Lidstrom & Datsyuk suspended for skipping ASG

[pockets 9]

To add if i was the commish the rule i would make would be "IF any player has medical proof that they are unfit to play in the All Star game they shall be excused, without proof skipping the All Star game to do an injury will result in a 1 game suspension after the All star game, unless the player in question missed the game prior to the all star game

[55fan 5,133]

To those still convinced that Dats and Lids are in the wrong, please ponder the following questions:

Why didn't Bettman inform the guys of this option on Wednesday when he got replacements for them for the ASG?

Why didn't Holland hear of this option until Friday, when Crosby was on a plane to Montreal?

Has anyone ever been required to attend an ASG when they were injured?

The last one is the most important in my mind. There was never a rule until Friday, nor has there been a precedent set for attendance despite injury. There is no reason that Nick and Pav would have had any reason to expect that their presence would be requested, much less demanded. That's a big sticking point for me.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Before I say anthing else, I will say I am a Czech and a GIANT Caps fan. The reason I am on this board is because there is no team in the NHL deserving of more respect than the Red Wings. I have read other boards where fans were appreciative of how we responded to the Wings Cup victory after the "Accident" in our own town.

To let you all know, serious DC Cap fans have the utmost respect for your franchise. As an Ovie fan I have always hated Bettmann. But nothing in me and my brother's love of hockey (we are Czech after all ) has offended us more than the suspension of Datsyuk and Lidstrom.

The Red Wings are an organization that despite continued success represent pure class and Lidstrom and Datsyuk are the epitome of that. Go to Hell Bettmann.

Unfortunately, the NHL is stuck with an NBA guy. If any of you visit DC, please let me know on this board and I will buy you a beer. I woud LOVE a Caps Red Wings CUP. Yes, I would be gun-ho Caps, but it would be a class, skill game.

Best of luck, and us true hockey fans need to unite and remove this swine that runs the greatest sport in the world.

GO CAPS AND WINGS!!!

Thanks for the kind words. People often forget, or are not aware of, the fact that the heads of these Leagues are originally, by occupation...

LAWYERS!

[HockeytownRN 0]

Before I say anthing else, I will say I am a Czech and a GIANT Caps fan. The reason I am on this board is because there is no team in the NHL deserving of more respect than the Red Wings. I have read other boards where fans were appreciative of how we responded to the Wings Cup victory after the "Accident" in our own town.

To let you all know, serious DC Cap fans have the utmost respect for your franchise. As an Ovie fan I have always hated Bettmann. But nothing in me and my brother's love of hockey (we are Czech after all ) has offended us more than the suspension of Datsyuk and Lidstrom.

The Red Wings are an organization that despite continued success represent pure class and Lidstrom and Datsyuk are the epitome of that. Go to Hell Bettmann.

Unfortunately, the NHL is stuck with an NBA guy. If any of you visit DC, please let me know on this board and I will buy you a beer. I woud LOVE a Caps Red Wings CUP. Yes, I would be gun-ho Caps, but it would be a class, skill game.

Best of luck, and us true hockey fans need to unite and remove this swine that runs the greatest sport in the world.

GO CAPS AND WINGS!!!

Nice, respectful post!!!! My fav. players other than the Wings are Fedorov and Ovechkin, so I watch the Caps as much as I can also. A Caps/Wings final would be awesome, here's hoping! (Of course the best outcome would be when Bettman comes out with the Cup to hand it to Lidstrom and the fans at Joe Louis arena boo him so bad the place shakes). Have a great day!

[thedisappearer 291]

Sorry dude but all these teams are making money even the Islanders, and which one of Bettmans Southern Hockey project have failed?

[thedisappearer 291]

Before I say anthing else, I will say I am a Czech and a GIANT Caps fan. The reason I am on this board is because there is no team in the NHL deserving of more respect than the Red Wings. I have read other boards where fans were appreciative of how we responded to the Wings Cup victory after the "Accident" in our own town.

To let you all know, serious DC Cap fans have the utmost respect for your franchise. As an Ovie fan I have always hated Bettmann. But nothing in me and my brother's love of hockey (we are Czech after all ) has offended us more than the suspension of Datsyuk and Lidstrom.

The Red Wings are an organization that despite continued success represent pure class and Lidstrom and Datsyuk are the epitome of that. Go to Hell Bettmann.

