Doctor G

I do not question there are people in the south that play hockey and maybe a few that even have your passion. But unfortunately there is enough like you down there. In the fundamental error as you say, all that I bring up is there not a big enough fan base down there. I never said hate anywhere in my post, far from it. The south has a great passion for sports. I just wish they had it for hockey, it would make this sport grow.

Thats is one big leap you made writing "anti-south bigots", you insufferable moron. There was nothing against the south as a whole, just about being hockey fans. In fact I wish more hockey fans had the passion that the south does for football and NASCAR. In fact I have a vacation home down south, I enjoy the south very much. But again for the learning impaired this post was about "Most Annoying Fans." The south qualifies for this post.

Oh Boy, we have one southern boy who knows hockey. That doesn't mean the south deserve hockey teams. Nashville, Atlanta, Carolina, and the Florida teams all have trouble drawing. In 10 years at least 3 of these teams will have moved or cease to exist. Now does reality make me arrogant? Maybe in your eyes, but the question was for this post "Most Annoying Fans." One guy doesn't make a fan base and most of the people in the south do not know hockey and could care less.

Very untrue. The SIX were the only reason for expansion to happen when it did. There were other factors for zero growth in those 25 years, mainly World War II. Now granted the NHL owners in those days were very conservative and were aprhensive about expansion. In fact there is to many teams in this league now who aren't making money and the solid franchises having to bail them out.

Without question Homer has brought more to the Wings this year. Maltby is on the downside of a solid NHL career. He has given the Wings all he had and was very good contributor during the Cup wins. But Homer is the guy; Maltby might not be here next year.

I had been out of town for a couple of weeks and didn't see any hockey. So I was excited on Saturday to watch HNIC. First and foremost that was a great game, one of the best I have seen this year. That fight just goes to show if you do not get at least part of the arm that a man is throwing at you and tuck your chin, anyone can knock someone down. But most of the damage was done when his head hit the ice. Thank God he is ok!! No one wants to see someone carried of on a stretcher. Does anyone know if Petro ever been in a fight before, what is his MO? Is Newman suppose to be a fighter? Let me know. I do not know these guys very well Sorry Newbury. I said I didn't know them well.

Did anyone see the Peters/Brashear fight? It is on hockeyfights.com. Peters caught old Donald with 2 big rights. Nice fight for this kid. He is quickly making a name for himself. And it was great to see Brashear get hammered.

Thank you for the update. Hopefully the Wings prospects will play well and they will have an influx of talent in a few years.

Does anyone know where we can pick-up the games? If not on TV, then at least on the net. To get a good description of the action.

Tucker would be a good pick-up. What would be the price? The Leafs need everything, so it will be interesting to see what they want and what they get. Besides if Tucker comes here, he can help J. Wooley find his teeth.

I not going to get on WingNut's case, but I think Smyth would be a great pick-up. He brings a lot of talent and leadership, qualities the Wings or any team for that matter could use. One thing that makes me concern is everyone Datysuk is rumored to be dealt for are UFA's. Which is understandable since he is one himself, but it would be great if they traded him for someone who was young and signed long term.

Eva like your passion, but are you Eriksson's agent? The reason I ask this, I don't think his own family would have been that optimistic.

I do not know what you consider a blockbuster trade, but one of the simple definition is quality for quality and not one of those qualifies. Were they good moves? Hell yes, but the Wings didn't give up anyone of importance in any of those deals. Now Avery might be considered an important piece of L.A. now, but he was barely on the Wings at the time of the trade. If I am not mistaken wasn't Hasek a free agent signing? So everyone of these deals were good, but safe in the fact they didn't give up anyone of quality. The is the reason I asked the question, does Holland have the stones?

Smyth would be the best case sernario for the Wings getting rid of Pavel. But Lowe is one of the best GM's and he would want more. I have to give credit to Lowe, he is in one of the worst markets and still puts out a quality team. Does Holland have the stones to make a big trade? He has never pulled the trigger on a block buster, he has always made small deals or sign free agents.

Classic! The guy from LA gave Larque a good bout. Nice lefts and great job with pick-up of the conversation.

Any fan living south of the Mason-Dixon line, put in whatever city you choose. They can tell you what their favorite NASCAR driver had for breakfast before they could name 5 guys on the team they cheer for. Of course the insufferable Edmonton fans are very annoying, but still not as bad as those so-called "good ole boys".

I am far from a Holland supporter, but they have good quality drafts. Yes I know most have been the dreaded Euros. But I firmly believe their last 2 drafts will produce some North Americans with size and grit. Of course most on this site does not believe it. Look at the kids that are coming up in the minors (not in Grand Rapids), I believe they will have a very good team. All this being said they do need some grit for the playoffs and none of these kids are going to help this year.

You guys have to go on hockeyfights.com, after watching the video you can rate the fight. This site is always up to date and they do a pretty good job. They also have classic fights, you have to be a member to view these. They still have Booger fight with Fridge up there(just plain nasty). Laraque gives Booger problems because without question he has the best balance of any fighter and he is strong as a bull. He always locks up Booger righthand and pulls him down at the end of each fight they had. There is always debates of who is the best fighter of all time, who is your guys top three? Mine are 1. Bob Probert, had it all as a fighter 2. Dave Brown, nasty and a southpaw. 3. Tony Twist, one of the most devasting punchers I ever saw, a bigger Joey Kocur. This should raise some interesting names, now I only selected guys I saw in the NHL. I haven't watched to many minor league games, but if you throw a few of those guys in your mix it would be interesting to hear. Now a side note, I am sure this topic has been stated before. Whatever happen to Probert? The last I heard he was in the fight with Tampa police and eneded back in re-hab.

At the end of the season we have to see how these players have developed. The one thing I have noticed, is the size of these kids, it is starting to look like an NHL D-line. Hopefully their talent will grow too. Unfortunately we all know not all these kids will be in the NHL. Some due to injuries and some due to the lack of talent. If the Wings could at least see 3 to 4 that would be fantastic. If by some miracle all of them develop, we have to give credit to the scouting staff and yes my friends even to the infamous Kenny Holland. Who would have thought the man could draft size and grit?

The word around is his wife wants to stay in Russia and raise their kids. I heard this on a Canadian radio station so it is just a rumor without a quote from Igor or his wife. They also said that the Russians teams are growing at a fast rate and money will not be a problem to pay their elite playes. This guy (I forget his name) came on and recommend the NHL stay away from Russian players for now, unless they want to get into a bidding war. We will see what happens, but Igor to be even playing at this level after that accident is a great achievement.