Will Red Wings test Bettman on Tuesday?

[Guest mindfly]

Since it's not a formal suspension on Lidström and Datsyuk just a mere "understanding", if I got this right, the refs of the game would have to accept to let them play the game. If they would play what kind of consequence would they face? it's always been talking that it COULD happen but nothing definitive, or is this just because they assume red wings won't dress them? NHLPA would stand up the for guys but arbitration would take weeks etc, so it's a high risk is it not?

Edited January 26, 2009 by mindfly

[Reds4Life 51]

I think both Nick and Pav will play.

[adtthosa 5]

Not worth the risk, let them rest a game.

[elriqo28 2]

to be honest, I think if it is going to cost them a game down the road, and they are both suffering from injuries anyway, have them sit and rest a game. I completely disagree with Bettman (as always) but there is no point in receiving an actually suspension over one game. Besides, we need to prove we can win a game or two without them.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Meh, just let them play this thing out.

Barring an absolute meltdown, which is slim/none to happening, this game isn't going to be an end-of-all-end games to get a playoff spot, the Wings are fine in that regard.

I personally think the suspension rule itself is silly, but I understand why it is put in place to serve importance to the All-Star gam. Me not liking the rule isn't going to change it anytime soon though. The timing of everything was worse though, on such short notice. That is what made this whole thing ridiculous. If Lidstrom and Datsyuk were completely healthy, I think it'd be more justifiable to fully criticize them for missing from the start. Anyways, this is stuff that probably should go in the All-Star frustration threads here so I'll stop here.

Even though Bettman will have his way regarding this, let this play out Tuesday and get it over with.

[JayUp88 1]

they wanted to rest so give them the extra day's rest.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I think Holland's comments were enough of a statement to Bettman.

[toby91_ca 620]

Meh, just let them play this thing out.

Barring an absolute meltdown, which is slim/none to happening, this game isn't going to be an end-of-all-end games to get a playoff spot, the Wings are fine in that regard.

I personally think the suspension rule itself is silly, but I understand why it is put in place to serve importance to the All-Star gam. Me not liking the rule isn't going to change it anytime soon though. The timing of everything was worse though, on such short notice. That is what made this whole thing ridiculous. If Lidstrom and Datsyuk were completely healthy, I think it'd be more justifiable to fully criticize them for missing from the start. Anyways, this is stuff that probably should go in the All-Star frustration threads here so I'll stop here.

Even though Bettman will have his way regarding this, let this play out Tuesday and get it over with.

You're thinking from the Wings' perspective though. For teams battling Columbus for a playoff spot, the game has a little bit more meaning.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

I think Holland's comments were enough of a statement to Bettman.

Let them have their rest. And then the Club's best response to this is to have a hot post-ASG stretch. But Bettman will claim "I didn't read the comments, one our employees told me about it".

[egroen 384]

Holland is challenging it and the NHLPA is filing a grievance over it.

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/01/ho...th_li.html#more

Cue the "level-headed" LGWers who should now feel it necessary to chastise Holland as well.

[puckloo39 5,686]

I believe the Wings will rise to the 'occasion' and show Bettman that his smarmy tactics don't make one whit of difference to the Stanley Cup champs. Sit our Captain and best player, see if it stops us!

If I were Columbus, I would be a bit worried. Pissed-off Wings = not a good thing if you're the other team.

[Cicada 4]

i wish the Wings would play them...take a whole "shove that up your ass bettman" approach..

i doubt they will though, especially since both players would benefit from extra time off..

[NomadFromKazoo 42]

Those of you who think the Wings are going to go to the wall over this and play them are dreaming. Besides the risk there will be a stiffer penalty later, there's no possible way the Wings would want to turn this into an ongoing drama and diversion over a one game suspension. They didn't go to the All Star game because we played until June and hope to again. Bettman's an ass, but it would just be the height of stupidity to turn this into a bigger, lingering issue then let them rest a game and we're not stupid.

If we really wanted to protest this, we would rest all the guys who should/could have gone to the game and turn it into a pre-season game. Let our fourth line be our first and don't play Z, Hossa or Rafalski either. Screw Bettman, but no way we screw ourselves by turning this into a dragged out affair. Get it over with and move on.

[KrazyGangsta 79]

If I we're the Wings, I would give Datsyuk and Lidstrom 2 games off, just so I can show the world that the NHL is dumb.

[puckloo39 5,686]

Victory is the best revenge. Babs and the boyz just need to show up and beat the tar outta Columbus. If the Wings don't miss a beat in this game, and the members of the team who are able to play all show up, I don't have one doubt that they can defeat Columbus.