Unfortunately, the NHL is stuck with an NBA guy. If any of you visit DC, please let me know on this board and I will buy you a beer. I woud LOVE a Caps Red Wings CUP. Yes, I would be gun-ho Caps, but it would be a class, skill game.

Best of luck, and us true hockey fans need to unite and remove this swine that runs the greatest sport in the world.

GO CAPS AND WINGS!!!

You meant "GO WINGS AND CAPS!!!", right?

Nice post.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

The point is, there's nothing to "work out", it's a rule and every GM knows about it and has agreed to it. Why would anyone think they could just make a phone call and start changing rules to fit their situation? So is every rule up for interpretation now?

Bettman should have just said that in light of the apparent confusion surrounding the rule no players will sit out this year and clarifications will be made for next year so this doesn't happen again. Singling out Dats and Lids is ridiculous and everyone knows it.

esteef

There's a whole lot of one sided-ness going on here. Apparently, the rule/policy/whatever the feck you want to call it had no precedent and indeed WAS up to interpretation.

On the flip side of that, Bettman could've also said, he Lids/Dats, see what Crosby is doing, all you gotta do is show up for the media circus and you won't get suspended.

IMO, Lids and Dats don't give a flying feck about going this year, especially if they are ailing.

IMO, Babcock and Holland don't give a feck if they miss 1 regular season game by avoiding the travel, time and wear and tear of playing in the all star game and getting the boys a nice week of rest.

IMO, Crosby, who lives with Mario, has no life essentially outside of hockey probably figured what the heck, I'm the goddamned ambassador to the NHL, hurt or no hurt maybe I should show up anyway. I love how it's hate for Crosby b/c he's not getting suspended. Yet for all those who scoff at him being the face of the NHL, not one of the haters has the clear vision and brain capacity to realize, hey this guy is hurt and is still going to participate in some way in the event. LGW blind hatred at its finest.

IMO, there's no conspiracy. The Wings players could've showed up and pulled the same move and gotten out of the suspension. They didn't b/c its not that important to them, missing 1 regular season game b/c they need the rest.

There's no proof Bettman wouldn't have given the Wings the same opportunity. The only proof there is is that Ken Holland stated he was not going to ask or demand his players try to go in any capacity b/c Ken is smart and knows the ASG isn't worth the risk to his ailing stars.

LGWers are miffed b/c Crosby is getting out of the punishment. Well so what, our guys could have to. Maybe take the blinders off and acknowledge that a hurt Crosby is still manning up and going. Face of the league doing the right thing is what it sounds like to me you haters. Give some prop where its due.

edit: Bettman is still a tool, the rule is stupid as all hell and its more proof that Bettman is a fecking idiot. That said, there's no conspiracy, there's obviously room for interpretation and there's obviously a way to get out of the suspension. Don't hate on Crosby b/c he took the loophole and our guys decided, meh...why bother. Essentially, LGWers losing their collective s*** and screaming bloody murder over something Lids and Dats are basically shrugging off like, well, 1 game suspension, whatever Buttman. Funny how we care more about it than the Wings players themselves. At least that's my interpretation since neither Lids or Dats has screamed half the bloody murder that LGWers have about all this.

Edited January 25, 2009 by GordieSid&Ted

[egroen 384]

IMO, Crosby, who lives with Mario, has no life essentially outside of hockey probably figured what the heck, I'm the goddamned ambassador to the NHL, hurt or no hurt maybe I should show up anyway. I love how it's hate for Crosby b/c he's not getting suspended. Yet for all those who scoff at him being the face of the NHL, not one of the haters has the clear vision and brain capacity to realize, hey this guy is hurt and is still going to participate in some way in the event. LGW blind hatred at its finest.

It's the arbitrary handling of it that pisses me off. If you can excuse Crosby, certainly you can excuse the three-time reigning Lady Byng winner, and a captain that is universaly heralded as one of the classiest ambassadors of the sport... both of whom are injured, and have actualy played in more All Star games than Crosby.

Either suspend all three, or excuse all three... as they have a history of suporting the NHL in every capacity, no history of suspensions or "disrespect" to the league, and can show that they are genuinely injured.

Crosby then publicly stating his injuries are "real" while others are merely "resting" does not particularly endear himself to me. You were just handed a 'get out of jail card free' Crosby, don't stand up there and turn your nose up at those who did not. *******.

