LeftWinger

I am assuming it is Sportshaven on Fort St. They do the offical lettering for the Red Wings, so they probably would be the ones to see!

I didn't see or hear any of the penalty's, but are you telling me out of all that nobody got a power play? Sheesh!

Here's to hoping Babs puts Cleary back with Helm. Didn't he get it? They played awesome together, then he puts Cleary back in the top 6, and well, we see what happened... Cleary - Helm - Conner I am seriously questioning Babs if he puts Cleary back in the top 6. I know Flip is hurt, but when you have a line meshing, keep them going!

That explains it! Ya, I tried to read the number on his sweater but that camera panned away too fast, wasn't sure whether it was Rinne or Lindback...the point remains the same, he should've been in the scrum instead of changing his pad.

Ok, cool, but one thing. You are still thinking East/West when it comes to the end. You say could be Wings/Hawks vs Canucks/Sharks when it's already been said that all teams will reseed for the "final four." So if Wings come out of their Conference and Sharks come out of theirs, doesn't mean they will play each other in the next round. Lets say the final four are Wings/Sharks/Bruins/Caps, re-seeding according to points it could very well be Wings/Bruins and Sharks/Caps in the third round, giving way to a possible Wings/Sharks or Bruins/Caps SCF. This is what I like most about this realignment.

The glaring problem with this incident I saw (after viewing the video) is where the f&*k was Rinne while his team was out numbered 6 on 5? He F'ing sat his ***** ass in the net and watched the whole thing. Good for Miller getting involved and not flopping and faking an injury, but most these goalies now a days are so pampered and (as shown by Rinne) afraid to protect themselves (and teammates) maybe they need to be knocked around a bit to keep them from getting too pussified. What would Roy have done?

Although I had no issue with the title, you have to remember, we live a world of not just PC, but God forbid you offend anyone at anytime. Even my innocent use of the name God just offended someone, somewhere. We live in a world today where these type of people just turned Cookie Monster into Vegetable Monster, they want Bert and Ernie to declare themselves ***, the call a manhole and personhole and they also convinced courts that McDonalds is the reason for most obesity, never-mind the fact that these obese people eat McDonalds 4-5 times a week and don't move out of their seat except to get another Bon-Bon. McDonalds doesn't make people obese, the people do that themselves. Now, my kids, who happen to be nowhere near obese, who happen to love McDonalds fries, have to get LESS fries in their Happy Meal because these people pressured McD's into putting a smaller fry box in the meal and automatically giving them apples. My kids don't like apples, why force them on us? Now, instead of getting what they want, they get less of what they like and the apples go in the trash. I wish these people would just keep their business to themselves and leave my life alone...if I want apples, I will ask for apples! ..sorry, anyhow, the fact that this hit is even going to a phone hearing is about as dumb as calling someone a chairperson rather than a chairman. The small tidbit that TSN wrote says he appears to leave his feet and hit him in the head? UH.....ok are the people making these rules the same people who said the reason Pronger's hit on Holmstrom in 2007 was not illegal, but because of simple physics? Well using simple physics, that is the reason he appeared to leave his feet, from the force of the hit, he did NOT leap up into him. The NHL got it wrong from the start and they need to admit it. If the play was so fast and "looked" like he hit him in the head, stop, review the replay and penalize from there if it's warranted. Every re-play I have seen, this hit isn't a penalty by any aspect of the word penalty. I wouldn't say it was a deathhit, but he sure did kill him with it!

Well then they need to expand to Mississippi and Alabama and Kentucky. Then they can have the two florida teams, Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Nashville and Kentucky. I don't think this turned out the way you were seeing it in your head....I'm confused.

...not that I am saying Obama is a good President, but are you saying that Bettman would be a great United States President? Just kidding, I know what ya meant! I agree, outside of just moving a team to the old East, this is the best scenario. I like it, especially less travel to the west coast for us. Only playing as far west as Winnipeg more than once is great. I also like the chance of a SCF with two former Western conference teams. Would've been awesome to play the Avs back in the day in the SCF! I would say Bettman got this one as close to right as it's gonna get and only having 7 teams in two of the conferences lets him eye up future expansion. Weird thing is going to have to get used to not calling a team an Eastern Conference or Western Conference team. But again, I do like it. Sounds good to me...82 games. Just have to get rid of the 1 point for a loss in OT and all will be well!

