RockyMountainWingGal

You don't have to like Lappy. In fact I wouldn't mind if someone picked a fight with him again if we meet in the playoffs - I don't think we should forget that he did hit Nick - and the Wings should remind him of that (just as long as we are winning). HOWEVER, I don't want the guy to break his neck - that's getting a little too personal and mean imo.

What's with the violence again? If you want intentional hit by a walking A-hole you need to Youtube the Claude Lemieux hit on Draper in 1996. The guy is a solid third-fourth line hard hitting player. And as some have pointed out pretty "old school". Some of you people need to get over it - he did not mean to hurt Nick. In fact, I hate to say it, but the Wings could use a guy like this on our 3rd/4th lines. "I thought it was a clean hit. So did the referees, and the replay," said Laperriere, who was not assessed a penalty. "I respect Nick Lidstrom as a player, and hope he's not hurt bad." Denver Post - 2/19/08 What do want the guy to send some flowers or something?

I'm a Wings fan who lives in Avs country. I listen to the Avs post game shows and I. Lappy said he didn't blame Downey one bit for going after him - that he would do the same thing if the situation were reversed (which it was last night). It has nothing to do with "turtling" - I was at the game and was cheering as loud as anyone when he got punched by Downey - he just didn't whine about the Wings going after him. Just because he's wearing an A on his jersey doesn't mean he's an A-hole. ps Csdan don't let a few mean fans get on your nerves. All teams have them. I've been on the Ducks boards where I couldn't believe what they were wishing on some of our players. But on the whole hockey fans are pretty cool imo so I don't let it bother me....

Ok I do have to admit it's funny how what goes around comes around..... "It doesn't matter if it's clean or not clean, it's a big hit on one of our big players and he got injured and someone had to do something," Laperriere said. "I felt like it had to be me. Jack knew that someone had to come." Even though like I said above - Lappy said he expected to get punched in the Wings game after the hit. Downey had about the exact same quote - they must take it out of a hockey 101 textbook or something....

I still wish the Wings could have somehow grabbed Foote from the Jackets. But he only wanted to go back to Colorado. In fact, letting Foote go is easily the biggest mistake the Avs made since the lockout - so in fact they kind of redeemed themselves. As someone who goes to some of the games, it will be nice having a few players worth paying to watch in the lineup....

Well I'm not expecting Dmac, who will only get a few min a game I'm supposing, to turn the ship around. I'll wait and see what he looks like before I judge his contribution. Emotionally it could have a good lift for the team. Plus, there are few wasted roster spots that are worth giving to someone else....

A bit on the harsh side. As a fan, I would like to see Forsberg play out the season for the entertainment, although I question his durability at this point. Of course I'm a bit mad at Lappy for hitting Nick - but come on dude it was unintentional and even Nick admitted it. He's a third-fourth line guy that plays hard for his team - can't say I wish him injured. He even took the Downey punches like a man....

Yeah that was scary. Obviously I watch most of the Avs games since I'm in market. Svatos was hurt too. I missed the Denver news so not sure what they are saying - but I would suspect out a few games at the least. He's actually been hurt alot this season to begin with. Most of the reason I was watching was to catch "the return of Foppa" which they said would be tonight but got pushed off a game. Part of me has been saying "please hockey Gods spare the Wings any more injuries" - however, I don't intentionally wish them upon any team -(yeah even the Avs).

I didn't get to see the game live - just the replay. The only thing I can hope for is what goes around comes around. So if the Wings are getting screwed right now, hopefully come playoff time, they get some funky (or fu&*ed up) calls going their way...

nah we match up great vs. the and their goaltenders are very beatable. Plus - the travel isn't so bad. I've been contemplating this for days also - it wouldn't be all bad to be #2. IF you assume the 1-4 seeds win (a big if i know) then we would draw a NW division team in both the first and second rounds. Meanwhile the Ducks-Sharks would play and the Stars would play the winner. Very long ways off - but to be honest - actually get tired of being #1 all the time - maybe not having that would actually benefit the Wings...

Let them move into the top spot. For one, it will put the #1 seed target on their back. The Wings might benefit from not being the 1 seed for once. Also, this will set the Stars up for potential 2nd round match-up with the Ducks-Sharks. In fact, if Dallas keeps this up, the Sharks-Ducks will likely play in round 1 and Dallas would meet the winner in round 2. I know it's too early and the seeding will fluctuate, but the Wings would potentially NOT draw SJ or Ducks in round 1 and NOT draw the Stars until the WCF. Not to say we wouldn't have a tough time with the other teams, but this could be a scenario to avoid those teams until late in the playoffs....just a thought.

Hmmm we beat the Flames last year and they are about the same. We beat the Sharks and now Brian Campbell is going to suddenly have them kicking our a$$? We damn near almost beat the Ducks - and imo they have lost players since last year. OK they picked up Schneids, but lost MacDonald and Penner. We played long series vs these teams last year - we banged them up just as much. Let's not chalk up any playoff losses until they actually happen....

So you're mad at Ken Holland because he didn't make some blockbuster trade that made the NHL homepage cover, and you are going to take your frustrations out on Mr. Holland by not posting on LGW anymore? I somehow don't think he'll get the message. Come now, you spent some time writing up your eulogy on Holland - if the Wings get healthy and return to winning ways and look good when the playoffs start - don't be a stranger - come back and join us - we won't hold it against you.