Edited January 25, 2009 by egroen

[lets go pavel 2]

There's a whole lot of one sided-ness going on here. Apparently, the rule/policy/whatever the feck you want to call it had no precedent and indeed WAS up to interpretation.

On the flip side of that, Bettman could've also said, he Lids/Dats, see what Crosby is doing, all you gotta do is show up for the media circus and you won't get suspended.

IMO, Lids and Dats don't give a flying feck about going this year, especially if they are ailing.

IMO, Babcock and Holland don't give a feck if they miss 1 regular season game by avoiding the travel, time and wear and tear of playing in the all star game and getting the boys a nice week of rest.

IMO, Crosby, who lives with Mario, has no life essentially outside of hockey probably figured what the heck, I'm the goddamned ambassador to the NHL, hurt or no hurt maybe I should show up anyway. I love how it's hate for Crosby b/c he's not getting suspended. Yet for all those who scoff at him being the face of the NHL, not one of the haters has the clear vision and brain capacity to realize, hey this guy is hurt and is still going to participate in some way in the event. LGW blind hatred at its finest.

IMO, there's no conspiracy. The Wings players could've showed up and pulled the same move and gotten out of the suspension. They didn't b/c its not that important to them, missing 1 regular season game b/c they need the rest.

There's no proof Bettman wouldn't have given the Wings the same opportunity. The only proof there is is that Ken Holland stated he was not going to ask or demand his players try to go in any capacity b/c Ken is smart and knows the ASG isn't worth the risk to his ailing stars.

LGWers are miffed b/c Crosby is getting out of the punishment. Well so what, our guys could have to. Maybe take the blinders off and acknowledge that a hurt Crosby is still manning up and going. Face of the league doing the right thing is what it sounds like to me you haters. Give some prop where its due.

edit: Bettman is still a tool, the rule is stupid as all hell and its more proof that Bettman is a fecking idiot. That said, there's no conspiracy, there's obviously room for interpretation and there's obviously a way to get out of the suspension. Don't hate on Crosby b/c he took the loophole and our guys decided, meh...why bother. Essentially, LGWers losing their collective s*** and screaming bloody murder over something Lids and Dats are basically shrugging off like, well, 1 game suspension, whatever Buttman. Funny how we care more about it than the Wings players themselves. At least that's my interpretation since neither Lids or Dats has screamed half the bloody murder that LGWers have about all this.

I think what most of us are upset about is the way the league is portraying Lidstrom and Datsyuk, not the suspension, although many of us do think the whole thing is a load of BS to begin with. When Lidstrom and Datsyuk declined to play because of injury they knew they would likely have to sit a game ... those were the rules. Then on Friday the league changed things up and decided that you could avoid the suspension just by showing up. At that point Lids and Pavel were likely long gone, because up until that point there was no expectation that injured players would still attend. Then the league decides to make an example of them, but they cite the REVISED rule, not the original rule that was in place when they made their decision. Now it appears the suspension is because they didn't care enough to show up, and many in the media are bashing them for being selfish and not appreciating the fans, the ASG, etc., when in reality at the time they told the league they wouldn't be playing due to injury there was no expectation that they would still attend.

As for why we haven't heard anything from them, I would guess that 1. they are enjoying their family time, and 2. they will let the team, i..e Holland, Ilitch, Babs, etc. do the talking.

[Sperber 0]

GS & T nailed it! Maybe the wings were hoping they could handle this like they did in the past and failed with that.

But it's still a shame a league commissioner feels he has to hand out suspensions for a meaningless event. A healthy # 5 and 13 will show what they think of this circus when they're back!

And the people who bought expensive tickets ?! Well, got it bad even before, when guys like komisarek and kovalev were voted to start in the ASG.

This whole event is just one big pile of horses**t!

[esteef 2,679]

There's a whole lot of one sided-ness going on here. Apparently, the rule/policy/whatever the feck you want to call it had no precedent and indeed WAS up to interpretation.

On the flip side of that, Bettman could've also said, he Lids/Dats, see what Crosby is doing, all you gotta do is show up for the media circus and you won't get suspended.

IMO, Lids and Dats don't give a flying feck about going this year, especially if they are ailing.

IMO, Babcock and Holland don't give a feck if they miss 1 regular season game by avoiding the travel, time and wear and tear of playing in the all star game and getting the boys a nice week of rest.

