Lou_Siffer

The Wings wouldnt be the first team to spot play enforcers when they think theyre needed against certain opponents. You dont have to play 82 games to have a purpose on the team. I could say the same thing...is Grigorenko going to score from the press box?

The Ellis factor is what has me pissed off, its not so much Grigorenko. Its just like having Langfeld last season...friggin pointless.

He's not going to stay though. This all but assures he will be sent down for Grigorenko in another week or two and not Matt Ellis. If its like other sports, im guessing Downey is a guy that has to clear waivers before they are able to send him down. So this is being done now to get the wheels in motion for his demotion? So whether he's claimed or not, he wont be up here. Its just a matter of whether or not he'll get a game or two in before he leaves.

My point is he's not going to be back up once sent down...i think thats obvious. His chances are much greater on any other team.

I seriously doubt he'll be claimed, but this is f'n bulls***. It seems the plan all along was just to have him at GR. So they had him make the team just so he'd sign. If i was Downey, I'd beg for someone to claim me to get the hell out of here. You cant be serious! Keep things in perspective please, Drake fought COREY PERRY.

It would be really nice to see Downey in the lineup tonight!

I actually have it slight edge to Boogaard. One thing to keep in mind, that punch where Boogaard's helmet goes flying looks like a heavy shot but in reality Boogey's helmet was already dislodged by the prior left hand (which the announcers overblew) and dangling up top his head. Koci didnt even actually hit HIM there, just struck the loose helmet and it went flying. Boogaard also landed a a decent shot before the live camera got there, you could see it on the replay.

The Flyers are actually my pick to win the East in a remarkable turnaround. This team had an awful record last year, but this wasnt your typical bad team, as they had a good amount of talent but horribly underachieved. With the moves they made this offseason, to me this team is loaded. They added a great character guy, as well as very solid defenseman in Jason Smith, and I think Biron will finally give them something in net. And when push comes to shove, theyre capable of icing the toughest lineup in the league...so you know that gets a big from me!

Koci and Boogaard with a big time heavyweight scrap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! David Koci is going to singlehandedly make Hawks games worth watching!

Friday: Pittsburgh @ Carolina Anaheim @ Columbus NY Islanders @ Buffalo Washington @ Atlanta Boston @ Dallas San Jose @ Vancouver Saturday Montreal @ Toronto NY Rangers @ Ottawa Buffalo @ NY Islanders Carolina @ Washington New Jersey @ Florida Anaheim @ Pittsburgh Atlanta @ Tampa Bay Philadelphia @ Edmonton Dallas @ Nashville Columbus @ Minnesota Detroit @ Chicago Boston @ Phoenix Vancouver @ Calgary St.Louis @ Los Angeles Sunday San Jose @ Colorado

To who? Soccer moms? Please. They need to market the fighting, that and hitting is the only thing that gets people outside of the hardcore NHL fans interested. Guys i know are the perfect example, the only time they come to me to talk about hockey is when theres a brawl that makes the news.

Yep, they signed him. If Cote and Boulerice are both in the lineup, Godard's going to have a busy night.

Saw the scrap while at the bowling alley....lets just say my next ball after the fight probably went 100mph! Pretty nice tussle...solid draw. Perry shouldve taken the helmet off, but that doesnt effect the decision on the fight.

Im watching the Hawks/Wild for one reason and one reason only....Koci vs Boogaard. Hopefully theyll go early as id rather watch the Sharks/Oilers. Really looking forward to the Flames/Flyers game later tonight as well.

I was very happy to see Leyland said that. As for the replay, I think its pretty cut and dry that Holliday didnt touch the plate. But like i said that doesnt really matter to me, I still dont want replay for the base calls.

I'll have to look through some finalized rosters, but Phoenix definitely isnt 2nd toughest. If Philly keeps Boulerice in addition to Riley Cote, then Anaheim actually takes that honor! And in an amazing, stunning, out of this world coincidence, thats also my prediction for the Stanley Cup Finals Expecting a massive bounce back year for the Flyers.

Holliday shouldve been out, however, I am definitely not in favor of any replay system in regards to what goes on for calls at the bases. You have umpires standing right there a few feet away...if they blow the call, so be it. The league can down on ump by not giving him important games. Its no different than a football ref who makes mistake penalty calls. I would be in favor though of replay with regards to homerun balls. In this case you're entrusting the view of guys standing near the infield to see if a ball at live speed hits a yellow line on the fence or not. Thats pretty ridiculous.

It all depends when though. They have what...around 5/6 mill in cap room about?(with Scott on suspension) If both came in halfway through the season, Niedermayer would get half of his salary which is appr 3 mill im guessing. Selanne would probably make 4 mill over a full year, so he'd come back and sign for 2 if he was only playing half the games? Its definitely doable, this all has the feel of Burke having something up his sleeve. I could be wrong on the money stuff, im just guessing thats how it works. Oh, as for the Rob N thing, i did say that but that had to do with trying to keep Penner at the time.

I actually have a hard time believing the Bucs are 3-1, so they arent really underrated in my personal opinion. I refuse to believe in Garcia, so he's going to have to keep proving me wrong! We have a little edge of our own though, with Marinelli and Barry wanting badly to beat their old club....and you know the players are going to give it everything to win it for them. TB, especially now without Cadillac, just doesnt seem that good to me. We'll see, but i definitely like us in that game coming off the bye. For the Skins game i'll go 21-17 Washington

I think all the results have gone as expected so far, and that means 2-2 over the next four games. Im going in assuming this next game will be a loss, then they'll beat Tampa, lose at Chicago, and beat Denver. However there are factors in each game that benefit the Lions. If Santana Moss doesnt play...that will be absolutely HUGE. Tampa now no longer has Cadillac, so although i think the Lions would win anyway that certainly helps our cause further. If Chicago continues to reel, then they could take that one. The mindset of the Bears going into that game will determine the outcome. Broncos just have issues. Funny how now Denver is actually the game that i consider the easiest of the 4! Whens the last time you could say that?? Everything just seems to be falling in the Lions favor....10-6 baby!

A pleasant surprise i must say...I had all but given up!!! However, not playing him against Anaheim makes no sense. This is the exact reason you have Downey on the team...to play against teams like the Ducks. Especially considering they just met in the WCF and there's potential for a pretty chippy game. Wheres the logic behind that? If you arent going to use him in an obvious situation like this, why even keep him to begin with? Kopecky should be sitting this game. As for Ellis, im just hoping he's the one that goes when they inevitably bring Grigorenko back up in a few weeks. Thats the only reason im glad they kept him in addition to Downey.

Selanne and Neidermayer will both come back to the Ducks later in the year...in Scott's case im almost positive he will.

I guess we just have completely different viewpoints. To me, I dont care if you're a fighter or not, i get tired of seeing guys like Samuelsson and Maltby throw shots at guys and think they can get away scott free because they arent fighters. You do stuff like that you better be ready to go, especially in the closing moments of a lopsided game. Its common sense to know guys are looking for fights at that point. Maybe Grigs should have offered the same courteousness you're looking for and not hit Muir! How about shoving him and them dropping the gloves? As for the 2 game misconducts, im 99% sure ive seen double gamers handed out before. For instance if a guy laid a nasty board on someone, and then fought and his jersey came off...he'd get 2.

I just dont think jumped is the right word, the word jumped is associated with an innocent victim. It may be splitting hairs, but the fact the guy Grigs glove punched was facing him doesnt make any difference.

That doesnt matter. When a teammate gets slugged, anybody has the right to respond. Thats defending your teammate. It wasnt vicious by any means dont get me wrong, but Harrison has every right to engage at that point imo.