Hossa Fight! :) Video

[betterREDthandead 58]

It's Holland or Al Avila, the Detroit coaches over the years have had little say who gets call ups. The only one that had some say was Scotty Bowman, but that's because Holland actually repsected him. Holland and Avila have always been big proponents of Euro-hockey and marketing. I give them credit, they find a lot of diamonds in the rough; however, they lack the balls to make the big call ups of physical players.

I'm with Reds4Life here.....why does it take "balls" to call up physical players?

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

Another quick thought, I've been listening to 97.1 all morning at work and they're giving a lot of attention to the Hossa "fight." Mind you, this is the flagship station for the Wings, which usually gives them about 5% coverage during the day, which is probably close to half of the conversation thus far today. People are calling and emailing in about the scrum and they talked about the fans at the Joe chanting Hossa's name when exiting. My point here is to reiterate that the Detroit market loves this type of hockey, and if the Wings played a slightly more physical game, there would be a lot less empty seats at the Joe.

I think we have a winner!!!!

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Any one else notice that since the mid 90's the Wings don't fight much... AND are the most successful organization in the league? Face it, fighting majors don't win, the Red Wings do.

This is the lamest ******* turn this debate always takes. People only make fighting a win/loss issue because it's convenient.

1. Fighting and winning are not mutually exclusive ******* concepts.

2. You can not fight and win.

3. You can fight and win.

4. It is better that if you have to fight, you have somebody capable of doing it versus 6-7 million dollar star players.

This debate doesn't have to be on the extremes. The Wings don't need a McGratton. They don't need to be the Broad Street Bullies. And they won't suddenly become a middle of the pack team if they have 1 or 2 guys that can fight.

The Predators took some liberties late in last night's game. Wouldn't it be nice if we had somebody we could put on the ice that could answer the bell and we don't count on to score 40 goals a season?

What I wouldn't give for a David Clarkson, Brandon Dubinsky, Jamal Mayers, BJ Crombeen, Olie Toleffson, Sean Odonnel, etc.....just somebody who can play the game and handle some rough stuff.

[seeinred 1,488]

Let's see if anybody goes with this...

Show me one instance where a fight prevented an injury.

[Jasper84 333]

I try to go to about 10-12 games a year, not much I know. I was there last night, and out of all the times I've been to the Joe, I've never heard it as loud as it was last night during the fight, and the chanting of his name when they made the announcement. For Hossa not being a fighter & Suter not taking his helmet off, he definitely put up a better show then any of the other Wing's fights this year IMO.

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Let's see if anybody goes with this...

Show me one instance where a fight prevented an injury.

How would anyone know that the fight prevented an injury if that injury was prevented?

To the point, though, man games lost to injury as of one month ago: Link. As this isn't an official stat tracked by the NHL, it'll have to do. As you can see Detroit is near the bottom. Since most injuries happen during the regular course of the game (any old innocent check, hit with a shot, just skating around), the man games lost are more or less a random occurrence.

I don't really get the enforcer to prevent injuries argument, if in fact there is one being put forth. There are a number of valid and legitimate reasons for fighting in hockey, but this is not one of them. No one is going to second guess making a hit or getting involved in a scrum because they're afraid their tough guy will have to fight the other team's tough guy.

[softshoes 83]

I seem to recall winning a Cup with Joey Kocur on the team. What I wouldn't give to have him on the bench again or a reasonable facsimile.

Hossa dropping the gloves last night was nice to see in the sense that he is willing to defend himself. If he ever has to do it again I'll be pissed.

The facts are that other teams see us as soft, and WILL rough us up. As long as fighting is part of hockey every team needs someone on the bench to take care of bizz. It's not about boxing, it's about teams running our players with no fear of consequences.

If people can't see that they are indeed shortsighted.

[thedisappearer 291]

because Jiri Hudler one of the smallest NHL players was getting abused. That's why you need a 'tough guy'

Because Steve Sullivan roams the league again?

[The Secret 304]

No one is saying that so get that through your head. I think the majority of us would be completely satisfied with anything that even remotely resembles the toughness of a professional North American hockey team. We are by far the least interested team when it comes to fighting that any pro team in North America has ever iced... NHL, AHL, ECHL... Literally.

Yes, I agree with tjhis post 100%. I'm also happy to see that Hossa will drop them when required. No one wants him to turn into a brawler but at least he is willing to defend himself and his team mates and he did just fine.... I wouldn't ask for anything more of him. It would be nice to have a few others that can and will stand up for themselves and their team. Atta boy Hoss. Great post skacore.

[thedisappearer 291]

This is the lamest ******* turn this debate always takes. People only make fighting a win/loss issue because it's convenient.