IMO, Crosby, who lives with Mario, has no life essentially outside of hockey probably figured what the heck, I'm the goddamned ambassador to the NHL, hurt or no hurt maybe I should show up anyway. I love how it's hate for Crosby b/c he's not getting suspended. Yet for all those who scoff at him being the face of the NHL, not one of the haters has the clear vision and brain capacity to realize, hey this guy is hurt and is still going to participate in some way in the event. LGW blind hatred at its finest.

IMO, there's no conspiracy. The Wings players could've showed up and pulled the same move and gotten out of the suspension. They didn't b/c its not that important to them, missing 1 regular season game b/c they need the rest.

There's no proof Bettman wouldn't have given the Wings the same opportunity. The only proof there is is that Ken Holland stated he was not going to ask or demand his players try to go in any capacity b/c Ken is smart and knows the ASG isn't worth the risk to his ailing stars.

LGWers are miffed b/c Crosby is getting out of the punishment. Well so what, our guys could have to. Maybe take the blinders off and acknowledge that a hurt Crosby is still manning up and going. Face of the league doing the right thing is what it sounds like to me you haters. Give some prop where its due.

edit: Bettman is still a tool, the rule is stupid as all hell and its more proof that Bettman is a fecking idiot. That said, there's no conspiracy, there's obviously room for interpretation and there's obviously a way to get out of the suspension. Don't hate on Crosby b/c he took the loophole and our guys decided, meh...why bother. Essentially, LGWers losing their collective s*** and screaming bloody murder over something Lids and Dats are basically shrugging off like, well, 1 game suspension, whatever Buttman. Funny how we care more about it than the Wings players themselves. At least that's my interpretation since neither Lids or Dats has screamed half the bloody murder that LGWers have about all this.

See, once again, any criticism involving the name Crosby is instant "LGW blind hate for Crosby" fodder. I will repeat, as I have many times here, I have no personal vendetta against Crosby. I dislike the preferential treatment he receives from the media and the league as a whole. This incident is direct proof of what I'm talking about. The rule was set, everyone understood it and was prepared to accept the consequences, then Crosby makes a phone call and is able to wiggle around the punishment. Dance around that all you want with innuendo about other players could've done the same thing but that's not what happened. What happened was a rule was changed at the last minute because Crosby wanted to play his next game back, not because he had this burning desire in his heart to represent the league properly to all the fans. Give me a f***in' break.

The only reason he called and ultimately showed up was because he was worried about playing the next regular season game, and that's the only reason. Talk about looking at it "one-sided".

esteef

[Konnan511 1,736]

See, once again, any criticism involving the name Crosby is instant "LGW blind hate for Crosby" fodder. I will repeat, as I have many times here, I have no personal vendetta against Crosby. I dislike the preferential treatment he receives from the media and the league as a whole. This incident is direct proof of what I'm talking about. The rule was set, everyone understood it and was prepared to accept the consequences, then Crosby makes a phone call and is able to wiggle around the punishment. Dance around that all you want with innuendo about other players could've done the same thing but that's not what happened. What happened was a rule was changed at the last minute because Crosby wanted to play his next game back, not because he had this burning desire in his heart to represent the league properly to all the fans. Give me a f***in' break.

The only reason he called and ultimately showed up was because he was worried about playing the next regular season game, and that's the only reason. Talk about looking at it "one-sided".

esteef

False. CBA or whatever document says if you miss the ENTIRE weekend you must miss the game before or after the AS game. Lids and Datsyuk are missing the ENTIRE weekend. Out of the 3: Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Crosby; which one is not missing the ENTIRE weekend?

[esteef 2,679]

False. CBA or whatever document says if you miss the ENTIRE weekend you must miss the game before or after the AS game. Lids and Datsyuk are missing the ENTIRE weekend. Out of the 3: Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Crosby; which one is not missing the ENTIRE weekend?

What document?

If that's true then why was the call to Bettman necessary? I mean if it's clearly in print and has been all along?

esteef

[egroen 384]

False. CBA or whatever document says if you miss the ENTIRE weekend you must miss the game before or after the AS game. Lids and Datsyuk are missing the ENTIRE weekend. Out of the 3: Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Crosby; which one is not missing the ENTIRE weekend?

False. This "rule" is not in the CBA or players' contracts. It is a policy Bettman dreamed up and presented to the GMs in February of last year, after 7 All Stars gave various excuses for not playing. Including Brodeur and Luongo for "family reasons".

