cupforwings 138 Report post Posted August 24, 2010 (edited) My link A Long Time to Go in a Motor City Far Far Away by J.J. from Kansas on Aug 24, 2010 11:49 AM CDT in Opinion 9 comments I checked my calendar this morning and it turns out it's still August. Yesterday's signing of Justin Abdelkader to a two-year deal pretty well shuts the Red Wings down as far as free agency signings go until Maltby takes a two-way deal. Training camp is still three weeks away and we're left with little to do other than argue about whether Mattias Ritola will clear waivers (short answer: Yes, short-short answer: Y). While it would be easy and probably fun to take the easy way and put myself into a three-week coma to cut the intermediate time short. my job and my family force me to put the skateboard, hammer, pyrotechnics and Def Leppard soundtrack away for now. Instead, my mind wanders to silly lists. Since SpikeTV has been showing the first three Star Wars movies recently, I'm inspired to take a look at what characters from the Star Wars universe fit with which Red Wings personnel. Now, Star Wars comparisons aren't new to hockey discussions; in fact, Avalanche fans have been calling our team the Evil Empire for quite some time. Of course, if they're the Rebel Alliance, I guess that makes their team management Grand Moff Tarkin, since he's the one who blew up Alderaan their roster. Check to make sure your hyperdrive motivator hasn't been damaged and follow me after the jump to light speed. Pavel Datsyuk is R2D2: Before you furl your brow and curse at me for making one of the best Red Wings players a sassy blue trash can, take a second to think of everything that R2D2 did for the Rebellion in the movies. He had every tool needed for just the right time and often surprised people with new abilities that seemed to pop up almost instantaneously. Combine that with his inherent three-legged stability (wink-wink) and the fact that very few people can understand what he says, but we all know that it's funny and you've got yourselves a comparison. Darren Helm is Boba Fett: He's got jets, son. Tomas Holmstrom is Chewbacca: Another character in the saga that nobody can understand when he talks, Holmstrom is big, hairy, mean, and gets in people's way. He also gets unfairly handcuffed more times than anybody else in the entire saga. Henrik Zetterberg is Han Solo: He's the cool, skilled, handsome one who gets the hot chick at the end. We've watched him grow from the guy with tons of natural talent into the leader he's become. He's the guy I would want out there when we're outmanned and outgunned, even if it is for only two minutes. Todd Bertuzzi is Darth Vader: There is good in him, I have felt it. He's got serious skills and a willingness to change for the better. That doesn't completely absolve him from having slaughtered children in his youth, but it at least buys him a viking funeral when the time comes. Valtteri Filppula is Princess Leia: Before you laugh at my categorizing Val Filppula as a woman, realize that Princess Leia could kick your ass. They're both tough, resourceful, overlooked contributors with interesting hair; what more do you need? Kris Draper is Yoda: Seeing his lightsaber fight in Episode 2, you know that back in the day, the guy had some speed and skill. Nowadays, he's around to teach the young guys the right way to do things and to provide comic relief interspersed with serious messages. Nick Lidstrom is Obi Wan Kenobi: Up there in age with a wealth of knowlege and experience, he was taught by some of the best. It may seem like odd coincidence that he was in exactly the right place for things to get started in the original trilogy, but you come to appreciate that his good positioning is never accidental. His skills are still better than pretty much everybody else in the galaxy to boot. Remember, Kenobi didn't lose to Vader, he made a tactical decision to let a guy kill him so he could be everywhere at once. That's just incomprehensibly smart. Mike Babcock is Admiral Ackbar: He's in charge, he talks funny, and he doesn't like traps. That's deep, yo. Johan Franzen is Luke Skywalker: Crunch time is where this guy shines. We picked him up seemingly out of nowhere and have guys that taught him how to be so dangerous. He worked as hard as he could to get back to his friends to help them last season when they needed him. He's also the guy I would trust to bulls-eye a womp rat if there's a womp rat that needs bulls-eyeing. Jimmy Howard is the Death Star: That's no moon, that's our goalie. He's big, round, scary to face, and also has a small hole in him that leads directly to paydirt. Fortunately, you have to get through some pretty strong defenses to get a shot at it and it's very hard to hit. Niklas Kronwall is Wedge Antilles: Almost nobody outside of the Rebel Alliance appreciates what Wedge Antilles did for them. He's the only pilot in the entire saga to have flown in and survived both Death Star attacks. He was also there at Hoth catching the AT-ATs with their heads down and blowing them up. If it weren't for the incredible talent around him, he'd be the star of the show. Honorable Mentions Mikael Samuelsson is an Imperial Storm Trooper: Their aim and shooting percentage is almost identical Gary Bettman is C-3PO: To himself and in the eyes of furry savages, he's a golden god; to everybody else, he's an annoying poof. Larry Murphy is a Jawa: I'm pretty sure they both jump out from behind rocks and yell "Uttini!" Mike Cammalleri is Wicket the Ewok: The star of a tiny tribe that beats people who don't take them seriously enough. Too perfect... Kyle Wellwood is Jabba the Hutt: "Kyle Wellwood is fat" jokes are too easy, but you don't leave a dollar laying on the street just because it's easy to bend over and pick up, do you? Well, maybe it's not easy for Kyle, but you get the point. Please let hockey season start soon. Pretty funny stuff. Edited August 24, 2010 by cupforwings 6 Jamessss, Electrophile, Nev and 3 others reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted August 24, 2010 Mikael Samuelsson is an Imperial Storm Trooper: Their aim and shooting percentage is almost identical Alright, thats gold right there. 1 Jamessss reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted August 24, 2010 What about Lando? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Dats 'N Homer 81 Report post Posted August 24, 2010 Am i the only person in the world that has never seen a star wars before? Who knew i would ever feel like a loser having NOT seen them haha 2 NotTooAbby and HankthaTank reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pucktividi 472 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 "Tomas Holmstrom is Chewbacca: Another character in the saga that nobody can understand when he talks, Holmstrom is big, hairy, mean, and gets in people's way. He also gets unfairly handcuffed more times than anybody else in the entire saga." lmao Homer for Christmas? My link 1 Jamessss reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