Nice rebuttal! Probably not worth the typing though since he's sure to be a pimple faced teenager living in his parents' basement.

Schneider was even out of the line-up in the WCF and we came close to beating the Ducks and going to the finals - pretty much the same time - minus Bertuzzi who was more of a hindrance anyways.... It's time to stop whining (topic starter) and hope for the best. It might even benefit the Wings if we are not the 1 seed - kind of under the radar. that might even pit Stars vs Ducks in a potential second round matchup. I'm going to stay positive and hope things work out....

Yes it's interesting that Holland suggested there were people in the organization that 'weren't on board" with Feds returning. Didn't sound like it was Holland himself, so maybe Babs, who knows. Sergei has done nothing significant since leaving the Wings - if he was so great still -he wouldn't be on his third post-wing team. Better to move on imo, and not live in the past like the Avs. btw watched the game last night - totally sucks that the Avs won in SO - lame penalty call in OT too

That's a good idea - it could kind of be like a lottery, or something similar to the waiver order. That way if Selanne and the likes want to play hockey that badly, they would have to risk getting picked up by Phoenix or the likes, and not automatically sign with a Cup-contending team. Would be more fair to the whole league....

One fairly believable rumor is that he wanted to be near the league headquarters. He is obviously heavily involved in the players' union. He is also rumored to want to work in the league office when he retires. These are all things that bounce around during hockey radio talk shows - but fairly believable. Plus, he know it was the right time to move on after Stevie retired.

Ain't that the truth. Nieds and Selanne were healthy all season too - no injury excuses. In my mind it's flat out cheating to rest yourself all season then show up when you're bored to play some hockey. In the mean time other teams have had their top players in the lineup allseason, risking fatigue and injury. I hope Bettman has some ba$$s and puts forth some kind of rule to that effect. Forsberg did it back in 2001-2002 but the guy did have his spleen removed during the playoffs - gotta give him a big pass on that. He at least has the injury excuse. Personally since he self proclaimed "I can't play" a few weeks ago, I just don't see him making any kind of big impact. Will he even make it until the playoffs? Sadly for Avs fans, very doubtful. However, they have nothing to lose. As constituted, they will probably miss the playoffs - so the gamble is worth it and they gave nothing up. Also, they need to sell tickets - the arena is never full (don't listen to what anyone tells you I go to a fair number of their games = empty seats - lots of them). The Avs are hard to figure out. On paper they have Sakic, Smythe, and now Forsberg. Plus guys like Hejduk and Hannan. However, collectively they really suck. I know Sakic has been out much of the season, but Smythe wasn't lighting the lamp much when he was healthy. They just don't have much team chemistry. The best we can hope for is that we cling to the top spot and they slide into 8th. The Wings match up great vs the Avs - and it wouldn't be a bad series to draw first round.

Yeah it went from he would play Saturday, to Tuesday, and now Friday. At this rate Lidstrom will be back sooner. Has he ever even made it to the postseason? I hope his karma changes, but I don't see it happening, sadly.

We'll never know what Feds was really thinking in 2003. It seems he just didn't want to play in Detroit anymore - 5 years at 50 mill was a great deal. This of course deeply hurt most of our feelings - especially for some of us who were his biggest fans and thought he was a franchise player. In retrospect it was a really bad move for him also - he actually made less money in Anaheim (about 8 mill per year) - and hasn't really done much since leaving the Wings. He puts up average numbers - and for Sergei that is just not good. I still think he could come back and make an impact with the Wings. I still remember the day he left painfully, but after 5 years would welcome him back happily.

I agree he's more like "insurance" at a low cost. I doubt he would be a regular in the lineup UNLESS we have an injury - especially in the playoffs. Personally, for me I'm a little worried since I love Mac's legacy. Having him return and flop would be painful. You have to wonder if he can contribute at (near) 36. He's also been tough on his body - two rehab trips. Can he even fight if needed? Not that it wouldn't be a great story - just too many ifs. If we were to take on a former Wing, I guess I'd rather see Fedorov - I think he would make a bigger impact in the playoffs.

Hve you seen them play in the playoffs? They've been terrible the last several years. They are the epidemy of a regular season team - far more so than the Red Wings. I actually kind of like Turco, and he does have some good games in the playoffs - but more than not he's not up to the task. I've been to several Avs-Stars playoff games 2005-6 - when the Stars I thought had pretty good teams - and they just choked. None of this means they couldn't give us a run in the playoffs - but scare me? no I'd rather draw the Stars than the Ducks or the Sharks. In fact, it would be better if the Ducks could slide into first place in their division so we could avoid them until a potential WCF matchup....

Yes there is a contingent of Avs fans that still hate the Red Wings so much they are glad when a player gets hurt. Also, their assistant coach was yelling at our bench, and the radio announcer this year is a rabid Wings hater and was actually giddy when Lids got hit - that kind of stuff really pissed me off. Of course there are plenty of Avs fans that are more respectable and don't wish that upon other players. I'm mad about the hit - but admittedly it wasn't like the Pronger hit last year - just a misfortunate one for Nick and all of us Wings fans. Laperriere's post game comments were fairly apologetic - w/o admitting he did anything dirty.

Pretty funny. I don't know if it was technically a commercial, but the promo video with Cheli and Samuel Jackson pretty much cracked me up...