scotzman

A lot of great posts on this one... You know, after listening to Burke make excuses and explain away this hit, it's no wonder people think the NHL is a joke... I am by no means an NBA fan, but I believe their commissioner at least has the balls to suspend players for breaking the rules. There was no room for grey areas in his decisions today, he stuck with the letter of the law. Burke trying to say, "If you look at the different views, you can see... blah blah blah." This s*** is ridiculous and shouldn't be a part of the game. Mickey Redmond has been talking about this for quite some time now, but these players have little to no respect for one another. Until that happens or the league grows a pair and starts handing out fines and suspensions, this will continue to be a problem.

Talk about sour grapes... Scott sounds like a whiny little girl on that thing. It's actually funny how he tries to sound irritated. He is trying to sound like a "Billy Bad Ass," but it ain't workin'. This reaction is quite humorous... get a life Anaheim. Donger hit him in the head with an elbow - - from behind no less... take your medicine and shut up.

If you watch Sportscenter at all, you may have noticed how ESPN is now pushing SOCCER!! Thery are showing MLS in Prime Time on ESPN2... This makes me realize even more what a complete moron Bettman and his staff really are. Could MLS ever pass the NHL? I never thought NASCAR could...

I really hope to see this guy back in the Winged Wheel...

Here's the thing I don't get... if indeed Calder's hand is broken, why not put someone healthy into the lineup? Nothing against Calder from me, I love the guy, but anyone can see he is not playing the same as when we picked him up. I don't care who we dress or even if they sit on the bench, I would just rather have the option of a healthy body out there. Hell, call up someone from GR for all I care. No matter what, I think the Wings will be fine. No need to PANIC!

Don't believe the hype.

I think all this nay saying is a little premature. I don't believe in jinx's, so I'll just say this... I mentioned to my brother last night that I think the Wings have that "swagger" or "it" that I have seen them have in previous Cup winning years. It's not the same domination we possessed in previous years, but there is something about this team that makes me feel they have what it takes. I won't count them out or start worrying until they have been eliminated. Basically, I don't think it's gonna' happen. They are being underestimated by everyone out there and I think they have a resolve... Just my 2 cents.

I actually really like the Rangers - not so much the horn but the singing thing they do after... reminds me of soccer matches. Not a huge soccer fan either... just like the idea of having kind of a song that everyone in the crowd sings when the Wings score.

Great stuff! I love being the underdog...

The possible potential of Bert, coupled with the fact that we could give him an incentive based contract and a chance to compete in for a championship, seems like Bert is a better choice. Smyth is going to want $5.5 Million or more a season... not sure we can commit that to him. We'll need to fill some holes next year... Lang and others will be bye-bye.

Dude, I think you are on to something, but if you are living in MI (and a Wings Fan), you don't want to hear it. We moved to Ohio (not much better economy, but more stable) last Summer. We are still sitting on a house in the Metro Detroit area that has lost ten of thousands in value and is now in foreclosure. Things are really bad there and the ticket prices really do keep the everyday man (or woman) away from the games. Someone mentioned some of this earlier, the NHL has done nothing to solidify it's base even in cities where hockey is popular. The lockout, especially in Detroit (combined with playoff flops), left people jumping into new sports and entertainment. The Pistons won a championship just as the Wings were headed into a lockout. In 2005 - 2006 the Wings crapped out in the 1st round... that same year the Tigers go to the World Series. Add to that the new stadium for the Lions Downtown and you have several factors that make the Wings the pro team on the outside looking in. Detroit is really a football town (if the Lions won, Detroit would go crazy!), not too far behind a baseball town (look at what happened last year in Detroit). Hockey will always be big, but people have better options... Illitch continues to raise Wings ticket prices and until he sees the err in his ways, attendance will go down. All that being said, 17 - 18,000 fans at the games is nothing to scoff at!

I'm not going to sit here and rip him apart, but he has not been a difference maker. He just doesn't seem to be the guy I was hoping for in the playoffs. Is he still in a daze from the concussion or still hurt/recovering from the back. I don't get it. Maybe I am expecting too much.

I don't think I am saying that he hasn't shown up, he just has never looked completely comfortable. He is not the player that I remember. That is all I am saying. I am waiting for that break out game. Thornton showed up, now it's Big Berts turn.

True... SJ just had the hunger in the 3rd.

He has to play with an edge, which he has not thus far in the playoffs... he tried to stick that Shark after the penalty was called late in the 3rd too. I thought he was going to draw another penalty. Somehow this guy needs to wake up. Glad someone else saw that movie!

I just had pop shoot out of my nose on that one...

Does DraperFan hate him or something?

This is what I am talking about... the guy has a brain cloud or something. I keep waiting for that guy I saw in the Vancouver series back in 2002... apparently a lot has changed (breaking someone's neck/back surgery). Is he just a head case?

He just looks lost out there... the Sharks dominated in the latter part of the 2nd and all of the 3rd. Bert was non-existent except for the penalties.

Exactly... When are we gonna' see this guy kick ass?

First two games he was not dominant... tonight, he was a monster. He kicked our ass in the 2nd and especially the 3rd.

Was just cleared to play in game 4... he flew in tonight.

Some guy just came to my door here in Ohio (Columbus area) trying to sell me on TruGreen for my lawn... I opened the door and he said, "You buy today and I'll throw in a free squid," it took me a second, but then I started laughing as he pointed to my Wings Flag flying out front. Amazing how many people know about the tradition of the Red Wings! GO WINGS

Damn Conroy!

This is what I'm sayin'... cable bites.