Will Red Wings test Bettman on Tuesday?

[dragonballgtz 273]

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.

Crosby showed up at the last minute...if he didnt he would of got suspended as well.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

Crosby showed up at the last minute...if he didnt he would of got suspended as well.

He still should have been suspended as well. The original rule said they had to PLAY in the all star GAME to avoid punishment, not show up for a third of the media events then hobble off.

[Konnan511 1,736]

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.

I consider myself "level-headed" so wtf? If Holland and Co are really challanging this then good for them, they should, it shows him supporting his team and it shows the NHLPA supporting their employees. They don't really have a case though since the players are being suspended with pay and therefore the NHLPA doesn't have any case. Plus the fact that EVERY GM agreed, even Holland, to the new rule stating if you miss the AS game due to an injury, you must show in good faith that you are injured by not have played the game before the AS game, and if you played that game, at least sit out the game after. This has been way overblown, the lack of Red Wings' games have gone to a lot of LGWrs head.

[esteef 2,679]

Put these on 'em and put 'em in the game!

esteef

[Statts 4]

Holland should say that Lids and Dats are still injured and wont be playing. Bettmans imposed suspension had nothing to do with the decition.

[Drake_Marcus 890]

I consider myself "level-headed" so wtf? If Holland and Co are really challanging this then good for them, they should, it shows him supporting his team and it shows the NHLPA supporting their employees. They don't really have a case though since the players are being suspended with pay and therefore the NHLPA doesn't have any case. Plus the fact that EVERY GM agreed, even Holland, to the new rule stating if you miss the AS game due to an injury, you must show in good faith that you are injured by not have played the game before the AS game, and if you played that game, at least sit out the game after. This has been way overblown, the lack of Red Wings' games have gone to a lot of LGWrs head.

Most of us aren't angry that the rule was enforced as much as we are angry with:

a) The last minute Crosby exception released to the public long after Datsyuk or Lidstrom could do anything about it

b) The verbal treatment Bettman and his cronies gave Datsyuk and especially offensively- gave Lidstrom

c) The fact that 99% of the hockey world believes that the Crosby rewrite of the rule was the original rule. That's shocking enough in and of itself. Why the hell would Holland forfeit the use of Lidstrom and Datsyuk for a game if he knew they could avoid it by showing up on Friday like Crosby did. That makes no sense, and if anyone here really believes that the rules weren't bent for Crosby how can they maintain that belief now that the NHLPA and Holland say they're filing grievances? They wouldn't cause a fuss if the rule wasn't changed because nothing out of the ordinary would have happened. Plus, why the hell would the media report on Friday morning that Crosby called and negotiated a way of avoiding the suspension if the rule gave him the answer already? Crosby wouldn't have called Bettman and booked a last minute flight to Montreal if the rule was he just had to show up (why call to negotiate terms that were set in February? I do assume he and his agent can read).

d) The characterization on these forums (mostly by trolls that magically appeared on Friday afternoon) that people who don't buy the company line are whiners.

e) The NHL hasn't had an Obama to replace their horrible Bush-like leader.

f) Bettman is clearly the best choice to play the Penguin in the new Batman movies.

[Ms_Hockey 0]

It's Lidstrom. Chances are, he'll just go along with it. He's not exactly a confrontational guy.

[Electrophile 3,554]

I hope they don't. I want Nick and Pav to sit out. If they're legitimately injured, and we all believe they are, then sitting out an extra game would only be good for them, not bad. Holland SHOULD make a comment that due to their injuries, they weren't going to play Tuesday anyway. It'll make Bettman look like a bigger anus than he already is, which should always be the primary goal.

I'm more pissed about Crosby not being suspended as well than the fact Nick and Pav got clipped. What's good for one (or two) should be good for all.

[hokike 1]

Playoffs are more important for Red wings anyway than one or two reg season games.

saga is over. Move on.

[Greatness=PavelDatsyuk 65]

I ay sit them, but whenever the league asks Detroit to do something, like starting the season in europe or something like that, Holland says no

[Guest mindfly]

I ay sit them, but whenever the league asks Detroit to do something, like starting the season in europe or something like that, Holland says no

But...Detroit red wings have what.. 7swedes? I'm sure they want to give the huge swedish fanbase something back as well *guilty*... f*** Bettman but don't f*** us . To be honest, wings wouldn't be a very good team without the swedes, and we're a proud people so I think internally they want to play a few games here and so they should IMO.

Edited January 26, 2009 by mindfly

[KATIEBARTHEDOOR24 426]

I hope they don't. I want Nick and Pav to sit out. If they're legitimately injured, and we all believe they are, then sitting out an extra game would only be good for them, not bad. Holland SHOULD make a comment that due to their injuries, they weren't going to play Tuesday anyway. It'll make Bettman look like a bigger anus than he already is, which should always be the primary goal.

I'm more pissed about Crosby not being suspended as well than the fact Nick and Pav got clipped. What's good for one (or two) should be good for all.

Apparently, Bettman thinks Crosby's face value is pretty high. When I saw him walk out and wave to the fans I thought that it was quite lame and I'm glad Pav and Nick didn't go.

[Kira 451]

One question...suppose Pasha and Nick were given express orders by their physicians not to travel. Were they supposed to defy their orders and go to Montreal anyway?

