Barrie

We shouldn't be to surprised, Ozzie's always been a rollercoaster. All we can do is continue to play him, and hopefully he gets into a grove. If he doesn't, Conklin is #1 in the playoffs.

I'll be the first to admit my interest in the team was at it's peak from 1996-2006, when Yzerman and Shanahan were playing together. Also with 82 games, 16 teams making the playoffs, and knowing we'll be in the top 3 in the Conference every year, sometimes the Regular Season can be a little I would think the biggest reason ratings are down is that there's no Yzerman.

Someone must have changed it.

I would leave the All-Star Game as is. The players aren't going to take it serious because they don't want to get injured. So I don't see how you can change the game. If people want to watch, go ahead. If people don't want to watch it (like me), that's fine. It's an All-Star Game, what do you expect?

Agreed. Nothing against Datsyuk, but Zetterberg is the future captain and face of the franchise after Lidstrom hangs 'em up.

I'm starting to understand and appreciate these looooooooooong term contracts. Top players still get a big pay day while in their prime, but the cap hit isn't a big as signing a 4 or 5 year deal, because in their final few years they don't get paid as much (as it should be). Unless Z totally tanks, this deal guarantees two things, 1) he's the future captain, and 2) he'll have his number retired. You know Zetterberg is going to bring it every night, so he won't dog it with a 12 year contract. I'm happy with the deal. I have a soft spot in my heart for Draper, Maltby, McCarty, Ozzie, Holmstrom, Lidstrom, and Chelios, but Z is becoming my favorite player.

I was thinking today.... Remember Pronger in the 2007 Western Conference Final when he got a game suspension for head hunting Holmstrom? I guess Bettman thinks Lidstrom and Datsyuk missing the All-Star Game is as bad as head hunting.

Excellent comments by Holland. I hope the Wings refuse to start the 2009-10 season in Europe because of this.

I wonder if Lidstrom and Datsyuk appeal? I would bet Lidstrom is in Sweden right now and Datsyuk in Russia with a week off. Bettman probably didn't start crying about this until today, making it to late and insane for them to fly back to North America just to sign autographs and pose for pictures in Montreal. However, doing nothing about it and taking an extra night off is probably is a bigger "screw up" statement to Bettman than appealing. I gotta say I'm a little proud of Lidstrom and Datsyuk . Enjoy the much needed break boys.

Do it! I'll join!

I don't watch All-Star Games anyway, so I'm in for a boycott.

As mentioned, being Lidstrom and Datsyuk, with a week off, they probably went back home to Sweden/Russia for a rest and to see family. The demands on the Red Wings top players since the lockout has been very intense. 2006 they were in the Olympics, 2007 they went to the Western Conference Finals, 2008 they won the Stanley Cup, in 2010 they are back to the Olympics, and the World Cup of Hockey is coming up... Add to that, 2009, 2010, and 2011 could be long playoffs as well. These guys have had very very short summers since 2005, and many more short ones coming up. If I were them, I'd take the extra rest and the game suspension, and let Bettman complain and cry. Edit: Personally I think the NHL demands too much of it's players with it's 82 Game Season, 2+ months of playoffs, Olympics, and The World Cup.

Toronto is known for quiet hockey fans, and a huge corporate presence at all their games. I've been to a few games and hockey is secondary to all the marketing that goes on there. A lot of times TV doesn't do an arena justice, or it makes it sound louder than it actually is based on where the cameras and microphones are placed for the broadcasts.

I'd take Fedorov over Datsyuk, BUT Zetterberg over Fedorov. I think Z is that good!

Agreed. Just leave things as is.

I guess you've never watched or been to a game in Toronto. Corporations own tickets in every lower bowl in every NHL/NBA arena or MLB/NFL stadium.

Agreed. I like the tradition at The Joe.

Good, everyone on the team can get a well deserved rest.

I like the selection of songs at the Joe. It's classy to hear stuff you know, but don't normally listen to. I enjoy that most songs have something to do with whats going on on the ice. You can tell the DJ is thinking and not just playing what's currently in the top 40.

Attendance is down because of the economy.

I don't have a problem when sporting events still play Rock and Roll Part 2, it is still just a song despite what Garry did. Billy Joel has a past of sick behaviour and his music is still heard, i.e. the 1-2-3-4 that's played when the Wings go up 4-0.

I've never been a fan of guys like Kocur or Probert, who fight just for the sake of fighting. I'm more fans of guys like McCarty and Lapointe who fight when they half to. I think there is room in the game for fighting when it's sticking up for your teammates, i.e. McCarty getting revenge on Lemieux. It keeps guys accountable. Plus the League doesn't know how to hand out a decent size suspension for idiotic behaviour, and they allow guys like Pronger to be repeat offenders. The players HAVE to police themselves with a scrap every now and then.

All I have to say is, NHL games are better to watch when Pierre isn't doing them.

I think some people are getting these two mixed up. I don't remember Maltby losing his stick and blocking two shots against Carolina in the 2002 Final. I remember St. Louis.

Agreed