Bring Back The Bruise Bros

We need this game. Also, release the Tootoo.

Idiotic. There's a difference between having respect for your opponent (in the sense that you won't continue to throw punches once he's on the ice or the linesmen have stepped in) and making out with him after the fight. It makes it look theatrical. I get that guys wanna set the tone for the game, but that is ridiculous.

I'm sure this has been covered several times in the past, but I figured it would be something else to do besides discuss how flat we were today. So, who are your favorite player(s) on the other teams in the league? East Boston: McQuaid, Bergeron Toronto: Orr, Clarkson Montreal: Prust, Murray Ottawa: Neil Tampa Bay: Stamkos Florida: Jovanovski Buffalo: Scott Philadelphia: Giroux, Simmonds, Downie, Rosehill Pittsburgh: Glass Washington: Erskine, Chimera Carolina: Ward New Jersey: Elias, Brodeur, Jagr NYR: Lundqvist, Carcillo, Dorsett NYI: Tavares, Boulton Columbus: Boll, Dubinsky West Anaheim: Beleskey, Selanne San Jose: Stuart Los Angeles: Richards, Greene Dallas: Benn Phoenix: Chipchura, Doan Colorado: Duchene Minnesota: McCormick Calgary: McGrattan Vancouver: Kassian Winnipeg: Ladd, Slater Edmonton: Gazdic St. Louis: Morrow Chicago: Keith Nashville: Nystrom

What's sad is that Carolina is fiercely contending with us in this category. It's not like we're even the softest by a landslide.

Oh okay. Yeah, I like the physical aspect of what he brings to the table. He doesn't really strike me as a leader, though. His whining seems to have been getting worse as his career has progressed.

I completely agree with Suter being the more well-rounded of the two. And yes, Weber is a better player than Phaneuf. All I'm really saying is that Weber's physicality is overrated by many people. Weber has an absolute cannon and is one of the most lethal defensemen in the league on the powerplay. Personally, I don't like the guy, but I can acknowledge that he's one of the best defensemen in the league. Mark Giordano is more of a leader, to me.

I never said Phaneuf was badass, just that he's pretty physical.

True, but from what I've seen of him, he doesn't play nearly as physical as he used to. He was once compared to Dion Phaneuf in reference to his hard-hitting play early in his career. I think those comparisons have stopped.

Shea Weber's physicality is overrated. I don't think he's even fought 10 times in the last 5 years. Sure, he'll drill a guy when he's not looking, but he's not nearly as physical as he was when he first broke into the league. That being said, he's an offensive force on the blueline. I'd rather have Mark Giordano, though, to be honest.

So many of my favorites have retired in recent years. It really hurt to see Sean O'Donnell retire. Always liked him. I always wanted Gary Roberts in a Wings jersey. Although he was a huge pain and a cheap shot artist at times, I was sad when Darcy Tucker retired. Sucks that Derian Hatcher didn't last too long after the '05 lockout. I can go on and on.

Thank god Kesler isn't coming here.

Who gets bumped out of New Jersey's lineup with Ruutu coming in? Legwand would be a rental. At least he'd keep Emmerton out of the lineup.

Who has the #1 tag in Florida now? Last I knew, they wanted to keep Thomas around.

I've always liked the way Shane O'Brien plays, but he undoubtedly has some attitude issues. He's played on like every team except Detroit, and was buried in the minors earlier this season.

Mark Stuart is a guy I'd like to see on the 3rd pairing. Also, Chris Stewart is a guy that plays a power forward style that we desperately lack up front.

Vancouver is really banged up, too. We need to really start putting the pedal to the metal here or we're gonna soon find ourselves on the outside looking in. Philly has really climbed up the standings since starting out the season terribly.

Someone needs to deck Antoine Roussel. Also, win.

Westgarth must be heading to Abbotsford. He hasn't fought once this year. No way McGrattan is sent down.

Comerica looks awful empty. Hopefully it'll be full by the time the second game begins. No surprise that Scotty got the loudest reaction. This will be fun.

I'm a fan of Simmonds, as well. He's one of very few old-school power forwards in the league today. I'd be intrigued to see whether Holmgren would trade him at the deadline if Philly is out of the playoff picture. Probably not, but stranger things have happened.I'd like to see Franzen and maybe Andersson (or insert other bottom 6 forward who doesn't seem to fill a need here) for a power forward like Simmonds.

Glad it happened to Smith. "And the Buffalo Sabres win it in ooooooooooooovvveeeeeeerrrrtimmee!" My heavens, will I ever miss Jeanneret when he calls it a career. One of my favorite announcers of all time.

Numbers 8-10 were decent fights, but definitely not top 10 worthy. McGrattan and Bordeleau from earlier this season was better than those listed 8-10. Engelland and Orr from last season was better than 8-10, as well. I'm sure there are others that THN missed. Fun list, anyhow. There have been a few tough guys that have really disappointed in the fight department so far this season. *Paul Bissonnette has been running away from heavyweights all season long. One fight in 22 regular season games, and it was against Zac Rinaldo. *Cam Janssen has fought twice in 22 games. *Anthony Peluso has fought twice in 18 games. *Kevin Westgarth has no fights in 12 regular season games.

Knew I was missing someone.Kronwall-Girardi Dekeyser-Ericsson Smith-Kindl/Smid Kindl/Smid

Good on the Wings to show some genuine care and frustration as the game winded down by finishing every check hard and getting in the face of the Isles. ...oh..

I love the amount of skill and finesse this team has, but it needs to be complemented by some snarl. I'm not saying we should convince Peter Worrell to come out of retirement and think that's enough snarl, because ultimately, one-dimensional enforcers dont typically play in the playoffs anyway. There will be plenty of snarl available at the deadline. As it stands right now, I don't see this team being able to physically endure a long postseason. We're too fragile. Look how many players are hurt right now. Granted, every team goes through spells or injuries. We seem to go through a lot of them.