Another pro fighter article: This one on May/Wings

[Broken 16 381]

I don't really understand why it's so hard for some people to believe that even "classy" guys like Zetterberg and Lidstrom like having a teammate who will beat the snot out of an opponent that pulls cheap crap after the whistle or takes liberties with them.

I don't think I have ever read anything, from anyone on this forum, that leads me to believe that anyone actually thinks that way. Ever.

[uk_redwing 495]

Another fantastic post.

Its a skill. Some people have it, others dont.

[Guest E_S_A_D]

Well for some of us, it's called ENTERTAINMENT not about winning or losing.

Good post.

Also, you'll notice there's a few posters like the young man= Doc, and the old man= Harold; whom despise physical hockey. I think, maybe I remembered incorrectly, but they both started as fans of figure skating.

[Broken 16 381]

I like how he said with the Bruise Brothers the Wings were tough to play against; meaning the Wings haven't been tough to play against since? Maybe I'm over analyzing his statement.

I have that fight against Gallant on VHS tape still, they were jawing for awhile before they dropped 'em....good fight.

Those were the good old days. The calm before the storm of dominance... but not really calm.

[haroldsnepsts 4,826]

I like how he said with the Bruise Brothers the Wings were tough to play against; meaning the Wings haven't been tough to play against since? Maybe I'm over analyzing his statement.

I have that fight against Gallant on VHS tape still, they were jawing for awhile before they dropped 'em....good fight.

There aren't a lot of guys like Gallant anymore. in '89 he had 93 points (39 G 54 A) and 230 PIMs.

I'd also argue that May isn't just on the team to fight. Downey was here only to fight because he couldn't do much else. May is long in the tooth, which limits his abilities for sure, but the 4th line has looked great so far this year when he's out there and doing exactly what they're supposed to be doing.

[BruiseBrother 2]

Those were the good old days. The calm before the storm of dominance... but not really calm.

Couldn't have put it better myself.

[Doc Holiday 0]

Good post.

Also, you'll notice there's a few posters like the young man= Doc, and the old man= Harold; whom despise physical hockey. I think, maybe I remembered incorrectly, but they both started as fans of figure skating.

Bad post.

[Chunkylover 26]

I don't really understand why it's so hard for some people to believe that even "classy" guys like Zetterberg and Lidstrom like having a teammate who will beat the snot out of an opponent that pulls cheap crap after the whistle or takes liberties with them.

I would like to say nobody here is saying things like that but apparently someone on the first page did. I'd just like to separate those who just want to win an argument from the rest of us who just want to support the team. If KH thought Downey deserved to be here I'd support him in spite of his somewhat below average hockey skills, because I say "yes" to this team, not "why".

Ahh, I see the debate team is here.

in almost any thread where someone talks about a guy like May/Downey/(insert fighter here), there's the responses to the effect of "they're not gonna trash their teammates in public" to discount what the players or saying, or random injury examples to prove the enforcer didn't prevent them, therefore they're useless.

My point is that in spite of them not preventing Franzen from blowing out his knee and Flip breaking his wrist, the players have said time and time again how they like having someone out there to look out for them. It's not about preventing injuries, or even fighting for fighting's sake. It's about having guys to do the fighting when things get chippy, because it may not prevent injuries, but it does keep players a lot more honest. Someone had pointed out how when May crashes the net, there's rarely all the facewashing that goes on like when another player on the Wings does it. I wonder why that is?

The reality is, and the players have said this, they play a little bigger when you know someone has got your back.

Edited for clarity.

For the sake of accuracy, the debate team started this thread, with more "evidence" that the Wings are "pro-fighter" against those accused of being anti-fighter. This thread was intended to bring that argument back to the front page.

Good post.

Also, you'll notice there's a few posters like the young man= Doc, and the old man= Harold; whom despise physical hockey. I think, maybe I remembered incorrectly, but they both started as fans of figure skating.

I believe this â–¼ belongs to you â–².

Another fantastic post.

Way to elevate the level of discussion here.

There aren't a lot of guys like Gallant anymore. in '89 he had 93 points (39 G 54 A) and 230 PIMs.

I'd also argue that May isn't just on the team to fight. Downey was here only to fight because he couldn't do much else. May is long in the tooth, which limits his abilities for sure, but the 4th line has looked great so far this year when he's out there and doing exactly what they're supposed to be doing.

This is exactly right. May is here to play hockey, not just fight. Hockey is about hockey, not fighting. Fighting is an entertaining element of the sport, like the penalty shot, or back-checking. A good GM, like Ken Holland, knows that with salary and roster limitations, one can't have every type of player.

As I said earlier, the Wings currently have someone who is known for their fists, and no one is out there complaining or starting threads about giving a "worthless fighter" ice-time. Why? Because in spite of a few ill-conceived posts on the first page, no one is really anti-fighter. Can we please put this debate to bed now?

[Guest ZetterbergFourty]

Enforcers are a good thing.

It was always great having McCarty around.

Hopefully Lidstrom wont get Lapearierre'd again.

I know I messed up on the guy's name, but we know what i'm talking about.