Uncle Danny

I'll do it again...

Watch this:

"I don't know how Orpik doesn't get more suspension time." and "I hope Philly rams Crosby and knocks him out of the playoffs."

I don't like Crosby, never have.  No I am not jealous, since I think Datsyuk is a better player.  Crosby is on his last leg anyways, and Bettman, who has thrown everything the NHL has to offer behind Crosby, knows it.  So, they'll do their best to protect him.

But, once you start having concussions, you're very likely to have more.  Crosby's career is already in jeopardy and it won't take a dirty hit to knock him out.  

This is what the league wanted by changing the rules and bringing in the instigator rule. Nobody to blame but themselves...

And the fact that you're wishing a potentially career ending and life changing injury on another human being doesn't even enter the equation?

You know what, I LOVE TORTORELLA. HAHA.  Nice.  It validates wings fans since 2008 calling Crosby a whiner.  Other team fans didn't agree, now they should be more convinced of it.  I love it...

I hope Philly rams Crosby and knocks him out of the playoffs.  Despite the talent, he's a moron.  Of course, I am hoping for a clean hit...sorta .

So I just watched the hit by Orpik.  How is that defendable in any way whatsoever?  The guy LEAD with his knee...unbelievable.  I don't know how Orpik doesn't get more suspension time.  Torts was right, absolutely ridiculous.

I'd be pissed if I was the coach, too.

I'm trying to figure out how you can say "I don't know how Orpik doesn't get more suspension time." and "I hope Philly rams Crosby and knocks him out of the playoffs." in the same post.

You mean like, Mike noballs Milbury? Frickin spineless s***head.

There are a great many insults that can be slung in Milbury's direction, but I don't think a lack of chutzpah is among them.  If you doubt me, I dare you to call him spineless to his face.

Milbury doesn't work for the NHL so they can't fine him.  And I haven't seen anything that leads me to believe that Bettman told him to apologize.

Most likely someone at NBC told him that, true as it may be, they thought he went too far.  Or maybe Milbury decided it on his own?  Though that seems highly unlikely.

Yeah.  I doubt the NHL was involved at the league level at all.  More likely it was NBC telling him to tone it back.  Keep in mind that, even if the NHL doesn't say anything, the Pens can tell NBC that they're going to restrict access to certain stars if that's the type of coverage they're going to get.  I'm not insinuating that this was Crosby getting any different treatment than any other star player, mind you.  But if a team tells their broadcasting partner that they'll no longer have the level of lockerroom or personal interest story access they're accustomed to because of disparaging remarks made by one of their analysts, the network is more than likely to apply a muzzle and an apology.

Kudos to Milbury for speaking his mind (I happen to agree with him), and I don't think any less of him for backing down some when it's almost a certainty that his check signers told him "that was a no no."

Oh wow.  I can't believe I'm the first to mention Pronger here.

...but alas, that is what he said it was banked up for, that is why he didn't go for a larger UFA last July...how many times you going to listen to his garbage and rhetoric?

He will not get Parise or Suter over the summer.  He will not trade for Nash or anyone.  He will draft small skilled forwards. He will tell us that "We kicked the tires, made some inquiries, but in the end we felt there wasn't anyone out there that would help our team..." God DAMN I am tired of hearing it! Overpay, just once Holland, show your team that you WANT TOf****** WIN! Your team is so inconsistent that they are going to lose 1st in the central, they may even get passed by Nashville too! You cannot win on the road, your powerplay is horrendous, now your home play has gotten abysmal, even the last three wins there were nothing to write home about...I am even betting that they lose in Columbus tomorrow...99% sure.

Get ready: Bertuzzi, Hudler, Helm, Quincey & Abdelkader are going to be his signing's. Same team, same result. f*** I am pissed!

Dude, you should seriously consider unplugging and getting a spa treatment come UFA day this summer.  From what I've seen today and last July, you're going to blow a vessel one of these deadlines.