1. Fighting and winning are not mutually exclusive ******* concepts.

2. You can not fight and win.

3. You can fight and win.

4. It is better that if you have to fight, you have somebody capable of doing it versus 6-7 million dollar star players.

This debate doesn't have to be on the extremes. The Wings don't need a McGratton. They don't need to be the Broad Street Bullies. And they won't suddenly become a middle of the pack team if they have 1 or 2 guys that can fight.

The Predators took some liberties late in last night's game. Wouldn't it be nice if we had somebody we could put on the ice that could answer the bell and we don't count on to score 40 goals a season?

What I wouldn't give for a David Clarkson, Brandon Dubinsky, Jamal Mayers, BJ Crombeen, Olie Toleffson, Sean Odonnel, etc.....just somebody who can play the game and handle some rough stuff.

Calm down, Sally.

My point is, I care if they win. Anything else is secondary. We obviously have put a system in place that wins, and that systems doesn't value enforcers. If we add enforcers, we lose what the system needs- people with solid puck possession skills. The players that are physical and have soft hands cost too much to add to our team. I trust the system.

[uk_redwing 495]

Wings fans who want to see fights love hockey.

Wings fans who dont care about fights love winning.

Edited February 19, 2009 by uk_redwing

[DuckSoup13 0]

Hossa throwing off the gloves was freaking awesome! I was half asleep at the time and I jumped right off the couch lol

[Opie 308]

Lets see the Wings won 6-2, most important, they didn't back down to an attempt to physical them out of the game, 2nd most important, and they had someone fight, least important (of the 3).

I find it amazing that with 3 landed punches Hossa doesn't prove the wings don't need an enforcer, no no not on this board.

The fact that a player who can score, pass, play defense, and throw the knuckles when needed to signifies to some of you that we need Aaron Downey??? Screw that if Hossa wants to drop every now and again to prove a point, yet score nearly 50 goals I am all for it. I have been saying all along an enforcer is fine with me as long as they can do something besides fill up a spot on the bench for 88% of the game, and spend another 6% in the bin and only 6% on the ice.

Sure bring up Aaron Downey, great idea!!

I can not wait to see the posts from the [sarcasm]"Pro Old Time Hockey" [/sarcasm] crowd when Marian Hossa wills this team to a cup. Mark my words right now, this guy wins Conn Smythe and has a monster of a playoff. (That fight proved how devoted to this team he really is!!)

It would probably look like this:

"That was the most embarrassing cup I have ever celebrated my drunken ass over. We didn't beat anybody to a bloody pulp all year. Where were the fights. If I weren't so drunk I would be complaining right now!"

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

How many points does a fight get?

Hocke players win games. Not goons. Its sad that some wings fans just have to find something to ***** about with the team when its rolling through another season. Its especially sad when its something as mundane as fighting when come playoff time means nothing.

Edited February 19, 2009 by GoalieManPat

[Bad Vlad Forever 1]

Don't get me wrong, I love the Wings. Hossa has been amazing for us.....but that was a slapfight in the grand scheme of actual hockey fights. Pathetic.

[Reds4Life 51]

Wings fans who want to see fights love hockey.

Wings fans who dont care about fights love winning.

Really? How's that?

I love both hockey and seeing Wings win. And I couldn't care less about hockeyfigts.

[uk_redwing 495]

Really? How's that?

I love both hockey and seeing Wings win. And I couldn't care less about hockeyfigts.

Your from the Czech Republic though...so your style of hockey is alot different from ours. No offence

[Opie 308]

This is truly news to me. I've been watching the Wings since the late 80's and they have always had full-time enforcers and grit in the line-up until after they won the cup in '02. Don't know where you're getting your information. But then again, this is just another ignorant anti-enforcer poster who assumes the pro-enforcer crowd wants brawls on every line change, when really most of us just want someone in the lineup to stick up for teammates when s*** happens. Having Hossa have to do the dirty work, while awesome and respectful, is just not worth it because of the potential for injury.

No, you don't just want some one to stand up, other wise the 6-8 fights, however many of them, would be enough. Which situations should the Wings this year have fought some one over. Lebda, that was retaliation for his hard hit, he should have been ready for that, after all isn't that what you want a fighter for, retaliation/revenge/retribution?

Also Hossa standing up would be enough. YOU WANT FIGHTING, lots of it, just admit, it is ok really. I like fighting, but I want a fighter on my team who can do more than an aged D-mac and a 4 minute a night Aaron Downey can do. I respect Downey a lot more than I did last year, but lets be honest this team wins on offense most nights and offense alone. You take out one skater even Kopecky, and now you have to have people playing extra minutes every night to cover for the fact Downey can not skate from his own blue line to center ice with the puck on his stick.

Another quick thought, I've been listening to 97.1 all morning at work and they're giving a lot of attention to the Hossa "fight." Mind you, this is the flagship station for the Wings, which usually gives them about 5% coverage during the day, which is probably close to half of the conversation thus far today. People are calling and emailing in about the scrum and they talked about the fans at the Joe chanting Hossa's name when exiting. My point here is to reiterate that the Detroit market loves this type of hockey, and if the Wings played a slightly more physical game, there would be a lot less empty seats at the Joe.

