Echolalia

The league can fine tune the rulebook and tweak the rink designs over and over and you're still going to see players getting severely injured on borderline plays. In the end it comes down to respecting each other and hitting to make an effective play, not to injure somebody. Its a shame that so few players practice this philosophy.

They definitely need the help of the teams above them to get into a playoff spot, but they do still have two more games against Atlanta, and one each against Toronto, Buffalo, and NYR. They also have a game in hand over all those teams but the Rangers. From what I've gathered, they can get into 10th place completely of their own accord, but to get any higher, Carolina, Buffalo, or the Rangers need to lose games not against the Devils.

I personally think its too little too late, but I would sure hate to have to vs then in the first round.

Finally something above 11!

I'm ready for it. My only concern is whether the players will respect his opinions and view him as a defensive coach, or the 6th/7th defensman that they used to play alongside. I know he has the fiery passion for it, and I think I remember hearing he's interested in a coaching position.

Who knows who the cause of the defensive struggles are without lockerroom access? It could be Babs, McCrimmon, the players, all the above, etc. We may likely never know. However, as defensive coordinator, McCrimmon has proven that he isn't part of the solution. I want a coach in Detroit who can take prerogative and come up with innovative and effective solutions. I haven't seen any of that in a couple years.

Hmm. I've been under the impression that Ericsson has been playing well as of late. The two defensmen I'm most bummed about are Lidstrom and Kronwall. Neither of them seem to be playing like themselves lately.

I still think the best hockey commercial is the montage of everyone lifting the Cup, then the quip about it weighing forty-something pounds except when you lift it.

"Oh no, boys, put those away. Pucks won't be necessary for this practice." Worked like a charm for my old team.

Just walked in the door and see we're down 2-1, looks like playoff style hockey from the minute I saw? Can anyone summarize how the game has been going for me thus far?

Friday, March 4 Pittsburgh at New Jersey NY Rangers at Ottawa Carolina at Chicago Columbus at Calgary Dallas at Anaheim Saturday, March 5 St. Louis at NY Islanders Buffalo at Philadelphia Vancouver at Los Angeles Pittsburgh at Boston Montreal at Tampa Bay Chicago at Toronto Florida at Atlanta Detroit at Phoenix Edmonton at Colorado Dallas at San Jose Sunday, March 6 Philadelphia at NY Rangers New Jersey at NY Islanders Washington at Florida X2 Buffalo at Minnesota Nashville at Calgary Vancouver at Anaheim

The Wings aren't going to win the Cup with how they have been playing. Teams crack down on defense way more in the post season so those 5+ goal games that have been bailing our D out aren't going to be commonplace.

Neato, hope his rehab continues to go well

He's slowly been getting more comfortable. There were a handful of times when he has looked really self-conscious or nervous when we first brought him up, but they're getting fewer and farther between. He's holding onto the puck a bit longer, making smarter plays, etc. We'll see how he progresses.

Its not necessarily the most skilled player that would make the best captain, but rather a player who can best lead his team both by example and through verbal motivation in any situation. I don't know that any of us can advocate one player over another in this regard. On ice talent: I'll take Pavs as the best on the team and among the best in the league. Leadership both on and off the ice: who the hell knows?

Even if you ignore Orpik entirely, my point is still quite valid.

This is a "show me what you can do" contract. Jimmy showed last year he has the potential to be a top 10 goalie in this league, but this year he's shown that he has problems on consistency. 2 year deal is nice and short, the cap hit is fair, but I'm seeing it as Holland just gave Jimmy two years to prove that he's worth a better contract when the time comes. Hopefully he takes his opportunity seriously.

In Letang's defense, they're also without Malkin and Orpik for an extended period of time. Anyone's stats are going to suffer when three of the keystone players are missing.

I was bummed when I heard the news. My old coach would invite him to our practices and he would screw around with us. Coach even named a horrible skating drill after him. The guy is a bit closer to my heart than other hockey players. Anyway, thanks for the class.

Friday, February 25 FORGOT Saturday, February 26 Nashville at Dallas TOO LATE Colorado at Los Angeles Detroit at Buffalo 2x Carolina at Montreal Washington at NY Islanders Philadelphia at Ottawa Pittsburgh at Toronto Boston at Vancouver Sunday, February 27 Tampa Bay at NY Rangers Columbus at Nashville New Jersey at Florida Toronto at Atlanta Phoenix at Chicago St. Louis at Calgary Boston at Edmonton Colorado at Anaheim

Myself included.

I saw that hit and thought immediately about how E Staal was thinking "here's a chance to show my bro a thing or two about not keeping his head up" but not thinking "here's a chance to put a guy in the hospital"

I'm sorry to hear that, and I was actually looking around at the last game I went to and noticed there weren't a whole lot of options for handicapped folks at the Joe. I have the opposite issue that you have (and perhaps I cause yours). I'm 6'3" which means no sitting up straight because the people behind me can't see well, my knees are rubbing up against the guy-in-front-of-me's ears, and to reconcile, I usually end up leaning sideways a bit which is a great annoyance to whomever I'm sitting next to.

Poor Stevekrause, gets flamed for how he does or doesn't spend his money... It is his money, he can be as entitled as he wants. Don't like the arena, don't go to it. Nothing wrong with that philosophy at all.

I hate the Joe, also. Everything about it disappoints me when I look at other arenas around the league, and hell, even in other pro sports. I don't intentionally avoid going to the Joe to watch games in person, though, but I definitely don't enjoy the experience as much as at other venues.