Don Cherry's Comments

[Stolsanov 0]

I didn't think it was over the top about what he said, i was just ammused that he thinks Datsyuk is turning into a dirty player just because he's starting to throw his body arround. Wonder how mad he'll be if the Wings win back to back Stanley Cups under a European captain GET IT DONE WINGS !!

[Guest Shoreline]

I didn't think it was over the top about what he said, i was just ammused that he thinks Datsyuk is turning into a dirty player just because he's starting to throw his body arround. Wonder how mad he'll be if the Wings win back to back Stanley Cups under a European captain GET IT DONE WINGS !!

Grapes is awesome but I gotta be wondering how much hair he was pulling out when Lids raised the cup.

[Stolsanov 0]

Grapes is awesome but I gotta be wondering how much hair he was pulling out when Lids raised the cup.

Or how much he's going to loose if Lidstrom does it again :afro:

Edited March 3, 2009 by Stolsanov

[Yak19 303]

Grapes is awesome but I gotta be wondering how much hair he was pulling out when Lids raised the cup.

He definitely cries himself to sleep over the Wings being on top, add in the first Euro captain to win the cup = Sour Grapes (no pun intended)

I dont mind him being a homer for Toronto and liking Canadian players but he always rips into European players over this or that and never gets on a Canadian for anything. Unless you are native all Canadians have come from somewhere else... mainly Europe. He needs to stop being perpetually butthurt, that cant be good for his health.

[norrisnick 1]

"Just seeing him in his suits brings a lot of laughter to a lot of people."

-Nick Lidstrom on Don Cherry

[BlueMonk 102]

"Just seeing him in his suits brings a lot of laughter to a lot of people."

-Nick Lidstrom on Don Cherry

Hehehe. Awesome.

[96warrior 11]

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2009/03/li..._to_grapes.html

The Windsor Star's Dave Waddell spoke to Lidstrom directly about Cherry's comments, and he responded in the "Canadian way," as Cherry would say. In other words, he did so classily:

March 2, Windsor Star: "I thought we'd proved all that last season by winning the Stanley Cup," said Lidstrom when asked what the Wings had left to prove to critics who go beyond Cherry. "There's 29 other teams that didn't win it that wanted to win it. Just look at our record."

Nick even managed to crack a joke about his plans for any future meetings with "Grapes":

"I think I've said 'hi' to him when I've seen him here," Lidstrom said. "Maybe (I'll) check him (the next time I see him). He's a character. He brings a lot of entertainment when he speaks. Sometimes he's right and sometimes he's wrong. I think just seeing him in his suits brings laughter from people."

[capsfan25 0]

"Don Cherry?" Ovechkin said. "What I can say? He's a funny guy, old guy. He likes old-fashioned hockey, so he don't like probably my celebrations. He said a lot of stuff about [Atlanta all-star Ilya] Kovalchuk and me, so he ...I don't know. I don't want to talk about him. He's not interesting to me. He can say whatever he want. I don't care about him."

When I asked Ovechkin if he was angry about Cherry's comments, he added: "I just laughed when I saw his suits. He's funny. In hockey we need someone like that, someone who thinks I'm celebrating like soccer player. Maybe Canadians don't have soccer teams. Maybe he's jealous of Russia."

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

"Just seeing him in his suits brings a lot of laughter to a lot of people."

-Nick Lidstrom on Don Cherry

"Don Cherry?" Ovechkin said. "What I can say? He's a funny guy, old guy. He likes old-fashioned hockey, so he don't like probably my celebrations. He said a lot of stuff about [Atlanta all-star Ilya] Kovalchuk and me, so he ...I don't know. I don't want to talk about him. He's not interesting to me. He can say whatever he want. I don't care about him."

When I asked Ovechkin if he was angry about Cherry's comments, he added: "I just laughed when I saw his suits. He's funny. In hockey we need someone like that, someone who thinks I'm celebrating like soccer player. Maybe Canadians don't have soccer teams. Maybe he's jealous of Russia."

These.

I disagree with Cherry on this and don't give a kahoots about Ovechkin's goal celebrations one way or another, but Cherry is always going to be loud/outspoken for better/worse. Loud/outspoken people typically are funny, and if they wear gaudy suits, they are probably even funnier.

