Matt

Widescreen: 1440x900 | 1280x800 Standard: 1280x1024 | 1024x768 | 800x600 Enjoy!

But it looks cooooool. Anyway, they were trying to dress the place up a bit with the full-color graphics of the "Fire on Ice" theme going around the wall at the top of the upper bowl. Still couldn't get over the empty seats in the place -- I mean, when they were introducing the players the arena wasn't even half full yet.

I just wanted to gauge interest in a version of LetsGoWings.com that would be compatible with your mobile device (phone, PDA, etc.). How often do you access the web via your mobile phone, smartphone or PDA? Would you use LGW.com's if it's available? The reason I ask is that I'm working on additions to LGW's new core functionality on the new site and I think this feature would be great for the site -- but integration and testing may delay the release of the new site by a few days. (Fine-tuning things now. As long as there aren't host-hangups, CSs will get to try to "break it" and then it goes live.)

Those are good seats. I've went to tons of games in 128, row 7.

Those pyrotechnics were damn hot, too. I was surprised. If the "Fire on Ice" slogan wasn't a ripoff of some Calgary Flames marketing gimmick the flamethrowers going off during the pre-game and after Red Wing goals sealed it. Disappointing to see LOTS of empty seats in the upper bowl, mostly on the ends but especially in the corners.

Bears repeating: [attachmentid=498] We had some seats pretty low to the ice and right at a faceoff circle, but unfortunately I didn't get a chance to yell a line I was waiting to use all night if Perry had lined up in front of me: "Hey Perry! You're going to get it! And tell Kunitz he's going to get it, too!"

Now that we're in the off-season, I'm going to institute a new method of spam prevention that will affect everyone that currently has an active membership here. Fret not, however, as it's nothing that will permanently affect your account. All current members and new sign-ups will be placed in a new Member Group called "Spam Check". This group will NOT have the ability to start any new threads until they reply in a thread once. Since the spambots that have plagued this forum for the bulk of the past year or so only start new threads, they will be restricted from that functionality. For all current and new, legit members, all you have to do is reply in any thread once, and you will be able to start new topics if you would like to do so. Every week the "Spam Check" group will get purged, so if you do sign up, make sure to reply in a topic quickly (heck, even use this one) or your account may get deleted by routine housecleaning. Of course, there may be more "advanced" spambots to get around this restriction, but this safeguard should eliminate the vast majority from clogging up these forums.

Got contacted this morning for a quick interview on 101.9 FM (WDET) regarding a Red Wings "season preview". It's a pre-recorded piece (actual live interview was done earlier this morning) that should be on around the 11 o'clock hour. Hopefully I don't sound like a complete schmuck and there's no 'creative' editing! http://www.wdetfm.org/

Good lord, thank god these stupid little kinks are getting worked out now. Yes, it is supposed to be CBC. (And yes, it is now corrected.) There are games later on this season that will be broadcast on FSN+. Nothing this month, however.

No one in this thread is making it a Hasek-vs-Luongo type of argument, no one is second-guessing Babcock, Hasek or anyone else... Just discussing how close (if they were) to acquiring Luongo. As good as Hasek has been here I think you'd have a hard time finding a large number of people that would take him over Luongo in the net this year, but that would apply to pretty much every team outside of Calgary and New Jersey. I know this -- if the Wings had traded for him I would've bought a jersey of his that day. (And I haven't bought a jersey in 10 years!) Well, let's also remember what the Panthers needed at the time, too. Bertuzzi wasn't injured when the trade was made and the Panthers had (and still have) a talented group of centers (Jokinen, Horton, Weiss) -- so adding another name there may have not been a top priority. I'm sure the deal would've taken more than just Datsyuk... but regardless -- it would've been worth it if Keenan didn't have his head in the sand. In talking about other potential deals, what about the old rumored Boston one of Datsyuk, Fischer and a 1st for Joe Thornton?

Wouldn't be for the forums (at this point), but for the news & blog entries (the rest of the site WILL actually be updated frequently!)

Thanks guys. That's actually the first time I've heard myself on the radio -- the seasonal gigs with WRTX and other stuff has been out of my "range" (or broadcasted live). I don't think I sounded too bad or like a complete dumbass but I think I need to slooooow down when I talk.