There is a double standard here...there is the rules for Crosby and then there's the rules for everyone else.

[Electrophile 3,554]

Yes they were, for a royal decree from King Buttman to make your presence known should be followed.

[Statts 4]

But...Detroit red wings have what.. 7swedes? I'm sure they want to give the huge swedish fanbase something back as well *guilty*... f*** Bettman but don't f*** us . To be honest, wings wouldn't be a very good team without the swedes, and we're a proud people so I think internally they want to play a few games here and so they should IMO.

Completely 100% agree.

This whole situation has only hurt the fans. No need to sink to Bettmans level.

It's about giving the players a chance to play a game in front of their fellow countrymen and the fans. Probably a once in a lifetime opportunity for both.

[egroen 384]

One question...suppose Pasha and Nick were given express orders by their physicians not to travel. Were they supposed to defy their orders and go to Montreal anyway?

There is a double standard here...there is the rules for Crosby and then there's the rules for everyone else.

The whole thing is a can of worms. In the CBA, players are required to play in the ASG to the best of their ability, but final discretion is with the club. So Bettman bypasses this last February with an amendment stating you must play, or you must miss a regular season game as well, to "prove" you are really injured.

Now, with the "Crosby Amendment to the Amendment" somehow being able to be physically present at the ASG, whether playing or not, proves your injury is legitimate, and you do not have to miss a game.

Add in how careful the NHL is to state this is NOT a suspension, in that they are still being paid, and it gets even more confusing.

Imagine if Holland plays them on Tuesday - Check and mate, Bettman. Now Bettman will feel forced to suspend them "for real", without pay, and then the NHLPA will really be able to step in and make Bettman's life even more miserable than it must already be from having to drag a step ladder around with him every where he goes.

[Kira 451]

Someone needs to step in and make Buttman's life as miserable as he makes ours.

[96warrior 11]

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

Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk upset about having to sit out a game

by Ansar Khan

Monday January 26, 2009, 3:54 PM

Update from Monday's practice: Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and center Pavel Datsyuk both said they were disappointed in the NHL's decision to force them to sit out Tuesday's game in Columbus for withdrawing from the All-Star game due to injuries and not showing up in Montreal for the off-ice activities.

The Wings said, contrary to reports, there is no appeal process. It's cut and dry. They will not play tonorrow. Technically, it's not a suspension, as they will be paid. It's simply the NHL enforcing an understanding it and the league's general managers agreed to last February.

Lidstrom, who's been battling tentinitis in his right elbow for some time, said he didn't find out until Friday that he could have avoided the ban if he would have showed in Montreal for the off-ice part of it. But he said it didn't matter. He still wouldn't have showed up because he needed to stay home and get treatment for his elbow.

Datsyuk said he wasn't aware this loophole either -- that's how Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby avoided a one-game ban. Datsyuk said he's not sure if his strained hip flexor would have allowed him to play Tuesday anyway.

[jvxp 0]

They will play along and they will sit.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

I think I need someone to enlighten me. When was the 'exception' rule made? The one that states if the injured player attends the festivities he is exempt from the suspension. I would like a link if it's not too much trouble, because many people (around the web) are saying it has been in place since the meeting that the GMs had.

I don't know what to believe. If the 'exception' was as recent as some people are saying, then there is a problem.

The Wings should ignore this, just keep doing the same thing they have done for the past ~15 years.

[egroen 384]

I think I need someone to enlighten me. When was the 'exception' rule made? The one that states if the injured player attends the festivities he is exempt from the suspension. I would like a link if it's not too much trouble, because many people (around the web) are saying it has been in place since the meeting that the GMs had.

I don't know what to believe. If the 'exception' was as recent as some people are saying, then there is a problem.

The Wings should ignore this, just keep doing the same thing they have done for the past ~15 years.

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

Red Wings' Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk upset about having to sit out a game

by Ansar Khan

Monday January 26, 2009, 3:54 PM

Update from Monday's practice: Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and center Pavel Datsyuk both said they were disappointed in the NHL's decision to force them to sit out Tuesday's game in Columbus for withdrawing from the All-Star game due to injuries and not showing up in Montreal for the off-ice activities.

The Wings said, contrary to reports, there is no appeal process. It's cut and dry. They will not play tonorrow. Technically, it's not a suspension, as they will be paid. It's simply the NHL enforcing an understanding it and the league's general managers agreed to last February.

Lidstrom, who's been battling tentinitis in his right elbow for some time, said he didn't find out until Friday that he could have avoided the ban if he would have showed in Montreal for the off-ice part of it. But he said it didn't matter. He still wouldn't have showed up because he needed to stay home and get treatment for his elbow.

Datsyuk said he wasn't aware this loophole either -- that's how Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby avoided a one-game ban. Datsyuk said he's not sure if his strained hip flexor would have allowed him to play Tuesday anyway.

[RedWingedKitten 9]

Many thanks, now I can enlighten others.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

Someone needs to step in and make Buttman's life as miserable as he makes ours.

Yeah we should take away his stepstool

[Konnan511 1,736]

Most of us aren't angry that the rule was enforced as much as we are angry with:

a) The last minute Crosby exception released to the public long after Datsyuk or Lidstrom could do anything about it

...

f) Bettman is clearly the best choice to play the Penguin in the new Batman movies.

Fact

[CanadaBoy 151]

meh.