SouthernHockeyHoney

I caught the tail end of a broadcast on XM radio this afternoon that talked about a DVD/video that was going out to all the teams regarding the rules changes for this season. I heard something about a new rule involving interference calls that could result in a 5 minute major penalty at the referee's discretion. The other two rule changes involved penalty shots and bench penalties for interfering with a player on the ice while on the bench. My question is....does anyone know any more about the details for these rule changes? Unfortunately, I had to get out of the car to go back to work...and didn't hear the entire broadcast. Thanks, oh knowledgeable ones, for any insight you could bestow upon me!

To get off the subject of the forward lines for a minute, obviously Babcock is letting the younger players fight it out for the 6th and 7th defensman positions. Should I assume, that Lidstrom, Rafalski, Chelios, and Kronwall are FIRMLY the top four? Why no mention of Lilja...isn't he a 6th or 7th d-man? Wouldn't that only leave 1 positon available? Just curious.

Yeah, I too, feel the pain. Just how many times can you watch, "Slap Shot", "Youngblood", and "Miracle" before your family threatens to send you off to rehab? *sigh*

Who the heck is "Stefan Kronwall"? OH...RIGHT! He must be teammates with Rex Hudler and Bart Lebda.

Spam is icky....

"Pain heals, chicks dig scars, but glory lasts forever."

I'm all over it, boys and girls! I'm even going to wear my husband's Lang jersey tomorrow! Woo Hoo! GO BOB!!!!!!

I personally believe that fines in any professional sport where the participants make millions is ridiculous and pointless. It is like one of us mortals having to pay a $5 parking ticket. It has no deterrent value what-so-ever. As far as a suspension goes, I believe one is due in this case for Pronger. Will it happen? Who knows. However, I do believe this incident will cost him. It is stunts like this (and arguably stunts like those that will occur on Thursday if there is no suspension) that will ensure that Nicklas Lidstrom (as if this weren't already a foregone conclusion) will be the name on the Norris Trophy for 2007. As our beloved Mickey Redmond likes to say, "Sometimes, you have to give up the hit." Neidermayer saw Pronger coming and could have given it up. The 5 minute major was justified in his case, as was the game misconduct. I do not believe a suspension in his case is justified, however. That's just my $.02.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I think.... Robert Lang ýõ ÿþýÑÂÑ‚, ø òÑÂõóôð òыÿþûýÑÂõт ÿþÑÂûõ рõóуÃȄÂрýþ ÑÂõ÷þýð.

I can't stand him either. Never have. Just for the record "Prong" in Great Britian is a euphemism for the male private parts. When they played the Oilers in the playoffs last season, everytime one of the announcers sayd, "Pronger" it made me giggle. It was enough to know that I was having a "private" laugh at his expense.....

I would have to agree that Booter far surpasses Langfeld. I wouldn't go so far as to say he's a useless scrub, but about the BEST I can say for Langfeld is that my daughter (she's 17) thinks he's hot. I go to 6 or 8 Griff's games a year, and I think Darryl's skating has improved a lot. Of all his penalties, the marjority are fighting or roughing and he takes somebody with him 99 times out of a 100. So for those saying he takes "stupid penalties", I would have to disagree. Reading the statistics isn't going to tell you the whole story. I do believe this is Darryl's last shot at making an impact with the big club. Correct me if I'm wrong, but does't he have to clear waivers before being sent back to GR?

No, I didn't miss it. (I didn't miss all the sloppy play by Schneider in his own end either ) You are absolutely right about all Lilja's faults, I would never disagree. And, I absolutely would not want to go into the playoffs with him as a top 6 defenseman. Perish the thought. I was just making a comparison to the fact that Kronwall, who is supposed to be everyone's "Golden Boy", was awful, and fortunate his mistakes weren't more costly.l

Well done Mr. Holland. "A" On this point, however, I'd have to disagree. Nothing to do with trade deadline grades, I know, but.... Last night, Kronwall was atrocious, and not much better over the last couple of weeks (brutal open-ice hits, notwithstanding). Now, don't get me wrong. I am usually one of those "Lilja is the anti-Christ" people, but last night he blocked shots, was positionally sound, and physically responsible. I have seen these "glimmers" of goodness from him before, and I have no intention of believing that it's going to last. But, I have to give him credit where it's due. As far as Kronner goes, I can't believe I am the only one who sees this.

The Red Wings never had to develop players within their own system before the salary cap. The deep pockets of the organization said they could just "buy" whoever they wanted in the open market, regardless of the cost. Which means trading away prospects is not "ideal;" I hate to give up anyone already in the system. However, it might be the only way to get something done. Williams? He is under-producing and over-paid. What incentive does another GM have to take him on? Can Datsyuk be dealt before we lose him when every GM on the planet knows he is going to be a pain in the butt to sign long-term and has a reputation as a play off bust? Again, what's the incentive? Why not deal, Hudler? He's absolutely replaceable. You could go on for hours speculating. As far as Lapointe goes, I'd take him back. As long as it costs us very little. The real question is, who is in cap trouble AND wont be making the playoffs. That is where a trade is likely to occur. As far as the "hole" in the Wing's puzzle....size, toughness, grit, and (with the right line-mates) can score,....Bertuzzi fits all those criteria. Downside... a lot of people just don't like him, and has a price tag that makes me wince. I don't remember the exact figure, but it's up there.

Didn't we trade Lang for Luongo?