Echolalia

that is gorgeous

So despite losing to Edmonton and Calgary winning to San Jose, the Wings came out on top this weekend. Wonderful!

Is someone streaming this one?

That was one of the most tactical fights I have seen. They really measured their punches and picked their spots well.

Ericcson has had a strong game so far. I'm glad to see him use that body to its potential, and that's what she said.

The way he's been playing lately, I don't think I'll notice his absence.

Ville Leino. Sure I didn't expect him to put out like he did last year, but he really was a disappointment.

I think you're putting too much stock into the Red Wings.

Its getting more and more difficult to try to find ways to justify the NHL's rulings. But I like a challenge.

If anyone could possibly record this and post it for those of us who don't have access to the live viewing, I would greatly appreciate it. I'll +1 your rep AND give you a five star rating

As bad as the dive was, I loved watching the goalie jump on the puck about five seconds after it goes in the net.

Statistics aren't for everybody.

50-60 points from a 3rd liner is plenty enough, especially considering what Hudler's salary will be. There's a definite possibility that if he returns he still won't be in the top six. One can't just assume that a 50 point scorer will be a lock-in for 70-80 points by playing more minutes on a higher line. Hudler excels against other third-liners, but hasn't been especially effective against other team's top six. So while some people like to look at Hudler as an under achieving top six player, I think a more realistic view is that he's one of the best bottom sixers league-wide. Of course if he wants to return and prove me wrong and score ten points less than Dats on the second line, I'll be totally fine with that.

I think I read somewhere they will be staying out there, and they have a couple practices and team-building exercises throughout the time off. I could be wrong though.

Sure people go through slumps, but that hasn't stopped you lot from posting Bertuzzi/Zetterberg/Filpulla/insert player here sucks threads. I just figured I would contribute by discussing someone who seems to slip under everyone's radar here.

I still can't believe Z didn't win it.

Updated, although hesitantly because it seems whenever I update this thing as of late he follows up with a stat-destroying performance. In any event, he's still hanging on to top ten stats, but I think the Calder race is slipping away from him with his post-Olympic performance (not to mention Myers' recent play).

I've never understood why goals are not allowed to be scored with a kicking motion. A player is allowed to kick the puck to a teammate as a pass, or to receive a pass if the puck ends up between the skates. Kicking the puck along is also a frequent occurrence along the boards when players are pinned together and their sticks aren't immediately available. But this allowance suddenly breaks down when we're talking about the puck going into the net. I always thought of intentional puck-kicking as one of the many facets of the game that complement a player's skill in close-range battles. If a player is tied up with a d-man at the top of the crease and scores by kicking, shouldn't he be rewarded with a goal if he has the ability to keep the defenseman occupied and beat the goalie simultaneously? Maybe there's some glaring problem with allowing players to score by kicking the puck in that I'm not seeing, but regardless I'd like your opinion.

ok I don't think that I'm going to get anywhere with this. I admit that the safety of the goalie is a concern but I don't see how some small rule could be placed to protect him, such as no kicking within the crease or something. I just get pissed off when a goal is waived off because it was kicked in.

I honestly can't see the dangers of kicking as a means of banning it as a possible way to score. Like I said, it occurs everywhere else on the ice. Heck, even now it occurs in front of the net. The defensman is not inhibited at all from kicking the puck away from the forward if the puck is at their feet. The forward is also free to kick the puck, so long as it doesn't go into the net. This includes kicking it to a teammate who could be nearby, or to his own stick to pop the puck into the net. He could also kick it to the goalie/net in hopes that he gets a lucky bounce.

2008

I'm hopeful that this season won't have too many more blind-side head shots. With all the scrutiny that hits to the head have garnished, not just from one side, but from every GM in the league in addition to the media and players who have all voiced their desire for something to be done, its going to take someone with a lot of balls to go out and intentionally nail someone in the head. I'm not saying in won't be done, but I don't think their reputation will get away unpunished. Its not a suspension, but I know I would think twice about doing something that is becoming practically universally despised.

I sure hope he's not intimidated. Since returning from his injury he hasn't been going into the dirty areas with as much hunger.

Unfortunately, this is the right call. While what Cooke did was stupid, disrespectful, dangerous, and completely unnecessary, there was nothing about what he did that was technically illegal by how the NHL rulebook is written. That said, I'm glad that GMs took the opportunity to establish that a rule should be in place this time next year, so at te very least, Mark Savard's injury will not be completely in vain.

Prolly his hair. but seriously, I don't think anyone expects him to become Datsyuk or Zetterberg. Most folks realize his potential is just about met, and for his role Filppulla is a legit player. He sees the ice well, can function as a play-maker but can also be relied on to score, and he's strong defensively.