puckloo39

the Kings are a funny team... they look pretty good on paper in terms of player resumes, they just look bad on the ice. The Wings are not really trying yet.

me, too. edit: Homer's back!! Don't need a lot of shot on goal, if they're all goals, eh?

was just going to say that. Who needs a goalie stick, right?...

I forgot Preissing landed in LA. I liked him as a rookie (Shark). Lots of banging and crashing tonight.

no Cheli tonight. He and Dom are sitting in the player's entrance, sharing a bag of popcorn, I guess.

Good for Rafalski.

No one has mentioned that Martin Brodeur is suddenly AWOL for the festivities. It seems he is just plain old skipping the ASG, even Devils fans seem to have no idea why he dropped out. No reason, other than a vague 'family obligation' so far. I hope it's nothing serious, of course. So, we're missing many of the players the fans voted in via the formal voting process, for what that was worth. The rosters are full of appointed and annointed players, whom the NHL assumes we want to see? No Brodeur, no Crosby, no Zetterberg. Instead of Brodeur, they choose Tim Thomas. To balance it out, we get a load of Ducks -- that's who we're supposed to tune in for? No, thanks, NHL. If your favorite is going to be there, I hope you enjoy it, of course. Personally, I won't be surprised if this is the last NHL All Star Game.

Definitely an upgrade for the Yotes in goal. Bryz seems like a solid guy, I hope he does well in the desert.

I tend to think it won't be the last we hear of Z's back spasms, unfortunately. Better now than April, I suppose. As for Stuart -- if it wasn't him, some other rube would have found an opportunity to knock out of action the Wings' best player (arguably) on a given evening. It's part of some players' game to target weaknesses in other players -- knees, backs, whatever part is vulnerable. Hope everyone else can survive this trip unscathed, and that the ones with little boo-boos can rest up during the break for ASG.

I think this whole thing is funny as all get-out ... but I am sorry for those who take the ASG seriously and are upset by the changes in the roster. I hope you can enjoy the players you do like, and take it in the spirit that the ASG now is intended... misguided PR by the NHL.

I am not sure it's even a popularity contest, really. If that were true, the players who actually were voted in by the fans would have been considered for slots on the team -- not just guys the powers that be picked for representatives on the squads. It's politics, and not who the fans want to see, necessarily. ASG is a joke, it has been for at least the last few years. It's been quite a while since actual NHL stars were part of the All Star mix, IMO.

I was right, the ASG is a joke with the NHL angling to add 4 Ducks to the roster, come Hell or high water. I feel bad for anyone who planned the weekend and paid $$ to see their favorites, as I have to believe the guys who've dropped out are a bigger draw than the ones replacing them. Tim Thomas over Martin Brodeur? Wow.

I honestly thought your post was a joke, until I read the article.

Seems right and fair to me! Go, Babs and go, Ozzie!! That nonsense about Nabby was just that, IMO. Ron Wilson.

Great pics, thanks so much for sharing. It's a real experience to get to see the guys and talk to them, huh? Glad you had fun today!

agreed, YG. Hossa is not Atlanta's franchise player, oddly. Kovalchuk is, if anyone. I think if Hossa would agree to reasonable terms for 2-3 years, he would be a great fit. I'd hate to lose Cleary - at least at this point in time - as I already think of him as a RWF (Red Wing Forever). Maybe Danny will balance the lure of potential big money elsewhere for the perks of remaining a Red Wing. Where else would he have a better chance every year of winning a Cup, besides Anaheim? They already grabbed up all our "moveable" players last summer, anyway, didn't they?

you sure do!! OMG, how fun and how happy we all are for you guys. I would absolutely love to have such an opportunity. Lucky, lucky, lucky ELN and VIB16!!!! Mule's daddy is so cute in his shorts and all. Wonder if he knows we call him Mule? You can sure see what Captain Nick is going to look like in later years. His dad sounds wonderful, BTW, how nice you got to chat with them all. Great pictures, thank you SO much for sharing, ya'll. Our Wings are THE best!!! PS: there's Ozzie behind you and Lids, Vladdy. And yes, ELN, get a better pen. Too funny, Mr. Perfectionist Dom.

there's precedent for that... and I hope they ask him to stay home, too.

Hossa would be nice.

well, that's just great. Poor Zata, at least his dad is along on the trip, to carry his bags. This is happening a little too often, I am getting worried now. We know the other guys can step in, and have... Cleary, Dats, etc. But, what a tough break for us. It's just my opinion, but I think even if he thinks he's OK by the ASG, Hank should sit it out rather than risk re-aggravating the injury.

Oooh, fun thread!! it's hard to pick just one, sometimes... Anaheim - Teemu Selanne, if he returns. Otherwise, JS Giguere Atlanta - Kovalchuk and Hossa, tie Boston - Chara and Marco Sturm, tie Buffalo - Jason Pominville Carolina - Bret Hedican Calgary - Kipper-snapper Chicago - Robert Lang Columbus - #91. Fedorov Colorado - Milan Hejduk Dallas - Sergei Zubov, he's the man! Detroit - Dom, of course. Pavel, a very close second Edmonton - Rollie the Goalie Florida - um, Tomas Vokoun Los Angeles - "Auntie" Kopitar Minnesota - that Gaborik guy Montreal - Saku Koivu Nashville - JP Dumont New Jersey - Patrik Elias NY Islanders - Miro Satan NY Rangers - Shanny, still, always. Ottawa - Captain Alfie Philadelphia - Danny Briere Phoenix - Ed Jovanovski (liked him even more as a Canuck) Pittsburgh - Evgeni Malkin San Jose - Nabby St. Louis - Manny Tampa Bay - Vinny LeCavalier Toronto - Mats Sundin Vancouver - Bobby Lu Luongo Washington - Michael Nylander

did you use a "Lilly-hammer" to smash the tomatoes, Lou? I hope Lils and Cleary both stay longterm with the Wings. I like them both, very much.

Night, Mac. Let Shelly win at ping pong once in a while. And, I love your avatar, BTW.

well, that was fun. Happiness is a three goal lead and no stinking OT/SO in a west coast game. 'Night, sleepy Wings fans!

no harm. We win. Neener, refs. Yeah, I mean you.