gcom007

I'll agree, I thought he played a sloppy game tonight, as did the rest of the team though for the most part. I thought the goal in the 3rd period was inexcusable on so many levels. I freak out whenever he leaves the net and wish he never tried to stickhandle the puck...I hated the flop more than ever tonight...and frankly, I don't like Hasek much at all as a person. I think he's a ****** bag. But I'll be damned if he wasn't absolutely pivotal to our success this year and in these playoffs...overall, he played outstanding against all odds...you can be immature and pissy and point fingers all you want, but he saved our asses time and time again down the stretch. He picked a horrible game to play a bit sloppy, but the rest of the team didn't help much before the 3rd either...

Yeah, you should always shake hands...OR you should stand up for the fact that the Ducks are a bunch of goons not worthy of respect...he'll take heat, but I cheer him on if that's his deal. Sure, typically you shake hands, but sometimes, and I think this is a fair case, the other side just ain't worthy. I don't blame him and as said, I applaud him. More people ought to stand up against the whiny, dirty Ducks bulls*** as well as other teams/players in the league who pollute the game. My thoughts have nothing to do with losing to them...sure, I hate it, but the bottom line is they're a classless hockey team. The fact that just about everyone in the media feels the same way I think says something...as a fan of hockey, it bothers me that that team even gets to compete for the Cup. It's a disgrace to the tradition and it's sad that the game has gotten this ugly and in many ways, just stupid.

Oh yeah, I'm with those calling out the fans and their desire for young guys to step in...these unsung heroes...maybe one day...but I called Legace all along...I was one of the only guys saying that he doesn't have what it takes to make it happen when it counts all the way through and the fans wore their rosy glasses and got it wrong. I don't fault Babcock with much, but I do fault him with that...I understand it to a certain extent, but Legace is a joke of a starter...plain and simple. Rinse and repeat with a rookie first few go arounds...that's just life though I guess...

I'm not a big fan of Hasek the off-ice personality, but he's a team first guy in many ways if only for his own ultimate benefit...I can't see him signing a deal that'd hurt the team b/c he's only playing to win at this point...if he's proven one thing, he's proven that he's not doing this for the money. That said, why would he force the Wings to pony up with a big deal that would limit their ability to bring in other guys to help the team? Furthermore, if he's back, he's going to do it with the Wings...I just can't see him joining some new team at this point...it just doesn't make sense...he'll decide to come back or he won't. If he does, he'll probably get a raise, but it won't be market price. If he doesn't come back, well, who knows...I've never been opposed to Osgood starting...

Right now, I'm composed...it's been one hell of a year. Even as optimistic fans, I don't think any of us truly expected us to get as far as we did, but alas, we did it...we didn't win it all, but we gave it a great run...one for the books...one that will be part of a still unfolding story that is this new Detroit Red Wings team. New leaders...new stars...a new mission...yes, old faces remain as a reminder of the days gone by, but this is a new team. Just as the teams in the mid-90's had to watch other teams go on and hoist the Cup that for a moment appeared so close, so this team will watch from home as another team realizes the dream they so desperately long for. We will be stronger for it. We are stronger for it. We are still the Detroit Red Wings and our core is still strong. We will be back. If we can say anything, we can say that this Detroit Red Wings team refused to be categorized as playoff-maybe's, let alone playoff no-shows. Seemingly against all odds if you agree with the majority of hockey commentators prior to the 2006/07 season, the Detroit Red Wings proved they are a team that has what it takes to go the distance. We know that now is not the time for this team, but I do believe that no one doubts any longer that at some point in the near future, the time for this Detroit Red Wings team to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup will come about. How much did we accomplish? Let's just look at a few names... Pavel Datsyuk...the seven million dollar man known more for the fact that he hadn't scored a playoff goal in years can now be considered nothing less than a potent playoff force...no longer will a cloud of doubt surround Datsyuk prior to playoffs...he proved that he is the real thing and that he is ready to lead this team to the top. Andreas Lilja...arguably one of the most disliked players by the fans leads the team in hits and becomes an unsung hero for the Red Wings throughout these playoffs. No one may've surpassed expectations like Lilja...people will always remember "Game 5" but anything that happened in that game ultimately is negated by the fact that Lilja was absolutely key to all of our success in these playoffs and he proved emphatically that he can be a potent defensive force. Nicklas Lidstrom...that 'C' on his jersey is heavier than any of us could imagine...everyone who recognizes that 'C' instantly thinks of Steve Yzerman, the legendary Captain of the Detroit Red Wings...THE Captain...to be the next guy to wear it...well, quite frankly, that would intimidate anyone. Nicklas Lidstrom wore it with pride and continued to play his game and lead this team to success...it'll only be easier next year... Chris Chelios...45 years old...arguably one of the best performers and steadiest defensemen in these playoffs from any team...need we say anymore? and how can we forget Dominik Hasek...love him or hate him, the guy proved that he's still got it...at the age of 42 no less...everyone thought the Wings were nuts to take a chance on the oft-injured Hasek, but they did, and it paid off. I don't doubt that he will be back for one more go of it next year... All in all, you could say something about just about everyone on this team...they came together and played hard and gave themselves more than just a fighting chance in these playoffs...it's not remotely unrealistic to suggest even that they should've won this series...a few questionable calls at the end of Game 5 that actually went the right way, and we may've been the one's on the way to the finals, but what can you do? You win some, you lose some. This team is strong and the core of this team will be back. It's been a great year...one for the books...a story still unfolding...can't say it enough...nor can I wait for October to start this whole ship up again... Thank you 2006/07 Detroit Red Wings for a lot of joy and a lot of fun. Hats off to you. We'll see you next year. ...and with that, I've been composed long enough...time to just let the emotion of it all in...I love this team with all my heart...tears will come...I'm not sure when, but they will come at some point soon. Then we'll move on...what else can you do? I'll tell you, for the first time in years, I couldn't be more excited for next season...that's refreshing...

Screw 20 words...I've never had a concise bone in my body... Gentlemen, tonight, we will be defined as a team that has what it takes or a team that couldn't quite make it happen. Everyone is watching...everyone is waiting...the bottom line though is that I firmly believe that we do indeed have what it takes. I believe we have proved that throughout the course of this season and these playoffs. No one expected us to be here. All we had to go on was our work ethic and our belief in ourselves. Gentlemen, tonight is the night that we must stand up once and for all and boldly declare that we, the 2007 Detroit Red Wings absolutely have what it takes. Through injury, pain, joy and adversity, we have a team worthy to compete for the Stanley Cup. Tonight, as any warrior against the wall will tell you, we have no other choice but to go out there and prove that we will not be defeated. We will not settle. We...will...win...there is no other choice. If we lose, we go home. We must not lose. I believe in each and every one of you and I believe in this team. I believe we still have a lot to say. Gentlemen, tonight, we will be defined. Let's go...

Let's face it, we've still played one hell of a series and we could've easily have been winning it today. We may be down, but we're not out. This next game will be the ultimate test of our character as we face elimination for the first time in the playoffs. We've been there before and we've come through. Now is the time to show up. Keep your spirits high people.

Everyone on the Wings has made mistakes in the offseason...this one is just much more glaring due to the nature of it...can't knock him too bad for it...he's played great the rest of the time...totally solid for us...I predict that he'll come back with a real solid effort tomorrow, win or lose. It'll be a shame if this taints an otherwise fantastic playoff performance from Lilja...

I love it. Fantastic post.

Honestly, I think it's somewhat good that we're in this position. We haven't faced elimination yet and this will be a great challenge. I think that if we can pull through, it'll be huge for us in the Finals.

I don't think anyone can logically suggest that it's over given how close this series has been...I said when we were up 1-0 with a few minutes left in the 3rd that even if we win, it's still anyone's series...it's been so close...

I think you can expect a few things...you can expect Dom to play possibly his best game of the playoffs...you can expect that while we may not come out like a bunch of gunslingers and pull a game 3, we probably won't come out any worse than we've been playing, which has still been pretty good. Add it all up, and I'd say it's still anyone's series. These games sans game 3 have been close calls. Yeah, 2 and a row sucks, but the Hasek effect may pay off bigtime in Game 6. Call me optimistic, but I think we've got a great shot at bringing this thing back home for one more. At that point, rinse and repeat because again, heaven knows...a lot of guys on this team have been there before...I'm expecting a huge game out of Hasek and Zetterberg and I'm thinking Lilja will bounce back with a vengence...he's had too strong of a playoffs to get defeated by a play like that...like I said, I'm keeping my head up about this...

I want this thing settled right off the bat...I want to take their hope and crush it like a tiny walnut...yes.

Yes, Prongers one of their best players and a great defenseman and it'll be a huge blow to the Ducks in Game 4, but the overriding focus of his suspension shouldn't be about us being able to take Game 4 now. It's not about catching a break to make it easier to win. The bottom line is that this kind of BS needs to stop nomatter what players are involved in any given point of the season. So in the flurry of joy over no Pronger in game 4, don't forget that this isn't about 1 game or 1 player, this is about a much bigger problem that is plaguing the league that needs to stop.

I was thinking the same thing...have seen it in other threads and called it out and made a thread yesterday about keeping sight on the root issue in this Pronger deal...too bad they closed that one as I thought it was rather different than all the other Pronger threads...

I'm with ya...you'd be hearing the same audio from our guys if the roles were reversed...everyone's biased...it's sports...it's emtional...gotta be objective about it... The only people I hear whining are all of our fans about the Ducks reaction as if our team wouldn't be doing the same thing. Man up people...the right thing was done by Pronger getting suspended and though I hate for this to be the focus, it definitely is a good thing for us heading into game 4. But the bottom line is that a dirty play was dealt with appropriately and hopefully in the future we can be just a little less worried about players getting seriously hurt when guys get pissed out there. We got everything we could ask for. Just relax. We got our justice. Time to move on.

I definitely feel a sense of relief about the issue...I could care less who it is that's getting the suspension as I'm not convinced it'll help or hurt our chances to win that they're losing him...I'm just sick of crap like that happening in the NHL...it makes it really hard to watch.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=207911&hubname=nhl

ccampbell@nhl.com gbettman@nhl.com

gbettman@nhl.com ccampbell@nhl.com Nothing's bounced back to me yet which means they are legit in some way, shape or form...hey, it's worth a shot...keep it classy if you do though...

I could care less about him sitting in the playoffs. If they don't have the balls to do it now, give him 10 games next year. Call it an even trade as playoffs are infinitely more important. Bottom line is this lunacy has to stop.

So, umm, how do we write e-mails to the NHL encouraging them to take action on stunts like the Holmstrom incident tonight? Best I've got is gbettman@nhl.com . Also, I said the score would be 4-0 or 5-1 Wings this morning. I woke up, read some interviews and thought, yep, tonight's going to be a blowout. It's nice to be right about it!

Thank God he's alright...I could care less though when it comes down to it though. I'm still sickened by what happened.

some firebettman.com site I think...it's probably fake...I'm trying to find a way to submit comments on hte NHL site. I'm also going to call the Wings tomorrow and get ahold of Ken Hollands secretary and e-mail it to her and see if she'll forward it to Holland to forward to Bettman. I'm out for blood. I'm so incredibly sick of this s***. Intent to injure bulls*** on a huge difference maker. It doesn't get more obvious. Bullf***ings***.

gbettman@nhl.com I did a little searching for Bettman's e-mail addy and found that...heaven knows if it's real or whatnot, but I'm so pissed, I need to write something to anyone to get this out of my system. I would advise you all to do the same or suggest a better method. I'm so sick of this cheapshot bulls***. It's just ridiculous. I honestly haven't been this disgusted in a long time. s*** happens. Hits happen. It's hockey. What just happened to Holmstrom is absolute senseless bulls*** that has no place in the game. I'm beyond pissed.