Bettman suspends Lidstrom, Datsyuk 1-game each

[Hockeytown Red Wings 245]

Gary Bettman can kiss my ass.

And guess who's going to be at the game that they're suspended for?

f***.

[b.shanafan14 733]

Gary Bettman can kiss my ass.

And guess who's going to be at the game that they're suspended for?

f***.

Sorry to hear about that. Exactly the point of many of us. Its not going to affect most fans that Lidstrom and Datsyuk aren't at the ASG, its going to affect the fans in Columbus on Tuesday who paid good money, but now won't get to see the two best players that would have played, funny its two players who have both been said that you need to "see them live to really appreciate them"

[Guest mindfly]

So guys, it's gotta be a given loss on tuesday with all these injures and suspensions? Either way a boring game without pavel

[puckloo39 5,686]

So guys, it's gotta be a given loss on tuesday with all these injures and suspensions? Either way a boring game without pavel

now, now... You don't know that. Maybe it will be good for the team to have to step up and play better. It wasn't like they were doing so great before the break. I just feel sorry for whichever goalie gets the nod, if the team doesn't show and Pasha and Nick are out.

[Slave 31]

Check out the videos on TSN.ca, Sheldon Souray said it best:

http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip132824#clip132824

what you don't see in that clip is souray getting a text from lilja just b4 he was interviewed...no words in the text just a picture of liljas fist

[55fan 5,133]

So guys, it's gotta be a given loss on tuesday with all these injures and suspensions? Either way a boring game without pavel

While I certainly agree that a Wings game without Pavel is missing a great entertainment factor, maybe the other guys will see this as a chance to step up and support their teammates' decisions. Kind of a finger to Bettman if we win and he can't stop it.

At least I hope that happens.

[Drimo 0]

Sorry to hear about that. Exactly the point of many of us. Its not going to affect most fans that Lidstrom and Datsyuk aren't at the ASG, its going to affect the fans in Columbus on Tuesday who paid good money, but now won't get to see the two best players that would have played, funny its two players who have both been said that you need to "see them live to really appreciate them"

Yep. It makes me angry that I paid $203.35 for two nice tickets to next Tuesday's game against the BJs. Little Gary does not understand that the common fan gets shutout from the ASG while the rest of us miss out on seeing two great players in a game that has actual meaning.

f*** the ASG.

[HockeytownRN 0]

http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/20...uspend_red.html

Good for Holland.

Wow this thread is growing fast, i can't keep up! The link above makes me believe that Kenny H. gave them the week off, and then they heard about this decision from Buttman. I am interested to hear what both Dats and Lids say about this when they return, I bet they are a lot more pizzed then all of us are.

[Bluedevils_13 0]

Yep. It makes me angry that I paid $203.35 for two nice tickets to next Tuesday's game against the BJs. Little Gary does not understand that the common fan gets shutout from the ASG while the rest of us miss out on seeing two great players in a game that has actual meaning.

f*** the ASG.

Im in the same boat as you are, I'll be at the game too, and I just feel like I'm being screwed.

[egroen 384]

11 months is more than enough time to let everybody know that they have to be there.

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hock...by_in_montreal/

I actually thought this was a joke when I first read it.

Q. Pavel Datsyuk and Nick Lidstrom will be kept out of their next game on Tuesday evening. How do you feel about that? And did you and Gary discuss that if you didn’t come and take part in some of the events, that that would be the issue for you? And I think you play Wednesday next week.

SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, as for them, that’s their decision. It’s up to the player, up to the team in order to keep that in mind.

You know, for an event like this, for the All-Star Game, it’s important to get everyone involved in it, and on board, especially from the players. So I don’t see anything wrong with that, as long as everyone’s aware of the situation. That’s something that guys have to deal with.

As for me, I was planning on being here anyway. It wasn’t a huge issue, so, there wasn’t a lot of discussion with that.

Q. Do you agree with the rule in principle, though, that a player would have to miss the game prior or following the All-Star Game regardless of what reason they missed the game for?

SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, it’s tough. There’s always different scenarios. I think in the case of some guys it’s due to rest. You know, in my case it was an injury. There’s nothing I can really do with that. That’s something that everyone has to deal with whether you’re unlucky or not.