In the clip I posted earlier, Colin Campbell states twice the rule, as presented last February, was that a player had to PLAY in the all star game, or miss a game in order to validate the injury.

Edited January 25, 2009 by egroen

[CdnWingsFanEh 2]

I would think that the people who should be most mad all the way around is the team that comes in 9th place in the west if Columbus wins this game, and is in 8th place at the end of the season by 1 or 2 points.

[egroen 384]

I would think that the people who should be most mad all the way around is the team that comes in 9th place in the west if Columbus wins this game, and is in 8th place at the end of the season by 1 or 2 points.

Kevin Lowe has already responded and is furious.

Edmonton is one of the "on-the-cusp" playoff teams, like Columbus.

[j.hoop 64]

There's a whole lot of one sided-ness going on here. Apparently, the rule/policy/whatever the feck you want to call it had no precedent and indeed WAS up to interpretation.

On the flip side of that, Bettman could've also said, he Lids/Dats, see what Crosby is doing, all you gotta do is show up for the media circus and you won't get suspended.

IMO, Lids and Dats don't give a flying feck about going this year, especially if they are ailing.

IMO, Babcock and Holland don't give a feck if they miss 1 regular season game by avoiding the travel, time and wear and tear of playing in the all star game and getting the boys a nice week of rest.

IMO, Crosby, who lives with Mario, has no life essentially outside of hockey probably figured what the heck, I'm the goddamned ambassador to the NHL, hurt or no hurt maybe I should show up anyway. I love how it's hate for Crosby b/c he's not getting suspended. Yet for all those who scoff at him being the face of the NHL, not one of the haters has the clear vision and brain capacity to realize, hey this guy is hurt and is still going to participate in some way in the event. LGW blind hatred at its finest.

IMO, there's no conspiracy. The Wings players could've showed up and pulled the same move and gotten out of the suspension. They didn't b/c its not that important to them, missing 1 regular season game b/c they need the rest.

There's no proof Bettman wouldn't have given the Wings the same opportunity. The only proof there is is that Ken Holland stated he was not going to ask or demand his players try to go in any capacity b/c Ken is smart and knows the ASG isn't worth the risk to his ailing stars.

LGWers are miffed b/c Crosby is getting out of the punishment. Well so what, our guys could have to. Maybe take the blinders off and acknowledge that a hurt Crosby is still manning up and going. Face of the league doing the right thing is what it sounds like to me you haters. Give some prop where its due.

edit: Bettman is still a tool, the rule is stupid as all hell and its more proof that Bettman is a fecking idiot. That said, there's no conspiracy, there's obviously room for interpretation and there's obviously a way to get out of the suspension. Don't hate on Crosby b/c he took the loophole and our guys decided, meh...why bother. Essentially, LGWers losing their collective s*** and screaming bloody murder over something Lids and Dats are basically shrugging off like, well, 1 game suspension, whatever Buttman. Funny how we care more about it than the Wings players themselves. At least that's my interpretation since neither Lids or Dats has screamed half the bloody murder that LGWers have about all this.

i stopped reading after the first feck

[toby91_ca 620]

I'm not sure what all the fuss is over all of this (in terms of Crosby hate.....again).

I'll admit that I have not been paying much attention to what has gone on in the past week, but I have to imagine that the phone call Crosby made was probably along the lines of "I'm truly hurting and need the rest so I do not hurt my team in the long run" - Crosby did sustain a knee injury and ended up missing a game (it just wasn't the game right before the break, it was 2 games prior), he came back and played the next 2 games, but was hurting. I think the conversation probably concluded that he could show up to the event, but not play and would be okay regarding this rule. Surely it must be absolutely clear to everyone that Crosby would love to be participating in the actual game (like most young players would). The issue the league has is that some players choose to simply skip it and relax. Clearly, in Crosby's case, it's not that he's getting special treatment because he is showing up, but doesn't have to play.....it's not the playing that players are trying to avoid, it's skipping the weekend and relaxing somewhere else that players are trying to do. Granted, I have no idea why the league wants Crosby to be there, but not play, as a fan, what are you really going to get of him being there, but not playing.

Lidstrom and Datsyuk could show up as well and not play, but they have chosen not to. I think it is a stupid ass rule, but to think there is some favouring of Crosby here is even more stupid. While I think the existing rule is stupid, I do think there needs to be some form of the rule in existence as it is important for the games stars to show up for these types of things.

