Bettman suspends Lidstrom, Datsyuk 1-game each

[Statts 4]

Ehhh either way they could of avoided the suspension by hoping on the next plane to Montreal. And they did not so not much more to debate.

Pretty much. And I'm glad they didn't.

[egroen 384]

Ehhh either way they could of avoided the suspension by hoping on the next plane to Montreal. And they did not so not much more to debate.

Lidstrom, above all people, takes his role as a spokesman and participant in the NHL very seriosuly. He has attended 10 All Star Games, and 9 straight. He has attended every single NHL awards function. If this "exception" were in place before today, he would be in Montreal.

This did not come out until today, and it happily coincides with Crosby hopping on a plane to be there today, immediately after he and the Penguins called Bettman. He has admitted publicly he had no knowledge about this "exception" until today, as we was planning on not showing up until Saturday or Sunday.

The Red Wings knew the rule might be enforced... but they were obviously not made known of this out-of-the-air "exception" until today. Holland literally said he would not disturb them to make them aware of it.

Edited January 24, 2009 by egroen

[Statts 4]

Lidstrom, above all people, takes his role as a spokesman and participant in the NHL very seriosuly. He has attended 10 All Star Games, and 9 straight. He has attended every single NHL awards function. If this "exception" were in place before today, he would be in Montreal.

This did not come out until today, and it happily coincides with Crosby hopping on a plane to be there today, immediately after he and the Penguins called Bettman. He has admitted publicly he had no knowledge about this "exception" until today, as we was planning on not showing up until Saturday or Sunday.

The Red Wings knew the rule might be enforced... but they were obviously not made known of this out-of-the-air "exception" until today. Holland literally said he would not disturb them to make them aware of it.

Link?

[lets go pavel 2]

Ehhh either way they could of avoided the suspension by hoping on the next plane to Montreal. And they did not so not much more to debate.

The rule was created to prevent players from faking injuries. They aren't faking injuries, but they are being penalized anyway. Bettman made an exception for Crosby, why can't an exception be made for Lidstrom and Datsyuk? Of course they could have avoided this, especially if Bettman had made a stink over it a few days ago, but the point is they shouldn't have to avoid it. They shouldn't be penalized if Crosby isn't. From every interpretation I have seen of the rule, it says if a player does not PLAY in the ASG they must sit out a game to verify their injury. How does Crosby showing up and shaking hands exempt him from this burden of proof? How is it that because he shows up and smiles we can believe he is truly injured, but Datsyk and Lidstrom have to sit out a game to prove their injuries? Bulls***.

[egroen 384]

Link?

Link showing the "exception"?

You can't even find a link showing "the rule" that was created last year. It's just an arbitrary rule Bettman dreamed up and now he is arbitrarily giving exceptions to it.

[VM1138 1,921]

I'm beginning to think Dats and Lids should have gone, and then when they're on the ice, play for the other team just to make a mockery of the game.

[Wings_Rule_1010 4]

The NHL is a joke. I feel like this has been going on for years and now they decide to implement the "rule". So missing the NHL game is equivilant to some dirty hit that also gets a one game suspenion. Lame. There goes Pavels lady byng. Is this Lidstrom's first suspension of his career?

Edited January 24, 2009 by Wings_Rule_1010

[tweekvp 0]

I'm obviously not a upset as many over one game. This rule has been on the books since last summer and like any other rule there is punishment to break it.

I do however think there should be a tweek to the rule. I think if you participated in the previous all-star game you should be exempt. This would excuse both Detroit players and would target the players who chronically skip the game.

Hey isn't this the second year in a row Crosby is skipping the game?

[egroen 384]

I'm obviously not a upset as many over one game. This rule has been on the books since last summer and like any other rule there is punishment to break it.

I do however think there should be a tweek to the rule. I think if you participated in the previous all-star game you should be exempt. This would excuse both Detroit players and would target the players who chronically skip the game.

Hey isn't this the second year in a row Crosby is skipping the game?

I really appreciate him condemning both Lidstrom and Datsyuk, who have both played in several All Star Games already. Crosby will have missed two straight now.

[Statts 4]

Link showing the "exception"?

You can't even find a link showing "the rule" that was created last year. It's just an arbitrary rule Bettman dreamed up and now he is arbitrarily giving exceptions to it.

Bettman made a stink and Crosby went running. Holland tells Bettman to eff off, and takes the one game to let our two best player rest up.. Because we have the ability points wise to do that... unlike Pitts with crosby. We win.

Edited January 24, 2009 by Statts

[lets go pavel 2]

I really appreciate him condemning both Lidstrom and Datsyuk, who have both played in several All Star Games already. Crosby will have missed two straight now.

Yeah, it is nice that the exception that keeps Crosby from being suspended also makes our guys look like jerks for not even showing up, even though they didn't know that would help until they were probably half way around the world ...

