haroldsnepsts

I was just thinking of how I watch the Olympics. And honestly I watch sports there that I wouldn't normally, and over the course of the games do learn some of the bigger names in the sport. If the U.S team made a good run at the gold, a lot of people will watch and it'll get coverage simply because of the chance at winning Gold. And over the course of a couple games, I think you can get to recognize the star players. If you watch Sweden play and you hear them talking about Zetterberg, Lidstrom, Holmstrom, and how they all play for the Wings and how talented they are, you don't think that could translate into someone checking out a Wings game? I'm not saying it's the greatest promotion for the sport, but when comparing having NHL players or non-pros, the NHL players are going to be the better promotion.

No, actually it isn't. How would non-pros be better advertisement for the NHL? I don't follow your reasoning. The game of hockey gets exposure, but without the pros you don't get the name recognition. People may have heard about Sidney Crosby, but never saw him play. Now they can. Even if they've never heard the names before, they will during the Olympics with all the cheesy personal profiles they do. So they can find out about AO, Crosby, Zetterberg and watch all those guys compete for the gold. Then when the Olympics are over, they can actually see those same guys play in the NHL. With the non-pros, you get to enjoy the game of hockey but when the Olympics are over, it's a lot less likely to translate to following the NHL. Because after hearing about these players for a few weeks, there's really no way to watch them play again unless they crack an NHL team's lineup. Typical Bettman: No one forces the players to go. And as someone else mentioned, how the f*ck is it a strain on the fans? "Ohh no! I get to watch my favorite players compete for their country! What a burden!" It's a strain on the NHL, yes. But the other two are bullsh*t. This is what drives me nuts about Bettman. He just makes stuff up and speaks for the fans, yet has no idea what they really think. (as demonstrated by the poll).

I don't think it makes zero sense for the NHL. I can understand why they wouldn't want to stop the season and risk having their players get injured in a non-NHL game. But the Olympics are a massive stage to watch the sport. A lot of people watch sports in the Olympics that they don't watch normally, and it's an opportunity for non-fans to be exposed to the stars of the game. I understanding not wanting professionals to play, but that's not the nature of the Olympics anymore. And it is kind of cool to see players playing for their country. It becomes almost like an all-star game, with line combinations you don't get to see in the NHL, but the games actually mean something. And as for those who think the players are playing not to get hurt, do they not remember Yzerman playing? More than anything, I just hope Bettman is not the commissioner of the NHL in 2014 (or 2008 for that matter, but that's highly unlikely).

No kidding. To me it sounded like Babcock and the couple players with him just stopped by the line, not that it was some organized event.

Hudler got caught admiring his pass a little bit. I'm not one of those guys who justifies every hard hit by saying "he should've kept his head up," but he does need to have his head on a swivel when he's making a play through the neutral zone like that. If Scott Stevens were making that hit, he likely would've killed him.

I guess if you define the last ten years as old school. I'm into old school hockey too, fighting, getting knocked on your ass, sticking up for your teammates. But the clutching and grabbing isn't what I consider old school.

link?

I'll agree that officiating has been poor, this season especially it seems. Though I haven't seen it clearly favor one team. Usually it's pretty crappy both ways.

Fine fine. It's all because of Downey. Datysuk's goal? Downey. Franzen's hit on Phaneuf? Downey. Anytime anyone does anything remotely physical on the Wings? Downey.

Don't get me wrong, I love that Downey (and Drake before the shield) are stepping up for teammates. It's been sorely needed on this team, especially after the beating they took during many regular season games last year. It's just funny to me now that Downey is even getting credit when Lillypads fights. The guy walks on water.

that's what I was thinking! hopefully he drives an automatic, so he didn't have to step on the clutch with a sprained knee...

are you really expecting sympathy here with a (crude) post like that? I think the problem isn't the officiating, it's your homer glasses. And I say that knowing you're not some Calgary troll. I remember seeing you around here.

I think most of his fights (and that's not many) have been in defense of a teammate.

Downey's been great for the team, but come one. you can't attribute everything to the guy. Lilja got in a couple fights last season, before Downey was on the team.

It is, because in his prime, he's exactly the kind of player Detroit needs. He's like Downey, but a better fighter and more offensive upside. If we had a guy like DMac in his prime, this board would be going nuts for him.

you didn't miss much. It was more the message than the actual fight. Some grappling, then Phaneuf fell with Lilja on top of him. It might be posted on hockeyfights.com tomorrow. I'm just happy to see someone sticking up for his teammates on the Wings, even if it's Lillypads.

He made some saves later on that were big too. What's up with all the odd man rushes and shorthanded chances the Wings keep giving up??

I hate Phaneuf, but the size difference is Hudler's problem, not his. Not sure if he left his feet though. I didn't notice it, but after the game Jones was making it sound like he did. I have lost so much respect for him over the years. Seriously. I can't think of a player that I liked as much that I now think so little of. He's a great player, but his gooning it up is so sad.

I give Lilja much respect for dropping the gloves with anybody. Clearly he didn't come up in this league as a fighter, so he's basically learning the ropes at the top level of the game, instead of in the minors like most guys do.

ah. caught Hudler admiring his pass.

did he even have the f-ing puck? c'mon lillypads!

What's the story with Mac? Is he basically done? hurt? not offered a contract anywhere?

Igoonla with the high stick. Nice.

yeah. The second guy he should've mentioned though is Zetterberg. He's easily one of the best bargains in the NHL right now.

It looked like some Red Wing took a stick to the face on that breakout too, right around the blueline. Not sure who it was but they put their head down and kept skating.