b.shanafan14

Why would we interview Cleary, he's not even playing tonight is he?

"Knows our system", "good fit", "familiarity", "hit a rut, needs a change of scenery"

Needs more Abdelkader and Cleary? /sarcasm

This. GOALZ!

*sigh* Easiest 5-on-3 ever...

Hahaha Hudler flopping, 2-0 on the ice...

Haha look at Brunner doing Franzen's job! That kid is all over the crease, love it!

"can Quincy get back??.... no.... no he can't" LULZ

Wings d-men close to getting burned two or three times already and Howard's rebound control is suspect. And the third and fourth lines might as well grab pine, no offense, no physicality, no energy; dead air.

I was thinking the same thing. The players may or may not get behind it because it meant more players with jobs. Unfortunately, it also means expansion draft and a spreading thin(ner) of the real talent in the league. I'd prefer contraction to expansion any day: creates healthier competition (more frequent meeting) and ups the overall talent level team to team. Because of what it does to owners pocket books, the overall number of employed players, and the perception of the league, this will never happen, so fingers crossed for relocation. Besides the higher ups in the league who lose face when cities lose teams, the league would OBVIOUSLY be better for it. Like a bandaid, do it quick, get it over with. Bettman and company need to take their licks and move on for the good of the league. The comparison between this fight for staying put or expanding over relocation and the recent lockout is becoming eerie.

For a guy on the small side coming from the Swiss league, I'm personally shocked and impressed by how well his complete game has developed stateside. He still makes a rookie mistake here and there as far as assignments on a rush, but that will come in time. I love how he uses his speed to hound the puck carrier on the forecheck, forcing their hand. Last night alone he forced the Stars defense into coughing up the puck 2-3 times with numbers back and only Brunner and *gulp* Franzen back on the forecheck, even forcing an interference penalty (albeit a soft one). Then look at the goal he scored, doing the Holmer thing in front of the net, of all things. I don't think I've seen him shy away from the center of the ice in the ozone yet. Overall, as someone who was on the "wait and see, don't get over excited" side with Brunner in the off-season, I think he's been great. The only thing I'd really like to see is for him to move more during the powerplay, provide an outlet when it's needed, and use that great shot from the point from time to time to create chances for his PP linemates. Sometimes he just skates to the goalline and waits or sits in the slot between the defensive box where he can't really get the puck or a shot off while the rest of the line passes around the perimeter. He has the right idea, but needs to move more, keep the defense moving, and give his teammates different looks. Other than that minor adjustment, a coaching thing, the kid has really impressed me!

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=375803 How are people feeling about Ericsson's contract of $3.25 mil per year for three years in comparison to Bogosian's $2.5 mil per year for two years? While he hasn't really lit the world on fire, Bogosian has been playing solid for the Thrashers with little support, while Ericsson seems to have two left feet and all thumbs with a solid organization. The plus-minus from last year for Bogosian is ugly, but given the choice I'd prefer him over Ericsson. Anyways, discuss...

This has been the most frustrating part of this lockout so far (aside from the fact that the league has been making record revenues and the stoppage seems completely unjustified). How can we believe two parties are actually trying to negotiate and reach an agreement when what we get is weeks between meetings that are scheduled for 90-minutes and can barely make it more than an hour before breaking for another week or so. Millions, even billions of dollars hang in the balance, not only for the league, owners, and players, but for arena personnel and local businesses. Where is the f***ing urgency? These are professionals trying to reach a compromise?

I've been pretty grounded on the whole Brunner thing since it started. The Swiss league is one of the weaker leagues in Europe, and being the scoring leader doesn't exactly translate to success in the NHL. Z tears ass in his first game there. Consider enthusiasm further tempered by the above article: In Metropolit's most productive season in the NHL, the only one he managed more than 70 games, he scored 33 points, with 11 goals in 82 games with the Bruins in 2007-2008.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1355710-nhl-lockout-espn-khl-deal-could-take-some-power-from-the-owners This would be astounding. The NHL blows its deal with ESPN in the last lockout, now the KHL looks willing to fill the void during this lockout. Priceless, Gary. Do they bring back Gary Thorne (please yes) and Bill Clement (meh)?