[VM1138 1,921]

I personally feel that putting a metaphorical gun to a players head to make your fashion show "fun" takes a lot of the magic away. Just have the damn game after the Cup is awarded.

[ltgator333 3]

Ok I just watched the video on TSN's main page. Ok so about 3 different ppl said they totally understand why Pavel and Nik aren't coming, and then Cindy Crosby comes on there dissing their decision... I could barely understand him sounds like he was talking with his mouth full..

[NomadFromKazoo 42]

Lidstrom should say that after showing up for 10 games in a row Bettman is a boob and he'll never go to an all star game again based on Bettman's zero thinking policy. I mean zero tolerance...

[Ms_Hockey 0]

That's what doctors are for, no?

I don't know about Pav - but Lidstrom had an MRI done showing the tear in his elbow.

And apparently, that's not enough proof to let the guy, who has only missed about 30 games in his entire NHL career, sit at home and rest.

[oldredbarnman 13]

I know I've come aboard kinda late here, but if the league wants a Red Wing rep, why not have Cheli go? Which is what I thought would've been a nice gesture to begin with. The league has honored players in the past, i.e Gordie Howe in Detroit in 1980, so why not invite Cheli back to Montreal where he started his career. Detroit has an All Star, Cheli plays one more ASG, and cry baby Bettman can go back to sucking on his bottle.

[eva unit zero 271]

I know I've come aboard kinda late here, but if the league wants a Red Wing rep, why not have Cheli go? Which is what I thought would've been a nice gesture to begin with. The league has honored players in the past, i.e Gordie Howe in Detroit in 1980, so why not invite Cheli back to Montreal where he started his career. Detroit has an All Star, Cheli plays one more ASG, and cry baby Bettman can go back to sucking on his bottle.

And he won't be the worst player in the game, either!

[Yzerfan1999 81]

The rule was created to prevent players from faking injuries. They aren't faking injuries, but they are being penalized anyway. Bettman made an exception for Crosby, why can't an exception be made for Lidstrom and Datsyuk? Of course they could have avoided this, especially if Bettman had made a stink over it a few days ago, but the point is they shouldn't have to avoid it. They shouldn't be penalized if Crosby isn't. From every interpretation I have seen of the rule, it says if a player does not PLAY in the ASG they must sit out a game to verify their injury. How does Crosby showing up and shaking hands exempt him from this burden of proof? How is it that because he shows up and smiles we can believe he is truly injured, but Datsyk and Lidstrom have to sit out a game to prove their injuries? Bulls***.

The point is that Crosby isn't spending the time vacationing. He was a first team all-star selection by the fans and they want to see him regardless. Its his duty to show up this weekend. Its not about a burden of proof of injury, its about a marketing opportunity for the NHL which is severely hindered if its stars are not there. Bettman wants the all-stars to show up for the fans, if they can't play that's fine - but he thinks they ought to show up if they are selected.

Not saying I agree with it, but vilifying Crosby because he showed up is retarded. Lids and Dats had the some chance to get on the plane today as Crosby did, but they chose not to. I bet there would have been a lot of disappointed kids in Montreal if Crosby didn't even show face, and he wouldn't have if Bettman hadn't put this rule in place.

[redwingslady87 130]

oy how many times does it have to be said. they are both injured!

Datsyuk has a hip flexor injury very similar to Franzen's, and Kenny stated that Franzen can't play right now, let alone barely walk. I don't know about everyone who is bitching that they should just go, but if I was hurt like that I sure as hell wouldn't be up walking around all day, or sitting on a cramped airplane. I wouldn't be going to work, my ass would be in bed, with a pillow under my hip to keep from putting pressure on it, and I would be alternating between heat and cold packs to relax the surrounding muscles and keep inflammation down.

Kenny has also stated that Lidstrom had an MRI done on his elbow and there is a small tear. If I was hurt like that, i wouldn't want to go and sign autographs and shake hands all day. Sign your name on a piece of paper just once or shake someones hand, and pay attention to how much your lower arm rubs against your elbow. Doing that stuff all day hurts, and they don't need to make their injuries worse.

I don't really care about the suspension as Lids and Dats probably wouldn't have been playing tuesday any way, but it really amazes me how many people think that their injuries aren't serious enough for them not to go, and that they are just skipping out on the ASG because they don't feel like going.

[Duck Guy 86]

I posted this on other thread about this but might as well post it here...

-Bettman told ALL GMs this at beginning of the season... If one of your players is selected for the all star game and can not make it because of an injury they have to sit out the game before the break OR the game after if they dont attend

-He is saying hey lids/dats/crosby if you can make it to the game and just do some photos and what not you can play without the 1 game suspension.

