Lou_Siffer

Curious to see who everyone's top 5 best fighters are. Notnecessarily who's having the best year so far, just who you think the best are. My list right now would be: 1) Georges Laraque 2) Donald Brashear 3) Derek Boogaard 4) Brian McGrattan 5) DJ King King might seem like an odd choice, as he doesnt really have the big wins like the others, but i consider him to be like one of those college football teams who just continues to climb up the rankings without a really good strength of schedule...like a Boise St type.

Ive been let down so many times in the past with false hope, so this could be just be another time, but it seems different. I mean, the fact that they actually let Grigorenko leave while Downey continued to play is quite surprising! No way we see it play out like this in years past.

I'd agree if he were without a cage. What benefit to the team does Drake really provide over Downey? Ive yet to see anyone give a good reason, I think people are just totally going off of name value here. He's Dallas Drake, hence he should play over Aaron Downey. Both will play on the 4th, yet only one of the two will be able to fully play his role. I havent noticed if Drake had been playing PK, im assuming thats what you mean when you say he can play more situations. But this team has PLENTY of guys to do that without Drake. Not to mention guys usually dont play particularly well with the added cage, and Drake was already not playing well to begin with.

Great minds think alike! Hadnt seen your Gordie reference when i started my post.

Who's to say Thornton wasnt looking for that good old fashioned fight? Im sure Joe wouldve been more than willing to accomodate if say, Lilja came a calling because of the slashes on Hank. Put it this way, if Joe straight challenges him out of the blue, do you think Lilja even drops his gloves? Highly doubtful. Alot of times guys take liberties with star players as a means of hoping someone comes to fight them for it. Playing nasty, especially for a power forward, is part of the game and always has been. Did Gordie play like a gentleman? Hell no. I have no problem with what guys like Iginla do...both him and Joe are 2 of my favorites.

Right on, i was thinking the same thing about how Downey has to be smart with when he fights because of the front office. That worked out perfectly, got the fight and drew the PP. Although, we both know if he hadnt actually fought Davison the general reaction wouldve been that he wussed out. I enjoyed the game, having Downey in the lineup makes a big difference for me.

Anybody who's watched wrestling over the years knows that too!

I'd play Drake maybe once every 5 games or so just to keep him somewhat active...but thats it until he's fully 100% recovered. With a Drake/Downey swap you're losing all the toughness since Drake will be providing zero. So its stupid to take him out. Even Kopecky threw a couple pretty good hits last night, which is what he needs to do consistently because of his ineptness offensively. Needs to play like a full blown 4th liner, hit alot when out there and even drop the gloves once in a while. Because thats the only role he could be ok at in the NHL. Im one of the few that isnt on the Ellis as a regular bandwagon, but its hard to imagine they'd take him out right now since he has 2 goals. Drake has to sit. Well i wouldnt say when caged, but eventually Hudler is a guy that is definitely pine worthy when guys start getting healthy. To me he's always seemed out of place here, I'd be surprised if he's still here by the end of the season.

You ask me who should sit??? Drake! I dont understand what the hell he's supposed to provide to the lineup with a cage on. It certainly wont be toughness, which is the one thing he was providing prior to injury, so I dont know. You cant take Downey out.

This is outstanding news to me! The fact that were willing to keep a guy like Downey over Grigorenko tells me maybe the boys in management are starting to come around as to the importance of having some fighters!

Damn...2 games already started but oh well....I probably wouldve lost those anyway. So whats the difference! Friday: Buffalo @ Florida San Jose @ Detroit Colorado @ Calgary Saturday: Philadelphia @ Boston San Jose @ Columbus Ottawa @ New Jersey Carolina @ NY Islanders Toronto @ NY Rangers Montreal @ Pittsburgh Buffalo @ Tampa Bay Florida @ Nashville Atlanta @ Chicago Washington @ St Louis Dallas @ Phoenix Edmonton @ Los Angeles Sunday: Minnesota @ Colorado Edmonton @ Anaheim Detroit @ Vancouver

Beautiful!!!! Friggin Brantt Myhres...sweet! I also spotted Gordie Dwyer out there. I kept looking at the clock knowing it wasnt done yet and that something more would happen...hilarious! The only thing despicable about this were the announcers. I can now go to bed with a smile on my face, thanks GS&T!