That will make a bigger statement to Bettman than anything else. Try as you might, you can't affect the Red Wings with your idiotic tactics.

No point in sinking to his level and playing Nick and Pasha, there will be worse consequences than possibly losing one game -- which I do not believe will happen!

Go, Wings, rise above this!!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

You guys are all overreacting about how the Wings will rally around this so-called adversity.

It's just one freaking game. No one will care about this 2 weeks from now, and I doubt that this will be the spark that ignites this team to play amazing hockey the rest of the season.

I'm sure the team is upset about this, but this isn't the travesty that everyone here is making it out to be. It's just a b.s decision by a b.s league, but it's still one game and not ten or twenty.

It's not like we're going to come out and start randomly attacking Columbus players and beating the s*** out of them. It'll just be an ordinary game, except two of our best players won't be in it.

Edited January 26, 2009 by GMRwings1983

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

I think you let them sit one game.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I believe the Wings will rise to the 'occasion' and show Bettman that his smarmy tactics don't make one whit of difference to the Stanley Cup champs. Sit our Captain and best player, see if it stops us!

If I were Columbus, I would be a bit worried. Pissed-off Wings = not a good thing if you're the other team.

I hope you're right.

If I were Holland I have to say I'd be tempted to either ice Dats and Lids or trying to bring a dirt cheap prospect up and give him 20 mins along with everyone else getting a reversal of playing times. Just make it an obvious f*** you to Bettman somehow.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

You guys are all overreacting about how the Wings will rally around this so-called adversity.

It's just one freaking game. No one will care about this 2 weeks from now, and I doubt that this will be the spark that ignites this team to play amazing hockey the rest of the season.

I'm sure the team is upset about this, but this isn't the travesty that everyone here is making it out to be. It's just a b.s decision by a b.s league, but it's still one game and not ten or twenty.

It's not like we're going to come out and start randomly attacking Columbus players and beating the s*** out of them. It'll just be an ordinary game, except two of our best players won't be in it.

Nobody likes misdirected anger more than me

[egroen 384]

If the Wings lose, it will be teams like Edmonton that will raise the most hell about it. Imagine if Columbus sneaks into the playoffs by 1 or 2 points?

This would be a pretty open and shut case if Bettman had stuck to the original policy and suspended all three of Datsyuk, Lidstrom and Crosby. Yes, it would remain a stupid rule obviously in need of a second look, but still pretty black and white. The fact he offered a last-minute exception, that in reality favored only one of those individuas (Crosby) really opens a can of worms. How does being "present" at the game somehow validate an injury, while not being present makes an injury suspect and worthy of a suspension?

It also resulted in a very petty and eager character-assasination of Lidstrom and Datsyuk all over the media, while extolling the virtues of Crosby. If Crosby deserved a "break", why not Lidstrom and Datsyuk, who have nothing on their records but an incredible service to the NHL in upholding all its virtues, and like Crosby, are genuinely injured.

Is Bettman at all capable of foresight? Is he really that petty he felt he needed to send a message to the NHLPA? Even at the cost of alienating fans further, not to mention pissing off an incredibly successful franchise he has thanklessly exploited for years? Is this going to make players really excited to participate in future All Star events? It just seems like it was literally handled the absolute worst possible way imaginable.

Edited January 26, 2009 by egroen

[Echolalia 2,961]

I hope the Wings do lose and Columbus gets in by 1-2 points, and end up versing us in the playoffs.

[adamic 0]

I didn't watch sat or sun. LOL I hope it got poor ratings. They should have been exempt (winter classic). I also think Holland should send a bunch of the kids over for the game in Europe next year. Screw Bettman I hate him and always will. The NHL is Crosby this and Crosby that still. I can think of four players on the wings I'd rathrer have than that spoiled over rated player.

[Kira 451]

I'd love to tell Bettman to go f*** a duck, and play Nick and Pasha, but if I know those two, they will quietly sit the game out and not cause trouble. But I'm glad Holland and the NHLPA are going to the mat for them.

[55fan 5,133]

I'd like to see the Wings win in OT, get the 2 points, give Columbus a point, and then have Columbus beat out Edmonton for the 8th spot in the playoffs by 1 point.

Lowe stood up for Dats and Lids, Burke bashed them.

Cue round 5 (or is it 6?) of Lowe vs Burke.

Drama at its finest.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I think Holland should take Bettman out to the gun range: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=wwLQewe4TrY&NR=1

Or even take him sledding: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=oO9Y790H3pA