swedishconnection

The point was that even Shanahan and to the other poster's point Fedorov were scapegoats at one point or another. If you look at Osgoods numbers over his career he has been a pretty consistent netminder, excluding some aberrations with the Isles and Blues. What I am trying to say is that there are high tides and low tides- for every player. Ozzie is no different, and neither is Shanahan. It just seems to be the flavor of the month to pile on Oz.

What about the '02 playoffs for Shanahan. I recall him not scoring for a long stretch. He had times during the '06 season as well. Consistency over the long run, yes - but everyone had times when they are down in the dumps.

Rock on, J-Ho, Rock on.

While I wouldn't put it in so brash of terms, this is 100% accurate. Right now 1 point out of 8th seed is NOT the time to be gambling. Ozzie is a hero, but at this time I am going with the Babs. "What have you done for me lately?"

I suppose, but to be honest I really don't recall Kane being anywhere near the same level. Except during the WCF last year during that scrum after he got hit right at the buzzer for the period, and they went after Kronwall. To Kane: I saw you, you twerp. Skate over to the scrum and poke your stick into Kronwall thinking no one saw you. Well I did. Jackass. I thought all the hate had to do with this past summers' incident in Buffalo with the Taxi.

That Netminder from NJ is pretty good. Maybe the best ever. And that says a lot. Shutout record is nothing to take lightly. 2 Cups? Pretty decent- elite even. Gold looks good too. Credit where credit is due. Now for that Defenceman - 2 Stanley Cups this decade. One at the beginning, one at the end - consistency. 4 total cups. 6 Norris Trophies, 2 additional finalists 1 Conn Smythe Leads decade in defensive points Leads decade in Plus/minus (even though it is a debatable stat) 1 Olympic Gold Medal First European to win Conn Smythe First European to Captain a team to the Cup First European-born defenceman to reach 1000 points (2009) Detroit Red Wings' franchise record for points in a season for a defenceman, 2005–06 (80) Detroit Red Wings' franchise record for most post season assists (119) Became member of Triple Gold Club with Olympic win I am sure I am missing something on there, for both Lids and Martin.

From Ace Ventura, in the words of Finkle's Mom : "_______ should die of gonorrhea and burn in hell. Would you like a cookie?" 1. Pronger - really need an explanation? 2. Cornholey Fairy - Douchenozzle cheapshot that always seems to score on us. 3. Torres - This guy cant play with heart. He has none. His ultimate idea of winning would be injuring all the other teams players. 4. The Kid - Skilled, but still acts like a kid. Call that passion, I call it immature. You don't hear Toews crying. 5. Jackman - No offensive skill, just an *******. Seriously, a Calder over Zata? 6. Bryan Allen - No one breaks Zata's leg and gets to fade into anonymity. 7. Ott - Similiar to the fairy - lather, rinse, repeat. 8. Tootoo - Little ball of hate needs to finally check the wrong person and pay for it. *clasps hands on bed* 9. Jarkko Ruutu - He is the single, sole reason I started disliking Team Finland during the olympics the last time around. 10. Jim Vandermeer - irrational pick. Whats with all the Kane hate? Did I miss something? He was terrible last playoffs against us. Plus the Mule made him his ******.

They didn't. Anaheim offered him (as well as Bertuzzi) far too much money for what he provided, and it was his last shot at a real contract considering his age. Not at all astonished, he took it. I have been a HUGE fan of Schneider since he first came here. I am probably the LOUDEST voice praying for a return to Detroit. I really miss the pearly whites and all the Hanukkah jokes. Seriously we pay Lilja a million, or try to anyway. Why not bump it up a slight bit and get a second PP pairing and a 3rd line defenseman instead of Meech?

Yeah I know we do, but I was not aware that they rotated during the international competition. I thought it meant there may have been a different rule whereby they could ice 3 "A"s at the same time on the same play, for instance.

Besides the chemistry with Keith, he and Weber are the only 2 right handed shooters on the blue line. That, and hes more of a defensive defenseman that can provide some offense if required. Team Canada is already stacked with puck moving offensive D, and Seabrook will bolster that defensive look. I agree with this. Especially when I feel that half of team Canada could get hit by a bus and the world would be better off. Oh, and since when are there 3 Alternate Captains? Was that the case in Torino too?

I am an american observer of the Olympics, I really dont choose who to root for. This is a decent, physical hockey team that will be mind-numbingly annoying to play against. I mean that in a good way too... they will definitely play some excellent defensive hockey. Does anyone else feel that the smaller rink size will help the Fins overall due to they style of play (tight checking, physical on the boards?) Side note, I have to say that reading this thread is refreshing. The Fins here and more importantly during all the international competitions always have a TON of pride. Its good to see that there is support out there and its visible, even if it feels some times as David v. Goliath (Canada or Ruskies)

Fed O rov. It has become a common theme over the years on LGW that the people who don't even know how to spell the great's names or choose not to care are usually people that we would choose NOT to read. Don't worry, (and I'm not being sarcastic) you are not the first and will not be the last. It sort of lowers the level your words carry.

