scotzman

As I stated in another thread, if Hossa doesn't have two broken legs and fails to score a goal in the finals, he is a bum and I don't want him back. His stock is dropping quickly... Hossa in the Finals = Bum Hossa during the season = inconsistent, but great

Agreed. This is the time when Stevie would've said what needed to be said in that room. I believe Lids has the same sway and respect... something needs to be said after this game. They will probably come out like gang busters on Saturday. Wings will win this series. They have the talent and the drive, they just need to buckle down and play Red Wing hockey.

Hossa really needs to step up though... we brought him to the promise land and he is laying a big dumper out there. I really think that we saw the worst game of the playoffs for the Wings so far. Hopefully it's a serious wake up call. The Pens just out hit, out hustled and out played the Wings tonight. There are a few guys out there really working - even Hossa (maybe trying a little too hard) - but we need a full team effort for 60 minutes. Rafalski has sucked hard by the way... he is the giveaway king this series. Sorry had to say it.

No doubt... if they sign this guy after the way he has played in the Finals, I will not be happy. He better have two broken legs to explain his gutless performance thus far against the Pens.

I gotta' believe you're joking, but I am rethinking signing him long term. I appreciate all his defensive work and his hustle, but he has been a huge let down in these playoffs. If you are gonna' pay someone big money they better be big time D-Man, an outstanding 'tender or an elite forward. Right now, he's not worth the money of a long term deal. Especially when you see what we got Franzen locked up for... just sayin'.

I'm amazed by all the people thinking Leino over Abdelkader for this series... the dude abides! Have any of the people slagging him actually seen the kid play? He is one of the top two kids in GR this year and is big and hits... oh yeah, and he scores too. Sounds like a horrible idea to play him over Leino. Anyway, I was praying that Babs put him in... we have enough "finesse" players in the lineup. Time for a few guys like Helm to pound on a few of the Ducks. Go Wings!

The Sharks probably should keep most of the team together... find your Primeau & Coffee to trade away for the right guy. Bring in a veteran goalie who has been to the show (hopefully won) and you're there. The Sharks probably gave too much of themselves during the season, they never let off the gas. They also ran into a hot team that should never have been an 8th seed, but that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes. The CBJ really f*cked up the seeding this year by limping into the playoffs. Glad we were able to play them first.

Caps & Devils... I really want to see Boston kick the s*** out of Cindy and the Pens. If the Devils can beat the Caps in the 2nd round, that IMO is a much tougher opponent for Boston after they hammer the Pens. Washington still needs a few pieces.

F*ck! This is too long of a layoff... correct me if I'm wrong, but the year we lost to Anaheim in the Conference Finals didn't we have a long layoff then as well? I know last year we swept the Lanche, but I think the Stars dispensed with their opponent quickly as well... I think my main complaint is that the Ducks are rolling and have played a brutal series with the Sharks. I don't want them having 4 days rest before they face the Wings. Tell me how that helps us... can the Ducks get rusty in 4 days or will we be even more rusty by then? It seems like back in the day, when all the series' were over in the NHL you would have maybe a day or two and then the next round started. Now it's all about which network gets what game... Oh well, GO WINGS!!!

If this jagg-off commish doesn't start this series on Wednesday (Chicago & Vancouver as well) he is a total idiot. The Wings have been off for nearly a week and the Canucks have been off since April 21st! Anaheim and Chicago should not be given 4 days rest... they should have 2 days at the most. Stop bowing to the friggin' Networks and get these games going! I long for the days when the East played one night and the West the other. This next round is set up perfectly for that. Wings/Ducks Wed 7:00 p.m. (VS) Canucks/Hawks Wed 10:00 p.m. (VS) Bruins/Pens Thurs 7:00 p.m. (VS) Caps/Devils Thurs 7:00 p.m. Wings/Ducks Friday 7:00 p.m. (VS) Canucks/Hawks Friday 10:00 p.m. (VS) Bruins/Pens Saturday 2:00 p.m. (NBC) Caps/Devils Saturday 7:00 p.m. Ducks/Wings Sunday 3:00 p.m. (NBC) Hawks/Canucks Sunday 8:00 p.m. Pens/Bruins Monday 7:00 p.m. (VS) Devils/Caps Monday 7:00 p.m. Hawks/Canucks Tues 8:00 p.m. (VS) Ducks/Wings Tues 10:30 p.m. (VS) Pens/Bruins Wed 7:00 p.m. (VS) Devils/Caps Wed 7:00 p.m. The rest TBA... Why is this so hard? Stop f*cking with the playoffs!! Get them going already!

You are right... thanks for talking me off the ledge. I will say that if you really wanted to enforce the rule as written, Rivet could have been tossed or at least given a penalty to even things up... my anger was more about the overall officiating tonight. There were a lot of bad calls/non-calls. That is my interpretation and opinion though. 47.16 Third Man In - A game misconduct penalty, at the discretion of the Referee, shall be imposed on any player or goalkeeper who is the first to intervene (third man in) in an altercation already in progress except when a match penalty is being imposed in the original altercation. This penalty is in addition to any other penalties incurred in the same incident. This rule also applies to subsequent players or goalkeepers who elect to intervene in the same or other altercations during the same stoppage of play.

