Joseph Franks

I have never seen any NHL team suffer both the amount and caliber of injuries that we went through last year. We had I think twelve total guys go out at some point, and not just 3rd/4th liners either...many of our top players were out for parts of the season. Makes me wonder who else was playing injured...just so we could keep some semblance of a team on the ice all year long.

Also got a sort of DUI on a moped a year ago, lol. Sure it does entirely sound like college jock-head behavior, but it also shows he's a bit reckless. Hate to have him tarnish his image with a real DUI, or an assault and battery charge before he even gets to the minor leagues.

This guy needs to stay out of legal trouble first: http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2010/05/red_wings_prospect_brendan_smi_6.html

Despite the Wings being eliminated, I still eagerly await the finals round each and every year. Seems like they gave them damn near a week off this go round, (Thanks for the 2 days off last year Bettman. Thanks a lot...).... So what "extra" things do you do to pass the time? Obviously playoffs doesn't change a persons life, but when the games are running nightly I dedicate myself to watching for the most part at least one game a night all playoffs long. That leaves a two hour gap now that I'm idle. So I find myself playing a lot more Call of Duty, and watching a movie on a routine basis. Btw, just watched "Kick Ass", and man....that movie was amazing. I could start a whole new thread on that movie and it's awesomeness alone....but this is obviously the wrong forum for it. :-p So what do you do during the "off days" that you wouldn't be doing if there were games on that particular night?

That entire scene was phenomenal Watched it like six times just making sure I knew what he was actually yelling.

NO. Football fans are different than hockey fans.... This would never fly with anybody who isn't a nuts and bolts sorting down syndrome kid. Screw that marketing scam. /end

Well, we're all on the same page I See

Ah yes. I recall because it was one day after my birthday, so I celebrated it as being my "birthday game". A bottle of Jack into the game, and well I don't really remember that one too well, but I do remember it being an awesome game. Sadly, stationed in Germany, so didn't attend any games this year. Sometimes, honestly, when people ask me why I'm leaving the army after my next deployment (leave in 2 weeks), I tell them that it's because it interferes with my hockey life. Wings won in 2008. I was home on leave for the finals, and grew a playoff beard. 2009 I watched all the games, but no hockey beard. 2010. Couldn't watch most of the games. Thus....2nd round elimination. Yes.... It is my fault. Sorry guys. Next year I'll be in Afghanistan, so since i won't be able to watch (Which is in my mind directly proportionate to the Wings winning), will be a good rebuilding year, cause I'll be plopped on the couch, or at the games....for all of the 2012 season, Beer in hand and a ...well....Tom Petty has some songs that will describe the rest of what I'll be doing. I'm calling it now. 2012, Stanley cup champions!!! Might even just grow my playoff beard starting at the pre-season....We have to make sacrifices. Sure....I won't have a social life when I look like I just finished eating out of a trash can.....but the greater good is what I'm aiming for.

I felt it too. Ah well, Yzerman is moving up in the world, nothing but happiness for the man. But it's still kind of like.... say one day you come home from school...and your dad goes, "Sorry son, I'm moving onto another family today, I'll see you once or twice a season when my new kids try to beat the crap out of you and the rest of my old kids." Then as he slowly walks away, he turns one last time and says, "Tell your mom I love her, I left a shirt up in the rafters for you to remember me by." ----- I like the prospect of having Hudler....but the man needs to invest in some Weight Gain 3000 or something. When you got guys out there like "Buff" clocking in at 6'5", 256 pounds....leading teams through the finals.....somehow small speedy guys doesn't work anymore unless they have a LOT of skill (ie. at least that of say, Martin St Louis.....but what notable work has he done lately as well?). Really, it hasn't worked well since the 90's ;-p A small second line scorer....he needs to bring something else to the table too. I mean granted I'd rather have him out there than Williams anyday...but come playoff time...Hudler couldn't do half of what even Bertuzzi did this year unless he really steps up in other areas. (Lol to include half as many *** penalties). Bertuzzi was pound for pound...one of our best players this postseason....and sometimes one of our worst. If they gave an award for being most and least valuable to your team, I think Bert would get nominated heh. Though I want Bert back too. You're not getting a better player for his salary. And at least with him....you already know EXACTLY what to expect. Dumb penalties, a lot of unfinished checks, but maybe 20 goals a season (Maybe more, didn't help that we had 12 injuries all year long), and a really good, or fairly bad playoff performer depending on the alignment of the stars that particular night.

