BlackhawksFan 4 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 Chelios should play, it gives Blackhawks fans something to boo. I don't think words even begin to describe how reviled and hated Chris Chelios is in the eyes of Chicago Blackhawks fans. Remember that game in April when Chelios cross-checked Kane about five or six times in a row? What minority of fans there were that supported and defended Chelios had an awfully difficult time vindicating that. He said that he would never play for Detroit, and then he did. Yes, it was a decade ago, but time moves languidly in Blackhawks land. It's been 7 years since a playoff appearance, 10 since the team's been any good, 16 since the last Stanley Cup appearance, and 48 since the last Stanley Cup win. Nine years is nothing, and Chelios is still as hated as ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingfan1991 221 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 Sidenote: Comebacks are for juveniles. We're having a debate and that was my reply. Also, you didn't answer my question about it being a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Lilja either. honestly what's the point in trying to explain that? you're obviously not gonna agree with my reasoning .. so the day is over, gonna enjoy the wicked game tonight.. hope we smoke the hawks and look forward to chelios AND lebda on the ice in wrigley peace out! go wings go!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 Chelios should play, it gives Blackhawks fans something to boo. I don't think words even begin to describe how reviled and hated Chris Chelios is in the eyes of Chicago Blackhawks fans. Remember that game in April when Chelios cross-checked Kane about five or six times in a row? What minority of fans there were that supported and defended Chelios had an awfully difficult time vindicating that. He said that he would never play for Detroit, and then he did. Yes, it was a decade ago, but time moves languidly in Blackhawks land. It's been 7 years since a playoff appearance, 10 since the team's been any good, 16 since the last Stanley Cup appearance, and 48 since the last Stanley Cup win. Nine years is nothing, and Chelios is still as hated as ever. In Cheli's defense, he was traded to Detroit...so its not as if he signed here as an UFA after making the comments he did. After he got a taste of what it was like in Detroit he realized how great of an organization they had and how wonderful it was to be a part of. Now that being said, I can understand Blackhawks fans' resentment towards Cheli. If a high-end, Wings fan favorite was traded to Colorado back in the late 90's and then he re-signed the following season with them, I'd be uber-bitter as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlackhawksFan 4 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 In Cheli's defense, he was traded to Detroit...so its not as if he signed here as an UFA after making the comments he did. After he got a taste of what it was like in Detroit he realized how great of an organization they had and how wonderful it was to be a part of. Now that being said, I can understand Blackhawks fans' resentment toward Cheli. If a high-end Wings fan favorite was traded to Colorado back in the late 90's and then he re-signed the following season with them, I'd be uber-bitter as well. But of course. WWW had essentially run the team in the ground by then, I wouldn't fault Chelios for wanting out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 honestly what's the point in trying to explain that? you're obviously not gonna agree with my reasoning .. so the day is over, gonna enjoy the wicked game tonight.. hope we smoke the hawks and look forward to chelios AND lebda on the ice in wrigley peace out! go wings go!!! Then I'll leave it with I hope to see Chelios and Lilja on the ice in Wrigley because that stands a better chance than Lebda and Chelios...and for good reason. Go Wings! Cheers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 But of course. WWW had essentially run the team in the ground by then, I wouldn't fault Chelios for wanting out. Me neither...however its not as if Cheli signed with any other team once his contract was up either....know what I mean? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 In Cheli's defense, he was traded to Detroit...so its not as if he signed here as an UFA after making the comments he did. After he got a taste of what it was like in Detroit he realized how great of an organization they had and how wonderful it was to be a part of. Now that being said, I can understand Blackhawks fans' resentment toward Cheli. If a high-end Wings fan favorite was traded to Colorado back in the late 90's and then he re-signed the following season with them, I'd be uber-bitter as well. That's a great point. If that happened with a Detroit player they'd be burning him in effigy at games. Think of how people act towards Fedorov, who hardly did the equivalent of what Cheli did. Chelios was born and raised in Chicago, played on the team for 9 of his prime years, won a Norris trophy with them, was captain of the team for four years, including when he was traded. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlackhawksFan 4 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 Me neither...however its not as if Cheli signed with any other team once his contract was up either....know what I mean? Yes. Yes I do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
miller76 463 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 I want the best players to dress and be on the ice. This game carries the same weight as any other division game. This team needs 2 points on New Years Day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Real1 2 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 Kind of like keeping Yzerman on the bench for his final shift against Edmonton in 2006. How can you spend a shift on the bench? I don't get it... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted December 30, 2008 Kind of like keeping Yzerman on the bench for his final shift against Edmonton in 2006. How can you spend a shift on the bench? I don't get it... I meant for the final seconds of the game. Now do you get it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Datsyerberger 279 Report post Posted December 31, 2008 (edited) I'd love to see Chelios in this, for many aforementioned reasons. Best American born player ever, outdoor game in his hometown, against the team he played for in his best years, on the team he's won two cups with.. yea. I'd also like to see Lebda play, despite the fact that Lilja has been consistently superior. Again, hometown boy. Also, IIRC, the Lebda + Chelios pairing has always done a bit better than Cheli + Lilja (due to Lilja and Cheli both being a bit.. slow). Also, Chicago 3rd defensive pairing? That's just epic. I don't see Lilja as a selfish individual. He seems like a stand-up guy for his teammates. Given those conditions with those 2 teammates of his, you've got to wonder if he'd be okay with being benched. I'm certain he'd love to play as well, but.. well, I dunno, that's all between him and Babs and what not. It'd be epicly awesome if he was down with that, though. If Lidstrom doesn't play, it's a given that all 3 will be in. I don't see Lidstrom missing this, however, unless he's physically unable to skate. Most importantly, I just want to see the Wings kick Chicago's ass. Again. Edit: If our defensive pairings our chosen based on performance (which I have no qualms with), I think it's Cheli + Lilja, without a doubt. I don't think our choice of Lebda vs Lilja for our 3rd pairing should be enough to lose a game for us, not if the entire team is playing decently. Lilja is a big PK asset, though, and when the Hawks PP is on fire... well, just thought I'd clear that up. Edited December 31, 2008 by The Wheeled Winger Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mors 201 Report post Posted January 1, 2009 Wings' Chelios soaks in hometown spectacle Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted January 1, 2009 Well it looks like this whole argument is moot because Babs has done the classy thing and announced he's dressing 11 forwards and 7 defenceman (Sammy may be the one to sit following his flu) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Izzy24 44 Report post Posted January 1, 2009 Kind of like keeping Yzerman on the bench for his final shift against Edmonton in 2006. How can you spend a shift on the bench? I don't get it... Yeah, that's a real thinker. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted January 1, 2009 Chelios was out there for 5 shifts. I think all of them in the first. Is he still hurt? or is he just done? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted January 1, 2009 Yeah, that's a real thinker. Hey, I didn't know you were back. Chelios was out there for 5 shifts. I think all of them in the first. Is he still hurt? or is he just done? I thought that he must be hurt, because we had the game clinched by the 2nd half of the 3rd period. I figured he'd play in that situation. I haven't heard anything about him being hurt, so I'm just speculating. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Izzy24 44 Report post Posted January 1, 2009 What's to stop Chelios from playing only part of the game? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted January 1, 2009 I'm sure we'll hear something tomorrow. Lebda certainly got his share of ice-time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