Exactly... hindsight is 20/20, but it sure would be nice to have Quincey back on the Wings. Who knows, if Meech ever gets real playing time he may great. Honestly, I don't even think Meech is in the conversation for the playoffs though. If I had to choose a third pairing right now, I would go with Cheli & Ericcson. I really think Cheli has something left and I like his play in the corners. He is so well conditioned and has so much experience, I think he fits perfectly, especially if we draw the Ducks in the 1st round. I don't think Lilja will be back until at least the 2nd round... maybe not the rest of the season. He has earned the right to be out there, but I just think he is really messed up. If Lilja is back, you probably have to go with Lebda for his speed (as mentioned above), though I would like to see Lilja/Ericcson if Lilja comes back. 1a. Cheli/Ericcson 1b. Lilja/Ericcson 2. Lilja/Lebda

Exactly my thought... total BS. I thought he held his own very well... the d-bag with the visor on should have received an instigator penalty too. The refs blew hard in this game. They must have been told by the Rat to give the small market team a chance to get into the playoffs. Either way, nice to see the "Euros" taking care of business.

The whole "clean hit" not allowed anymore statement isn't always true... I think the hit was clean, but Malkin is probably the best player on your team. If someone did that to Yzerman back in the Probert/Kocur days, there would be retribution. In fact, Gerry Galant would have beat the guys ass... You have to respect Crosby on one level for sticking up for Malkin, but at the same time, the little twerp has a damn shield on and probably thought the rest of his teamates would rush in too. The hit was "pretty" clean... borderline. If you have guys that are willing to protect your star players, I think the accountability factor is fine and dandy. Crosby shouldn't be fighting guys though... I appreciate his willingness, but he is more important to his team on the ice.

Jay, the star does have silver and white in it... looks phenomenal!

They're listed for $349.99 for the "Authentic" on Fans Edge... even if they were 40% off ($210), that could buy you about 5 jerseys from Jack. Yikes... I will take the knock off. No offense. The Premier Jersey is $149.99 (not personalized with player number). $219.99 with player number on it... edit: prices

I am pretty sure that is just because I took the pic with my phone... let me double check and get back to you. I think it looks the way it should. I will check later today.

There is no need to say anything else... but I will. There is no chance in hell that this ever happens. If anything, the NHL would start the WNHL (please kill me when that happens) for the ladies. Women cannot and will not play in men's professional sports, not while any of us are alive... not until genetic engineering is like walking into Walgreens for cold medication. The psychology alone would be the biggest hurdle... no matter what people say, watching another man crush a woman would be horrifying. I don't even think Jordin Tootoo or Sean Avery could do it... possibly Claude Lemiux. I know there are women who are exceptional and downright amazing physically. They just aren't and won't be as gifted physically as the men playing in the sport. As women get bigger and stronger, so do men. The talent pool will evolve on both sides.

Wow! Let me just say that Jack's jerseys are amazing!! Way better quality than light in the box... I just received 6 jerseys (1 Dats, 3 Lids and 2 Nash) 8 days after paying Jack via PayPal. I am amazed at the quality difference... Here are a few pics:

Jack will get back with you pretty quick too... just be aware that he is 13 hours ahead of us (EST). My jersey's left Shanghai on the 29th, so I should be getting them this week. Basically he will email you a list of jerseys he has and the sizes available. Just tell him what you would like and he will tell you how much to send him via PayPal. I'll make sure to let everyone know the condition and accuracy of the jerseys when they get here.

As a transplanted Wings fan living in the Columbus area, can you please just answer one question for me about the vaunted Jacket's defense? Who are their amazing, Norris quality defensemen? Commodore? Hejda? I guess it can be argued that the team has adopted Hitch's style or defensively responsible hockey. Rick Nash has taken pride in two way play and so have their other amazing superstars like... Huselius, Umberger, Vermette and Modin The Blue Jackets have far surpassed expectations this year. They are a group of grinders and hard working guys with some second tier stars other than Nash and Mason. When this year started and Leclaire was in net the team did not have the confidence they have now. Mason changed the attitude and swagger of the team. When you know that you've got a guy that will cover up a lot of your mistakes, you play with more confidence. As mentioned by others, with Mason the Jackets are a playoff contender... without, on the outside looking in. Trust me, there are a lot of teams in the West not looking forward to facing the CBJ in the first round... just ask Calgary.

Exactly... the fans are apparently as ******-y as the actual players. The Flames really tried to thug it up last night when they knew they were gonna' lose. Bert threw with Klesla and I am happy to say, Klesla got in the best shots. In fact another P.O.S. tried to throw with Klesla later. Camalerri and even Jokinen thugged it up last night.

Number 7 will always be a bummer for me... I was there at the game and the whole crowd just sat stunned in silence. Horrible.

Ummm... forget it.

I just ordered six more jerseys, this time from Jack. I will let everyone know what happens. 3 Lidstrom Winter Classics 1 Datsyuk Winter Classic 2 Nash Blue Jackets Seems like from reading Jack does a good job... we'll see. By the way, you can't even get the Winter Classics at NHL.com anymore... I wanted to see how much I would be saving. Does anyone feel like they are playing Russian Roulette with this whole thing?