Yeah but on the other hand you know that *If* we win all of here will go nuts and say "The Hawks are overrated, yada yada yada..." Its a two way street and I dont like to think about making excuses before the puck is dropped. I subscribe to Babcock's newsletter: We just have to have other people stand up and lead this team. This is a tremendous opportunity for some of the guys to get a chance. I hope to see a great chess match of a game with Defense being the thing that leads to a win- in either direction. Obviously I want to see the Wings win, and these games are HUGELY important, but I think this will help solidify our team in great ways. LGW

What if Stajan had his head down, and Boychuk caught him on the chin with a shoulder? It would be considered a dirty check by half of this board. Boychuck rocked a player bent over and head down. If only he had the same sense Zata did. He and all of us called it as it was- clean hit, dust yourself off and dont make the same mistake twice. Cut by the visor on the nose. If he did not have a visor and was not cut, I think there would be a lot of people singing a different tune. The visual of blood sometimes puts people over the edge. See blood? Must be a penalty. Sheesh. Noone was yelling at Brad Stuarts checking Anisimov during the Rangers game. Dude had his head down- got rocked. End of story.

You guys whining about Chicago's fanbase are pathetic. Think about the greater good here and how it benefits the Wings. We can actually have a worthy rival again in the West. This. I spent the first 18 years of my life in Chicago and did not even know what a backcheck was. Seriously, hockey was not even known about in my childhood. No one talked about it. Parents didnt know what it was. Having Chicago be a decent team is a great thing. We need someone to challenge us. They also have a great Hockey Heritage. These 'fans' are going through a growing phase. The more the Hawks win, the more interest will grow in them, the more people will learn about them. This is good for hockey. I did not start watching hockey till I moved to Michigan. Since I have learned about hockey so much in the past 8 years I have taken the time to learn OUR Michigan Hockey heritage. Having areas of hockey growth is important. There will always be ignorant fans. Some of us that shun other fans on this board should think twice. Allowing a hockey dialogue is part of why I have been on the boards for so long. Its when we go overboard and ignore that other teams are good or that other teams have a chance on any given night makes US just as low as other fanbases around the league. "Stay classy, San D.... Detroit!" GO WINGS!

This kinda relates to the karma thread for me. I guess I should formally apologize to the Wild. I just started another season on PS2 and I choose the Wild. I wanted a challenge. So I traded 3 defensemen for Sasquatch. Karma. I get Pronger on the wild, and then the hockey gods spite the REAL team. Go figure.

I have a cursed Lidstrom jersey. I have no idea why it is cursed but every time that I wear it we lose. Except for when Lids got 1,000 points- I was wearing it that day so that he would break it. But ever since that I have to alternate between my Red Zata and my Alternate Winter Classic Franzen one (which I do not wear except for special occasions, because Mr. Mule is out.) I had forever sworn off Suzie the game before he lit on fire. He never finished checks, always drop-passed to no one, and never drove the net. After my tirade to my G/F about him, he ripped it up the next game. Maybe I need to lay into a few others.

Wasn't there a discussion after the Cup where you can't have any 2 names consecutively that end in "Y"? I thought it was generally accepted as common practice... Additionally, my tongue cannot do back-flips. What are you implying about the Irish? Beer equates to Irish? I resemble that remark! Now I cannot help but think of the "Fosters" commercials and how they say BEYEAH in Austrailian accents...

This. Just like 7/11.

Speaking of Ken Daniels, this one is my old pet peeve: "He puts it towards the GOAL! Kept it out." or other variations : "Drives it towards..... the GOAAAL!!! Oh no he kept it out..." I dont know if this has bothered anyone else, but over the years I have just come to ignore it. Just for clarity's sake I feel that the word "GOAL" should be reserved for when the puck actually crosses the line during play. In place during the game the word "NET" should be used ex: "Hes driving it towards the NET! GOOOOAAAALLLLLL!" I know I'm wierd. Just something that really used to bother me. I hope that my pointing it out doesn't piss off someone else that didnt notice it before but will now because I wrote about it....

I think we all need to take a step back and remember that this was one game. I really liked Janik too. He was exactly what I wanted to see out there. No dumb plays, simple passes, never turned down an opportunity to hit. I would definetly want to see him play some more. I really appreciated the fact that he did not chip it up the boards either. He played in our system and made the pass. Only 2 complaints - 1st off, number 37? seriously? Man it made me wonder for a minute. Secondly, and completely unrelated, WHY WILL BERT NOT FINISH ANY HIT EVER?

1. Corey Cross 2. Brad Norton 3. Kyle Calder You heard it here first.

This is one of those special topics where, "If you need to discuss it, there is no discussion." End of Story. Gordie Howe? Anyone argue against it? How about Ted? Sid? Yzerman? Lidstrom? See the continuity? Just because someone plays almost an entire and exceptional career in one city does not mean that the jersey should be retired (ala Draper Maltby). You retire the ones that are truely above and beyond. Remember those hockey gods that we oh so often pray to during the Playoffs? Those are the aforementioned Number 9, 7, 19, 5, etc. I guess we will find out in the end if the Organization as a whole agrees with me.

For someone who does not skate very well, Bad Ass Bob certainly gets to primo scoring areas. If only he showed that drive he displayed on the crazy-deke-from-knees to score on the Preds night in and night out. Seriously, YouTube the highlight. Still up there with the Zata behind the back in Game 4 vs Colorado for my list of viewed non-shootout best wings goals. - 3:17 of the video.

This makes me sad. "The potential, the potential! Wont somebody PLEASE think of the potential?" This guy had some decent hands, and the big body. I dont know if its just because Im used to watching 2 extremely long playoff stretches or what, but that kid fled from finishing a check like antelope from a pursuing lion. We might as well as been playing on a circular rink, what with circles lacking the curious feature of corners. This kid definetly plays like he has been on the big ice surface. Good hockey sense with passes and strategy, but knows little of the physical nature. Imagine if he would had put the time in. Ahhhh... the lost opportunities.