[HockeytownRN 0]

I'm not sure what all the fuss is over all of this (in terms of Crosby hate.....again).

I'll admit that I have not been paying much attention to what has gone on in the past week, but I have to imagine that the phone call Crosby made was probably along the lines of "I'm truly hurting and need the rest so I do not hurt my team in the long run" - Crosby did sustain a knee injury and ended up missing a game (it just wasn't the game right before the break, it was 2 games prior), he came back and played the next 2 games, but was hurting. I think the conversation probably concluded that he could show up to the event, but not play and would be okay regarding this rule. Surely it must be absolutely clear to everyone that Crosby would love to be participating in the actual game (like most young players would). The issue the league has is that some players choose to simply skip it and relax. Clearly, in Crosby's case, it's not that he's getting special treatment because he is showing up, but doesn't have to play.....it's not the playing that players are trying to avoid, it's skipping the weekend and relaxing somewhere else that players are trying to do. Granted, I have no idea why the league wants Crosby to be there, but not play, as a fan, what are you really going to get of him being there, but not playing.

Lidstrom and Datsyuk could show up as well and not play, but they have chosen not to. I think it is a stupid ass rule, but to think there is some favouring of Crosby here is even more stupid. While I think the existing rule is stupid, I do think there needs to be some form of the rule in existence as it is important for the games stars to show up for these types of things.

The problem with Crosby is that the ORIGINAL rule was to miss a game before or after the ASG if you don't play. Give kudos to Crosby for still going, no problem Who cares what he said to Bettman on Friday but the fact is it was THREE days after the last Wings game that this exception was made to Crosby that he could get out of the suspension. If Lids and Dats knew of this exception on Tuesday, they may have still decided to sit out and all of the media (and fan) bashing could be warranted. If they had that option though, at least they could have decided THEN if they would rather take the suspension or rest. Who knows where they are and if they had the ability to hop on a flight and head to Montreal in a few hours. Now they aren't here to defend themselves, and Crosby has the audacity to question their injuries in the media? THAT is my problem with Crosby. Not that he went, not that he got exempt from getting a suspension, but that the exemption was made the day before the ASG activities and the disrespect he has for Lidstrom especially. Crosby has yet to play in an ASG as he was hurt last year also, and he has that little respect for Lidstrom who has played in it 10 years?! I have lost all respect for Crosby as a person.

[esteef 2,679]

I'm not sure what all the fuss is over all of this (in terms of Crosby hate.....again).

I'll admit that I have not been paying much attention to what has gone on in the past week, but I have to imagine that the phone call Crosby made was probably along the lines of "I'm truly hurting and need the rest so I do not hurt my team in the long run" - Crosby did sustain a knee injury and ended up missing a game (it just wasn't the game right before the break, it was 2 games prior), he came back and played the next 2 games, but was hurting. I think the conversation probably concluded that he could show up to the event, but not play and would be okay regarding this rule. Surely it must be absolutely clear to everyone that Crosby would love to be participating in the actual game (like most young players would). The issue the league has is that some players choose to simply skip it and relax. Clearly, in Crosby's case, it's not that he's getting special treatment because he is showing up, but doesn't have to play.....it's not the playing that players are trying to avoid, it's skipping the weekend and relaxing somewhere else that players are trying to do. Granted, I have no idea why the league wants Crosby to be there, but not play, as a fan, what are you really going to get of him being there, but not playing.

Lidstrom and Datsyuk could show up as well and not play, but they have chosen not to. I think it is a stupid ass rule, but to think there is some favouring of Crosby here is even more stupid. While I think the existing rule is stupid, I do think there needs to be some form of the rule in existence as it is important for the games stars to show up for these types of things.

And once again, the "you don't have to actually play to get out of the suspension" part was not known to anyone in the league until Crosby made his call, which was way too late for anyone to reasonably change plans. That's the issue here. The "apparent" last minute clarification of the rule for one player, which only served to villify perennial ambassadors of the sport who had already accepted and acted on what they were told was "the rule".

esteef

[Coolio Mendez 7]

Phoenix? What does Bettman have to do with Phoenix? The Winnipeg Jets put themselves up for sale in June 1992 (John Ziegler was the NHL's president at the time). The team was selling out the arena, however revenues weren't keeping pace with the increase in salaries because people wouldn't pay increased ticket prices and they were unable to obtain more corporate sponsorship. The Shenkarow group was looking to keep the team in Winnipeg. Through 3 years, there were no offers from any prospective buyers to keep them in Winnipeg. There was an offer from a Toronto group, but they wanted to move the team to Atlanta. There was an offer from a Calgary group, who wanted to move the team to Minneapolis (who had just lost the North Stars). In 1995, the Shenkarow group opened up the bidding for the franchise to all comers. A group from Phoenix led by Steven Gluckstern and Richard Burke eventually bought the team (at a lower price than asked) and moved the team to Phoenix.