But, I think the standard for it is more towards making sure guys realize how important this is and setting a standard. I think there’s nothing wrong with that. We all have the honor of playing in the League, and for some of us we get the opportunity to come here, so I think that’s something that’s well understood.

...............

Q. I’m not sure every player has direct communication with the Commissioner. How did that work out? Did you and Pat contact him or did Gary Bettman contact you directly?

SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, we just contacted him. I wanted to get a feel for what he was thinking, what was important for me. It was just good to talk about that, because like I said, I was happy to be here, but at the same time, you know, the game is for the guys who are playing, and you know, to make sure we’re understood as to what I was going to participate in and things like that.

Q. Just want to clarify, had you not spoken to Gary Bettman, would you have been here this early? Or would you have just come in for the Sunday?

SIDNEY CROSBY: My original plan when I got hurt and what I went to the League with was probably coming in Saturday and Sunday. I figured with the two events, you know, the Skills and the game itself on Sunday.

But this is something I wasn’t totally aware of, but it’s fine. It’s a part of the game, and I’m more than happy to be here.

Oh, and Crosby is pretty sure he'll be well enough to play at Pittsburgh's first game!

Edited January 23, 2009 by egroen

[Vladifan 680]

I haven't been able to read all the responses here, but has anyone said why Crosby's not being punished also? Other than the fact that he may have sent a butt kiss through the mail to the Little Emperor?

[Nev 1,085]

Unbe-*******-lievable

Lidstrom, the very epitome of class. Datsyuk the perennial Lady Byng winner. Suspended for not wanting to play injured in a gloryfied game of shinny that no-one gives a rats ass about.

We've known all season that Lids has been playing injured - his sore elbow was first reported in pre-season. Someone (I forget who) said 2 weeks ago that Dats was playing injured and would miss the ASG.

I really don't like to believe in conspiracy theories, but first the Al Sobotka ban, then all the BS penalties against the Pens, the no Dats or Lids in the skills comp, now handing out a ban to 2 of the most stylish, classiest players the league has ever known.

On the positive side, I hope this generates a real siege-mentality amongst the wings. Last year we were out to prove that we weren't too old, too soft and too European. Maybe a big ******** to Bettman is just what this team needs to rally around.

[zombiewing 3]

wow. bettman reminds me of a horrible girlfriend.

my condolences!

[MacK_Attack 108]

I haven't been able to read all the responses here, but has anyone said why Crosby's not being punished also? Other than the fact that he may have sent a butt kiss through the mail to the Little Emperor?

Because he's in Montreal doing the off-ice events.

[The Mule 0]

Unbe-*******-lievable

Lidstrom, the very epitome of class. Datsyuk the perennial Lady Byng winner. Suspended for not wanting to play injured in a gloryfied game of shinny that no-one gives a rats ass about.

We've known all season that Lids has been playing injured - his sore elbow was first reported in pre-season. Someone (I forget who) said 2 weeks ago that Dats was playing injured and would miss the ASG.

I really don't like to believe in conspiracy theories, but first the Al Sobotka ban, then all the BS penalties against the Pens, the no Dats or Lids in the skills comp, now handing out a ban to 2 of the most stylish, classiest players the league has ever known.

On the positive side, I hope this generates a real siege-mentality amongst the wings. Last year we were out to prove that we weren't too old, too soft and too European. Maybe a big ******** to Bettman is just what this team needs to rally around.

Amen.

f*** Gary Bettman.

[b.shanafan14 733]

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hock...by_in_montreal/

I actually thought this was a joke when I first read it.

Oh, and Crosby is pretty sure he'll be well enough to play at Pittsburgh's first game!

Crosby has never had issue with playing Gary's favorite niece and sucking the dick of the NHL establishment even if it means throwing his peers under the bus, especially helps when those peers were the Norris and Selke winners that kept your already crowned 'dynasty' from mustering even a goal in your first two meetings in the Finals and then swiped up your top winger and clutch backup goaltender, not for more money but better company.

[egroen 384]

Because he's in Montreal doing the off-ice events.

Because he talked on the phone with Bettman, who made sure Crosby was coming before laying down the hammer.

[hokike 1]

sry, but once again LGW forum proved that average IQ is here pretty low. Do you think, players get their huge sums just for playing - no - advertising is actually very big part and there is no better place for players to "earn" their salaries than ASG event.

