NeverForgetMac25

Well of course. I wouldn't have made the comments I've made in this thread if his doctors could do what you just said in the bolded statement. But until a doctor can, I feel its too risky. Sidenote: Pronger's heart stopping because he was hit with the puck is totally different than someone that has a heart abnormality. People are comparing apples to oranges when you correlate two things like that.

That's true......and if the doctors can honestly say that he's at no more risk playing than he would be sitting on his couch, than I say go for it. The only reason I would question his priorities is because family has always come first for me. I just can't imagine putting hockey before that. However, that's just me.

Ownership and Management

I'm not missing the point of what you're saying. I'm saying I don't think its worth it. If Jiri feels it is, I question his priorities. Jiri has money. He made $1.444 million last year and the year before, and assuming after the on-ice incident took place he became fiscally responsible, he would've made roughly $1.759 million after taxes. If he invests that, he could reasonably live off $100,000 worth of interest every year and never work again, while at the same time keeping his nest-egg at $1.759 million for the rest of his life. To me, the word "think" isn't enough. If the Doctors could say with 100% certainty that playing hockey again will in no way affect his heart the way it did in 2005, then I'd be all for it. Until they can say that, it would scare the hell out of me every time he touches the ice.

What do you consider a guy with 14 points in 14 games?

Don't you mean the Rockies? They're a perfect example of what I'm saying. They get a week off and embarrass themselves in the World Series after winning 21 of 22 leading up to that series.

Seriously? Do you really care? If Oz isn't comfortable in the "new" style he won't be as comfortable in goal, which will hurt his performance. I would seriously hope you're more concerned about Oz's performance rather than his choice of helmet wear.

That would be great, but I think $7 will be a best case (hometown discount) scenario. I think his number will probably be in the $7.5 - $8 range.

I'm a firm believer in "when you're winning, you don't want a break". The Wings are playing with so much confidence right now and you hate to give them time off only to get rusty. Case and point: The New York Giants have won 6 straight games since starting the season 0-2. The Giants have their BYE this weekend and I highly doubt anyone in the Giants organization wants it.

Exactly. I don't get bothered by garbage like a Yahoo! Sports article by some writer that didn't bother to do his research in first place is preaching about. The decent media took a second to ask why rather than just assuming.

I don't think you're understanding me correctly. I'm not saying the numbers aren't justified. On top of the poor economy and high ticket prices, the fans of Detroit have come to expect the Wings to lead the standings. Teams that have up and down seasons have attendance numbers that follow suit. When a team does well after a poor season, the fans get excited and more show up. When you're talking about the Wings, they haven't missed the playoffs in 16 years and the excitement isn't there anymore due to the fact that its become routine and expected. As Wings fans we're spoiled and as a result the luckiest fans in the league due to the phenomenal management the Wings have. My comment wasn't a knock on Detroit, it was a knock on the media for not digging deeper than simply attendance numbers. If that's all the media is going to base their assessment on, than what else can you expect?

No need to be. There is no way he'll be making less than Dats. Right now I'm expecting a salary in the range of $7.5 - $8 million dollar range given the cap. If he gives the Wings a hometown discount it will be in the ballpark of $7 million per for 6+ years.

Yeah, my bad. I actually hit reply to his comment and then walked away from my computer for like 15 minutes. When I got back, I typed my thoughts only to read yours after mine posted. Looks like you and I are on the same page on this one.

No, No, No! GIguere's pads have to be illegal! That's the only way they could've possibly beat Detroit in the playoffs last year. No other explanation is corret. I'm with you, I wish people would just let this go. Yes, it looks like his pads are bigger, but they are within the legal limits that the league has in place. Some people really do need to get over it.

I totally disagree with you. Saying that nothing in the medical profession is 100% regardless of your condition is very different than a situation like Jiri's. The fact that he has a major heart condition and nearly died on the ice two years ago makes his situation beyond unique in comparison to 99% of the NHL. Even if doctors do clear him to play, given the fact that the medical profession can't say with 100% certainty that playing NHL hockey won't in fact trigger another incident, its puts him on a totally different playing field than 99% of the league. The intensity and the heart pressure that comes with playing in the NHL is well beyond training off the ice. He won't experience the highs and lows that your heart rate goes through during an NHL game.

How the hell did I miss this when it came up? Someone needs to start PM'ing me immediately upon the moment a new Sirdrake thread comes up so I don't miss the gloriousness.

QFT Case and point: Vladdy. From what I've heard Illitch still takes care of him financially. Even if its only somewhat, that speaks volumes about Illitch and the class that surrounds the Wings organization.

Gotcha. Thanks for the update though. It's always nice to get the scoop from the guy himself rather than the media.

Maybe JS is just fat. Jeez, lay off him Auxlepli. Word out of Anaheim is he's going on the Biggest Loser next season.

What do you mean? I'm referring to when Jiri made his "retirement" press conference and stated that the medical profession just isn't far enough to say with 100% certainty that playing again *won't* trigger another incident. Of course nothing is 100% certain for anyone in life, but most players don't have the heart history that Jiri does. That's what I'm referring to. Seriously? You know (and talk) to Fischer?

TBH, the best thing right now for the H-F-S line would be to continue playing together. If that line can continue to gel together it could give the Wings exactly what they need. Couple that with two bottom lines fighting for playing time and roster spots, and the Wings will be in great shape. Obviously the ZDH line is terrorizing the league right now combining for 54 points (22-32-54 ), and even if they stay slightly lower than that pace it will allow the H-F-S line more time to get comfortable with each other. That will pay dividends ten-fold as the season rolls on.

I don't want him to come back. The fact of the matter is that the technology in the medical profession isn't capable (at this point) to say with 100% certainty that another incident like this won't happen again. As was already stated Fisch has a wife and kid, and I wouldn't risk that for anything in the world. Until our technology can catch up to his condition he shouldn't risk it.

I love the Red Wings more than any team in all of sports, but can you really blame them given the attendance numbers at the Joe this year?

nm

Maybe I'm an idiot? What the hell does he mean by "burp it"? Or is it that this is just the dumbest quote in the world?