Chris Chelios interview: I'm OK not getting playing time

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

The guy has done more for the Wings than Lilja will ever do in his career. There's no such thing as loyalty anymore? Not to mention, Chelios has been there and done that. This fact alone is enough to warrant his spot over Lilja. If Chelios messes up in the finals, then you bench him. But he has done enough in his career to earn that spot in the lineup.

Loyalty doesn't win Cups. Babcock has said all along, you gotta earn your ice time, no matter what the name on the back of the jersey is. It was even that way with Yzerman his last year, and rightly so.

You don't earn a spot in the lineup because of what you've done in your career. Well, maybe some teams decide ice time that way, but I bet they're in or near last place.

[ben_usmc 253]

In fairness to Chelios and everyone saying he was horrible in the Dallas series he actually was our best D-man in game 4, of course in game 5 he was horrible. But he did have bright moments in that series.

[rick zombo 3,739]

Chelios is Lazy and he Sucks ^TM

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Laraque is probably s***ting his pants right now knowing that the "PAIN TRAIN" will be in the lineup.

Get ready to relinquish your crown, George.

[thedisappearer 291]

You're talking to a Blues fan. Can't blame him for not understanding that...

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!

[blues_demitra38 11]

Loyalty doesn't win Cups. Babcock has said all along, you gotta earn your ice time, no matter what the name on the back of the jersey is. It was even that way with Yzerman his last year, and rightly so.

You don't earn a spot in the lineup because of what you've done in your career. Well, maybe some teams decide ice time that way, but I bet they're in or near last place.

Would it be right to bench Yzerman in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals in what could potentially be his final chance for the Cup?

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

Would it be right to bench Yzerman in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals in what could potentially be his final chance for the Cup?

If he didn't deserve the ice time and was a potential detriment to the team, absolutely.

Chelios was an important part of the Wings this season, and even for a decent chunk of the playoffs. It's not like his absence in Game 1, and potentially the finals, negates that.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

Would it be right to bench Yzerman in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals in what could potentially be his final chance for the Cup?

To top of what HS said, no player is bigger than the team. Steve Yzerman wasn't, nor was Wayner Gretzky or anyone else you can think of. If you're a detriment to the team (regardless of past accomplishments) you shouldn't be playing.

[RainingBlood 8]

I wouldn't even add that latter part. He's Hal Gill, only a bit shorter.

A lot of folks are raving about Hal's play these playoffs, but Lilly was every bit as good last spring leading the playoffs in hits and blocked shots through the Conference finals. He was great right up until he gave the puck up to Selanne in OT of game 5. Lilly was a stud last spring.

funny thing was he went from hero to goat. Just before he handed the puck to selanne in ot of game 5 he had the go ahead goal in the second period.

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

More rest for Chelios is never a bad thing. BTW about Franzen, on TSN just now McGuire said one of the reasons he wont play is because of the Fischer incident, and how closely Detroit doctors monitor things.

[norrisnick 1]

funny thing was he went from hero to goat. Just before he handed the puck to selanne in ot of game 5 he had the go ahead goal in the second period.

Not only did he go from hero to goat, but his turnover absolved a nearly unforgivable sin by Franzen late in regulation. Johan had the puck on his forehand down near the corner/halfboards in the final minute on the PK. Rather than ripping it off the wall and out he went with a weak backhanded flip. The flip didn't clear the zone and Niedermayer fluttered a shot off of Nick's stick and in to tie it.

Franzen clears that puck, the odds of holding off the Ducks skyrocket and we're up 3-2 in the series as opposed to losing a heartbreaker in OT to go down 3-2. That failed clear cost us a Cup, IMO.