This is what I understand: 4 Conferences, teams play ALL teams in other conference twice home and away. Which would be 44 games leaving (is it an 82 game or 80 game season?) 36 or 38 games to play in-conference. Not sure the amount of games, but since there are only 7 teams in two of the conferences that makes it a little uneven in the two that have 8. So not quite sure how the in-conference games are going to be played. Playoffs, from what I understand will be the top 4 in each conference will make the playoff. The first two rounds will be within your division. The "Final Four" will be reseeded 1-4 by the records, possibly setting up a (former) east vs. west semi final's and a (former) west vs. west or east vs. east SCF. This will allow a Detroit vs. Pittsburgh semi and Detroit vs. San Jose SCF or a Penguins vs. Bruins SCF. This is just what I heard and understand. I wish they would've addressed the points system though, it used to be a mark of excellence to get over 100 points in a season, now we have 95 point teams missing the playoffs because of this current system. Some folks want a 3 point game, but that again will taint the 100 point mark, I say go back to the 2 points for a win, 1 for a tie and 0 for a loss (in OT as well.) This would be especially helpful in this new conference setup considering that you may have some teams not making the playoffs in a conference because the other team in another conference has less wins, but has more overtime loses than regular loses...

East Crosby/South Crosby/North Crosby/West Crosby is what I am hearing... I just don't think they are going to go with the old names again. Although they sound the best (because we are used to them) I think they may go with something new. Will Howe, Hull or Orr be in there? Possibly Gretzky or Lemieux? How about Gretzky (conference with Edmonton in it) Lemieux (Conf with Pit) Yzerman (Detroit Conf.) Lefleur (Montreal Conf.)

Damn it! Why couldn't he have saved that hit for a certain poster boy!?!?! Nice CLEAN hit though, not a thing wrong with it! If he gets a suspension that is what's wrong with the NHL... ...on a sidenote, looks like "Little Neddy" Nederlander may have to go back to silent Hollywood western musical's after that hit! "Sew very old one! Sew like the wind!"

Exactly what I was thinking, but there were two penalties that help decide the game that shouldn't have been called. (I know this isn't football discussion but...) The offside on Worthy the first drive of the second half was crap. He timed it perfectly and moved right when the ball moved. That turned a 4th down into an automatic 1st, in which they ended up scoring on the drive. Then the bump into the punter at the end of the game, first of all, not quite sure the rule, but he tried everything he could to not run into him, you could tell he was getting all distorted trying to avoid hitting him, plus the fact that he was blocked into him resulting in him touching the punter with 2 hairs and some air, of course bringing back the awesome return that would've surely ended up in the endzone on the ensuing possesion. I think plays like that should be able to be challenged, because in both replays, it showed that they shouldn't have been penalties...sorry. Back to Hockey. I didn't see the roster's, is Conklin and Commodore playing?

Nah, he will never make it here. Detroit does not employ players who stand up for their teammates after a cheapshot....

I am so glad FINALLY Babcock decided to put Helm and Cleary back together, they, along with Eaves were great last season! I think Conner fit in perfectly on that line too! A few of us have been screaming for Eaves-Helm-Cleary all year long and even with Conner in his place, that line was great! Cleary just looks a lot more comfortable on the wing with Helm instead of in the top 6. From what I saw of Conner last night, he belongs here more than Brunnstrom, it seems like Brunnstrom is pretty much a failed experiment, IMO. All in all I think the lines are doing pretty good right now. Filppula is much better with Dastyuk or Zetterberg than being to leader of his line. I am still not happy with Hudler, but we seem to be stuck with him, so...wherever he can slide into is fine. D-wise, I sure wish Commodore could get in there for a stretch of games so we can really see what he brings, I just don't think Babcock will ever do it. Maybe Commie slept with Bab's wife or something, because he sure does hate him for some reason. I know things are going well right now, but the more he sits, the rustier he gets. He may come in and stink, or he may do well (we still lack that muscle in front of Howard.) I believe he needs to play in about 5-10 games in a row in order for us to know whether he will be good or bad. So far (minus when he was injured) he has only been given spot play, and I do not know when it was he last played, but he hasn't been able to get into a groove. It's reminds me of Modano last season, who (outside his injury) I blame Babcock for spoiling what should've been our hometown hero's swan song. I do seriously question Babcock sometimes, but he is making the money instead of me, so I guess he must know....I guess...anyhow, I would give Ericsson a sit down and let Commodore play about 10 in a row to show that he either is or isn't a top 6 defender anymore. If he fails, then he can remain that #7 guy, if he turns out to be that muscle we are missing, then that makes this team that much better.

I'd rather have Stamkos or Ovechkin playing alongside Zetterberg or Datsyuk than a team full of Crosby's...

I agree to a point, but he isn't getting any younger and he is only as good as his last performance and that was 3 points in 8 playoff games. For being our only thing closest to a pure scorer that we have, that is unacceptable, but yes it was only one off year, so maybe (I hope) he goes back to a point a game in this years playoff. While I admit I do not know too much about Bobby Ryan on a consistent level, I do know it seems everytime the Wings play the Ducks he is always factoring in someway, same as Iginla against the Flames. It doesn't really matter, but if people want these type of players here, they have to understand that Holland cannot get them by offering 20 of our scrubs. We are all going to have our favorite players that we would never want to see be traded and will always offer up a different player in a scenario. Me, I'd rather keep Filppula than Franzen or Hudler since I think he brings a more complete game to the table, but if even trading him would get us that legit #1 pure scorer, then I would't have an issue, especially if Franzen returns to form as a serious scoring threat every night.

