Airborn

Classic line from Thorne... Clement: "There's even one [octopus] behind Patrick Roy; how'd that get in there" Thorne: "Darren McCarty shot it in there, probably: Shooting everything else in there!"

Perfect response. Holmstrom's hands are very good. He can't skate for sh**, but there's nothing wrong with his hands.

Forgetting stats and reputations, the greatest line I ever personally saw was the Russian Five. The way those guys cycled the puck and maintained posession was like anything I ever saw before or after. At times, it literally looked like a Globetrotters skit, as they made play after play, the crowd would get lounder and louder until it was basically a standing ovation.

He'd be a bizarro replacement, as Milbury has been extremely outspoken about the stupidity of the bias against European players. I think, if anything, he was brought in to be a balance to Cherry. BTW, I love Cherry; I just don't agree with a lot of his views if that makes any sence. I also like Milbury a lot as an analyst, and I wish TSN/Versus could have retained him.

Sorry, I guess we just use the term differently. I don't consider someone who switches teams after 9 years a hired gun, but I guess Gretzky and Hull must fall into that category for you as well.

Hired gun! He spent 9 years here, winning 3 cups and scoring over 300 goals. I hardly think that qualifies as being a hired gun.

You guys must have a different definition of steal than I do. Avery, Rolston, and Hossa might be good signings, but they definitely won't be steals. Ray Emery has the potential to be steal for someone. He's not going to cost much at all, yet he still has a lot of talent. Yes, there are character concerns, but with the right team structure, those can be mitigated.

I'm really glad for Jokinen. He finally gets to play in a first class organization with a legitimate shot at the playoffs. Also, it's going to be amazing for him to play in market that actually cares about hockey! Boy is he in a for a treat next season.

He's down at the local tavern. Stinkin' Irish!

You're forgetting out best goalie prospect. You know the one playing in Buffallo, I think he's named Miller or something.

Because Jim Nill told him too?

How about Brian Burke? Without him, the Wings would have re-signed Schneider and Bertuzzi. When Burke signed Schneider Holland turned to Rafalski who ended up being the best D partner Lidstrom's ever had (Lids' words, not mine). As for Bertuzzi, he would have been playing in front of the Mule, likely keeping him in a defensive role.

I think people who are comparing Stuart taking this time off to an average "joe" taking time off for his child's birth are way off-base. I don't know about you guys, but if I take a day off work, there's zero chance my company could go out of business, no matter what day I take off! As a father of 3, I'm honestly conflicted. I understand the great feeling involved with being at your child's birth. However, athletes are compensated at extreme levels, and their is generally an understanding that goes with that: "The team comes first." It's not a bad deal, as you set yourself and family up for life by playing a childs game for about 10 to 15 years on average, and then you could choose to retire. I can't ever remember a situation where a player missed a playoff game for a child's birth. Who knows, maybe times are a changin, but I know I'll be pretty disappointed if Stuart isn't there for game one. Edit: The only other thing I'd add is that we might not know all the details. If there were any type of complication or consern for the mother or baby's health, then I think it would be a no-brainer to give him as much time as he needs.

I thought it was Stuart with his hit in the 1st period. If you go back and watch the hit, you'll notice Stuart finishes it pretty high with his gloves in Tootoo's face.

Eddie Belfour was a head case off the ice, but he turned out pretty damn good for Dallas. Emery's bound to mature sooner or later, and there's a lot of talent there. This is a good chance for some organization to get him while his value is low. That said, I don't see him coming here. Howard is out of options and it's time for him to play next year, and Ozzie is semented in as starter/back-up/mentor for the next couple years.

He better watch it. If he scores too many goals, they won't let him fight anymore!

My thoughts exactly. This is hardly a punishment, as Pronger will now be better rested for the playoffs.

The difference is Bertuzzi's actions ended a guys career, whereas Kessler wasn't even injured. Consequences of the actions matter! That said, 10 games sounds about right.

After finally seeing the video, there is no fathomable way that Colin Campbell could have honestly looked at both the Simon and Pronger plays and come to the conclusion that one deserved 30 games, while the other deserved nothing. If anything, Pronger's was more direct and too a less protected part of the body. I believe Campbell is either scared s***less to go against Burke after being publicly called out by him at the last GMs conference (plausible especially since Burke held the position before him) or Campbell is lobbying for the GM position in Anaheim should Burke leave for Toronto and is trying to build up some goodwill. One of these has to be the scenario because there is no way any reasonably intelligent person would look at these two cases and draw this conclusion. edit: grammar

I think you're on to something Give me a 1-game tryout Mike! I want to be the most beloved Red Wing since McCarty took out Lemiux.

He's a good skater with good size and a heavy shot, which makes you think he has a ton of potential. However, despite his size, he's not very physical, doesn't drive to the net, and most of his considerable amount of shots are from bad angles that rarely generate scoring opportunities. I also think he's somewhat misused on this team. First of all, he has no business being on the point of the powerplay. This, I feel, is where a lot of the frustration against him comes from. Secondly, he needs to play without the puck (ala Hull/Shannahan), which means pairing him with a center who can get him the puck. I saw a lot of chemistry between him and Hudler when Zetterberg was out. I have to admit I'm surprised Babcock hasn't tried reuniting them, since each of them had their best stretches playing together and have slumped considerably since they were seperated.

I'd like to see him stay as well, but with so much money tied up between Lidstrom and Rafalski, I don't see us affording Stuart. I know he's the forum's personal whipping boy, but this is why Lilja is a valuable commodity to the team. He's a cheap D-man with size and experience.

Apparently Adam Foote did if they paid him $4 mill per season. To me that's the strangest part of this story. Foote actually was willing to stay!

My assessment exactly.... The only thing I'd add is that he needs to get more physical (which he knows), but I'm hoping that comes once he gets more comfortable with the pace of this level.