and throwing chairs would be far less effective than a quiet leader like Yzerman.

My optimism lasted about three minutes. Without some kind of ass kicking sit down for every single player and coach, how are the Wings going to suddenly start playing? We have waited for professionalism and pride too long - something needs to be kick started and HARD! Okay, now I am done ranting. This team is making me schizophrenic! I just can't face it that if we don't make the playoffs, then we can say of the entire team, they are lazy and they suck.

I have to wonder, do we ever have these guys practice for the shoot out? Do other teams? On topic, after the Olympics will be the real test and indicator for all of us fans. Will they come out with a whole new attitude and focus and play like Red Wings or, will they keep up this whatever this has been.

Yea, the wings would do great in the east. I mean we all know how they step it up in games with low performing teams - that killer instinct is just brutal to watch. Just think what they could do to a team like the Islanders.

Thanks, I was about to invoke some Einstein here. Time and space are connected. Time and cap space are probably not connected the same way. Call me a silly optimist, but I expect a whole new jump to this team after the Olympics.

Well at least Franzen is in touch with reality - this quote from the freep article about this game: Edit: Pavel, you are right. We were both writing about the mule at the same time. Great minds...

I was glad to see a guy who can charge the net. Good to have him back!

There are a lot of friendly looking little animals in the avatars here. It's a nice distraction from the depressing nature of the thread.

I'm frustrated, but don't see this as being over yet. Put me somewhere in the middle between the optimists and pessimists. We have a team that is for the most part a team that made it to the SCF two years in a row. Aside from injuries, there is a problem. I think coaching is a big factor. How about just leadership in general. We have seen years of outstanding leadership with coaches like Bowman and Captains like Yzerman. Either one is a super high bar yes, but I think we are underperforming in both areas of leadership now. Instead of everyone telling everyone else they are a lousy fan or all this, is anyone interested in talking about what the Wings could do to turn things around? I tend to believe that equating ones performance (player or coach) with job security has a way of really motivating a team.

They should transfuse some of his blood to the rest of the team. Whatever motivates this guy to play so hard is a great thing. He looks like a teen idol, but plays so damn hard and shows no fear. Flip and Howard are bright spots this season.

I am in favor of him playing. I'd like to see him have a chance to win for his country. Other great players get the chance, why not the Mule. If his playoff metamorphosis into Gordie Howe Hockey God-Like performance is any indication, he could blow out the Olympics.

Can't believe I am the first, but of current players it is far and away Datsyuk. There is nobody on Earth who plays like this guy. He has skills from another planet. He is a Jedi Master with the puck. I am not happy with him this year, but the bar is very very high.

LOL But, but... it takes years of veteran experience to reach that level of defensive give-away finesse!