I saw Darren McCarty at the army surplus store on Telegraph many many years ago. But me and my friends were all too fraidy to go talk to him

Shanny is awesome. Proud to have him go Hall of Fame as a Wing. His best years were with Detroit. The guy is classic on his twitter. I agree. For all his ups and downs, he has been part of Detroit's legacy for many many years. He spent a few years away, but he also won us TWO cups. Once in 98, and again when he replaced Hasek in 2008. Sure, Howard has the "go" right now, but what Osgood has done for this team is nothing to shake a stick at. How many goalies have lead their team to two cups? (Ignoring that he backed up another). Hell, how many teams in the league don't even have two cups yet? Osgood ain't no Roy or Brodeur, but he's been a first rate goalie many times in his career. Then again, if we retired every player who becomes a superstar in Detroit, we'd need bigger rafters eventually

Throw it, but time it well. Ie. After a Detroit goal is always a good time, because it's a stop in play, and a reason to celebrate. Obviously don't throw it during play, or during a moment that would give the other team an elongated break. Ie.....before our Powerplay. Wait till preferably late in the third period if we're winning, early in the third period if we're losing. Immediately if we go ahead by a goal in the third. They EXPECT Octopi to be thrown onto the ice, and I think the fans, the media, and the the Joe recognizes and accepts the tradition. It became a big deal a few years back because people were getting retarded with it....interrupting play and such. Do it smart, and I think they'll let you slide. Lets face it...we ALL love to see an octopus on the ice from time to time ----------- Random Tidbit: I just learned that Joe Louis was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. If you don't know the history of Joe Louis, I'd google it. It's good to know what the man that your arena is named after did in his life, and he lead a pretty incredible life.

Did you guys not notice Mule had a point per game?

I'm stationed in Germany, in the army, and this 9PM start for me is 3AM. Personally, I'm drinking a s*** ton, praying I stay alive, and playing PS3 to get me through. If I should fall asleep I have FOUR alarms set for 3am, stationed all around my room, to ensure that I have to get up and move around and walk about to shut them all off. Above each alarm is a poster that states "GAME 1, 2ND ROUND!!!! WINGS GO WINGS GO!!!!!" just to ensure that even if I sleep walk...I can figure out why I'm up. What do you other "Outside the US" people do to prepare for and follow the games that are on odd hours. Sadly, next year I'll be following the games from Afghanistan...and while I think only an hour more than here in Germany.....*Sigh*. I managed my last deployment. I can do it again....!!!!

Sharks are scared. They know what Detroit is capable of. Phoenix just got a taste of what Detroit is capable of, and they're already out shopping for new golf shoes. I have no doubt Detroit will win game 2. Now....as for the series....I'm not going to think that far ahead yet.

His name is Redwings 2010. His registration date is apr 14th. He posts about Bertuzzi, one of the perhaps 3-5 things phoenix fans know about hockey. He's a troll. I guarantee.....that once upon a time mohawks were cool. Are you wearing one? No...why...? Cause some people just let the past go. Who is defending his hit? I think formally, that most people here admit it was dirty as hell. And that affects this year HOW? I understand your point. But.....new year, new game....didn't see no Moore this time around.......who the hell cares?

OMG, ANOTHER one of these? Go freaking Youtube it. It was a dirty hit. It happened. YEARS AGO. Maybe, if you knew anything about hockey, you would have seen this before, perhaps in the 50 other threads on this, or the thousands of articles online. Go research. Make your decision. Don't post your stupid ass flame bait bulls*** here, you troll.

God, you guys are gullible. 1) There is no curfew at American Airports. 2) Even Charter Flights have to announce departure and arrival times, and keep everyone in route up to date on travel. It's not like they just took off like ninja's and popped up all of a sudden. If there is ANY truth to the story, then it's San Jose trying to take advantage of a team that can easily pay the fine and be on their way minutes later. But, there is no truth to this story. http://www.mercurynews.com/ For gods sake. Did you look at some of the other articles on that site? It's San Jose's personal enquirer. It's propaganda. When you can't beat a team.....just make up news about them. That, apparently, is SJ's philosophy. Guess they need something, since they're getting another 2nd round out this year

Nay sayer. Way to go on stats. I'm not even religious, but this is a time for FAITH. Take em both away boys! WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS WINGS

People in Phoenix have probably never even seen an Octopus. They probably assumed it was an alien, and arrested him for assisting in the invasion of earth.

Oh, I agree, and that's part of my point. They call 3 early on Phoenix.....phoenix kills them off, then they call five in a row on us....."To even it out". I fully agree that it's bulls***. But it's been like this since I started watching hockey over 15 years ago. In any game....there are literally dozens of plays that could be called, that are not called. The Refs have the freedom to pick and choose, and in doing so, they CAN and DO help to influence the flow of a game for better or worse. It's no "coincidence" that penalties usually end up relatively even in EACH AND EVERY single game in the NHL. To even pretend that every team does exactly the same amount of bad things in every game....is ridiculous. The bottom line in officiating is not WHAT they call....but how and when they choose to call it. And in this modern day world of hockey, the Refs do tend to make calls not based around fairness....but instead based around putting on the best show.....ie getting the best ratings. That's not entirely it, of course. Teams still win or lose despite officiating.....but the refs can certainly make it easier or harder at the snap of a finger.

Rafalski is better overall. Schneider is more dangerous on the Powerplay.

Early penalties are the easiest to kill. Your team is still fresh. So when penalties fall like they did tonight, it always favors the team that took them early. I don't have the exact statistic, but it was something like 17% of PP's in the first period score, 19% in the second, and 24% in the third. Do note, those are NOT the actual percentages. But it was something similar to that. Doesn't help that Wings took 5 penalties in a row, all after they were already down a goal. The officials know what they're doing. I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but we see it every year....

I can name a team that does this. Ottawa

Either way, they got 5 goals on 23 shots....and 3 of them on the PP. Deja ******* vue.