You know, after watching it again after reading your post here im not so sure now. I mustve been completely caught up in the moment as i watched it as i couldve sworn Laraque was laid on his back as the refs jumped in. You're right in that was getting back up as the refs jumped in...so...hmmmmmm! That does make it really tough. I cant in good conscience give the win to Laraque with the way it ended, but i cant necessarily give it Brash either as what i thought was a clear cut TKO wasnt. At best its a "ref assisted TKO" (like there is such a thing, lol)...so screw it, DRAW!

Brown is soon only turning 23 years old though...he's not even close to his prime yet. He went from 28 pts 2 years ago, to 46 last year. He's off to a good start this season and appears once again that he'll shatter that previous mark. With him also being a physical player and great hitter, I dont see why they'd give this guy up for Kindl. By saying Kindl and a late pick you're basically saying Kindl carries the same value as Brown. I cant see that being the case with what Brown has already showed at the NHL level. I know he's our best prospect, but is he actually that well regarded around the league? Trading a young guy on the rise in the NHL, for another young guy who's in the AHL doesnt seem to make sense to me, regardless of needs....as they could definitely use Brown to get a young(ish) NHL defenseman if thats what theyre after.

Cleary definitely seems like the kinda guy at this point in his career that'd value a longer term contract over dollars. 1.2 for 3 or 4 years oughta do it.

Yeah, but for Dustin Brown? Definitely not. How much would the Wings actually be willing to add on in addition to Kindl? Little I'd bet, as they'd already be giving up their best prospect. Ok, i'll bite. Lebda, Samuelsson, and Hudler for Brown.

That Calvin Johnson run was f'n awesome! This game was ours before it even started! Now the bad news however is that the Bears beat Philly. IMO the only way we had a shot at beating them next week was if they lost. If that were the case they'd probably have mailed it in being 2-5 being absolutely deflated. I see Chicago 24- Detroit - 17. Better road effort, but still a L. Even with the loss though, we're going to be 10 - 6 gents...its gonna happen! We're going to beat Denver, and i dont care how hot they are theres no way the Giants are beating us here. I think theyre a fraud.

I would definitely think so. I dont really see him getting back to 20 goals, in this case i think its best they wait a little while before signing him as right now his agent will be basing things off his production last year. Something like 1.2 a year seems about right to me.

If a good shot lays a guy on his back to end a fight, its a TKO in my book. If thats not a TKO, then what is really? In my opinion a KD is a punch that sends someone down (usually to his knees) and the fighter is able to get right up and continue. Laraque got flattened. It doesnt really seem right because of the way Laraque dominated almost the whole way, but its not much different than a MMA guy getting hammered but then pulling off a shot out of nowhere and getting the ref stoppage. I realize comparing hockey fights to MMA and boxing doesnt always hold water, but in this case i think its similar.

Ozzie for Dustin Brown? Thats crazy lopsided in our favor.

We have nothing that would interest the Kings for Dustin Brown...end of story.

As far as i know it was said on a radio report that Doan requested a trade, and that Phoenix said they'd trade him within 40 days. No actual rumors about him coming specifically to Detroit. Its possible its all bulls***..

Kronwall's trade value is not what alot of people seem to think it is right now. Keep in mind, he's been injured alot so thats an automatic red flag when you're talking about a team giving up there franchise player in Doan. Not to mention he's yet to prove he's worth 3 million dollars a year. Im not knocking him, I like Kronwall, but at this point its a fact. Hudler's value is modest, and i cant see them being all that interested in Grigorenko. So with that being said, Phoenix would pass on that. They could do better.

When Franzen comes back Drake should be put there then.

Shocked? No. Infuriated? Yes. Does hockey work like baseball? Cant they just throw Drake on the IR and call up Grigorenko to take his spot? If Downey has to be sent down, while Drake tries to play with a cage...thats friggin stupid if you ask me.