Consider this - both Datsyk and Lidström refuse to show up for fans and you're hurry to protect them, and in other thread same protectors are so angry toward NHL:why Bettman does not try attract fans and popularity. Is there bigger hypocricy than this ?

Man, some here are so dumb here that they see Bettman everywhere, but Bettman works for owners and owners pay for this stuff.

I'm offensive for obvious reasons.

[MacK_Attack 108]

Because he talked on the phone with Bettman, who made sure Crosby was coming before laying down the hammer.

Sounds to me like Crosby was told to be there today or he'd be sitting next week, too.

[jellytoast 1]

let's start a f*** buttman email campaign. anyone get his email?

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

Bettman has always hated the Wings - anything to stick it to us - and he rarely gets this kind of chance.

Not sure what the Wings have to do with this - are the two really nursing ailments? In Datsyuk's case he had to leave the game vs. Phx in the third. If they really are just resting them - and for good reason - then they should fly them into Montreal for a few hours on a private jet - and let them participate in some event - sign some autos - then fly them back. Maybe that would suffice for Bettass.

If they do have to miss a game, at least it is Columbus......

Hey Gary - how about doing something useful for the ASG - like fixing the fan voter fraud?

[clayjoh 3]

Unbe-*******-lievable

Lidstrom, the very epitome of class. Datsyuk the perennial Lady Byng winner. Suspended for not wanting to play injured in a gloryfied game of shinny that no-one gives a rats ass about.

We've known all season that Lids has been playing injured - his sore elbow was first reported in pre-season. Someone (I forget who) said 2 weeks ago that Dats was playing injured and would miss the ASG.

I really don't like to believe in conspiracy theories, but first the Al Sobotka ban, then all the BS penalties against the Pens, the no Dats or Lids in the skills comp, now handing out a ban to 2 of the most stylish, classiest players the league has ever known.

On the positive side, I hope this generates a real siege-mentality amongst the wings. Last year we were out to prove that we weren't too old, too soft and too European. Maybe a big ******** to Bettman is just what this team needs to rally around.

Hi again Nev Your last paragraph sums it up for me also These 2 guys are absolutely pivotal to our chances of a repeat and a nice long mid season rest is exactly what we want here for them specifically and the rest of t he team also

I look for the boys to drop their GAA dramatically in the next months and really start to play re invigorated hockey leading into the playoffs

I'll be over for a visit to Lincolnshire again when the dog dies

[egroen 384]

sry, but once again LGW forum proved that average IQ is here pretty low. Do you think, players get their huge sums just for playing - no - advertising is actually very big part and there is no better place for players to "earn" their salaries than ASG event.

Consider this - both Datsyk and Lidström refuse to show up for fans and you're hurry to protect them, and in other thread same protectors are so angry toward NHL:why Bettman does not try attract fans and popularity. Is there bigger hypocricy than this ?

Man, some here are so dumb here that they see Bettman everywhere, but Bettman works for owners and owners pay for this stuff.

I'm offensive for obvious reasons.

You are an idiot for obvious reasons. Unlike the other major sports, more than 60% of the NHL's revenues comes directly from ticket sales. Advertising is a shockingly low figure for the NHL.

Lidstrom and Datsyuk did more for the NHL by giving them the highest rated Stanley Cup finals since the last time the Wings were in it, and for giving them the highest rated game (the Winter Classic) since 1989. The ratings for the ASG last year were lower than regular season games, even in Canada... and that was with Datsyuk and Lidstrom playing.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

Consider this - both Datsyk and Lidström refuse to show up for fans and you're hurry to protect them, and in other thread same protectors are so angry toward NHL:why Bettman does not try attract fans and popularity. Is there bigger hypocricy than this ?

I would like to know if the Red Wings organization can actually decide that they can't play? I suppose a doctor can refuse to clear them - which is unlikely in this case. You have to admit, this isn't something that one would think a guy like Nick Lidstrom would do on purpose. I guess you cannot state "refuse" until we know all the facts.

[egroen 384]

Sounds to me like Crosby was told to be there today or he'd be sitting next week, too.

Actually, it sounds like an "exception" to the injury rule was created out of thin air BECAUSE Crosby was going to actually be there.