[The Secret 304]

He's definitely a Canadian homer, but I don't exactly see why that's so horrendous. Everyone has their biases -- just take the good with the bad.

Of course he is a Canadian homer... who isn't going to be supportive of their own first and foremost? I prefer Canadians players myself and have long wanted more Canadians and/or American players on our roster. They provide a different aspect to the game that is not a part of the European style. I'm not saying the Euro's can't play that way but for the most part they don't. I also agree that our cup winning teams from 97 and 98 had a great mix of both NA and Euro and gave us a much more exciting product. We had it all... great goal tending, scoring, passing, defense, passion, heart, hitting, fighting, fancy plays and good ol' dirty hockey too. Cherry's opinion can be a little much but the jist of what he is saying is true. People around here consider Lilja to be our enforcer... thats a laugh. People around here crave Downey, who is useless except for that fact that he hits and will fight... they want more of it. The air Cherry blew about Lidstrom is true... so what? He doesn't hit and thats part of Lidstroms game... if Cherry doesn't like that big deal... its still true though and so is the fact the despite not being a hitter he is the best defensemen to play the game. Anyway, I'd love to have some good NA players in the mix with our good euro players and bring back what we had in 97/98 days.

[elevenandcounting 0]

most of the time i really don't give a s*** about his opinions and i think most people laugh at this senile old bastard who by the way makes craig sager looks fashionable. but this recent habit of taking shots at red wings is pissing me off. how the f*** is pavel a cheapshot??? calling out lidstrom is a joke. if he was a nick from ontario he would be giving him a blowjob every ******* day. sugestion that red wings are favored by the league even though we got royally f***ed in the series against the ducks and last year finals were no better. you used to have to kill somebody to get a 5on3 in the finals but whatever, look on buttmans face when he handed the cup to lidstrom instead of cindy was priceless. anyway f*** cherry, f*** cbc and their torture of average canadian hockey fan by forcing us to watch that horror show they call maple leafs. and this idea that red wings are soft is really bugging me. they are not figthers and this team hasn't been drafted that way. puck possesion and speed, thats the idea and the direction this team is being managed. and any red wing fan who would be a bigger fan of the team if there were more north american players instead of having guys like pavel,zetterberg and homer can go f*** himself. shouldn't we be beyond the nationality issues??? the thing that made us successful over the past two decades is the ability to find great players in europe. cherry is a ******

[Guest micah]

I think my favorite thing about Don cherry is the way that he makes people whine.

He's a television personality, that's all. If you are bothered by what a guy on TV says about the profesional athelte you watch, you might be better off just turning the chanel. Life's too short.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I think my favorite thing about Don cherry is the way that he makes people whine.

He's a television personality, that's all. If you are bothered by what a guy on TV says about the profesional athelte you watch, you might be better off just turning the chanel. Life's too short.

Yep. His gaudy suits/apparel alone should signal that he probably plays for the cameras for better/worse.

[bellarina 1]

Anyone notice since Cherry's comments, Ovechkin hasn't been celebrating like he used to.

I think that Ovechkin sure was listening to ole Don.

Say what you will about Don but NHLers respect him. I remember that at one point he bashed Selanne(when he was much younger), he said he was soft. Selanne did his best to get in Dons good books and prove to him that he wasn't soft. Don even acknowledged him on HNiC.

[Dano33 41]

Anyone notice since Cherry's comments, Ovechkin hasn't been celebrating like he used to.

I think that Ovechkin sure was listening to ole Don.

Say what you will about Don but NHLers respect him. I remember that at one point he bashed Selanne(when he was much younger), he said he was soft. Selanne did his best to get in Dons good books and prove to him that he wasn't soft. Don even acknowledged him on HNiC.

Not noticing it at all actually. Cherry decided to take some of his extreme ones one day to emphasize a point, then come back and show what he normally does to make himself look like he has influence on the way NHL and its players act.

[Hank 0]

If Ovechkin played in the original 6 era, and did his goal dance....he'd be flattened.

I've often wondered if Tiger Williams wasn't as good a fighter as he was, how long he would have lasted with his cowboy goal celebration, or Mike Foligno and his goal crease jig. Both men could fight, but had they not been fighters and did those dances....I think they would have been mninced meat.

