Nightfall

If you want to talk about fair..... Look at the Winter Classic games we have had so far.... Pens vrs Buffalo Wings vrs Blackhawks Flyers vrs Boston Caps vrs Pens Rangers vrs Flyers Leafs vrs Wings At my count, out of 30 possible teams only 9 out of 30 teams have gotten the opportunity to play in the Winter classic in 6 years. So even if the rest of the teams got a crack at the Winter Classic, then it would take 10+ years to cover them all. I really think the NHL did this for a couple of reasons. 1. Money 2. Owners from other teams complaining that they couldn't play or host in one because they are big money 3. Fans complaining that they won't get a chance to see one All three of those reasons equals cash in the eyes of the NHL. Personally, I will watch them on TV. A risky gamble indeed but I like the idea.

I do as well. At the same time though, I do see why people don't like it. Either way, I will watch them on TV.

Considering the way he has played the last few games for the Griffins, Mrz has a ways to go. I figure he will get another full season while Monster and Jimmy are with the Wings next season, and then Mrz will be up to push Jimmy for a spot in 2014-2015 depending on how he has done. So far, I like what I see, but he has some work to do. The playoffs this season will speak volumes for him.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nhl--nhl-emerges-from-lockout-gloom-in-record-breaking-fashion-211428976.html Its a long article, but its well worth reading. It in fact shows that the NHL as emerged from the lockout stronger than it was before. For all the doom and gloom that was discussed, the NHL is looking like future growth is going to be a reality. Personally, I think it is the shortened season. With a 48 game schedule, everything is magnified. Every game is important. With 82 games in the regular season, every game isn't as important. I know the ownership doesn't want to hear this, but having less games would keep this exciting. From a pissed off fan point of view, I won't be going to see any games in the NHL for a couple years. No Winter Classic for me next year. The NHL and NHLPA have equally pissed me off, and I won't be investing in their product for a while. I am glad the NHL is back and they are strong, but I am still a little peeved.

I would rather take the $400 I would spend on the NHL Winter Classic tickets, go downtown Detroit, and spend that money watching the game at a local restaurant or bar. I would spend about $100 there, and then go to the next bar or restaurant, watch the game and drop another $100. In the end, I would have given $400 to the people who were really affected by the lockout and not the NHL or NHLPA. I know, it all comes down to personal preference and I don't disagree with what you are doing. I do hope you enjoy the Winter Classic. I am just venting at this point, and probably will be for a little bit longer. The wounds are still fresh.

I just cannot stomach droping $400 on two tickets in prime seating (plus travel time, hotel, gas, food, etc) to see the Winter Classic. The lockout left a very bad taste in my mouth. I know that may people will be buying the tickets and it will sell out. but thats not the point. I have been to the first outdoor college hockey Cold War and then the second Cold War at Michigan last year. I enjoyed both of those games, and I am all about supporting college hockey because they didn't crap on their fanbase. The NHL and NHLPA crapped all over the fanbase over the summer with rhetoric and finger pointing. Both sides played the PR card hard, and as a result, turned me off as a fan. I love hockey. I watch hockey on TV. I won't invest a dime in the NHL until I am over this bad taste in my mouth. It may take a year or two, but I will be there. I will take the $500+ that I save and have a big party at my place with friends in front of my 52 inch HDTV and enjoy the game just as much.

I agree, there were better 2nd tier players to choose from and an offer should have been extended. I believe I read somewhere that Matt Carle got a contract offer from the Wings but it didn't have the length that he got from Philly. You are mentioning a couple good 2nd tier players, but thats the point isn't it? There aren't that many great players out there. The only one I can really crack Kenny on was not being serious about Semin. I do hear what you are saying though and I agree with it. I just believe that we may have only been able to use plugs for this year because of the weak talent pool of free agents.

I will only address two of your points because the rest of them I agree with..... There were only two top tier free agents last season. Both didn't choose the biggest paycheck, but chose to go to Minnesota because that is where they played before. So, for the 2012 off season, that was really the only plan that 20 other clubs had. The free agent market on top flight free agents is always the slimmest, so really its going to come down to 1-2 guys most seasons. Which means that its going to be that, or using plugs.

They have had a Calder Cup team there the last couple seasons, but the past coaching has sucked a big one. The teams as a result have fallen short. Good to see them finally have a coach that can push them hard and have success.

Hell, spending to the limit did wonders for the Rangers in the pre-cap world didn't it?

Well, to be fair, in the salary cap era, which consists of 7 playoff teams, we have had the following seeds win the cup.... Carolina - 2 Ducks - 2 Red Wings - 1 Pittsburgh - 4 Chicago - 2 Boston - 3 Kings - 8 Since we are in uncharted territory here, with incredible parity, I don't think its accurate to say an 8th seed has only won once. The landscape has changed. We start looking at the salary cap era and beyond.

So, do you think you are spoiled because you want the cup every season? Do you know where the Detroit Red Wings went? The Wings can no longer buy the best team in hockey to play for them. You can blame the salary cap. You can blame small market teams whining about no league parity. You can blame the fans of these small market teams getting upset because their teams cannot compete. Henceforth, the salary cap was made. So, in this post salary cap era, less deals are being done.

By and far, the big market teams that bought the best teams hate the salary cap. Meanwhile, the small market teams love the salary cap. That isn't surprising at all. I know its all doom and gloom for Wings fans, but this is the way the league is now. Wings management is approaching things the right way in the post salary cap world.

When I play hockey, I have the same championship or bust mentality. When it comes to the Wings though, I don't have a stake in them winning the cup. They will or won't rise to the occasion. Nothing I do or say is going to impact them. That being said, should the Stanley Cup be the only end result goal for the Wings in the post cap era? I don't agree. I don't think anyone expected this team to roll to a cup. That being said, there is always the chance this team catches fire and makes a statement. I guess we will see how it goes. I just don't think we should be holding the Wings to the "cup or bust" standard anymore. Its not like we bought the best team in hockey like we did for about 10 years.

Fair enough..... Just keep in mind when people bitched about Franzen when he made his famous comment. People are willing to give Dats a pass for not being enthusiastic because of the record, but thats a bullcrap excuse.

The manlove he used to have here is mostly gone though. The manlove for Dekeysser is fresh and new. Trust me, it will disappear. 19-14 is barely a .500 team? I could see if they were 19-18.....

No one, just saying that things change when ownership sells. Look at the Wings before Illitch and then after. Who knows what is coming with the next change.

For those bitching about Howie getting hit in the crease, both incidents were caused by our own players. Can't push a player into our goalie and then want an interference call.

He has also iced the puck 2 times today so far. He has a lot to improve on, but I like what I see.

The game is really boring.....passing is off for both teams. I bet there are about 12 shots in the game so far.

He is making some mistakes, but thats natural. Surprised that LGW hasn't killed him yet, but that is coming when he turns the puck over and it results in a goal.

Huh huh huh huh, he said ass.

I couldn't tell either. I will rewind the DVR and have a look at the next break. I was hopeful that they would show a replay.

I think our defenseman pushed him into Howard. Should be a non-call if that happened. Replay coming hopefully.