NeverForgetMac25

10-days to 2 weeks for drapes......Ouch! That hurts the PK.

I feel sorry for him, but I've already posted my thoughts about this last year, and don't feel like going 20 rounds with someone on the issue. That being said, I'll post my main points and then more than likely bow out of this thread for good. My main point was the lockout causing a major salary reduction added to a divorce and child support based on old wages don't exactly equate to a good situation for Mac. He brought a lot of his troubles on himself with his gambling and drinking, but the timing of his salary reduction which coincided with his divorce put Mac in a no-win situation. True, he had a ton of money, but a ton of normal debt that comes along with that (I.E. House, Cars, etc.). Those are the things that get paid off over time rather than just cutting a check. In conclusion, imagine you had a 40% salary reduction and just got divorced. You lose half the marital assets, are required to pay child support and still have the same bills you had when you were making over double what you are now. Pretty tough situation for anyone to be in regardless of your income. The percentage of salary lost plus divorce/child support are the key to this.

The reason this isn't in the GDT from last night, is that its a Dats-centric thread based on his style of overall play (and its effect on the Wings future) rather than just last night. I'm sure we'd all agree that both of this goals last night were phenomenal, but the reason the second was better than the first was due to strength on the puck. Dats held on to that puck against 3 guys better than I've ever seen him do before, and still found a way after getting pushed off the puck briefly to get himself in position to put it home. That's the type of player I've wanted Datsyuk to become ever since 2002. No one has ever questioned his skill, shiftiness and passing, but IMO in the past he was too easy to knock off the puck. On top of that, when the Wings have been down in a game, it seems as though Dats isn't "playing around" with the puck as much, and rather he's goes back to basics and looks for the open streaking player. The point of this thread, you ask? Has Dats evolved into the type of player he was last night, and the majority of the season for that matter? If he is able to continue to play like this, it won't be nearly as necessary for the ZDH line to play together night-in and night-out due to Dats creating more room and chances for his wingers. Agree? Disagree? Sidenote: IMO, you can thank Babs for instilling this in Dats.

I would put 10 inches worth of tape around your knee rather than the kneebrace. That would be funny.

The reason I asked is because I find it hard to believe that Lilja wouldn't have been crushed given that the fight lasted more than a few seconds. However, the fact that he stood up to Phanuef for Hudler's sake speaks volumes about him. Good job Lilja! Edit: Spelling

You're able to drink during class?

Are you being sarcastic? I can't tell.

I disagree. While he's always been shifty and able to elude opponents that doesn't make him strong on the puck. Making plays like he did on his second goal last night does. No doubt the first goal was prettier, but that's not the point of why the second was better than the first. The second was better because of the work he put forth to put it home. That's the type of stuff that wins games in the playoffs.

We actually discussed it in the GDT. Versus showed him a bunch of times, but its nice to hear that people were asking for his sig all night. How was he to the fans (I.E. Did he sign his autograph for everyone that asked?)

Solid win against a team that played extremely physical tonight.

A little bit of all of the above. Sadly.

Sidenote: Waahoo...Mac in attendance!

And right now its pretty difficult to argue that he isn't the best bargain in the NHL. Wings PP BTW.

Rafalski to the box

Sidenote: Beauty of a goal and play.

How many s***ty low-percantage passes did we do on that PP? Ugh.

Wings PP again.

Penalty nulified.

Ugh.......that didn't take long.

Huge kill here.....

How about another quick one here Wings.

And Kipper gets yanked.

I know I'm late in throwing in my two cents here, but I agree with those that think this is getting out of hand and just plain ridiculous. Scott had him lined up well before he went to his knees and finished strong with the hips when he had ample time to ease up/pull off the hit. Dirty. Simple as that.

End of 1 2-1 Wings Rough first 16:00 minutes, but smooth sailing after that. That replay of Drapes' injury didn't look anything serious, but here's hoping he just hit a "funny" bone.

Drapes makes it 2-1!