kipwinger

Why do you think that?

We do it. A lot. But I don't think, when people point it out, that they're ragging on the Wings. They're just being matter of fact about it. We're a smallish team. How the hell else are guys like Nyquist, Tatar, Dats, Z, Helm, Weiss, etc. supposed to play defense? Body the other team up and punish them physically?

Neither of them deserve it. They're both good, and consistently good. But being third in your division, despite being largely healthy, and with no noticeably change in personnel, system, or coaching, isn't exactly extraordinary. We're a good team. We were supposed to be a good team. To me, giving it to Babs and Holland would be like giving it to Bowman and Quenneville, Lombardi and Suter, Rutherford and Johnston, or Sather and Vigneault. All of them are either meeting, or slightly underperforming expectations. I don't know what goes into the selection process for these awards, so I don't know who will win. But some good coaches and GMs that have stuck out, to me, are Laviollete (obviously), Maurice, Hartley (ugh), Capuano, Trotz, Chevaldayoff, Snow, and Tallon.

If you want some afternoon entertainment, read the butt hurt posts on this GDT right up until the Stepan penalty. *Spoiler Alert* They are almost identical to the Rangers complaining. We're no different than anybody else. And if we'd lost that game instead of won it, you can be absolutely sure that the refs would be to blame. Not the 50,000 times we turned the puck over in the defensive zone, or the fact that we looked like we were skating in mud.

Purported to be comedies. Lol. I liked you post just for that.

That's the million dollar question. Things he's said in the past lead you to believe he's talking about keeping him with the big club, but you can't really be sure based on the way this quote reads.

Look whose hat trick earned them a trip to Burger King!!!! Who's a good boy?

I'm not sure losing a real good prospect and 1st round pick is "mortgaging their future". Especially when you consider they just got a premier defenseman who's only 28 years old. Healthy organizations can lose a good prospect and pick once in a while, without noticeably suffering in the long term. Look at the ages of some of their key players: Brassard, 27 Miller, 21 Hagelin, 26 Kreider, 23 Hayes, 22 Zuccarello, 27 McDonagh, 25 Stepan, 24 Staal, 28 Yandle, 28 Needless to say, I think they're in good shape.

I wouldn't dare make assumptions about their fidelity. However, I am curious about what they are claiming in the suit. Slander? Defamation of character? As if "being a Maple Leaf" wasn't enough to defame or injure their respective characters. Personally, I'd rather be unjustly thought and adulterer, and rightfully be thought a member of, (or worse) captain of, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Can I use stats?

It's like that movie "Pontypool". It spreads through language. Seriously, watch Pontypool.

For sure. In a second part of that interview, Holland made clear that it was Babs' decision on whether to keep Marchenko up and play him, or send him back to GR (as he did with Pulkkinen). Not that it guarantees anything, but when you start putting comments together you can maybe get a glimpse of what the the organization is thinking as far as the defensive pairings. They've said in the past that ideally they'd like all three pairings to be lefty-righty. Then Holland says he doesn't want Marchenko sitting, but that where he plays is Babs' decision. And then Babs' says "we're going to make sure he's playing". That may be an indication that he wants Marchenko AND Zidlicky in the lineup. Meaning that two of the six lefties will need to sit. Youtubing Motor City Machine Guns right now lol. As far as who's scratched, I'd imagine injuries will make a lot of those decisions for Babs. We're relatively healthy now, but I can't imagine that down the stretch the wear and tear of the season won't begin to show more.

No, Holland said that in a radio interview yesterday. Babs' comments here are different, but shouldn't come as a surprise considering he's made his preferences clear in the past.

Watching the Maple Leafs lately has got me thinking quite a bit about wildlife documentaries. I feel the same as those cameramen must feel when they follow around the water buffalo recently bitten by a komodo dragon. You know he's poisoned. You know he's dying. You know the end result. Even if they don't. This is only going to get uglier between now and the draft, when (mercifully) the final agonizing death throes should end.

NO! Where did this quote come from? Gotta link?

A second offense should get a fine. Pun in-ten-ded.

No, I did. I read it just like you said, but wrote it wrong. I'll edit.

Bumpkin Wrasslegator

Didn't Tampa, or Florida, have to dress Dwayne Roloson as a third goalie recently? Edit: Nevermind, it was the Ducks. http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/24780957/retired-nhl-g-dwayne-roloson-steps-in-as-ducks-emergency-backup

Gutsy Snappletaker

Not after Old Man Doan squashes them with one of his patented body checks. Gotta let these little punks know you don't get anything easy on the Arizona Coyotes roster. It's Doan's way, or the broken bones way!

Are you guys talkin' bout Justin Rattlesnaker?

How does that work? Is the salary just retained, or is his cap hit split between the two teams as well?

Seems like a good enough place to put this. Ovechkin had two more goals last night. Bringing him up to 43. With 17 games left to play, what's the over/under on him getting to 55?

Why do you think Babs wouldn't want Quincey with anybody other than Dekeyser?