LGW is Pro-Enforcer: The Results are In.

[esteef 2,679]

Forgive me if this has already been posted, but:

"He’s been in the league about 15 plus years, it’s not any secret what he brings to a team," said Holland. "He obviously brings a dimension of physicality. He has no problem dropping the gloves. He’s a vocal leader on the bench."

"It was pretty interesting," said Detroit coach Mike Babcock. "We had May in exhibition for a couple of games and no one gets hacked or whacked. When we don’t have him, we get run. We don’t have a team that twists off helmets at stoppages. You get tired of seeing it all the time. It’s just nice when you get someone to look after that stuff."

So that right there pretty much shoots down the Softy-Crowd excuse of May being "worthless" because "physical players dont PREVENT injuries and cheapshots"

It has been said, but don't worry, somebody will bring up the Lidstrom/Lappy incident and go "Nuh-Uh!"

esteef

[Chunkylover 26]

It has been said, but don't worry, somebody will bring up the Lidstrom/Lappy incident and go "Nuh-Uh!"

esteef

Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy!

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Again, you are mischaracterizing my statement. I didn't say you don't support the team, I said you don't support the decisions they make that don't agree with your own. That's not exaggeration. That's what this whole thread has been about: "Babcock finally got that Holland's mind right! He's afraid of having enforcers!" That is exaggeration and it's coming from you and E_S_A_D.

If there indeed are anti-enforcers, they aren't in this thread, because no one here has said fighting has no place in the game. My position and those that have made similar point, is that if Holland thinks Williams is a better acquisition than Moen, I support him even if I thought Moen would be a valuable signing.

So you support every single decision Holland has ever made?

I don't. I think he's a great GM, but he's made some mistakes, several of which were in this offseason. Why should I support the decisions he makes that are not in agreement with my own? I wouldn't have ever joined a fan forum if I did.

And yeah I think Holland has been afraid of signing enforcers in the past. Whatever the reason may be, it's a fact that we haven't had that many enforcers in this decade. No exaggeration there. Other GM's aren't as afraid of carrying an enforcer.

[NGKEIB 32]

That guy was a maniac. I don't think they'd allow someone with his personality to play in the NHL, but he hasn't played in a long time anyway.

A youtube hero nonetheless...

[Heroes of Hockeytown 694]

Maltby getting claimed would be what - a bad thing??!!

I anticipated this type or response, but if the Wings wanted to get rid of Maltby they would have done it by now. I suspect that by the time the playoffs come around he'll be finding himself on the bench more often than not under optimal circumstances, 'optimal' being the operative word. You can never have enough depth.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Maltby getting claimed would be what - a bad thing??!!

Yeah, forget the Wings staying loyal to players who have been here and helped them win cups!

Holland made his bed, so he should have to sleep in it.

And once again with the "Holland was afraid of signing an enforcer" act. Perhaps the enforcers are intimidating him?

[esteef 2,679]

You can never have enough depth.

That's what SHE said.

esteef

[Chunkylover 26]

So you support every single decision Holland has ever made?

I don't. I think he's a great GM, but he's made some mistakes, several of which were in this offseason. Why should I support the decisions he makes that are not in agreement with my own? I wouldn't have ever joined a fan forum if I did.

And yeah I think Holland has been afraid of signing enforcers in the past. Whatever the reason may be, it's a fact that we haven't had that many enforcers in this decade. No exaggeration there. Other GM's aren't as afraid of carrying an enforcer.

And now that the terms have finally been accurately defined and accepted we have a resolution. I wanted Ken to get both Moen and Grier and never considered Eaves, Williams, or Bertuzzi, but I respect his judgment over my own when it concerns management.

It's still gross exaggeration to say he's afraid of signing a fighter. He just places a lower value on having one than you do. Holland isn't anti-fighter just because he makes roster decisions you disagree with.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

I still don't know how anyone considers Brad May an enforcer. I can think of 20 guys in the NHL that could enFORCE a few black eyes and a broken nose on Brad May's face. If the Wings really want an enforcer, they should trade for Godard.

You must've missed his fight tonight, he won btw.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

See, having an enforcer does deter opponents.

The Hawks usually try to rough the Wings up after whistles, but nothing like that happened tonight. What a coincidence!

[uk_redwing 495]

See, having an enforcer does deter opponents.

The Hawks usually try to rough the Wings up after whistles, but nothing like that happened tonight. What a coincidence!

But May didn't stop Ericsson getting injured! Enforcers are useless. Fire May, re-sign him then fire him again to show how useless he is!

[Doc Holiday 0]

See, having an enforcer does deter opponents.

The Hawks usually try to rough the Wings up after whistles, but nothing like that happened tonight. What a coincidence!

