Heroes of Hockeytown

Oooooh, scary! Game tonight was pretty lame. Waaay too many penalties, including one of the most blatant too many men calls I've ever seen. It wasn't like someone got caught at the bench, there were six men RIGHT IN THE PLAY. There were chances to pop pucks into empty nets and it just wouldn't go. Bad omen. Moooving right along to da Flames...

I was meaning to post this at 9PM sharp, but since I'll be busy at that hour (may or may not see the game) it's going up now: It's nine o'clock on a Saturday The regular crowd shuffles in And there's old Mick sitting next to me Making love to his tonic and gin He says, "Son can you play for these Red Wings? I think you've got enough game You're slow and you're big, but hey that's your gig Maybe someone will remember you name." La la la, la la lang La la, la la la laaa la lang Net us a goal, you're Robert Lang Net us one tonight Because we're all in the mood for a score or two And you're the guy on the ice Its a pretty good crowd for a Saturday And Mr. I gives me a smile Cause he knows that it's me they've been coming to see To forget about life for a while And the arena, it sounds like a carnival And Mickey Redmond smells like a beer And Sandy from online, he brought 'im a sign It says, "Man, get the f*** outta here!" Billy Joel, everyone!

Neckar played two playoff games... One of those must have been a Finals game, which means he fits the bill for immortalizing.

To be the best you have to beat the best... we play who we play. No fear, no regrets, no mercy!

Beats me. It's not Detroit's style, is what I'm saying. Anyways, I think Pavel will be trying to get all he can (as well he should); that seems to be standard fare, setting yourself up in case you get hurt doesn't look like the norm to me around the league, but it's case by case. If we could sign him and then deal him for anything--could be a 7th rounder, doesn't matter--that would be great, but I don't see it materializing.

The point is that it is an ultimatum; either they would plan on dealing him if he turned in a potentially bad playoff performance or they wouldn't. What precedent is there for management doing that? They would never sign and deal a guy like that right away. Way to cherry pick. You're essentially talking about the years Steve was an old man, injured, or both. It's awfully easy to gloss over his Conn Smythe worthy 2002 run, as well. And he was regularly lambasted for it. There was a reason people wanted him gone after last season's playoff no-show, and that's because it was becoming a habit for him.

I'd like to see the source for his supposed "fact."

Then you are misinterpreting. It was more of a synonym for "spending" than anything else.

It's an expression.

So what you're reasoning is that Pavel would give up 5-7% of his perceived worth in case he gets hurt this spring. I suppose it's few who actually know Pavel's thought process on the issue, but let it be on the record that I doubt that this is it. You've twice failed to respond to my points on management's offering this ultimatum. Do you disagree?

If injury risk factored in, every player everywhere would be sure to re-sign with their team before the playoffs. And since when has poor playoff performances stopped GMs from blowing huge wads of dough on UFAs? You think Washington gives a crap about his playoff numbers? Pavel will get paid this summer, on this much we can be certain. And to reiterate, management would never dole out a "perform or we'll trade you" ultimatum. Not to mention it's pretty counter to any "I want to stay in Detroit" arguments that have been raised (not necessarily by you).

If your reasoning holds true, what incentive is there for Pavel sign off to that? Besides, management would never lay out a "perform or we'll trade you" ultimatum. That's not their style.

I don't think it's a question of his heart, never has been. Pavel gives it his all, and that's great. But teams have rubbed him out come playoff time; that's a matter of ability, not heart. Guy's got tremendous talent, all he has to do is find a way. Here's to that.

Not to pile on the Schneider hate, but we acquire Matt at the deadline in '03, so that makes it three early exits. Who's not doing their research now, Lou?

While I really do look forward to The Forty Foot Wrist Shot (What Strikes Fear Into The Hearts Of All Goalies) any particular time one Mikael Samuelsson has the duty of carrying the puck into the zone, The Lightning Quick Dart Into The Roof/Blistering One-Timer From The Slot seem to, for whatever reason, have a better chance at beating the opposition's goaltender. It's loopy and backwards, I know, but there it is.

Pavel wasn't a factor until he won a faceoff as clean as anyone ever has to this year's Norris winner for a huuuuge goal... Well then, I guess he was a factor after all.

Probably didn't want to take rotting catfish home with them... If one flies, they all fly.

The refereeing was downright brutal in the first game... but tonight it didn't seem so bad. Detroit caught a HUGE break with Kariya not getting a penalty shot. He's an absolute killer all alone. EDIT: Granted, of course, it's absolutely absurd that Nashville got nailed with a big three penalties (that resulted in power plays) in both games.

"N/A" Sorry to be a party-pooper.

Both Franzen and Rex have performed admirably on this line. This tells me that Lang and Calder should no be split; they do well together. Bert ought to get a shot at the second line. If it doesn't work out (won't have a lot of time to waste) him playing with Flip and Franzen doesn't sound terrible either.

Exxxcellent. [/Mr. Burns]

Is that their ridiculous playoff slogan for this year?

As he regularly does after a tough outing. Hasek's game was never in doubt from puck drop to the final horn. Some subtle compliments for our dearest pal Bob, perhaps? Awesome win. Rex is a Pred killer, for sure. Keep this guy up. It's almost like you can just plug any guy in with Lang and Calder--Franzen, Sammy, Rex. We've got good chemistry on this squad, that's for sure. Seriously. Red Wings rule the world. Behold as they descend from high Olympus, on chariots of gold, striding alongside the very gods themselves!

I think it's a rather poor point, actually. Let's define "struggled" for Steve, here. What do we mean by that? That he played well on good teams that didn't win? Then I guess Hank "struggled" last year, too. It's not a good comparison.

Greatness has a new name: Kyle Calder.