At the time, the other 25 owners had to agree to the sale, and 22 agreed (Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia objected as Phoenix was short-listed for the 1997 expansion and they wanted their cut of the expansion fees).

So again what does Bettman have to do with Phoenix?

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

How much s*** do you think the Wings organization will get in if say the last 30 seconds of Tuesdays game, Lids and Dats take the ice for a single faceoff? Would it be worth the FU to the league?

[55fan 5,133]

How much s*** do you think the Wings organization will get in if say the last 30 seconds of Tuesdays game, Lids and Dats take the ice for a single faceoff? Would it be worth the FU to the league?

Technically they would be ineligible players, and could cost us the game if we were forced to forfeit.

Although we could have Datsyuk there and just have him play after the first tv time out in the third period (which is when he stopped playing in the last game, IIRC) and we could argue that he has sat out a full game. I wouldn't try it though.

[Broken 16 381]

Broken 16 I am tired of your endless bulls*** about Crosby; This has got to be the biggest ass kisser in the league and it seems he has a great companion in you. Maybe your nose is so far up Buttmans ass that you can not see the light but any one that is a fan of hockey understands that this is just a side show and that real hockey happens during the regular season and the playoffs so get off your high horse and say something meaningful for a change.

I am tired of coming to a Red Wings forum and seeing a bunch of whining pansies like you piss and moan about Crosby endlessly. Don't you have anything better to do than hate Crosby? Seriously dude... get a f***in life. I've never seen so many people so fixated on one player. You act like a bunch of lemmings. Break free dude... think for yourself. If you can.

"Crosby did this and Crosby did that and, oh my God!!!!... I think Crosby almost giggled when asked about the suspensions (I forgot who said that little nugget, but Jesus... get a life), Crosby should have said this that way and Crosby should have said that this way..."

Are you people serious? I've never seen a player so far inside another teams fans collective unconscious. Its almost alarming. You people are like Stepford Fans when it comes to Crosby. Dudes probably reading this thread laughing at you. Who could blame him. People like you are an embrassment to REAL Wing fans. You're just a poser doing what everyone else is doing.

But the more I think about it... you're right. It IS Crosby's fault. How could I have been so blind. He's after us. There's no escape. I think I even saw him steal the last Pop-Tart out of my cupboard. THAT ******* BASTARD!!!!!

Uh oh... I have to stop writing now. I just saw Crosby giving me the throat slit signal through my kitchen window.

Edited January 25, 2009 by Broken 16

[esteef 2,679]

I am tired of coming to a Red Wings forum and seeing a bunch of whining pansies like you piss and moan about Crosby endlessly. Don't you have anything better to do than hate Crosby? Seriously dude... get a f***in life. I've never seen so many people so fixated on one player. You act like a bunch of lemmings. Break free dude... think for yourself. If you can.

"Crosby did this and Crosby did that and, oh my God!!!!... I think Crosby almost giggled when asked about the suspensions (I forgot who said that little nugget, but Jesus... get a life), Crosby should have said this that way and Crosby should have said that this way..."

Are you people serious? I've never seen a player so far inside another teams fans collective unconscious. Its almost alarming. You people are like Stepford Fans when it comes to Crosby. Dudes probably reading this thread laughing at you. Who could blame him. People like you are an embrassment to REAL Wing fans. You're just a poser doing what everyone else is doing.

But the more I think about it... you're right. It IS Crosby's fault. How could I have been so blind. He's after us. There's no escape. I think I even saw him steal the last Pop-Tart out of my cupboard. THAT ******* BASTARD!!!!!

Case in point. Mindless ramblings of a "OMG Leave Crosby Alone" slappy. No one here has said anything was Crosby's "fault". He is merely, (yet again), the recipient of preferential treatment from the league. But please, continue, because I'm sure the whole point of this 20 something page thread was simply to take shots at Crosby. Grow up man.

esteef