-Since Dats / Lids DID play in the game before the break AND will not be going to the all star game for the photos and stuffs they are out for 1 game after the break

---did he add the just show up part and not play? Yes sure he did with this option crosby/lids/dats could still sit out the all star game and play the game after the break

ROAR ok i promise my last post on this subject haha..

I am not trying to make any enemys here I am just telling you how I see it so if I disagree with you or cant see why people dont see it my way dont take it personally I still like you all ^^ even if you are wrong hahaha J/K ^^

Edited January 24, 2009 by Duck Guy

[clutchngrab 12]

Gary Bettman is making $5,900,000 a year plus $400,000 yearly deposited into his savings retirement. You can research it, I know it to be fact.

He also happens to be the most inept Executive in the History of the National Hockey League. I am not sure how Pierre McGuire's boyfriend ever got this position to begin with knowing 0 about hockey.

Bettman serves at the behest of the NHL board of directors. Go to the end of this Charlie Rose Interview to get how Bettman thought in '96. The fox puck is hilarious:

http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/6414

[Seraph 240]

I posted this on other thread about this but might as well post it here...

-Bettman told ALL GMs this at beginning of the season... If one of your players is selected for the all star game and can not make it because of an injury they have to sit out the game before the break OR the game after if they dont attend

-He is saying hey lids/dats/crosby if you can make it to the game and just do some photos and what not you can play without the 1 game suspension.

-Since Dats / Lids DID play in the game before the break AND will not be going to the all star game for the photos and stuffs they are out for 1 game after the break

---did he add the just show up part and not play? Yes sure he did with this option crosby/lids/dats could still sit out the all star game and play the game after the break

ROAR ok i promise my last post on this subject haha..

I am not trying to make any enemys here I am just telling you how I see it so if I disagree with you or cant see why people dont see it my way dont take it personally I still like you all ^^ even if you are wrong hahaha J/K ^^

You are completely right. Based on the way Bettman said things should unfold, suspending the players is the correct course of action (seeing as how they won't show up for off ice stuff). What is bothering most people is that Bettman is a complete idiot for making this a requirement. He is also an idiot for trying to force the players' hands to attend. Players should come because they want to, not because their arms are being twisted. Lidstrom and Datsyuk are already doing so much for the game. Why make them do all that extra traveling with lingering injuries to take a few photos? It's just stupid. It's fairly clear that Bettman suspects these players are feigning injuries. He wants them to come attend off-ice events and make them feel stupid for not lacing up. Don't waste injured players' time. They already spend enough time away from family and friends.

And also, as it has been mentioned, if Bettman could actually get his s*** together and create an ASG with some rhyme and reason, and not a complete farce with fans sabotaging the vote, then maybe there would be some sort of sanctity to the game that would compel these players to respect it. It's his own damn fault for letting the integrity of the ASG fade away, and he is an idiot for trying to twist arms to get players to attend. Rather, try to make the ASG something worth attending so players will maybe even consider playing through injuries to attend. Datsyuk and Lidstrom should not attend this worthless event. Go ahead and suspend them. We'll win that game out of spite.

[edicius 3,269]

Not saying I agree with it, but vilifying Crosby because he showed up is retarded. Lids and Dats had the some chance to get on the plane today as Crosby did, but they chose not to. I bet there would have been a lot of disappointed kids in Montreal if Crosby didn't even show face, and he wouldn't have if Bettman hadn't put this rule in place.

Is it okay to vilify him for throwing Lids and Dats under the bus in that interview? Other players up in Montreal support Lids and Dats. Meanwhile, Crosby the Puppet tows the company line.

Just when I thought I couldn't hate that little s*** any more.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Where in their contract says they must attend off ice events when asked?

I always thought you had to participate in the game to keep from being suspended.

[lets go pavel 2]

The point is that Crosby isn't spending the time vacationing. He was a first team all-star selection by the fans and they want to see him regardless. Its his duty to show up this weekend. Its not about a burden of proof of injury, its about a marketing opportunity for the NHL which is severely hindered if its stars are not there. Bettman wants the all-stars to show up for the fans, if they can't play that's fine - but he thinks they ought to show up if they are selected.

Not saying I agree with it, but vilifying Crosby because he showed up is retarded. Lids and Dats had the some chance to get on the plane today as Crosby did, but they chose not to. I bet there would have been a lot of disappointed kids in Montreal if Crosby didn't even show face, and he wouldn't have if Bettman hadn't put this rule in place.

I'm not villifying Crosby, I'm villifying Bettman for creating a loophole for Crosby at the last minute, when it was likely too late for anyone else to take advantage of it. It's easy for you to say Dats and Lids should just hop on a plane today, but how do you know where they are or what they're doing? According to Holland the team knew they might miss a game for not playing and were prepared to deal with that, but they had no idea there was a loophole until the two guys in question were long gone. Had the team known that Pavel and Lids could avoid this by showing up for the off-ice stuff I would guess they'd have been there, but Bettman just made that part up.