SouthernWingsFan

The problem with these threads that go all over the place is that the concept can be defined in so many different ways. Are the Wings tough in the sense of bare knuckles or throwing fists on a consistent basis? No, always in the bottom rung of the league in fighting majors for better/worse. I always like a good scrap but I get up for that no more/less than a penalty shot goal like last night for instance, a great glove save, or other aspects of the sport. Are the Wings tough in the sense of work ethic? I'd say more yes than no. In the course of an 80+ game season, you are going to be tired some games, you might not be able to bring it all. I'm not saying to not get upset at it and what not, but sometimes you will get outworked. This team hasn't significantly changed too much in terms of personnel the past few years, but I think they can and do outwork the opposition more often than not. I think they have the potential to make a deep run in the playoffs with this roster, much like the last two seasons. If you disagree with me, cool, I get that 2nd round exits don't fly but especially last year after rallying from 3 games down and nearly finishing it off, the team was that close to a deep run, a good bit of that to hard work ethic. If you think things need a good bit a change because of that, I completely understand. I don't think much needs to be changed in terms of the roster, and I hope I am correct. So, after that long winded blurbed, yes I think the Wings are tough in the sense of good work ethic, they just need to bring it more, and we've seen them do so in the past. Are the Wings tough in standing up for others (i.e. Howard snow showers) or after scrums or whatever? They could be better, but I'm not losing sleep over that. I don't like getting into the whole manly or you are a wuss bit because you don't always take somebody's head off after questionable hits/scrums. They are big boys, they know in the grand scheme of things how to stand up for themselves. And let me be clear that I am not against any type of player, I just want to see the team win. If that is more with guys that drop the mits more, great. If it is this roster made with some grit and a bit more skill, which I do think they are capable of being successful, great.

Holmstrom possibly/probably retiring. (Favorite player, I know it's all but time but still )

If I lived in a climate where I had to deal with snow consistently in Winter or late Fall/early Spring then yes. Apologize for the broken picture above, let's try that again.

Nope. I live where it might snow once every 7 or 8 years, and it's not even close to possibly happening at present time. The person below me recently did it all for the nookie.

Pretty much it. Anyways, in general I just kinda shrug at Don Cherry. Don't love him, don't hate him, he's just one of those guys that always has an opinion for better and for worse at times and I just kinda go okay. Sometimes he is spot on, sometimes he is way out in left field. As for the forever talking discussion on this specific subject, do I think the team can use a guy who's main job is toughness or knuckles or dropping the gloves? Sure. Am I losing sleep over it? No. Do I think the Wings can do a better job of answering cheap shots or snowed incidents on Howard? Sure. Not losing sleep over that either though. I like fights and toughness or whatever, but it's another part of the game, just like great goaltending or puckhandling skills/skilled goals, shut down defense, etc. They know how to bring grit and work ethic with their current personnel, it's just a matter of if they can do it and outlast the other team for a full game consistently. If deals can be made to improve this teams via toughness/grit, I'm all for it but this team has close to the same roster than barely lost to a solid San Jose team in 7 games last season (with the welcome addition of better work ethic more consistently on 3rd/4th lines this season), with some puck luck or a few things different I like this roster's chance to at worst get to a Conference Finals as well if they can consistently bring the work effort.

If this does happen, I wouldn't hold my breath on it being in Ann Arbor. It'd certainly be cool for it to happen obviously, but I don't think the Illitch's would want to share revenues with anybody else in this situation. Again that'd be cool as well and certainly generous but assuming this happens I don't see issues or fault or getting pissed off at being selfish about it. I'd expect it to be at Comerica Park. Either place would be cool to see it at. Would love to possibly make plans for a trip up to it just to be in the area, even if game prices are way too much out of my reach.

I've seen plenty worse. I don't like showing others up but I'm all for fun. If you do a little dance or a "salute" in this instance where it's not really directed at an opposing player, I could care less. I get Hartnell reacting to him the way he did as well as that's one of Hartnell's job. In college football and high school football now in general, officals are going so overboard in unsportsmanlike penalties after touchdowns or celebrations, whether it be simply just tossing the football in celebration or whatever else. A quick example below. I get getting a penalty called on him and that is within the current rules of college football at present, but it is extremely nitpicky. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRNu_GzdRo4

Not at all, don't like doing it. Even if I was I'd stink at doing it. The person below me wonders what the big idea is.

Both, I love food. If i had to choose, cafe.

Benny and the Jets - Elton John

Bobby Ryan or Ryan Getzlaf please. Thank you.

Officiating in general just stinks overall across all leagues. I can recall two Saints games down here in the NFL where the officiating was just so pathetic. I had to stop watching one of those two games for a while because it was so awful. Same in college, my alma mater upset Boise State on their turf this season, one of the worst officiated games I've seen in my life. Also another game where we were favored but loss/got upset, while we didn't take care of business the refs playing a much bigger factor than necessary in determining the outcome. That absolutely drives me nuts. But I digress. Could Tortorella have said things behind closed doors? Sure. Should he have? Probably. Do I blame him for being frustrated about it and saying it in public? No. Not really supporting it or condoning it. It's not the first time it has happened and it won't be the last. Just shows how horrible the officiating can be. Just don't understand why officials in all leagues have to be treated with special kid gloves and cannot be critiqued in public. I hate using the officiating excuse as to why my team might have lost but I'm not going to hesitate in saying if they blew a big call or playing a bigger hand in a game outcome.

YOu're Losing Me - Ann Sexton

Let it melt, why do extra work. Yip Yip Martians or Honkers

Haven't see it so I don't know. The person below me thinks that reading is fundamental.

Was in San Diego right before Christmas. At Qualcomm stadium, college I went to played in one of the two bowl games there. At Torrey Pines State Reserve/Beach At Sunset Cliffs

Yep. The play of Crawford and Emery will be a big factor in determine how far they go but they definitely got the scoring/talent.

Well you smell.

Brett Lebda. What, you didn't think I was going to mention Jonathan Ericsson were you?

I am disappointed to see that nobody has mentioned more cowbell yet.

My favorite Datsyukian deke. (Sorry if already posted, haven't read all this thread)

Ogre Who is more hairy... Wookies or Gorillas

I don't worry about things beyond my control more than necessary, and I don't associate myself with people that do. It'll all get figured out. The person below me thinks this is funny. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y14FFeSFbzo