Be upset all you want about someone mentioning Franzen, but he is just too inconsistent for my liking. Bobby Ryan and Jerome Iginla are waaaaaaay better than Franzen. You guys want to improve this team but you only want to offer scrubs that nobody wants. It takes talent to acquire talent. Hudler isn't gonna bring us anything, Miller isn't either. Holland tried trading Hudler all summer and nobody wanted him with all his "potential." He has worse value now. You have to trade someone unless you are perfectly fine with Franzen scoring 20 points in 10 games then disappearing for 20, then scoring 20 more in 15, then disappearing for the rest of the season and playoffs.

Yeah, and it probably wont be in Ann Arbor either. When Detroit hosts the Winter Classic, it will be at Comerica Park, as crappy as it would be to view a hockey game there... ...as for an opponent, since we'll be in the Eastern Conference, I would like to see one of our newest rivals, the Devils, Bruins or Islanders.

Franzen + Hudler for either one... I would say Hudler, Kindl, pick(s) but this isn't a video game.

are you suggesting that this years pengwhines are going to win the Cup?

I agree! But, he would just be a throw in at this moment. He couldn't get us anything over the summer with all his "potential" and he certainly wouldn't bring us anything in return right now. Package him with Kindl and a pick/prospect, then maybe we can get a #5 or #6 guy...

Well, I am certain it would cost at least Franzen to acquire Ryan, and with Franzen's horrible inconsistency, I would welcome that....but that is probably just me. Really, though, is Ryan a pure sniper? Is he really what this team would need to be better? That is the issue, who is out there that is that sniper Datsyuk needs? How do we acquire him, can we? Will we? Will the other team give him up? Are we stuck with this exact team until July 1st? I'd love to see this team improve to the point to where they are elite again, but right now, they just lack that consistent scoring.

There probably isn't any, but the first time he gets an elbow to the face, there will be. The point also was, he comes him and says how these type of plays need to be out of the game, then does it himself and thinks its ok. Then he gets defended by the league and coaches for doing it. I already said I don't have an issue with the play, but don't flip the coin when it happens to him, and that is what goes on in the NHL with him playing. Don't say it's illegal and then do it and say it was just playing hard. Well, maybe the times you got knock out, they were just playing hard too? Heat of the moment happens and players do things that the feel bad for later. Maybe if he would've said it was the wrong thing to do and he feels bad that he did it, and will work on not ever doing it again, then maybe he would've gained some respect. But he acted like it was no big deal that he elbow jacked him in the face, but let it happen to him, then we will see the sky falling...

Honestly, what would it take to get someone like Iginla here? It would most certainly cost at least Fanzen along with some other packaged items. I am all for getting rid of some talent to get some talent, but as much as I cannot stand Franzen and his stupid contract, I would rather trade him for someone who is gonna spend some time here instead of just a rental, like Iginla or Doan would be. I guess with any pending UFA there is no guarantee that they will re-sign here, but someone like the two mentioned would most certainly come in, get their Cup and skate (pun intended) away back to were they came from. I think this is why the names Parise or Semin come (yes, intended again! ) up often because they are younger and probably are looking to sign a deal that takes them close to, if not to the end of their career's. I mention Franzen because he is so inconsistent and even though he is leading the team, you cannot accept the fact that his goals all come in a handful of games and then he goes like 20 without scoring. I just do not want to see how inconsistent he is going to be 5 years from now, let alone when his contract is up. Unfortunately, we have a few stars and a team full of average (at best) players who nobody would really be interested in (unless they are packaged.) I would hate to lose Stuart, but if his heart is set on going home, Holland needs to either talk him into a sign and trade before July 1st, or deal him at the deadline because to lose him for nothing would be horrible. Maybe he would like to go to San Jose, don't know what he would get us in return, but it would be worth a shot. He may not bring much in return, but even a Brad Winchester is better than zero. Of course, my first choice would to just keep and re-sign Stuart. Roster players that can be used in a package in my book are Franzen, Hudler, Cleary, Miller, Emmerton, Brunstrom, Kindl, Ericsson, Bertuzzi (although noone will want him) and of course if you have to add prospects. Of course, if they continue to win 9 out of every 11 games, I can be perfectly content in seeing how far this team will go this season... I agree. Look at Steve Yzerman. He was a consistent 100 point getter in the 80's, even after his first knee surgery he was still an 80-100 point player. But when he had that last major knee re-aligment, he became a complete different player. He was still effective and a great leader, but no longer was he that 90 point threat. (of course he was a bit older than Parise is now, but that is just an example supporting your argument.) Another player to think about is Pavel Bure. I do believe he had knee issues and was never the same too.