Detroit # 1 Fan

The accepted vernacular is "goon", c'mon esteef keep up

Ah, he has dual citizenship. Dude's like Brett Hull, born in Canada but plays for the States, Canadian in my book!

There it is, TSN confirms. Well then Mr Holland, very interesting.

Yeah he hasnt been much since Tucker beat him up, but it could be a decent move.

Meh. I'll wait for conformation, could be worse, good alberta boy!

We're not great in overtime, but with the momentum in our favor, probably would've changed the series and had the Wings win in 5. And maybe that would've awoken the sleeping sloth in Hossa and got him going, we shall never know.

Had to love Teppo, it's too bad. So many of the likable older players are leaving the game.

We go them once, they've gotten us twice. It was very rewarding to see the Wings beat Anaheim, just because I hated seeing them pushed around in 07 and it was nice redemption. But man, it wasnt just stifling defense, Anaheims forwards grinded on all the forwards. Datsyuk, Hossa, Holmstrom, all invisible, Marchant, Niedermayer and those guys finished every check on those guys. If not for the Zetterberg line and our depth forwards, we probably wouldnt have won. But if Rafalski's healthy all series I'd imagine we'd have won quicker, but that's just what ifs.

None of what you said means a damn thing, they won the Stanley Cup. It makes it hard to hate them when fans try to discredit what they did. Pittsburgh will be a Top 4 team in the East next season, and have a good shot to give it another go. What did they really lose this offseason? Garon sucks, Scuderi is overated, Satan and Sykora were dead weight, anything else? Nope, I'd be willing to say they have as good a chance as us, or better. And that team added more grit and toughness, what does that tell you? Many teams in the East have gotten bigger and tougher to contend. Carolina, Toronto, Boston, Philly, Pittsburgh, the list goes on. The West already is big and tough enough, but were not. I believe we can play with any team in the league, but when the physical game picks up, we'll see if we can keep up.

You forgot Draper-Maltby on the 4th line...

That really sucks. JR was always good for the game and a treat to watch for years, good luck in broadcasting Jeremy!

It's funny to me when people say the Wings werent ough under Yzerman in the 90's, seems like people outside of our ridiculous fanbase, think otherwise.

I'd love a player like him, but not Burrows. He's like a more skilled, tough, left handed version of Malts, who drops the mits a bit more. Although, he'd grow on me for sure, and it wouldnt be like Ott, to the point where I'd go make sandwiches while he's on the ice because I hate him so much. (Had to throw Ott in there if we're talking about dirty rats)

He's a dirty little rat. I ******* hate Burrows, but that trash talk was and is hilarious.

Zherdev is very talented, but I dont want him. Poor work ethic, soft, not a coaches dream from what I've read in NY, and he's smallerish too isnt he? I'd take a guy like Prospal over him, and if Bertuzzi is cheap I wouldnt mind him either. They dont quite have Zherdevs skill, but they have other attributes to make them attractive as FA's.

Had to mention Ferraro, jesus, hurry up bud, I want this guy on the Wings now!!!!

If Ilya is tired for playing for s***ty teams, possibly, but if he's just looking for another paycheck, not enough mooolaahhh

Can a super skill team reach the top in the New NHL? Carolina? Not really, gritty hungry guys who caught a hot goalie and rode him. Anaheim, bunch of goons with Getzlaf, Selanne, Niedermayer and Giguere leading them. Detroit, finally one, but still having gritty guys playing. Pittsburgh, Crosby and Malkin during the East part, and guys like Staal and Talbot coming up huge in the finals. It goes both ways, a team can be tough, and win. A team can be based around skill and win, and a team can have a nice mix of both, and win.

I was up for having a discussion with ya, until that. Your calling me out as fan, just because I'd prefer a couple tougher guys plugging the 3rd/4th lines then the ones there in the past (Sammy, Hudler, Kopecky) suddenly, I'm only cheering in concession. I do love the team, unconditionally? I try my best, sometimes you dont have to be Mr Positive all the time. If they lose, it's ok to be pissed, but your still a fan. Your still cheering the next game, you dont give up. I do trust Kenny, but he isnt God like many make him out to be, he's won Cups, and he's also screwed up, he's human.

