esteef

"...but the players kept each other in line." Why, whatever does he mean? Put your guns back in your holsters non-fight fans, I'm not naive enough to understand there are just as many folks in the media who don't support fighting as there are ones that do. It's an epic struggle! (btw, I love the Outback comment! Hilarious!) Cheers! esteef

No s***, he's got the first big hit of the season! He's really starting to stand guys up at the blueline more since Kronner's been here. Cheers to Lilly! esteef

Not to step on Maui's turf here but "conks"? Is this the official nickname? Which is worse, Conks or Carts?! esteef

Homer has an even better chance with the addition of Hossa, regardless of who is injured, there is plenty of firepower to support the top line. Datsyuk is absolutely excellent defensively, and he makes passes like no other, he just gets too unselfish at times. I agree that currently the defense is the weakness, but c'mon it's always toughness right? Do we even need to vote for that one? Great thread though man, you're +3 for the night! Cheers! esteef

If Babcock doesn't start Downey against Parros this year I'll hate him for at LEAST a week!!!!!

Don't say that too loud or you'll have folks calling you out to back it up with "stats". Intimidation is a myth and the Wings are immune to it. esteef

Correct. It's like popping a big zit!

Hold on while I go get my intimidation stats! You either believe it or you don't. The overwhelming notion as to the lack of Wings playoff success in recent years is that they were soft. Everybody said it, everybody reapeated it. Bring up missing d-men all you want but they weren't missing every year right? And since when is Schneider all of the sudden the deciding factor on if we win or not? People were ready to trade him for a bag of pucks. The Wings DID get manhandled by the Ducks, on the ice AND on the scoreboard. Take it however you want, esteef

BlueMonk -- +2 for using "ornamental"!

Doc, that's exactly the overreaction I expected. Not all of those examples did the player get right up and score. I'm not saying bench clearing brawls every game, I'm saying an eye for an eye. Just because there are times when a player gets rocked and can get up and still play doesn't mean everything's cool. It's intimidation, it's second guessing, it's looking over your shoulder and it's alive and well in every sport whether you accept that the Mighty Red Wings are affected by it or not. These are the things that can keep a deep team like Detroit from winning a Stanley Cup. But don't worry, we'll just get 'em with the power play right? esteef

LILJA DON'T NEED NO GIRLY APPENDIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hold up! The Blues have Janssen, King AND Koci?!!!! Good God Man! esteef

This is news?

Ah yes, stats! They just prove everything don't they? Just off the top of my head: Didn't Jason Williams get steamrolled and took a shot to the head in the reg season one of those years? (carried off the ice?) ...Same thing for Franzen too? Franzen also got to be chopped in the chest with a f***in' goalie stick Lebda got knocked the f*** into a concussion against Calgary Cujo was run at the end of a game Lids was plastered by Lappy (who gives a s*** if it's clean, some ******* just took liberties with your Captain..DO SOMETHING!) Homer had his face smashed into the f***in' glass (oh but don't worry, he scored a f***in' goal afterwards? what a f***in' load!) There are more, I'm just tired of typing and tired of our players taking abuse with no retribution. Just because a guy gets up afterwards (maybe) doesn't mean the culprit should be off the hook. Downey was excellent last year kicking ass and taking names. Once again, see Zetterberg's and other Red Wings' comments on the whole importance of the tough guy issue. Not everything has to absolutely translate to a point on the scoreboard to be a useful and important part of the overall goal. puh-lease! esteef

So if defense is so easily learned, why are there not more players like Dats and Zetts? Why is it always pointed out how excellent they are defensively, I mean if every player can just "learn it"? Plenty of time to worry about "potential" during draft season. If you're talking about trading a current superstar, I'd want to make sure the player I'm getting for him is ready to go. When Sid has the complete game then I'd talk about trades, but not until... esteef

Hank, Sid can start by giving 1000% on defensive play. I agree though on the "classy" moniker mostly being directed at the org and not necessarily the team on the ice. BTW, Maltby's a s***-talker, and very good at it. While his game is not necessarily "class"-worthy, it's not like he cheap shots people, swings sticks, etc like the Hollweg's of the league. Also, doesn't he have some eye socket thing that keeps him behind the visor with the mitts on and not because he's a shrivelling coward? I thought I remembered something to that effect. esteef

That's the point, they are not "essentially the same skill-wise". Crosby can only play offensively, Z and D are all-around excellent players. Regardless of his age, I would still need to see more from him before I go trading away current superstars. Don't let the ridiculous media slobbing of Crosby sway your judgement. Now Hossa for Crosby right now? Maybe. esteef

Excellent point! Cheers! esteef

SAMMY = 1 Goal, 2 Assists, +1, 4 SOG, 2 Hits. Suck it Haters! esteef

HOSSA IS LAZY AND HE SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OT goal Baby! HOSSA SUCKS!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

3 fights in the Sharks/Ducks game last night, including one with Joe Thornton. Parros looks worse with every fight. I love it though, the Ducks trying their same old rough people up tactics and teams are standing up to them and winning this year. Ivanans smacked Parros around the other night and now Jody Shelley. You're next May!

Feds left cause his pee-pee was smaller than Yzerman's!

Hell I'd even buy a Quincey Kings jersey!