Not sure if you can prove this theory, in order to do so you would have to take this years Wings and turn them into the Ducks by next season and see if it changes the results, I will tell you this much a fight in any sport will get people out of their seats, we pretend to be a peaceful nation but we love our violence as much as the next. Hell Pre-season baseball fights get people out of their seats and most of the time during those games everyone is asleep!

But I have a hard time buying that the Joe would be sold out on all nights in this market where the auto industry is laying off more people than the banks are getting one dollar bills from the gov't. Your theory is a thinly veiled attempt at making a point no one can argue with because it is both indisputable and unprovable at the same time!

[Reds4Life 51]

Your from the Czech Republic though...so your style of hockey is alot different from ours. No offence

Please tell me how my location changes my view on hockeyfights? I do not watch czech extraliga because it sucks. I like NHL, I like goals, saves, hits, plays but not fights. I don't mind them, but it is no fun for me. Two guys punching each other..geez.

And you are from UK, you don't even have decent hockey team, no offence.

[uk_redwing 495]

And you are from UK, you don't even have decent hockey team, no offence.

We have bench clearing brawls though

[The Secret 304]

How many points does a fight get?

Hocke players win games. Not goons. Its sad that some wings fans just have to find something to ***** about with the team when its rolling through another season. Its especially sad when its something as mundane as fighting when come playoff time means nothing.

Try watching the play offs this year and see how the game changes. Its tougher, faster, more physical and more emotional. No-one here is asking for a team of meatheads that only go out to fight and nothing more. We needs hockey players who can and will defend themselves and their team when required too.

You mommy is probably a very important person to you right? If are with her when some one comes and harasses your mommy are you going to turn your back and walk away? You'd stand up for her and fight if necessary to protect her, because she is important to you, she's your family. It's the same on the ice, they are family and important to each other and need to stick up for one another when necessary. No one wants dirt kicked in their face but if nothing is done to stop it then it will continue to happen.

[softshoes 83]

I guess someone is going to have to break a hand or gets rammed into the boards again like Draper before the "fighting isn't worth points" crowd sees what it about.

Why is this so difficult to grasp. It's not about fighting for fighting's sake. It's about Hossa breaking a hand or getting a concussion falling on the ice during a fight.

Edited February 19, 2009 by softshoes

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Let's see if anybody goes with this...

Show me one instance where a fight prevented an injury.

Remember Joe Thornton got his jaw broken in a fight. That's the point I am trying to make. People are creaming in their pants when Hossa throws punches. Myself, I am cringing, hoping he doesn't get hurt. And i'll bet anything Ken Holland was too.

What is wrong with wanting Jamal Mayers on your team?

What is wrong with wanting David Clarkson on your team?

Can the ***** crowd around here honestly tell me they would mind having David Clarkson on the squad versus, say.....Maltby or Helm or Kopecky?

I can't speak for all the pro fighting crowd around here but give me a guy like Clarkson, Ryan Clowe, Paul Gaustad any day of the week just to add some literal punch to the lineup.

I don't think that's asking too much. I don't think that's wanting a team of goons. I don't think that means team chemistry will implode. And it sure as hell doesn't mean that I want Andrew Peters or someone like him.

Give me 1 or 2 guys that can play a regular shift and also fight. What the f*** is the problem with that for some people?

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Why is this so difficult to grasp. It's not about fighting for fighting's sake. It's about Hossa breaking a hand or getting a concussion falling on the ice during a fight.

Hossa wasn't fighting because there wasn't an enforcer to do it for him, he was just pissed. It's not like it's something he makes a habit of. He has been in a grand total of four fights now, a pair with Eric Boulton on his team.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Okay a few things here...

A-Hockey is first of all a business for Illitch- if he wants a fuller Joe he has a team with some grit.

B- There's no reason in hell Hossa should have been fighting, but I GUARANTEE if we had an enforcer Hossa wouldn't have got forearmed in the face.

C- Opie, who knows little, but thinks he does made the point that you can't prove the theory of people showing up to the Joe. If I'm ONE small sampling, I have sold my Wings tickets I have gotten this year as of late. It's not fun for me to watch guys like Hudler get run into the boards nightly. So, if I count, I sell my tickets (3rd row the last seats) for LESS than face value. I want people in the Joe, period, but it troubles me to watch us get beaten.

D- People get VERY confused here that people that support enforcers don't care about winning. That's stupid to put it mildly. I want the Wings to be successful first and foremost. We scouted and made some of the best draft picks (i.e. Datsyuk) in the modern era of Hockey. We have a dynamite team with the most talent in the World. However, that talent can be gone within a game with one fragrant injury.

The opies, the dissapears, and people like that I have trouble believing were hockey fans before the Stanley Cup parade.