Echolalia

Phoenix is so high because the locals get to watch the Wings play twice a year for dirt cheap.

The statue of liberty play may very well have cost the Avs the Stanley Cup.

I like the Mickey Redmond answer. I've been amassing a list of people I would like to have dinner with and Redmond was always on that list. I would like to chat with Babcock about life, hunting exotic animals in Africa, etc etc. I'm sure I could pick his mind for hours. Datsyuk and Homer are good answers also. I'm sure Tootoo has some stories to tell.

Well I can identify Chelios, Lilja, Babcock, and MacLean for certain in that photo. The guy behind Chelios looks to be Jason Williams, and the guy behind that looks to be Filppulla, although I'm not 100% sure on either. The years that Babs, MacLean, Chelios, Lilja, Williams, and Filppula all played for the Wings are only 2006 and 2007. In 2006, Filppulla only played 4 games and none of them were against the Wild, so this photo is likely from 2007, assuming that everyone is properly identified. The photo was taken at a home game, and we played Minnesota twice at the Joe in 2007. On December 22, and again on the 27th. Lilja did not play on the 27th, so my guess would be this photo is from December 22nd. (http://sports.yahoo....?gid=2006122205) Chelios is not pegged as having any penalties, although Veilleux did get a roughing penalty in the second period (I don't know for sure if that is Veileux in the pic). The photo looks to be taken in the second period as well, as the defensman are closest to the camera, which is situated on the center ice side of the bench.

The more I think about it, the more I think the players are in the driver's seat. Since the last lockout, international leagues have really fluorished and have been marketed well. There is more interest today in European leagues, and the KHL especially than ever before. If I'm on the board of governors, I would be scared to death of letting another lockout occur, simply to keep rival leagues from gaining momentum against the NHL. We have already seen several players bolt overseas to chase money and glory. What happens when the NHL doesn't exist for a year and most of the league's players play for the KHL? How many of them decide they prefer the higher paycheck in Russia? How hard does the KHL fight to entice players to stay?

I have believed Roberto Luongo to be the most overrated goalie for the past 5 or 6 years, but I think the media is starting to catch up.

I wish we could have done better for him. The guy did all he could when he was here.

God I love Helm

Some things are too powerful to create

I don't think it wise to trade for Bouwmeester, even with our defense the way it is. We have depth up front, yes, but not in the capacity that other teams are interested in. We have two anchors in Zetterberg and Datsyuk, two strong complimentary players in Franzen and Filppulla, and after that we have won't-look-completely-out-of-place in Cleary, Bert, or Sammuelson, and who-knows-what in Nyqvuist and Brunner. Not exactly an excess of skill to work with. The bottom six, however, is flooded. Unfortunately bottom six players don't get you talent on Bouwmeester's level. I don't know that its worth it to trade either Franzen or Filppulla for a top defensman at this point. We'll round out our blue line, but then our top six bears the hole.

Thanks for the update

So is there any word on whether Victor Martinez will be back this year?

It would be really nice to have Brett Hull or Luc Robatille in their primes right about now. I still think the correct answer is Konstantinov, for how much he provided us in his time here, and the fact that he didn't even get a chance at playing out his career.

This was one of my favorite moments watching hockey. If I recall correctly, Larry Murphy had a good response to watching it as well

He is one of only a few guys to pass through the league that nobody can find a reason to hate. Go to other teams' forums, even rivals like the Blues, Hawks, Ducks, Sharks, Pens, or Leafs. They all share a hatred for Detroit, but there's always an exception for Datsyuk.

yes please.

They are meeting today, but if one side is refusing to budge on any issues, then they certainly are not negotiating.

Bad, bad news, if true: "It looks like there will be no more negotiations. Owners have already stated that they won't move away from their position. The lockout may be called even earlier than Sept. 15. "But right now all the guys are already ready for the League to have a work stoppage. The NHLPA is arranging for insurance coverage for everyone, getting ready to make payments. Fehr told everyone in advance, and a lot of players will go to Europe. Maybe to Russia." -Ilya Kovalchuk, in an interview with Dmitry Chesnokov. Full interview is here

Not a fan of periods? The Wings didn't seem interested in Semin when he was still available, so I don't see Kenny pursuing Kostitsyn, which Is essentially a poor man's Semin.

First of all that is totally awesome that you are on a sled hockey team, and that the Penguins sponsor the one team! You should update this post with your progress/results as the season progresses. It might be our only source of hockey entertainment if there is a lockout... Anyway, I dont really have a lifestyle dedicated to being a good hockey player, it's just something I do on the side for fun. HavIng said that, I do lead a pretty active life as it is, so my cardio at least is usually in good shape. I play ice hockey year round, plus in the summers I do mountain biking, wakeboarding, waterskiing. I thInk my biggest prep for hockey would be the day of the game, just trying to eat healthy and balanced and load up on carbs before the game (and hopefully time it so I don't have to take a massive dump 5 minutes before puck-drop.)

My tent is named after him. Oh wait, that's Wenzel...

This is true, but considering the alternative that we're discussing is making the other team answer the bell, I'd say that our enforcers aren't very enforcer-like either (aside from Tootoo, as mentioned above), and I don't think anybody would be rattled by the physicality of our team like they were say in 2002, or 98, or 95 etc.

I understand where you're coming from but I disagree. I love seeing the other team squirm and lose their focus and try to get retribution when they should be focusing on the game itself. Vladdy said it best: "I don't need to score the goal. I need someone to start thinking about me and forgetting about scoring goals." On the other hand, when Zetterberg gets his face slammed into the boards (or any other illegal and dangerous attack), then I expect the team to strike down with great fury. The acquisition of Tootoo should help in that regard.

As much as I like the guy as well as the acquisition at first, Modano coming to Detroit was ultimately a mistake. When I see him wearing the Winged Wheel and think of the injury, I get so bummed that he had to close out his career in such a way.

I'll be happy if they can both maintain a regular spot in the lineup theoughout the entire season. The potential is certainly there for both players, but transitioning to the NHL for a full 82 is a task in itself.