BigWillieStyle

#9 shot from the right, ( though he was ambidextrious ) so that's who I tried to emulate. Of the 6 males in my family, only 1 was a lefty which meant that there were more sticks with a right curve to choose from. Actually, I think I played my first few years with a straight stick as they were still pretty popular at the time.

I'm starting to think that calls like this are going to start a revival of the glow puck. Or, at least an updated, high tech version of it. I'm sure we would all be in support of such gadgetry. Wouldn't we??

Maybe we could ask NICOLAS LINDSTROM about that phenomenon. I'm sure he might have some sort of answer.

Is this where we're supposed to say Lidstrom Sucks and he's Lazy??

In Toronto or Montreal they would have had him burned at the stake by now. Thankfully, we treat our captain and best player of the last decade with a little more respect than those all knowing hockey hotbeds.

Postings like this always remind me of the story of the old bull and the young bull looking down onto the meadow of cows grazing. Sounds like the young bull who started this thread is one who often runs down the hill. And what team runs 16 forwards? Those 3 D-men must truly be iron men. Let's see if we can trade Rafalski for one of them.

Can't we just bring up Kindl and Janik, and send Both Lebda and Meech to the recycle bin.

I kept thinking we were playing the Nordiques. Had to keep reminding myself what year it was.

I was just looking through my hard drives for that song being performed in Newfoundland, from the Summer with the Cup special that the NHL did. Thanks to you, I can now return to my usual lazy state.

I think the coloring is so Patrick Kane can find his on the ice next time he and Franzen meet.

Wasn't he mentored by Chelios? I recall his saying several times about all the things he learned while being paired with Cheli. I'd love to see Cheli in GR but Kenny has pretty much stated loud and clear, there is no room for him in the Wings system. Enjoy retirement Cheli. It's been a joy watching you all these years.

Somewhere I'm smelling a Bettman vs. Balsille thing right in the middle of this. I can just see Gary going to the US DOT and saying " Is there a way we could make it so that Canadian teams can't get in our country, you know, just to screw with their heads." And then Balsille moves his Rook to cover the Queen, just for posturing sake. Time for everyone to go and watch "Canadian Bacon" again. The war is about to start.

:violin: You forgot to add, " And make sure you write that I said that".

Can't believe that they left off a guy like Bertuzzi. Now that he's a Wing, his classiness has increased tenfold. Probably broke the class-o-meter when they measured him.

Played in beer leagues until I was 48. Looked way worse than Chelios does. Had yet another knee injury and had to hang them up. Had a plastic and metal knee put in 3 years ago at 50 and Dr. said hockey was out of the question. I somewhat have to agree with him. I still skate on my pond 2-3 days a week in the winter and show up at a drop in once in a while, just to skate, but I can't play a serious game for risk of falling wrong and having to go through the issues of a knee replacement again. I will however, be helping coach my grandsons 2nd year of playing 8 and under. I still have a pretty decent slapper from the point, but I've practiced that for years against the side of the barn.

It was with Paul Woods, as Kenny was out with laryngitis, again. Paul did a great job sliding into the big chair and D-Mac did a fine job as the color guy. He really seemed to have a knack for it. It was during a West coast trip as I remember driving home after 11pm EST and the game still being in the first period. It was interesting some of the insights that a rostered player had to give, and the way he was calling out some of his teammates for blowing coverage on a play or two. If I recall he called either 2 or 3 games. I wish him luck in whatever he does. Let's just hope that he stays local. A really great guy on and off the ice.

Bert and Ernie? I would have added Big Bird as a 3rd on that line also, but some people might misconstrue that Larry Robinson was trying a comeback like Theo Fleury. While the Wings could use a body like Bert, it would take a total reprogramming of his mind to make it work. Do we really want someone who plays zero defense, has a propensity to take shifts off, takes a lazy skate to the bench at the end of his shifts, takes too many, untimely, stoooopid penalties, and has shyed away from being an overly aggressive physical player ever since that day in 2004 that he had a lapse of judgement. ( I'm sure I left something out). I used to like the guy, and was happy to have him here in '07, but he hasn't shown a desire to really play like he was once known for, since his suspension. When he was here, you could blame his recent back surgery. The last 2 seasons there was nothing to blame but his desire to just coast through the rest of his career. Sorry, he just doesn't do it for me. Only upside I can see is I could take my Bert jersey back out of storage and get my money's worth out of it.

One on my Wall of Fame, "Bettman" - 0

I would have to say to this line. I liked the way that the #_1's line played last year. #21, #51, and #81 played really well together in my book. Really had a click to them. Swapping an #81 for a #93 would make for great 2nd line. I could see Franzen with a ton of goals with this line. Leino and Fil are both great setup guys. And if they would only listen to Babcocks mantra of shoot the puck, I think that they could put up some big numbers also. Just have to break them of their Euro ways of pass pass pass, and teach them that shooters get big dollar contracts. At least from less respectable teams, they do. Players play in Detroit for the honor of wearing the winged wheel.

So that's what happened to my old dealer. Went to his house one day and it was all boarded up. Good to see he's doing well.

Here's an interview clip from TSN Makes Kane and his cousin sound like even bigger D-bags then we even imagined. But in all fairness it's only one side of the story. The other 2 involved were too hammered to make a statement.

I could probably part with my Dewalt for a little less than $1million. Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

I was with the doctor that Lilja is seeing for a few years. I can say that he is getting very competent care, and that no avenue of treatment is being left out. But, the human body is a very strange machine and doctors are only "practicing" medicine which means that they have not perfected it. I wish the best for Lils. He's my unsung hero on the team.

Malts and Homer will be done at the end of this year unless the Wings deem them as needed pieces for next years team. They will be signed to minimal contracts if they remain. Draper gets paid the same whether he is here or not, so barring major injury, he will at least be a father figure to Helm and the other kids. And, Lidstrom will play until he can collect social security and will put up at least 50 points until he turns 60 when his production will fall to 40 points. After winning his 16th Norris trophy the press will finally agree that he is better than Bourque and Harvey, but not even close to Orr.

Lilja/ Ericsson would be the best 3rd pair in the league. Would also like to see some Lidstrom/ Ericsson time this year. They played well together during Rafalski's absence. Unfortunately, as someone who has dealt with post concussion syndrome for 22 years now, I think Lilja is going to be paired with asprin ( or substitute ) for the better part of this year, If not forever. I'm not a doctor, but if he is still having daily headaches 5 months later, His career is going to be put on hold for at least a year. From what I've read it is a swollen artery issue from a blunt force trauma to the head. That means a possible aneurism at any time. Much different injury from brain slamming up against the inside of the skull, which is what I experienced. My thoughts are that Lilja will be joining Jiri Fischer in the player development area of the team. Another defensive talent taken away too soon. I'd kind of be a little scared if I were Big Rig, looking at the teams history with promising defensive talent. ( disclaimer: I am knocking really hard on wood as I say this last part ).