McAwesome 754 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 Am i the only person in the world that has never seen a star wars before? Who knew i would ever feel like a loser having NOT seen them haha Wow. Just Wow. I don't think you are a loser, but I am honestly surprised that there is someone out there that has not seen any of the Star Wars movies. Did you make a conscious decision to avoid them? What about Lando? How about Chris Chelios as Lando, a scoundrel that later became an ally and a valued contributor to our cause. 2 FireCaptain and 55fan reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Travis 576 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 That. Is great. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 How about Chris Chelios as Lando, a scoundrel that later became an ally and a valued contributor to our cause. Not bad. I was thinking Bertuzzi would be a good Lando. But then who would be Darth Vader? Cheli would be a decent fit. Maybe Ozzie? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 I've only seen the original three movies (A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi) and I thought the Ewoks were stupid. 1 Greatness=PavelDatsyuk reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 I adore the Star Wars movies. My Godson and I will break into random dialogue at will. He grew up with his "Cheese pizza and Star Wars" weekends with Auntie. Thank you for connecting two things that I love- Star Wars and the Detroit Red Wings. Favourite one: Mike Babcock is Admiral Ackbar: He's in charge, he talks funny, and he doesn't like traps. That's deep, yo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut40 176 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 I liken Hossa to Boba Fett I would too; a badass who has a great shot and doesn't afraid of anything. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 I liken Hossa to Boba Fett; a gun for hire who's going where the $$$ is at. Blind Han Solo can be a metaphor for Red Wings fans' expectations for him, and the Sarlacc Pit can be the pressure of those expectations swallowing him whole. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Earthhuman 8 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 MY girlfriend hasn't seen Star Wars either. Well, she has seen the newer trilogy, but the cast of those movies- while representing decent talent- didn't belong in the Star Wars universe (or should I say "galaxy?"). I have been bugging her to watch them with me for months. She is moderately willing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
softshoes 83 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 (edited) I've only seen the original three movies (A New Hope, Empire Strikes Back, Return Of The Jedi) and I thought the Ewoks were stupid. I think you did well to stop at that point. Agree about the Ewoks. That is a very well thought out and funny list by the OP. I especially loved the one about Filp and Babcock. Edited August 25, 2010 by softshoes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Z Winged Dangler 2,082 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 What about Lando? lando = hudler. he bailed on the wings (kinda) and then came back and will now be a large part of the offense. jar jar binx = jason spezza's laugh brian burke = chancellor palpatine Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 Genius. To paraphrase Revenge of the Sith (the book) - Nicklas Lidstrom is The Force Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buppy 1,720 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 What about Lando? Obviously Grant Fuhr, since back in the 80s he was the only black guy ever seen in the galaxy. 1 Jamessss reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
titanium2 867 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 brian burke = chancellor palpatine That's gotta be Bettman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 1 Jamessss reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Stolberg Report post Posted August 25, 2010 Jason Williams is the entirety of Episode 2. 1 Jamessss reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Electrophile 3,554 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 Brett Lebda is Jar-Jar Binks. 2 Jamessss and Namingway reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MulesWillFly93 199 Report post Posted August 25, 2010 JJ, you're a freaking genius, man. I am a Star Wars junkie, so this is my kind of off-season post. Can I switch Betty to Palpatine and vote for Sean Avery as C-3PO? Hehehe. Pierre's still scarier, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank Dats 'N Homer 81 Report post Posted August 27, 2010 Wow. Just Wow. I don't think you are a loser, but I am honestly surprised that there is someone out there that has not seen any of the Star Wars movies. Did you make a conscious decision to avoid them? Haha, i dunno it just never really caught my interest. I dont think i was the target audience lol. I was born in '87 so i missed the orginal by about a decade or so, and i never thought to watch any of the other ones since i never saw the original. Ive thought about sitting down to watch them all, but man that seems like a whole lot of work haha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yzerman3cups 0 Report post Posted August 27, 2010 Pretty funny and well thought out. I'd probably make Bettman Jar Jar Binks though because everyone hated Jar Jar! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Original-Six 254 Report post Posted August 27, 2010 JJ, you're a freaking genius, man. I am a Star Wars junkie, so this is my kind of off-season post. Can I switch Betty to Palpatine and vote for Sean Avery as C-3PO? Hehehe. Pierre's still scarier, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites