haroldsnepsts

Hudler is definitely the anti-Cleary, but probably not in the way you intended. Even if everything you were saying was true, which it's not (Hudler is as much net presence as Cleary??) Babcock had Cleary out there with Z and Datsyuk for the final minutes of a tie game. Wonder why Hudler wasn't out there?

As much as I've been unimpressed with Modano, I'd bench Hudler (who's also been unimpressive). With Abby and Cleary on a line busting their ass every shift, maybe Mike would get embarrassed into fighting for the puck.

It does meet either of the criteria of the rule. The head was not targeted and the head was not the principle point of contact. That's different than there being contact to the head. At least the league got it right even if the ref didn't. Wrong call ref!

The douchecanoe in question probably started it, and those are matching penalties. Hits like the ones I posted are now apparently worthy of 5 minute majors and ejection from the game. that would be a huge loss.

My point wasn't that these were head contact or weren't clean hits. They absolutely are, especially under the rules at the time, but they're similar enough and at such speed that the refs could make the same mistake they did with Brown. Or even worse, players like Datsyuk will pass up hits like this for fear of being given a 5 minute major.

Agreed. Pronger Lidstrom as a top pairing would be unreal. They'd be an awesome combo to watch come playoffs.

the video is annoyingly low res, but Brown's hit is ejection worthy, say goodbye to moments like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bm2x13R4_Cw and possibly this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ka7jZ68ovM&feature=related

you're right. With the irrefutable evidence of that blurry screencap shot from the other side of the rink, how could anyone possibly disagree? EDITED to remove annoyingly oversized image.

There's confusion with that last one, because it's very questionable that there was contact directly with the head. I know they're going through an adjustment period, but it will really be too bad if good hits like that are taken out of the game. You can't hit a guy who's shooting the puck? Doan's hit was late and clearly targeting the head. He didn't hit much else. Brown hit a guy who was shooting the puck, bent low and turning, and still looks like he got mostly shoulder. I love the announcers. Exactly how do you target the head unintentionally. doesn't targeting imply intent?

I'm not so sure. you'd think he would've done that this year. I mean, it was pretty clear the Ducks were not going to be a frontrunner for the Cup this season, but I remember hearing Teemu saying he would either play for the Ducks or retire. Who knows though...

I hear ya, but honestly I think it's a lot for a known quantity like Lebda. There is not really a lot of untapped potential or upside. Lilja and Salei are two guys I'd put in the lineup over Lebda, and they're both making less than a million. I just really dont' understand this signing for that much money. If they hoped he would fulfill a larger role and then realized how limited he was, or what.

I strongly disagree. Other than the bad turnover that led to the Selanne goal, Cleary has been the best thing about that line. Which is why he was out on the ice with Datsyuk and Zetterberg in the game's final minutes. They could put together a highlight reel of Modano's half-assed puck pursuit. He takes a couple whacks at it, then sort of stands there as he watched the guy skate away from him. And Hudler's just so damn small and not strong on his skates he's not going to be that great battling defensively.

legal, but on the edge because of the elbow. Not suspension-worthy though.

Actually, this. I think Selanne would know if Kronwall got him in the chin. You can see it in that great photo. The question is if it just grazed it, or if he clipped him pretty good in the jaw. Otherwise, he's a frustrated player. But step outside a Wings forum and you'll see Kronwall has a reputation for borderline hits and headhunting. I don't think the headhunting one is justified, but borderline hits, definitely. He jumps into them and tends to throw his elbow out. Though it's kind of fun to hear players and coaches whine about reffing and how much they hate playing at the Joe. Good. It means the Wings are in their head. Like I said earlier, I think the coach sets the tone. The Wings had a couple weak calls go in their favor, but part of that is because of how many legit penalties the Ducks take every game. Carlyle should be focusing his energy on keeping the Ducks from taking so many stupid penalties, not whining to the press about officiating. Frustrated teams with poor leadership are the ones who lash out at external things like refs.

eh, I still think Selanne is awesome. He's just getting cranky in his old age. The Perry call was pretty weak. And like I said in the thread, the Kronwall hit looked borderline to me because of the follow through with the elbow. Mostly the coach tends to set the tone. When they whine, the players follow.

If the hit on Doughty didn't get a suspension, I can't see how this won would, even in Campbell's f-ed up suspension world.

Interesting comments by Selanne. I'm a little surprised he was so outspoken about the officiating. http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=301023005

Kings take the lead over the Avs in the 3rd on a shorty when Anderson made a bad decision to race out and try to play the puck. HAhahahahaha

Z with the 4 point night, but I just realized Lidstrom had 3 assists tonight. Not bad for an old goat. ok. I mean, I was about to talk about other stuff but we could get back to the goal if you like.

ok, then i'll chalk it up to lack of sleep because you're hallucinating on Selanne having ample time or room. It was a goal scorers goal in that Selanne caught Jimmy off guard and not positioned correctly.

You really need to watch the replay on NHL.com because the only one of your responses that's true is #1. Selanne surprised Jimmy for sure by getting off the quick shot from a bad angle.

So you're reinventing what constitutes a breakaway? Kronwall was right there keeping Selanne to the outside. When there's a defenseman right there in the area forcing the player to stay wide, that's not a breakaway. jeez, is it really necessary to explain away every goal Howard lets in? I thought overall he played well tonight, but he wasn't butterfly on that goal, he was somewhere in between and got caught.

Cleary, Lazy, and Sucks? At this rate, they're going to be -82 at the end of the season. At least.

Kronwall was racing back keeping Selanne to the outside. It wasn't a breakaway. And he didn't have a lot of time to pick his shot. He got off a quick one. Weak goal, but not the end of the world.

Was Datsyuk's goal shot through Cleary's legs?