And the plot thickens.....http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2012/08/nhl_owners_will_receive_200_mi.html Apparently, the owners have covered their ass with NBC. If there is a lockout (which thanks to Bettman and the owners it looks like there will be), NHL owners will receive $200 million from NBC despite not broadcasting a single game. WTF... Every time Fehr speaks its "we're trying, there's time, we want to improve the game, etc". Every time Uncle Gary speaks its "this is impossible, no one is listening, the players aren't being reasonable, we're doomed, etc". If that isn't an indication of who the bad guys are, I don't know what is.

Datsyuk has said in Russian interviews that he would like to play in Russian again before retiring. In nearly the same breathe, I believe he said that the NHL is the better league and he wishes to continue playing here (can't find the interview they are sourcing at the moment, but I remember it). Could he head back to Russia after his current deal? Possibly. However, I think the odds will always be on him playing in the NHL until the years catch up and his ability to compete at the highest level wanes. I could see him doing what several aged European superstars have done (Hasek), retire from the NHL, compete in the lesser European leagues, getting to play back home in front of your friends, family, and fans, scratch the competitive itch and mentor young you-types while pulling down a fair paycheck.

Uncle Gary is definitely making it seem like the NHLPA is unorganized and slowing up the show, but luckily, the fans know what's really going on. Honestly, to me, it sounds like Bettman is doing everything he can to get the damn lockout. The things he is saying, between the initial threat and these new quotes, all seem like he is essentially saying: "Welp, this is taking too long. Lockout." *new NHLPA proposal* "Ugh, this isn't working. Lockout." *new NHLPA concessions* "...boring. Lockout." *NHLPA accepts 90% of the original outrageous league demands* "The players obviously care more about themselves than the fans. Lockout" Gary negotiates like a little kid playing poker. Makes up the rules, and when anything doesn't work out exactly according to plan, he wants to quit. I'm really interested to see if the owners are honestly stupid and pig-headed enough to take a missed season over another season of record profits.

I love NHL hockey. As much as we all ***** and moan, we love watching NHL hockey and we love watching our Red Wings; thus hundreds of us logging on to LGW during the dog days of summer to discuss ANYTHING. That said, I'm honestly concerned about my own level of patience if we are subjected to another fiasco like 2004. Another season lost because of greedy owners who have made their beds with ballooned contracts and forcing failing markets, and yet refuse to sleep in them. If this season is in fact lost, Bettman and the Board of Governors will have averaged a work stoppage once every 6 1/3 years since 1993. That is unacceptable. Another season lost, another year of Datsyuk and Zetterberg's careers down the tubes, might be just what it takes for many NHL/Red Wings fans not to come back.

Lilja sucks with the Ducks?

Where, in the AHL? That would be the biggest surprise, since each would have to do a complete 180 from their trending to insignificance. I'll say that Tootoo and Abdelkader form a great pair, with each having a career year on the scoresheet and in the penalty box (hopefully not all cheapshots or stupid/lazy penalties)

This. And the fact that TSN amplifies the volume on anything to do with the Canadian NHL teams, Calgary included (or Crosby). And there was nothing else to put "front page" for the hour it was there before Bettman's threat to lockout.

If Kenny gives up Filppula or Franzen or Nyquist-Plus for Bouwmeester and his contract, this off-season moves from disappointing to disastrous.

Natural hat-trick: 3 consecutive goals by one player Gordie Howe hat-trick: 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 fight Bettman hat-trick: 3 lockouts in one tenure as league boss

Ian White has spent the majority of his career with Toronto, then Calgary, then Carolina, before finally playing 23 games with SJ and 77 with Detroit. Bouwmeester to me is another player we look at and say, "but playing here with better partners could provide a spark!". Who is he supposed to play with to improve his numbers? I think his numbers with remain exactly the same, and he'll be crucified every game for getting burned defensively. The defense is in transition and he isn't the cure, just an expensive scapegoat. We'd be doing Calgary a huge favor, not matter who we give up, and with the cap likely going down, we could be in a lot of trouble for the next two years instead of staying afloat with cap-space.