drwscc 212 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 But but but..they need to show up to something I'm not going to, and has no bearing on anything at all. They just have to because Gary said so, and because it's not fair that they make millions of dollars, and I don't, and I have to come to work sick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwedeLundin77 460 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 It's not a suspension for not playing, it's a suspension for not showing up at all. They aren't being asked to play, they're being asked to sign a few autographs and do a few photo-ops. Guess what, they do those kinds of things ALL YEAR LONG! In Detroit and wherever they go play, it happens. I want to know who actually pays for tickets to the ASG? Haha, that's about as bad as going to Mexico and drinking their water! Maybe what really pushed Datsyuk over the edge was when they counted him out of the skills competition... REALLY? Pretty much one of the most creative and skilled hockey players to play the game is not going to be in the "SKILLS" competition?!?!? Give me a break! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwedeLundin77 460 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 But but but..they need to show up to something I'm not going to, and has no bearing on anything at all. They just have to because Gary said so, and because it's not fair that they make millions of dollars, and I don't, and I have to come to work sick. Haha, true. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) Guess what, they do those kinds of things ALL YEAR LONG! In Detroit and wherever they go play, it happens. I want to know who actually pays for tickets to the ASG? Haha, that's about as bad as going to Mexico and drinking their water! Maybe what really pushed Datsyuk over the edge was when they counted him out of the skills competition... REALLY? Pretty much one of the most creative and skilled hockey players to play the game is not going to be in the "SKILLS" competition?!?!? Give me a break! Yes, but they're doing it this weekend for the sponsors and corporations who buy the high-end season tickets, the ones that make the salaries as high as they are. That's more important than ever since they'll have to grovel for every penny until the economy gets better. Datsyuk wasn't going to be in the breakaway competition, but he would've been in another event for sure. It shouldn't be a big deal. If you're so hurt that you can't travel or anything for the whole weekend, missing one game shouldn't be a big deal. Edited January 23, 2009 by MacK_Attack Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BlueMonk 102 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Maybe what really pushed Datsyuk over the edge was when they counted him out of the skills competition... REALLY? Pretty much one of the most creative and skilled hockey players to play the game is not going to be in the "SKILLS" competition?!?!? Give me a break! Yeah, Bettman should suspend himself for that absurd omission. Datsyuk, in particular, should get a free, "F**k you" to the NHL for that alone. Bottom line is, the league does a crappy job of promoting players outside of Crosby. And the voting system is a mockery. If the game had some kind of integrity, I could sympathize with the league's position on this. But the ASG is broken and needs fixing. For any player to put this game before his team would be silly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...uspend_red.html Good for Holland. Thank God for Holland. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 While I agree that something needs to be done to prevent everybody but the starters from showing up to All-star games, threatening to suspend players for the games that actually matter is a bit harsh. If anything, this is proof that the All-Star game needs to be modified, to make it more valuable for players to show up. Make it more than just a fun time for all. Put something on the line. It's also a bad idea to have fan voting be so powerful, because we obviously undermine the skills of those who are worthy to be there. Its become a joke that players don't want to participate in. Fix the joke, not the players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FunkedUp 29 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 I'm not surprised and I don't care about the decision. Of course it is a bit bizarre and nonsensical, but it'll give Dats and Lids a bit longer of a break. The question now becomes...Will Datsyuk be a Byng contender? Has anyone won it and been suspended in the season? I realize that a Byng trophy is not on Datsyuk's mind and it doesn't really matter, but its just a thought. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FinRedWing 172 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) And the game they're going to miss is against Columbus. Great. A well-rested Mason plus J-Will would probably score even with Lids playing. I do hate Bettman & the Central. Edited January 23, 2009 by FinRedWing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Yes, but they're doing it this weekend for the sponsors and corporations who buy the high-end season tickets, the ones that make the salaries as high as they are. That's more important than ever since they'll have to grovel for every penny until the economy gets better. Datsyuk wasn't going to be in the breakaway competition, but he would've been in another event for sure. The players are not indebted to these people simply because they pay their salary. They don't owe it to them to show up on the ice when they're injured because of a couple bucks. When I pay to go to a Wings game and, say Holmstrom is injured... should they put him in anyway just because I paid for a ticket? Absolutely not. It's the coach's and the doctor's decision as to whether the player needs to rest or whether they can go out on the ice. If Lidstrom & Datsyuk need to rest, there's no grounds for punishment. I don't get lashed for staying home from school with a fever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 It's not a suspension for not playing, it's a suspension for not showing up at all. They aren't being asked to play, they're being asked to sign a few autographs and do a few photo-ops. This is nothing more than Bettman throwing a temper tantrum. Thats all. The media has decided to ignore Datsyuk for years because of the language thing and because Bettman deems him not as pretty to market as Sidney Crosby and Lidstrom is so under appreciated that the only place you'll see his name spelled right is on the Norris 6 times and the Stanley Cup 4 times. This has nothing to do with promoting the game to Bettman's favorite demographic, those who dislike hockey, and everything to do with Gary throwing a party that no one wants to go to. Solution: suspend two of the biggest class acts ever to play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 The players are not indebted to these people simply because they pay their salary. They don't owe it to them to show up on the ice when they're injured because of a couple bucks. When I pay to go to a Wings game and, say Holmstrom is injured... should they put him in anyway just because I paid for a ticket? Absolutely not. It's the coach's and the doctor's decision as to whether the player needs to rest or whether they can go out on the ice. If Lidstrom & Datsyuk need to rest, there's no grounds for punishment. I don't get lashed for staying home from school with a fever. They're not being asked to go on the ice. They're being asked to go to Montreal for the off-ice stuff, the autograph signings and the sponsor events. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coolio Mendez 7 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Do away with the all-star game! It has the lowest television ratings for a nationally televised game in Canada, and in the US, where the audience is decent, the game tends to be watched in areas which don't usually watch hockey...........in other words, the average NHL viewer in North America, does not watch the All-Star game. 2 years ago, more people in Canada watched the Skills Competition/Young Stars game than the All-Star game itself. This has been a problem for 30 years. Guy Lafleur 'supposedly' injured himself late in a game prior to the 1977 classic, and Clarence Campbell threatened to suspend him if he didn't play. However as salaries have increased (Lafleur was making a measly $175K at the time) everybody wants to protect their investment in their runs toward Stanley Cup glory. Are Datsyuk, Lidstrom, Crosby all really that injured? Why did Phaneuf turn down Lidstrom's spot? Why did Rafalski turn down Lidstrom's spot? Why did Chris Pronger turn down Lidstrom's spot? The players don't seem to be interested (aside from Ovechkin who seems really gung-ho about it) in the game any more. That said, I don't think a player should be penalized for choosing not to go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedatsyukian 7 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 I'm not surprised and I don't care about the decision. Of course it is a bit bizarre and nonsensical, but it'll give Dats and Lids a bit longer of a break. The question now becomes...Will Datsyuk be a Byng contender? Has anyone won it and been suspended in the season? I realize that a Byng trophy is not on Datsyuk's mind and it doesn't really matter, but its just a thought. I highly doubt he'll even be mentioned after this. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reilly 24 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Is Babcock still going? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SwedeLundin77 460 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Is Babcock still going? Probably because he'll be coaching with his old buddy. I seriously hope he drops out though, in reponse to this bullcrap, that would be hilarious and prove the point even more that the whole idea of suspending two class act players for being injured and wanting to take the 5 days to relax and rest up is absurd. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 A suspension will permanently be in their records and you can write them off for the Lady Byng award. Yeah, it might not mean as much as it used to, but I think it is still an honor, considering some of the greats who have received it in the past. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 They're not being asked to go on the ice. They're being asked to go to Montreal for the off-ice stuff, the autograph signings and the sponsor events. I haven't read this entire thread due to the fact that I've been swamped most of this afternoon, however did Lidstrom and Datsyuk give any indication why they wouldn't be going for the off-ice activities if the league does intend on suspending them? It seems as though Crosby is going, and I would think those two could do the same. Has anyone mentioned anything about this within the thread? Note: Open to anyone to respond, not just Mack_Attack. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 They're not being asked to go on the ice. They're being asked to go to Montreal for the off-ice stuff, the autograph signings and the sponsor events. I'm aware. My point is that signing autographs and taking pictures isn't the same as some regular rest. You don't have someone sign a bunch of autographs who has tendonitis in their elbow. You don't make someone walk around who has a sore hip flexor. The whole idea is pure stupidity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings1914 18 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Datsyuk wasn't going to be in the breakaway competition, but he would've been in another event for sure. Datsyuk has said that he declines the breakaway competition because he prefers to save his moves for when they actually count. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 I'm aware. My point is that signing autographs and taking pictures isn't the same as some regular rest. You don't have someone sign a bunch of autographs who has tendonitis in their elbow. You don't make someone walk around who has a sore hip flexor. The whole idea is pure stupidity. If they're that injured that they can't do things like that, then missing a regular season game shouldn't be a big deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redwings1914 18 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Is Babcock still going? God forbid something happen to his wife/children, they'd probably keep him there at gunpoint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
egroen 384 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 If they're that injured that they can't do things like that, then missing a regular season game shouldn't be a big deal. Sure... because all injuries last an entire week, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 (edited) If they're that injured that they can't do things like that, then missing a regular season game shouldn't be a big deal. So suspend them for needing to rest? It's just not logical. Sore hip flexors make it difficult to walk and bend your knees. It's seems obvious to me that Datsyuk wouldn't really appreciate having to walk around for photo ops and sit for autograpoh signing. Tendonitis is most commonly caused by overuse. So make Lidstrom use his arm even more instead of letting him rest up. If they're ready for play for the game, they will. If they're not, they won't. There is absolutely no logic here - other than the fact that Bettman feels like throwing a fit over hockey players actually being injured. Edited January 23, 2009 by Ms_Hockey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MacK_Attack 108 Report post Posted January 23, 2009 Sure... because all injuries last an entire week, right? No, seems a lot of injuries magically heal on the Monday after All-Star weekend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