I know a lot of people are knocking Don Cherry's comments about Ovechkin and his antics, but there are ton of NHL coaches and GMs who are thinking the exact same thing - and just didn't want to say it.

But those same guys are outdated. They don't think you should have or show any kind of fun in the game until you're holding the Cup over your head. That's a pretty depressing view of sports.

It's amazing to me how many threads or comments get started here asking "How come the NHL isn't more popular?", or "We need to get on ESPN" and yet they bash players like Ovechkin who play the game like a kid would.

A.O. isn't trying to show off. I don't believe so anyway. When I watch him play the one word that comes to mind is "JOY". This guy plays the game like a kid playing on a backyard rink. He genuinely loves coming to the rink each and every day. And he celebrates every goal like it's the greatest thing that's ever happened.

I have no problem with his 'antics'. It's contagious and I think if every player had the same attitude it would draw

more fans.

P.S. Doesn't anyone else find it odd that Don chose to wear a very subdued or normal suit when he decided to go off on Ovechkin.

Perhaps even Don himself would have seen the irony in a man wearing a suit that looked like it was raped by my grandma's couch lambasting someone for being a hotdog.

I believe it has something to do with the pot calling the kettle black.

Don Cherry is the BIGGEST showboat pro hockey has seen over the past 30 years.

I love Don but he's a complete hypocrite in this case.

You can't go on HNIC looking like a damn circus clown and then blast players for craving the spotlight.

Edited March 18, 2009 by Hank

[bellarina 1]

But those same guys are outdated. They don't think you should have or show any kind of fun in the game until you're holding the Cup over your head. That's a pretty depressing view of sports.

It's amazing to me how many threads or comments get started here asking "How come the NHL isn't more popular?", or "We need to get on ESPN" and yet they bash players like Ovechkin who play the game like a kid would.

A.O. isn't trying to show off. I don't believe so anyway. When I watch him play the one word that comes to mind is "JOY". This guy plays the game like a kid playing on a backyard rink. He genuinely loves coming to the rink each and every day. And he celebrates every goal like it's the greatest thing that's ever happened.

I have no problem with his 'antics'. It's contagious and I think if every player had the same attitude it would draw

more fans.

P.S. Doesn't anyone else find it odd that Don chose to wear a very subdued or normal suit when he decided to go off on Ovechkin.

Perhaps even Don himself would have seen the irony in a man wearing a suit that looked like it was raped by my grandma's couch lambasting someone for being a hotdog.

I believe it has something to do with the pot calling the kettle black.

Don Cherry is the BIGGEST showboat pro hockey has seen over the past 30 years.

I love Don but he's a complete hypocrite in this case.

You can't go on HNIC looking like a damn circus clown and then blast players for craving the spotlight.

You have a strong point here, got to give it to you.

[finalfilppula 2]

But those same guys are outdated. They don't think you should have or show any kind of fun in the game until you're holding the Cup over your head. That's a pretty depressing view of sports.

It's amazing to me how many threads or comments get started here asking "How come the NHL isn't more popular?", or "We need to get on ESPN" and yet they bash players like Ovechkin who play the game like a kid would.

A.O. isn't trying to show off. I don't believe so anyway. When I watch him play the one word that comes to mind is "JOY". This guy plays the game like a kid playing on a backyard rink. He genuinely loves coming to the rink each and every day. And he celebrates every goal like it's the greatest thing that's ever happened.

I have no problem with his 'antics'. It's contagious and I think if every player had the same attitude it would draw

more fans.

P.S. Doesn't anyone else find it odd that Don chose to wear a very subdued or normal suit when he decided to go off on Ovechkin.

Perhaps even Don himself would have seen the irony in a man wearing a suit that looked like it was raped by my grandma's couch lambasting someone for being a hotdog.

I believe it has something to do with the pot calling the kettle black.

Don Cherry is the BIGGEST showboat pro hockey has seen over the past 30 years.

I love Don but he's a complete hypocrite in this case.

You can't go on HNIC looking like a damn circus clown and then blast players for craving the spotlight.

very good points. i love grapes, too, but sometimes he makes it very hard.