Disagree. Downey played more then half a seasons worth of games, his impact was felt. The Wings played much tougher that season, Franzen running guys over, and even getting a bit dirty with it sometimes (Barret Jackman from behind into the boards?) Datsyuk started getting fiesty, and it's carried over. Even Flip and Hudler played bigger then they had before, obviously Downeys impact wasnt that of a Laraque or Boogaard, but it was still felt. Drake stuck up for his mates, Corey Perry in the 1st game was something I'll never forget, grabbing Ott after he went after Lidstrom, and his stock really rose in the playoffs, he just ran everything in sight over, I watched the Nashville series again during last week on the NHL network, and he was just great, never made any bad plays, hit everything, got chippy. As far as Mac, he played solid defense, brought some leadership, and even made a few hits and did fight McCormick to stick a fork in the Avs. I know to some those impacts are huge, and of course they arent that of Zetterberg or Datsyuks contributions, but in 06, Datsyuk, Zetterberg and those types, didnt really get all that physical, after a year of having tougher mates, they're hitting everything during the postseason. They were the ones targetting Crosby and Malkin in the finals, and yes, I know that you cant bring that passion from the playoffs into the regular season, but thats what an enforcer is for, generate some energy and the juices flowing.

See, were on the same page here then. I dont want a guy like Mitch Fritz who can go out and fight everyone in sight, but contribute nothing. Laraque, and guys in that mold are perfect. I also dont believe that enforcers are make it break it for the Cup either, I've just always been of the mindset it sure couldnt hurt. I mean we did have tough guys around either in the regular season or the playoffs for all our Cup wins, so maybe Kenny could just go back to the well one more time?!

Religion? Nah, not much of a religious guy. It's just how I've always been, growing up you had to be tough if you wanted to make it if you werent as talented as the other kids. So I've always associated myself with those types of players. And I know most posters get sick of us talking and clamouring for tough guys, but it wont stop. I dont even do it much anymore, because theres no point. We wont get one, it isnt Kennys way. It's unfortunate, but nothing we can do as fans but just cheer on the team and hope for the best.

I wasnt estimating there worth, I was saying what they provide, and that they arent just names on an NHL roster, as many on here believe they are. These guys have roles, and they florish in there roles. Most guys are different, but no one takes the time, because hey, there just ******* goons, who cares right? Are they more important to there team then the stars? Nah, obviously not, but the stars sure do appreciate the stuff they go through for them. Enforcers, tough guys, goons, they dont fight for the sake of getting bumps and bruises, they do it for the team. Because the team is like a family, and you always protect your family. That's why I respect those types of players so much, I know I'm in the minority, but my stance wont change, and I'll always believe theres room for a player.

Lets get started. Janssen is just a crazy prick, I wouldnt mess with him because he's got that look in his eye like Simon had. Boogaard was hurt last year, but the year before that, Lemaire had him on the powerplay in a Homer role, and he didnt do so bad, and he's the biggest dude in the NHL, no one screws with Boogaard unless they want there jaw broken. Brashear can play, he's just a dirtbag, wouldnt want him Belak is one of my favorite players, and one of the most entertaining guys off ice, I'd take him just because he add some charisma to this team. (He'd be buddys with Datsyuk in no time) Peters is garbage and done as an NHLer Orr can actually play, and will be a decent contributor for Toronto in the intangibles department. Parros, 1 word: Moustache Ivanans is garbage, he'll be out of the NHL soon Laraque, can play, can fight, no one ever wants to fight him, so he must be a little bit intimidating, and like Belak, has a ton of character and charisma.

And people called Feds soft, what a guy! I want to see Datsyuk pull that on some ***** on Chicago this year.