sputman 1,268 Report post Posted July 5, 2011 ..so detroit was too far away from california? http://detnews.com/article/20110705/SPORTS0103/107050406/1128/rss16 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
winger30 20 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 Rofl he's going to play for mcrimmon 1 sleepwalker reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 10 years from now, none of us will remember that he played here. He wasn't physical enough, and took dumb penalties game after game, just like his previous reputation suggested. And to think they gave him the same number Probert and Chelios wore. 1 edicius reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 We should make an official " KHL" thread, featuring news of NHL players headed off to the KHL. There tends to be a decent amount of NHLers that leave for Russia every offseason. Not many so far this year, though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 The KHL: The NHL's Retirement Home. 1 sleepwalker reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 I wonder if his family is going along this time. I understand his wife not wanting to travel whilst pregnant this year. Best of luck to him. He certainly seemed like a nice enough person. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gordie Howe hat trick 110 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 Good luck to him, though I never liked him with us I don't wish him ill. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
xtrememachine1 795 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 ..so detroit was too far away from california? LOL When I read the headline, I thought that exact same thing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest echos myron Report post Posted July 6, 2011 Rusty was good for us in the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Crymson Report post Posted July 6, 2011 10 years from now, none of us will remember that he played here. He wasn't physical enough, and took dumb penalties game after game, just like his previous reputation suggested. The same is true of Lilja. 2 sleepwalker and BigWillieStyle reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeytown0001 7,652 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 He played well for Detroit most of the time. Good luck to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 The same is true of Lilja. That's not what Sheldon Souray's face would tell you after Lilja dropped him on his candy ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Danny 155 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 The same is true of Lilja. Selanne assures me that this isn't true Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 I always wonder: Why does a player go to the KHL? Is it an easier paycheck than playing in the NHL, as well as a learning experience, or is it just the least painful way to flesh out your résumé, without going through the angst of waiting for a team to call your agent? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 I always wonder: Why does a player go to the KHL? Is it an easier paycheck than playing in the NHL, as well as a learning experience, or is it just the least painful way to flesh out your résumé, without going through the angst of waiting for a team to call your agent? In a lot of cases, including this one, it is close to home. It's different going to another continent if you know the language and the culture. It was probably a lot harder for him to come here than it will be to go back. If you can't get a good job where you're living, why not go home? He played in the Russian Elite League in his hometown (Minsk, Belarus) before coming to the NHL. Now that he's getting older, why not go back to a Russian league? Sometimes things come full circle. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 (edited) In a lot of cases, including this one, it is close to home. It's different going to another continent if you know the language and the culture. It was probably a lot harder for him to come here than it will be to go back. If you can't get a good job where you're living, why not go home? He played in the Russian Elite League in his hometown (Minsk, Belarus) before coming to the NHL. Now that he's getting older, why not go back to a Russian league? Sometimes things come full circle. Because most of these players' kids grow up in America, meaning this country is what they're used to. School, friends, culture, TV, food, weather, etc. A move is more of a culture shock for them than for the players who used to live in Europe, many of them being from Russia. Hence, like the poster above, I'm also surprised so many players are willing to move to the KHL. Edited July 6, 2011 by GMRwings1983 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bring Back The Bruise Bros 1,029 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 That's not what Sheldon Souray's face would tell you after Lilja dropped him on his candy ass. I was hoping Souray would go to the East so we could see Round 2. Also, we could've seen Erskine annihilate him. Erskine would kill Souray. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55fan 5,133 Report post Posted July 6, 2011 Because most of these players' kids grow up in America, meaning this country is what they're used to. School, friends, culture, TV, food, weather, etc. A move is more of a culture shock for them than for the players who used to live in Europe, many of them being from Russia. Hence, like the poster above, I'm also surprised so many players are willing to move to the KHL. Yeah, I can see that for the kids, but lots of players go "home" during the offseason, or at least back for a visit to see the family, so it's not like the kids haven't been exposed to the language and culture. Kids adapt much more easily than adults. Unless the kid was old enough to stay here on their own, or perhaps with relatives for a short while (like finishing high school), it wouldn't really be an issue. They're not the ones looking for work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted July 8, 2011 That's not what Sheldon Souray's face would tell you after Lilja dropped him on his candy ass. ummm.... Like most Lilja fights, it ended when he lost his balance and fell down after taking several punches to the head. As I've said before, much respect for him trying to learn to fight at the NHL level, but he the best he ever did in a fight was not get his ass handed to him. 1 sleepwalker reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eva unit zero 271 Report post Posted July 8, 2011 ummm.... Like most Lilja fights, it ended when he lost his balance and fell down after taking several punches to the head. As I've said before, much respect for him trying to learn to fight at the NHL level, but he the best he ever did in a fight was not get his ass handed to him. Lilja only fell because he was tied up with Souray. Souray was the one who lost his balance after getting hit in the head. 1 GMRwings1983 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cjm502 165 Report post Posted July 8, 2011 Lilja only fell because he was tied up with Souray. Souray was the one who lost his balance after getting hit in the head. Takedown=/=Win. Lame fight. 1 sleepwalker reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted July 8, 2011 Lilja only fell because he was tied up with Souray. Souray was the one who lost his balance after getting hit in the head. I always assumed that GMR has his tongue firmly planted in cheek when he talks about Lilja's fighting prowess. If you guys are seriously saying he won that fight or tuned up Souray, or that Lilja was in any way a good fighter, it just shows how long it's been since the Wings have had someone who can actually fight. 1 sleepwalker reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,794 Report post Posted July 8, 2011 (edited) I don't know why you guys are blowing Sheldon Souray. I doubt Angelica Bridges needs any help in that department. Here's another one, where Lilja absolutely pummels a soft Euro to the ice. Edited July 8, 2011 by GMRwings1983 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ogreslayer 1,069 Report post Posted July 8, 2011 I always wonder: Why does a player go to the KHL? Is it an easier paycheck than playing in the NHL, as well as a learning experience, or is it just the least painful way to flesh out your résumé, without going through the angst of waiting for a team to call your agent? Given the Wing's previous experience, I just thought players jumped to the KHL for the hookers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted July 8, 2011 Given the Wing's previous experience, I just thought players jumped to the KHL for the hookers. Why do they have to jump back so fast? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites