Yzerman#19

So I was listening to NHL radio a few weeks back on a slow day at work when Gary Bettman's live show was starting. For those unfamiliar, he takes callers questions and does lame interviews. So I decided to call in. I got through right away and I told his call screener I wanted to know if, like last year, would the first 2 games of the Cup finals be played on back to back nights. And I was told to hold. And I did for almost the entire hour. While Gary took one call after another. Toward the end he started taking some really weak calls and I was convinced he didn't want to answer my question on the air. Even though the Wings won both those first 2 games, I am convinced they were scheduled like that to favor that team from pennsylvania (seeing as Lidstrom was nursing an injury and yes, Detroit was the older team). Anyhow, finally he takes my call, the last call of the show. The show was on a 2 minute delay so I knew I had to watch what I said or they would just dump me. (And believe me, there was a lot I wanted to say) After he apologized for the long hold I said, "I think like a lot of hockey fans I felt playing the first two games of the Cup finals on back to back nights last year was an irreverent publicity stunt. Teams work so hard all year to get there and they deserved not to be rushed. And I want to know if we are going to see that again when scheduling this seasons Cup finals?" (I wanted to throw in "or was that just to try and screw the Wings last year?" But I didn't want to sound whiney or have my call dropped.) Once I had asked my question I was disconnected at once. I put on my head phones and a minute or so later, sure enough, my question was aired. And Gary's answer was absolutely YES. He started to spin saying that he felt it got things off to a good start and helped bring in some of the leagues best ratings in years...blah blah spin blah" (We all know it was the teams playing that brought in the ratings.) Cut to today and I look that the schedule for the Cup final and I see that, surprise surprise, Gary lied. All the games are at least a day apart (as they should be). So not only did that weasel spin a bunch of B.S. he straight up lied to me on NHL radio. Unreal. Sorry for the long post and to bring up that weasel and bad memories. But I had to rant.

You are not missing anything. It went down just the way I posted it. There was no maybe, we might, we would like to, possibly, or if circumstances allow. I asked a point blank question and he said "Yes, we will." And then went on to justify it. Sorry I can't provide you with a playback (perhaps it is archived on NHL radios site somewhere). It unfolded just as I posted it. Not as you speculate above. Believe it or not. I have no reason to lie or take anything out of context.

SWEEEET Jersey Man. Where did you find it? I voted '97 & Believe patch.

I know "class" is a way over used term, however.... This is a truly classy move on the part of the NHLPA. Couldn't have happened to a better gentleman than Mr. Lindsay. I had the honor of meeting him at the Joe last year and it was one of the highlights of my life.

Just mean they are over due for one. GO WINGS!!!!!

Much respect for Bryz, Doan & coach Tippett. But I can not tolerate their "fans" or the city of Phoenix. They don't come close to deserving a team, much less one as good as the yotes. I still think they will eventually be relocated.

Screw HF. Here is a descent yotes board.... My link I registered there today for laughs. They are confident. But not too disrespectful.

I am confused. Is there sarcasim here? An inside joke I am not getting? If so forgive me. If not...... These are 3 of my favorite Wings of all times. Why would you spend any time on a Wings site when you hate 3 of their all-time huge fan favorite enforcers?

That is a genuine Mohawk. Look at how close he has the sides shaved. A faux-hawk is when it is stuck up on top and not really shaved on the sides.

Burn in Hell List: 1. Broduer 2. Crosby 3. Malkin 4. Perry 5. Kane 6. Fleury 7. Heatley 8. Ott 9. Torres 10. Tootoo For some reason I don't seem to mind Pronger as much now that he is with the Flyers. Edit: (Sorry 5 was just not enough. Haters gotta hate.)

Mickey is the best in the biz. Wings are fornuate to have him.

Are you kidding me? Did you really just go on a hockey chat board and proclaim that no player nick-named "Flower" could ever be considered a man in the NHL? Really? Really?? Are you sure? Final Answer? Guy Lafleur Showing your age junior. Considering that there is a guy in the Hall of Fame that has won 3 Art Ross, 2 Hart, 3 Pearson & a Conn Smyth Trophy, whom happens to be nicknamed "The Flower".... you may wish to rethink the above statement. And ease up on the homophobisms there Nancy. Sorry to go off topic. But I couldn't let that one go and still sleep tonight. I myself like Daniel.

W-T-F ?

A better question is why do you claim that you "hate the lakers" in the post above yet your name on this post is "lakerwing"? Or maybe why would you come to a Detroit Hockey forum and start a thread talking about the lakers if you hate them? Oh! That's right. It's because, for reasons that defy explanation, you thought Detroit Hockey fans would have the lakers as their 2nd fav team. Gimmie a break. I'm telling ya. This guy is a troll who is only here to yank chains. But to answer your question, again... I hate the lakers because of their clueless fair-weather fans and recent history of arrogant players like kobe.

This guy can't be serious. He must be a troll. No one can be this misguided and clueless. He really thinks fans of a Detroit hockey team would have the L.A. Fakers as their "2nd Favorite Team"? I am from Detroit and live in L.A. for my work. And I hate the lakers because of their clueless fair-weather fans and their recent history of arrogant players. Every Detroit sports fan I've ever met hates the lakers. Pavel has won 4 Most Gentlemanly player awards. I've never heard anyone accuse kobe of being gentlemanly.

^ FAIL. Scotty will always be #1 in my book. F@ck phil jackson.

Pass. No thank you. No sykora or williams please. Sign Grier or Prospal. Please. Thanks You.

Reinsdorf must really enjoy losing money.

OH, F@CK NO! Sign Grier. And 2.5 CAN NOT be right.

^ This. Yes. Please.

I still hate the duck & the O.C....though the ducks really won't be sh!t this year. If they bearly made the play-offs last year, forget it this year.

This ^

This

I watched that. What do you expect from a guy like Dave Reid? He played for the Av's & the Stars from '97-'01. I'm sure he freaking hates the Wings. Wings in 6.

Exactly. I love that tune. Plus it's beats the hell out of alot of the other lame crap "t" plays at the Joe.