You mean like this?

You guys are unbelievable.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

You mean like this?

You guys are unbelievable.

Are you not willing to admit that the Hawks frequently run the Wings players and try to start scrums after whistles?

Cause nothing like that happened tonight. Nice video evidence, BTW.

[uk_redwing 495]

Franzen is such a tough guy going after Patrick Kane...

Edited October 9, 2009 by uk_redwing

[Doc Holiday 0]

Are you not willing to admit that the Hawks frequently run the Wings players and try to start scrums after whistles?

Cause nothing like that happened tonight. Nice video evidence, BTW.

I missed it but I heard Osgood got run by a Hawk.

And the only time I remember the Hawks taking serious liberties was in game 4 of the playoffs.

UK: Missed my point but thank you for that.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

I missed it but I heard Osgood got run by a Hawk.

And the only time I remember the Hawks taking serious liberties was in game 4 of the playoffs.

UK: Missed my point but thank you for that.

Ozzie didn't get run by anybody.

And game 4 was hardly the only incident of Chicago trying to play rough. Tonight, they were very timid against us, which is uncharacteristic of past history.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Ozzie didn't get run by anybody.

And game 4 was hardly the only incident of Chicago trying to play rough. Tonight, they were very timid against us, which is uncharacteristic of past history.

Agree to disagree.

The good news is both of us enjoyed a good fight and a good game of hockey.

Edited October 9, 2009 by Doc Holiday

[Guest micah]

I am not convinced that May had anything to do with it, but Chicago did not look like their usual crash/bang selves tonight. They were pretty quiet.

[Guest Shoreline]

You mean like this?

You guys are unbelievable.

Careful. Don't wanna tell the kids there is no santa.

Of course, you don't see them talking about the Wings handling themselves fine for the 78 regular season games Downey did not play last season. Nah. "Oh look, May played, Hawks sure didn't try something it must be him!".

It's so obvious they are looking so hard for reasons to give credit where it's not due it's hilarious.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Okay, how about this. The fight was ... reaaaaady... wait for it................... ENTERTAINING and did not cost the Wings anything. It actually was a momentum lift.

Wait, did I read it right? They won too? 3-1?

[Guest Four]

Okay, how about this. The fight was ... reaaaaady... wait for it................... ENTERTAINING and did not cost the Wings anything. It actually was a momentum lift.

Wait, did I read it right? They won too? 3-1?

3-2

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

Okay, how about this. The fight was ... reaaaaady... wait for it................... ENTERTAINING and did not cost the Wings anything. It actually was a momentum lift.

Wait, did I read it right? They won too? 3-1?

Did the fight have anything to do with momentum and the team winning? I'm sure it did (I was out watching the game so no sound, etc.), but to what degree is entirely subjective.

What I'm sick and tired is the extremes on both sides on stuff like this completely overhyping or underemphasizing the value of this type of player, or this completely pro or anti enforcer bulls**t.

Enforcers don't 100% deter s**t from hitting the fan, maybe not even 50% of the time. But such a player will improve the odds of stuff being a bit more calm. Too what degrees, again is subject, we all have to be the judge of that.

They help teams get to the playoffs, perhaps they play in the playoffs as well if the scenario is right.

Just because this team though might not have that prescence as much doesn't make them a bunch of wusses or whatever. This team knows how to play hard. It just means they don't have that prescence as much, nothing more or less.

Honestly I think you will find very few people that are completely 100% against having such a player.

Enforcers, tough guys, 4th line grinders, whatever the hell you want to call them play their roles on the team just like anybody else.

[Kp-Wings 3]

What kills me from the Detroit News article is how May could be sent down to GR to make room for a healthy Helm...Hey - how about sending Maltby instead?

EDIT - If May dresses for tonights game - bet we'll hear a loud round of applause when he hits the ice.

...or better yet, how about Patrick Eaves? We know Maltby isn't going anywhere, so that's a moot point (seriously, he's been with the Wings since the 95-96 season; their not going to get rid of him), but what has Eaves done to deserve a roster spot over May? Hell, he hasn't even played in a single game yet; that's how little Babcock and company think of him.

Edited October 9, 2009 by Kp-Wings

[Guest E_S_A_D]

They help teams get to the playoffs, perhaps they play in the playoffs as well if the scenario is right.

Enforcers, tough guys, 4th line grinders, whatever the hell you want to call them play their roles on the team just like anybody else.

Good summary, I agree with this.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Okay, how about this. The fight was ... reaaaaady... wait for it................... ENTERTAINING and did not cost the Wings anything. It actually was a momentum lift.

Wait, did I read it right? They won too? 3-1?

I agree with the bold.