[DMAC 25 18]

Did anyone else just catch that "Coach's Corner" where Cherry was absolutely brutal on Ovechkin? I usually like Cherry but, wow, the things he said were completely uncalled for. He basically DEFENDED Crosby's comments that he doesn't like the way Ovechkin acts or celebrates. Cherry compared Ovechkin to "goofy" soccer players saying theres no room in hockey for Ovechkin's style and "good Canadians" shouldn't follow in his antics. He then said (in a VERY excited manner) that some good defenseman is gonna just rip him in half soon. He seemed to be looking forward to it. Oh and also, he compared Ovechkin to Avery saying its basically the same stuff. His exact words were, "different churches, same spew".

Dude, wtf Cherry? Ovechkin and his "antics" are EXACTLY what the NHL needs and I think Cherry's comments this afternoon were absolutely disgraceful.

crosby is just jealous that he isnt like him, after all hes supose to be the next great one and i think ovechkin is taking that from him. i'm sorry but i dont like crosby and after hearing this i'm not sure if i'm a huge fan of cherry either

[sureWhyNot 19]

I love Don Cherry -- he is entertaining as all hell. I mean you take it for what it's worth and leave it at that -- you don't like him switch the channel -- BAM, your problems solved.

I wonder if all the hockey fans from the Welland, Ontario area are crying their eyes out over Cherry's scathing rant about Clutterbuck, or as he puts it "Buttercup".

I can hear them crying from here, just like the Euro's over Cherry's comments about the motherlands own Alexander "I am a professional who gets paid millions yet act like a child" Ovechkin.

WAIT, is this video of Cherry attacking another Canadian? Oh my god -- what a Xenophobe!

Have any of you who are currently whining over Cherry and his comments ever heard the man talk about Tomas Holmstrom? I wouldn't expect you to admit it if you did - so I will shed light on what he's said countless times.

Cherry has said that Homer is hands down the best player ever to do what he does. Better then Ryan Smyth (Canadian), better then Dino Ciccarelli (Canadian), etc., etc.

Get over yourself, it is starting to get obnoxious. I mean the first two weeks after he said it was one thing, but don't you think it's getting a little drawn out by now?

[Guest Shoreline]

This all kinda reminded me of Cherry going after Ulf Samuelsson. Good ol' Grapes.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I've never really taken Don Cherry too seriously given the way he screams for attention to start with his apparel and gaudy outfits (which I certainly don't mind and think is entertaining) and his demeanor/opinions, I don't watch him much, but to me he seems like he is wearing his welcome from what I've been reading on here, like his calling people out schtick is getting old. Am I anywhere in the ballpark on this one?

[REDHASEK 0]

Doesn't surprise me at all, Don Cherry's a f***in dumbass.

esteef

Don Cherry is a God ..................

And you know what Alex Ovechkin can go and take his stupid Goal Celebrating and stick them up the Capitals you know what....I'm sick of Teams like the Caps, you know the Teams that are always in last place getting all the Great talented players, them players should go on the 6 organal NHL Clubs only...............

.

The NHL needs to get rid of half of these teams because the NHL is just getting way to watered down now, the NHL was much better to watch in the 80'S and 90'S but Today it sucks....

.

Don Cherry is so right on this one....

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Don Cherry is a God ..................

And you know what Alex Ovechkin can go and take his stupid Goal Celebrating and stick them up the Capitals you know what....I'm sick of Teams like the Caps, you know the Teams that are always in last place getting all the Great talented players, them players should go on the 6 organal NHL Clubs only...............

.

The NHL needs to get rid of half of these teams because the NHL is just getting way to watered down now, the NHL was much better to watch in the 80'S and 90'S but Today it sucks....

.

Don Cherry is so right on this one....

Washington is currently leading their division right now...

And teams that finish in the lower parts of standings typically get higher draft picks and will probably ****** higher profile players. This happens in MLB and the NBA as well.

As for Ovechkin goal celebrating, doesn't bug me one bit. As long as he doesn't rub it in the faces of other players, celebrate as you want. Never hurts to show emotion in a positive way.

[bellarina 1]

Washington is currently leading their division right now...

And teams that finish in the lower parts of standings typically get higher draft picks and will probably ****** higher profile players. This happens in MLB and the NBA as well.

As for Ovechkin goal celebrating, doesn't bug me one bit. As long as he doesn't rub it in the faces of other players, celebrate as you want. Never hurts to show emotion in a positive way.

Me thinks you missed the sarcasm.