haroldsnepsts

is there a source on that? The thing is, the refs already have discretion when it comes to icing when they decide whether or not to wave it off. I don't see how this is much different. There's situations where the ref's discretion is better than an all encompassing rule, like shooting the puck over the glass.

of course I'm serious! Actually, I thought I'd fight fire with fire. If a ridiculous slippery slope argument can somehow show why there shouldn't be no touch icing, I figured maybe it could work to show why there should be.

It's soooooo exciting to watch players race for the puck in those few instances icing actually gets negated. So on faceoffs, instead of dropping the puck, lets have the ref throw it as hard as he can in one direction, and everyone skates like hell after it. It could be in the corner, at the goalie, in the players bench. That would add even more excitement to the game as players chase the puck! No! Better still! Start with the puck in the corner and the players will have to race around an obstacle course to get to it. Jumping through rings of fire, over barrels, through smoke, around gladiators firing tennis balls at them. That would really make chasing the puck exciting! and everything should be able to be negated if you get to the puck first! If someone scores a goal, all the players dive headfirst into the net, if a player from the defending team gets it first, no goal! Penalty call? Not if I get to that puck first it's not!

yeah. And I think a lot of people who are Wings fans today never really got to see him play way back when he still had two good knees.

I hadn't even considered that. Go Edmonton!

I didn't know if it was worth it's own thread, but when the dust settles and the playoff matchups are set, I'll be really curious to see how big of a factor shootout points were. With the races as close as they are, it seems like a few shootout wins or losses could make the difference.

I think in an interview a couple weeks back he mentioned he had lost 15 pounds or so.

Thanks for raising the bar.

*fingers crossed* I know I can win this one...

That is perfect. Seriously, the whole team needs to grow hulk hogans.

This playoffs I think all the Wings players should grow Hulk Hogan moustaches.

It always worries me when you and I agree Gordie. Yeah, it's definitely an accepted part of the game when it does happen. I don't think refs really condone it, but I rarely see a penalty called because of it. I think it's viewed a lot like taking an extra whack at the goalie when he's covered the puck. The players usually police it, and the refs rarely do anything about it even though it's after the whistle.

Definitely. The Wings don't have a ton of incentive to give it their all and are still fighting the injury bug. Yet they've found ways to keep winning these Groundhog Day games. Wake up. Play columbus. Wake up. Play columbus. Wake up...

I'll see you and raise you. I can grow a beard about as well as Chris Osgood. Mine's probably even worse, actually. And the other day I found a grey whisker. I'm getting grey hairs in my beard and I still can't even grow a decent one?!?!

Boy aren't you being a stickler this morning. My main stance on this issue is that it is a dangerous situation that could be easily remedied without having to resort to no-touch icing. Though it's currently allowed in the game by refs (though rarely goes unanswered by the players), they could make it clear that hitting someone while racing towards an icing call is a penalty. You can make a play on the puck, but can't just give up the icing to get a free shot on a defenseless player when you know the play is about to be called dead. Obviously there should be some refs discretion as to if the player was trying to hit the guy or not. As for argument about "hockey is a dangerous game" (not saying you made this one Mac, just addressing other issues brought up), why not flip the slippery slope reasoning the other way? Allow all high sticks on the puck to be a legal play. Make hitting from behind legal. After all, hockey is a rough sport and you shouldn't put yourself in a vulnerable position. Make it legal to leave your feet while hitting, so guys like Tootoo can make flying bodychecks at players. The obvious answer is that while hockey is a physical and sometimes dangerous sport, there are limits on the game to eliminate unnecessary risk of injury. High sticking, hits from behind, boarding, etc. Making it a penalty to hit a guy on an icing would be a good trade-off to eliminate risk to the players chasing the puck without sacrificing the flow of the game.

I'm with Eva on this one. A touch-up icing is a pretty specific set of circumstances. The play is going to end two ways, with the defenseman making the touch up which ends the play, or with the forward getting there first to negate the icing. The only situation where I can think throwing a check would be a legal play is if the forward is clearly going to get there first to negate it, the defenseman knows the play will continue and could then hit the guy when he touches up. It's still a very dangerous play though. if it's neck and neck racing towards the puck, it makes sense that the forward needs to be playing the puck not the body, otherwise it will be interference or a late hit as the play is blown dead.

Probert vs. McSorley. Classic fight.

I'd love for this rumor to be true. But as others have mentioned, there's some issues. Money, his willingness to be away from California being the big two. Hopefully playing for a winning franchise that takes care of its players will be enough to overcome those issues. The Wings could sure use him.

I reluctantly agree with you. The Wings have kind of a logjam on D. And honestly when you're talking about a 3rd pairing guy, Chelios may be solid, but a kid in that lineup spot has greater upside, even if he makes mistakes. Because the hope is whichever young guy that is in the third pairing, there's potential for him to become a better defenseman and move up in the lineup. With Cheli that ain't gonna happen. Also agree that mentoring isn't really a factor on the Wings, considering the top pairing has 5 stanley cups and about 25 years experience between them. Still, I hated Cheli for all the years he was with the Hawks, then learned to love him on the Wings. It's sad to think of him no longer on the ice pissing somebody off. I really hope Stuart comes back, but it seems unlikely due to contract size, and he seems to want to be in southern cal.

Finer Feelings - Spoon

That's a really good point. If the Wings won the Cup, I would really think Chelios would finally hang em up. I don't want to turn this into a Lebda thread, but it does seem that his development has really tapered off this season. Or maybe I just finally noticed. . And I really hope Ericsson turns out to be a solid Dman. They can sure use his size on the blueline.

Mistaken for Strangers by The National

I know it's been said, but holy crap the blue jackets again? I think before the game starts, all the players on both teams should line up on the blueline and then have the captains pick their players, like at recess. It would at least make playing Columbus again a bit more interesting.

He definitely should keep it. His moustache is the most valuable contribution he makes to the game.