Stuart may miss start of Round 2

[HockeytownRules19 902]

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID...044/1048/sports

Bummer

[Opie 308]

See, I was very worried about this exact thing with the C's, both Garnett and Pierce had baby girls just before the playoffs started. I know Stuart isn't to the wings what KG or P-squared but he is an important cog in their wheel.

But, I wish him nothing but the best and in his spot I would do the same thing and anyone who thinks he should be with the team is cold and heartless, but that is my opinion!

[wingslogo19 281]

He's doing the right thing. Just hope to have him back soon

[NHLrules? 32]

So is this like a scheduled C section or what?

If not how many games could he potentially miss?

[gcom007 1,465]

I think this is the right thing on so many levels.

1) It's an effing kid, he's gotta be there.

2) It'll give him some time to rest and heal up for the grind as I think it's obvious that he's still been hampered by injury.

3) He'll probably have a lot more mental clarity after the fact which combined with rest and healing hopefully will bring his game back to the way it was before injury.

All the best to him and hopefully he's back soon, and hopefully he brings the wife with him once it's over! That wouldn't hurt either it seems...

[Z and D for the C 712]

It's not like Colorado is an overly physical team anyway. We're okay without him for now. Best of luck to him and his wife.

[Swede40 0]

I'd like to see Ericsson take his place tomorrow night if he isn't back.

[donfishmaster 62]

There should be some kind of contract stipulation about no player copulation in the months of July-September!

[Reds4Life 51]

It's good. He will rest, refill his strength, both mental and physical.

[maltbymaniac 13]

well i say good for him.when he gets back he will be refreshed.family is always first.

go wings!

[Vincanni 1]

This only means we'll get to run the Pain Train through Colorado! Stuart can take some time off to heal his broken finger, then he'll return to pick up the shattered remains of what is left of the Avs after being thrown under the Pain Train!

Though in all seriousness who wants to bet if Lilja gets the nod to fill in he'll play his best hockey of the playoffs knowing he needs to earn a spot when Stuart returns.

[Opie 308]

well i say good for him.when he gets back he will be refreshed.family is always first.

go wings!

Kind of a hopeful story on my part.

Again I will use a Celtics analogy.

Leon Powe had a crappy first 1/4 of the season, his wife gave birth to Leon Powe III and he went on to be the second best bench player on the team. He said it gave him a much greater sense of responsibility to make sure he had a long basketball career, which made him focus on getting better.

I am not sure if Stuart and his wife have other kids or not, but who knows this could make him more motivated to help his team get the cup!

[jvxp 0]

Though in all seriousness who wants to bet if Lilja gets the nod to fill in he'll play his best hockey of the playoffs knowing he needs to earn a spot when Stuart returns.

You are probably right!

[Opie 308]

This only means we'll get to run the Pain Train through Colorado! Stuart can take some time off to heal his broken finger, then he'll return to pick up the shattered remains of what is left of the Avs after being thrown under the Pain Train!

Though in all seriousness who wants to bet if Lilja gets the nod to fill in he'll play his best hockey of the playoffs knowing he needs to earn a spot when Stuart returns.

Great Point in bold!!

It is very possible that Lebda and Lilja will be playing side by side on some overlap, they very likely will be playing shifts after the other, and both will know that they are competing with the other.

That could make for the 2 of them really raising their level of play!!

Great point my man/woman I never thought of that!

[shannyfan1414 0]

See, I was very worried about this exact thing with the C's, both Garnett and Pierce had baby girls just before the playoffs started. I know Stuart isn't to the wings what KG or P-squared but he is an important cog in their wheel.

But, I wish him nothing but the best and in his spot I would do the same thing and anyone who thinks he should be with the team is cold and heartless, but that is my opinion!

What a jerk. He have another kid one day and be there for that one. He may never be in the Stanley Cup playoffs again. Come on man were are your priorities?

OK i'm just kidding. He is a good man and i wish him the best.

[10 Minute Misconduct 104]

well she better hurry up and push that kid out

seriously, we need stuart ...

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

See what happens when you play for Los Angeles? You start to plan your pregnancies to coincide with the playoffs since you know you won't have anything else going on.

Seriously though, he's doing the right thing. If I was having a child, there would be nothing more important than being there for it.

Edited April 23, 2008 by Never Forget Mac #25

[Opie 308]

See what happens when you play for Los Angeles? You start to plan your pregnancies to coincide with the playoffs since you know you won't have anything else going on.

HAHA do you know why that is so funny????

Because it is TRUE!!!!

[Sergeiwasmyfav 0]

I think it is really nice that he wants to be with his wife when she has the baby. I think we will be fine without him for a few games, and I'm happy that Lilja will get a chance to get back in the line-up for a bit at least. Seriously though, and this is not meant to sound heartless or anything it's just an observation, how many jobs would let you just take off work and sit around waiting for your wife to have a baby? Not many. I'm not saying he shouldn't be there, because I think he should, but I hope pro-athletes realize and are appreciative of the many perks that they get at their job that the ordinary person will never have.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

Lilja, Lebda.... or Ericsson???

[Superman54 91]

Ow well, its completly understandable. Hope to see him in game 2 if thats the case!

[Frozen-Man 144]

Great move by the Wings. Very classy to let him be there.

I love when players chose what is really important in life. As much as we all love this game it is nice when a guy keeps his priorities right realizing that ultimately it is a game and his responsibilities as a husband and a father are unfathomably more important.

Take care of your wife, take care of that precious new baby, and then come back and help the Wings take care of the Avs.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Great move by the Wings. Very classy to let him be there.

I love when players chose what is really important in life. As much as we all love this game it is nice when a guy keeps his priorities right realizing that ultimately it is a game and his responsibilities as a husband and a father are unfathomably more important.

Take care of your wife, take care of that precious new baby, and then come back and help the Wings take care of the Avs.

Technically speaking...its a job, which IMO is more important than a game, but none of which are even close to being as important as being there with your family while your child is delivered.

[wingsfan75 2]

Why has Meech disappeared in everyone's mind all of the sudden? He was no pushover in the final two months of the season. I'm sure Lilja will get the nod anyway but I wouldn't mind seeing him out there.

[Opie 308]

Why has Meech disappeared in everyone's mind all of the sudden? He was no pushover in the final two months of the season. I'm sure Lilja will get the nod anyway but I wouldn't mind seeing him out there.

Well because Lilja got the initial nod to start, that would lead you to believe that

Lilja> the other d-men.

When Babs wanted to replace him he used Lebda thus making you assume the original list was

Lilja > Lebda > the other d-men

With the switch it becomes

Lebda > Lilja > rest of the D-men.

At least in my mind but I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Babs play Ericsson or Quincey or Meech!