MibJab

in chatting with people over the recent weeks, I keep hearing Detroit is a hotbed for free agents, everyone's dream would be to play for Detroit, its the greatest franchise in history, these players would be idiots if they didn't sign here, etc.. Well, As far as I see, the glory years of the dominant Wings franchise have passed. All of those things were true at one point. But now, there are no dominant forces in the league. Every team has a chance at the cup. Why would/should these players sign in Detroit? Because we can pay top dollar? (just like most other teams), because of the Wings history? These guys are a part of the present, and future. When it comes to who to sign with, who cares about history (In my opinion) And to top it off, our city is a piece of SH*T. Even our suburbs are in a definite decline. If I was an NHL player (obviously am not) I would look at the team first. Swiss cheese defense, (even with the addition of Suter), only 3 strong and consistent forwards (Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Helm) and only 2 high end prospects (Smith, Nyquist). So, why would these guys want to come here? Lidstrom is gone, that power house franchise that once was the hotbed for free agents is long gone. As far as I can see, not signing Parise and Suter is bad enough. but even if we do land both, there's still some holes to fill.

Can we trade Babcock for Ovechkin?

Imagine if we all performed as well at our jobs, like Lidstrom has? Imagine if we all could be such a great role model, like Lidstrom is? A man doing what he loves, almost to perfection. How inspiring. Flipping burgers may get you quick cash, but you want to be truly successful? Start doing what you love, to your fullest potential and you'll get there. Maybe we'll see another player as dedicated as Lidstrom was to Detroit Red Wings, and to the great game of Hockey....But his name won't be Nicklas Lidstrom.

off topic, but what is the penalty for head shots in international play?

Correct the title, "Grand Rapids Griffins make offer to Damien Brunner."

You must play alot of NHL on xbox? I understand where you are coming from, but bottom line is.. Lidstrom at 3 mil = insult Trading Datsyuk and/or Zetterberg = insult. As a respectable, classy organization, why would we treat our top 3 guys in such manner? Datsyuk and Zetterberg need players to play around them, we need not to replace them. I'm all for shopping Franzen, Filpulla, and at the most extreme, maybe even Kronwall or Nyquist...But I don't understand how you can honestly think Lidstrom is going to sign for 3 mil max, and Datsyuk and Zetterberg could be shopped. I saw the moon last night, maybe this has something to do with you're thinking methods.

The media seems to have blown this whole Parise / Suter to Detroit combo way out of proportion. I have a feeling we'll see either player go to other teams for an over inflated price. We're not building internally. If Nyquist is our top forward prospect... we are more than doomed. With the spike in physical play, small forwards are getting worn out and becoming less effective. Professional hockey is drastically losing skill and sportsmanship. So, why not follow suit? This is a business. The fans want to see heart, blood, and sweat...Give 'em what they want. Where's the meat and potatoes?

How do we fix this? Apparently not with duct tape, or first round picks.

Maybe age is not a factor. Maybe we should get the tallest players available so that they cannot be injured by headshots and taken out of the game. These playoffs are a death race. Whoever has the most players left at the end wins the Stanley Cup.

Another great player taken out by a dirty headshot. Gary Bettman, Warden of the NHL. Maybe if the players started turning on the refs instead of each other they could play a game against each other and it could be like that convict football movie with Burt Reynolds... but in real life.

Our hockey team best represents our city... Our team has heart. Our city has heart. We're both just a little slow, beaten up and, outdated. That's all. Zetterberg should take Weber on that MTV show "Bully Beat down." The NHL is trying to take all the skilled, European players out of the game with North American goons and headshots. Alfreddson, Zetterberg, Sedin's, Hossa.. what is the North American youth heading towards? Should being able to play NHL hockey be on every UFC fighters resume? Bary Gettman? Vince McMahon?

i think we need to start stocking up on draft picks. Datsyuk and Zetterberg wont be around forever, neither will Illitch, so either go for the cup with a few Prince Fielder esque signings or stock up on the future and get these guys trained right.

Make sure if you go to the Nashville games sporting a Wings jersey, you don't sit by the glass. You'll get hulk smashed, and security will probably throw you out for getting the Nashville fan angry.

who cares? Nyquist couldn't compete in the Women's league. Lets solve our getting beat up on problem with another Hudler.

Helm is one of my favorite Wings. It's gonna suck watching the Nashville games.

If they suspend Bitz, it's a conspiracy. Low impact player doing wrong vs high impact player doing wrong. Hey kids, do you like violence?

How about a go Verlander chant? Or a Pistons suck chant? Or maybe a "itreallysucksthatDatsyukhastoplayonalinebyhimself' chant?

This sends a very bad message to our youth and shows the severe inconsistency in the disciplinary B.S. If Shea Weber can do it, than kids of all levels of hockey can do it and get away with it.

soo... Talk s*** about the Penguins and get fined $20,000. Try to break someones face, get fined $2,500. hmmm?

It's the principle. You can't do what Weber did. It's not a hockey play, no matter how hard he did it or how serious it could've been. If someone on the Wings pulled a stunt like this, I would expect a suspension, no doubt. Imagine being the aggressor in this situation. Throw a full angst punch (landed or not) and then two hand grab a guy and slam his head into the glass....I'm not half assing this, I'm gonna put his head through the mother f**king glass. If you watch the video, Z put his hands over his face, which stopped total carnage. Weber could have initiated a fight, he could have kept throwing punches, but no, he chose to make an unnatural hockey play. I just miss the old days when a guy like Weber would have to answer to someone who knew how to fight. I don't care if he gets suspended or not, I just hope the Wings can win the series, or have someone match up with Weber and beat him. Hey, I'll even enjoy a Kronwall lunging his rear side into Weber. Unfortunately, it seems as though Weber will get off scotch free and end up losing in the second round to some muck muck squad that wont be in the playoffs next year. In the end, it's classless and I'm sick and tired of seeing our beloved Wings getting punked out by s***ty people, who have potential to be really good hockey players.

One year it's Malkin, one year it's Pronger one year it's Thorton, now it's Weber. Every year someone goes after our stars and punks em out, No one does anything. It's just a matter of time when someone comes along and headshots Datsyuk right out of the league. Wheres the class in sports? Better yet, where the balls on our roster?

I got so much heart, watch, while I put this guys head into the stands. I need Stanley Cup. I am Shea Weber RAHAHHAHAHAH!

Things i noticed from tonight. Helm is our bottom 6. Aside from size, Rinne is average at best. #40 and # 13 are the top 6. Stuart obviously can't handle a long distance relationship. I'll take Holmstrom at 39 years old over Emmerton, and Hudler at any age. I want to say something good about Franzen.... but i can't. How to beat the Wings? clog the middle and goon it up.

Bertuzzi should have reverted to old ways, #breakamuthaf***asneck Reasons for suspension. 1. repeat offender 2. direct intent to injure 3. so intimidating that no one on the redwings even thought about going after him It's sad when Shanahan is still our only enforcer.

it was a good hockey play by a world class player. Zetterberg felt the hand on the back of his head and he threw his own face into the glass. 2 minutes for diving. /sarcasm.