NeverForgetMac25

Fighting at an ill-advised time doesn't make a team better, it makes them stupid. I don't disagree that the Red Wings (or any team in the NHL) should always be trying to get better, and sticking up for each other is something I would always wish the Wings to be displaying. Fighting when the other team is losing doesn't help though, its just gives the opposition the potential for a lift.

TBH, having a personal bias against anyone gives you a distorted view of what they say or the actions they take. Things aren't always peachy keen, but personal bias keeps people from having well-rounded opinions. I don't like a fair amount of what Bettman does either, but I also don't let those things he advocates that I don't agree with distort how I feel when he makes a good decision.

Please. That's just personal bias speaking. Because the Wings are generally on the winning side of the scoreboard. Why good would that do them?

My bad.....gotcha. Sidenote: Can you imagine Datsyuk giving Bettman's speech? --"First off, congratulations Bruins for the Boston......Tea Good. Red Wings vin Cup, trust your eyes to Dr. Rahmani. Lidstrom to hold Cup, where you?"

First and foremost, I can't believe once again I forget about these threads until mid-way through the tournament. Anyhoot....... I don't mean to call out Novak's toughness, but this wasn't the first time he's been to "dazed" or "injured" to continue. While I'm not saying that's exactly what happened, I'd be willing to bet if he somehow hung around in the second set and took it, my guess is he would've finished the match or taken an extended injury timeout. To me, its looks as though his young age and immaturity comes out when he's losing a big game and doesn't see himself coming back. Roddick was clearly in control, and mentally Novak just shutdown. No doubt the elements had to have had a sizable effect on him, but its not as if Djokovic is a seasoned veteran on his last leg. He should be in as good of shape as Roddick even with Andy's new workout regiment. Del Potro was horrendous. What an embarrassment.

Don't you mean the other way around? In other words, "Strike that.....reverse it."

Isn't it funny how people tear Bettman apart every chance they get and then still knock him when he publicly states something we all agree with?

NTC aside, this is a tricky question simply because of Lidstrom's age. While I'm not convinced he'll be done playing after next season, if he were to hang 'em up and both he and Rafalski were gone, the defense looks a little too young for my taste. If Raf was moved (which he can't be, but for this threads' sake) you're looking at a defense like this before any additions: Kronwall-Stuart Lilja-Meech Ericsson-Lebda That just isn't going to cut it given that Stuart doesn't have the potential to be a fist-line Dman and especially if he or Kronwall were injured. Again, I'm sure the Wings would put up the cash to bring in a top-end UFA with the money left on the table from Lids and Raf, but the defense (which has always been the Wings' strong-suit) all of a sudden looks porous. Add to that the Wings' philosophy is Defense first, Offense second, goaltending third.

This isn't about "falling" for something....this is about a shooter needing to make split-second decision and having to unload the puck immediately. If a player only has a split-second to cash in (which happens alot) and these pads resemble the net, it could be a useful tool for the goaltender. Peripheral vision is far from the clearest, and sometimes that's the only view you have around the net.

^ :rotflmao:

Simple, yet smart as hell. Good on that kid for daydreaming about hockey while in class and coming up with an innovative idea!

OsGod's comment was a joke.

Fixed it for you.

I'm actually trying to scalp tickets to this game seeing as that they were sold-out by the time my plans to DC were finalized. I probably should PM Viperar, but does anyone in that area know where I can go to buy tickets from "local salespeople" or are they pretty much everywhere around Verizon Center?

I think the majority of people that defend Crosby on this site do so because far too many members here seem to be obsessed with bashing him. That being said, I couldn't agree more that the league is missing a golden opportunity in marketing. Ovechkin, aside from being the best goal scorer in the league has a personality that's intoxicating for not only fans of the NHL, but those that could become fans. There's no one in the league that seems to have more fun out there and no one gets more excited about scoring than him.

I think Holland's comments were enough of a statement to Bettman.

Game. Set. Match.

Talk about fatigue....that's just too much action in that short of time. Stretching or not, I fear for that kids groin. Sidenote: Did anyone else notice the winning goalie was named "Brad Fogal"?..........McLovin!

No doubt, and its the first time I've heard about it too. That being said, I can't imagine this was the first time each team or its players heard about this.

No doubt a suspension seems too harsh for something like this, but if the teams and players were aware of this rule (no matter what anyone thinks of it), they still need to go. This isn't directed at you Opie, but I'm surprised so many people here are up in arms if this was something that was decided almost a year ago. I suppose its because people don't want to see Lids or Dats miss any time (I don't either), but they have an option to not miss a game. Get on a plane.

I gotta agree with Mack_Attack here. Like the rules or not, both Dats and Lids could most certainly go and take part in the off-ice events. Whether they're boring or not, that's not the issue. Perhaps they were waiting to see if the league was going to follow through on its stance.

I haven't read this entire thread due to the fact that I've been swamped most of this afternoon, however did Lidstrom and Datsyuk give any indication why they wouldn't be going for the off-ice activities if the league does intend on suspending them? It seems as though Crosby is going, and I would think those two could do the same. Has anyone mentioned anything about this within the thread? Note: Open to anyone to respond, not just Mack_Attack.

Well-played then! Nice re-raise.

I was joking around with my "You Get Fat?" comment, but that's harsh. Perhaps I needed to put the at the end of my post.

You get fat?