Not sure. I actually already did the interview, they're just playing it around 11-ish.

What's the fun in making them if I can't even use them on *my* widescreen monitors?

Oh, don't tease me again ARice... I do remember the drawn out debates on this forum leading up to his trade to Vancouver prior to the draft last year and all of the talk that he wasn't a "proven playoff goaltender" and that's why we shouldn't trade for him, etc., etc., etc... Ugh. Unbelievable. Sorry, but even today I'd take Luongo over Datsyuk in a heartbeat. Smallish forwards with scoring talent aren't as hard to come by as a rock-solid franchise goaltender that would've cemented a position in this town for the next 10 years -- and is *younger* than Datsyuk. Players like Datsyuk, though not of his unique ability but scoring level, can be replenished in certain degrees via free agency. Players like Luongo -- except for once-in-the-blue-moon scenarios like Florida -- hardly ever become available.

Sorry, but I can't cater to everyone. If I left-aligned the calendar people would say that the calendar is covered up by their desktop icons -- which default to the left in the large majority of cases. So really, it doesn't matter where it's put -- it won't work for someone.

Fixed! (That's what I get for rushing to get this out earlier today so I could work on the website tonight!) Well, I never intended these wallpapers to double as an aphrodisiac... Thanks!

Widescreen: 1440x900 | 1280x800 Standard: 1280x1024 | 1024x768 | 800x600 Enjoy!

Well, I'll be there tomorrow night...

Thanks for taking part in the draft this evening everyone and good luck!

Here is the OFFICIAL DRAFT ORDER (snake format) for tomorrow night's draft: 1. Crosby Nation 2.. The Big Diesels 3. Shake N Bake 4. Blue Meanies 5. Shaved Ice 6. Andrew's Icers 7. Detroit Bad Boyz 8. Heaton 9. Ricky Bobby 10. Wing Fanatics 11. RedWinger4747 12. Royal Oak Rampage The Divisions will be set up as follows: Adams Division ------------------------ - Crosby Nation - Shaved Ice - Ricky Bobby Patrick Division ------------------------ - The Big Diesels - Andrew's Icers - Wing Fanatics Smythe Division ------------------------- - Shake 'N Bake - Detroit Bad Boyz - RedWinger4747 Norris Division ---------------------- - Blue Meanies - Heaton - Royal Oak Rampage Division winners will earn playoff spots along with two wildcards. The top two regular season teams have a 1st-round bye.

I would've rather had 3rd. LOL! This is the SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR that I've had the 12th pick in one of my hockey leagues. Last year didn't turn out too bad, though. As an aside I think the division setup this year will keep the competition fierce throughout the season. No reason to tank on your team if you start faltering because you just need to be better than two other teams. It'll make for a fun year!

All 12 spots have been spoken for. Thank you!

All spots are now filled. Thank you to those that entered and good luck in the draft tomorrow night!

Registration for the 1st Annual LetsGoWings.com Fantasy Hockey Buy-In Challenge is now open! This is a 12-team, head-to-head league hosted by Sportsline.com. Scoring and draft information is below: Cost: $25/team Draft: Friday, September 28th at 8:00pm ET Starting Positions: 2 Center, 2 LW, 2 RW, 4 D, 1 Util, 2 G (6 Bench, 1 IR) Scoring Categories: G, A, +/-, PIM, PPP, SHP, GWG, W, GAA, SV%, SHO Prizes: - 1st Place: $175 - 2nd Place: $85 - 3rd Place: $40 _____________________________________ To be eligible to join this league you MUST send me a Private Message through the web site here or e-mail me at mattschwartz@msn.com. At this time you will be given information on how to officially register for the league by providing your registration fee payment. (Recommended method is using PayPal -- you can use your PayPal account or a Visa/MC.) The first 11 GMs to provide the $25 registration fee payment will be in the league. (I'll be taking up one of the GM positions and will be covering the cost of the league fees, etc. All of the registration fees go directly into the prize pool.) Attendance at the Live Draft is recommended but not required. (If you want to throw your money away by risking not being at the draft, feel free! ) Have questions? Feel free to ask away.