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I think Z-D-Alfie could be huge if they're healthy. The two kids and a mule line idea intrigues me, and it could actually spark Franzen. Kr, I get your point about pairing Ericsson with Kronwall and Smith with DeKeyser makes sense, and eventually I'd go that way as well, but I really liked the chemistry Smith was showing with Kronwall towards the end of last season, and having a vet with DeKeyser in case of a sophomore slump makes sense to me to at least start the season. On the plus side, I think the top four of Kronwall, Ericsson, Smith, and DeKeyser would work well in any combo, and we may see that on the PP.

Too funny, with the retro Red Wings rap (say that 10 times fast). I had the I Want stanley CD. A coworker's kid loved it, so I let him borrow it for their vacation to Niagra Falls. He left it on the back seat, and their car was broken into and it was stolen along with his discman and a few other cds. Those were the days. I remember a guy on the old Red Wings listserv out of MSU that Dave Vergolini ran during my undergrad days used to send me the freep and news wings pages after the playoff runs. Ryan-Nase Bona, thanks again, wherever you may be.

Great links. I saw the goals link in the Malik Report before I left for my church gig but hadn't had a chance to watch it yet. They are a great way to help the mid August hockey deprivation we are all fighting.

I'll be honest, the Cleary video is making me want to pull for him to have a huge bounceback season. He did a lot for this team, and it would, in some ways, be nice if he had a great year to justify the signing (though I accept the loyalty given, even if I'm not thrilled about it, not following up may have had worse ramifications down the road) and let him (hopefully) finish up on a high note rather than as the near pariah he became last season. Bettman is still the poison dwarf, and while I ROFL'd at the fans' tears photohop, maybe the guy does have a shred of decency in him. When we go back to in-service on Thurs, I'm going to speak to my principal about doing something like this with the school and on the District web page. I'll take the first bucket and get our dress down fund to donate if he is on board.

Lately I've been on a big Muse binge, learning some of Chris Wostenholme's bass lines. Hysteria (live) Knights of Cydonia (live) Supermassive Black Hole (live)

Add me to those praying. Hopefully the surgery is a success and you have a swift and complete recovery.

Very classy move by Danny Cleary. This video seems to highlight why the Wings felt he is such a great locker room presence. Huge kudos for putting up the donation information and putting together a professionally done video that may end up getting some airplay down the road to help the cause.

So the Jarnkrok hype was actually a brilliant smokescreen to protect the preferred prospects? I can see it now if Jarnkrok ends up a bust - Ken Holland lights up a cigar, and in his best George Peppard voice cackles "I love it when a plan comes together!"

Congrats to Brian. A very well deserved honor, indeed.

Great recap of those goals. Nice memories to bring back. I was definitely down on Sammy at the end in a big way, but I can't put him in Jason F***ing Williams territory simply because I agree he was good in his first stint. I think Williams was worse than Sammy period during both his tenures with the Wings.Great point about him being willing to shoot at least. Didn't people call him Shotgun Sammy at some point?

Well said!

Sammy had some good moments earlier in his career, but this is a great signing. I hope he does well, but I'm darn glad he is no longer in Detroit.

I concur with those saying it's a good deal. It may be a slight overpayment now, but if he is consistent with bringing 20+ goals and the same energy and drive he showed last year, it is going to be a bargain. I hadn't realized he'd still be RFA after a three year deal until someone posted it in this thread. That is going to come in handy for the next contract negotiations in a big way, imho.

Great job with the context. I'd forgotten about that. The gif is funny but not the whole story. Danny gets a pass from me on it, but I can't help chuckling at the gig when I see it.

I empathize, but there is a forum search function, and recent topics aren't that far back. Plus if you make a great point, it is best to do it in the existing thread so more will see it.

Agreed. It's up there with the St. Louis Blue d-man who faceplants into the glass gif for comedy (I think it was Colaiacovo, so there's the Wings connection.)

I was about to post that link, found it on The Malik Report. Definitely a good sign, imho.

I was at the Verizon Center for the final in 1998 (it was the MCI center then), and it seemed to be having an impact then, as the whole area seemed energized (though it was the finals). I don't think I'd have as easy a time getting an octopus now, though. I hope the district and new arena pan out for Detroit as the area could use a boost.

Nashville has turned into a decent hockey town, imho, though the yellow ice for the skate with the team event was a bit ill-conceived. It's going to be intetesting to see how the franchise does with Trotz gone.

I second the props to PredsFan. I appreciate the updates, and, for a fan of an opposing team, PF is pretty darn classy about not trolling like some others we've had to deal with (centcougar, anyone?) and also contributes to the forum in a positive way.

What about in his other NHL coaching gigs?

The Wham! Track was a plus, nice choice. For some reason, maybe lyric content, I thought Muse's "Supermassive Black Hole" could work too.

Epic, Flashy! Though I also thought the backwards moving was great symbolism.

Lee Norwood? I wasn't sure but the player name was in the file name of the second pic when I replied to save the search.

Garth Butcher. I had several of his hockey cards, and the name always stuck with me. How about this one?