I don't get why so many people keep bringing up our cap space as a reason that a move should've been made.  I didn't see many salary dumps today, did anyone else?  It's not as if we could walk into the CBJ offices and say "Hey there, fella.  Let me take Nash's cap hit off your hands, and here, I'll throw in an Emmerton.  We've got plenty of cap wiggle room."  That cap space is only useful in two scenarios: 1) a seller wants to dump salary (didn't happen today) or 2) we use it to pick up a high priced R/UFA in the offseason.

Would I have liked to see some movement in Detroit today?  Sure, who wouldn't have?  But the prices being asked in terms of picks were just way beyond what the assets being delivered were worth.  The cap space we have available was a complete non-factor.

Ken Holland strikes again!

How did this team get better over the last few weeks?  Quincey is an upgrade, but does it really excite you that we are now looking at Brendan Smith as a possible playoff defenseman?  Jesus, keep Commodore, at least he's got some experience.

But once again, super Kenny Holland sits on his laurels, hopes for a miracle, gets paid the same..........notice how his protege, Steve Yzerman, made moves to improve his club.

Ummm, that's because Yzerman's team isn't making the playoffs and needed to stock up for the future.  If we were sitting in 11th place, I'd bet my left pinky you'd have seen Holland making similar moves.  Apples and oranges.

This just occurred to me, although I know it's a pipe dream... can you guys imagine seeing the Production Line reunited for a shift with Stevie centering?  

EDIT:  And the Russian 5 with Brownov (put Sergei back on D), and the original Grind Line and, and, and, and... sigh.

Sergei would be great. And something tells me Gordie just won't allow himself to not suit up.

Sadly, I doubt any of the Russian 5, outside of maybe Larionov, would make the trip.  Kozlov has been gone a long, long time.  Fedorov is on the other side of the globe, as is Papa Bear.  I would love to see the Prof lace them up again for us, though.  I'd bet they dress Valddy, although he obviously can't actually play.

I'd think Chelios is a no brainer, and probably Kocur.  It might be too soon for Mac, Draper and Ozzie, but I wouldn't mind seeing any of them...nor Maltby.  Maybe Gallant?  Verbeek?  For a no contact, low impact game, it would be awesome to see Fischer again, doctors permitting.  Murphy is almost a no brainer to play.

Sad as it makes me, I think the previous poster was right about Shanny and Yzerman.  It would be a small conflict of interest for either to play.

As for Gordie, I think you're right.  I'd be he dresses and plays a ceremonial shift.  Same for Mickey, although I wonder if he has the lungs for it.

All in all, though, I'd give my left pinky toe to see #19 out there one more time.  Just don't think it'll happen, given his current position.

2 games doesn't mean anything.  The standings are artificial because of the shootouts and loser points.  If you take away the loser points (OT and shootout loses) and the extra point for winning in a shootout (the game should end in a tie after OT with 1 point to each team), the Wild have 39 points in 33 games which is a .591 percentage.  Not bad but not so impressive.  Incidently, the Wings are at .629  

My point is that they aren't doing that great now.  It's all part of Bettman's smoke and mirrors...

Please explain this.  I am so tired of hearing about this Bettman conspiracy to ruin this game that I could puke.  Further, what on earth does Gary Bettman (or Sid Crosby -- kidding!) have to do with MN's success?  If someone could please direct me to data that ties Gary Bettman to MN winning a bunch of games, I'd love to read it.  Seriously, I'd eat that s*** up.  Until then, hats off to the WIld for exceeding expectations.

Go Wild, unless you're playing the Wings.

I don't mean this rhetorically: has anyone ever seen a puck hit a visor?  I've watched a good amount of hockey over the years, but I can't ever remember being like, 'good thing he's wearing a visor'.

Are those visors designed to remain intact after being subjected to a 100 mph slapshot?

I can't recall ever having witnessed that scenario, and I'd also love to hear about their construction.  However, that's only one possible cause of facial damage.  Sticks to the face are a far more likely and common occurrence than slapshots, and 99% of them you'd be hard pressed to notice when a visor stops the stick from inflicting potentially permanent damage.

EDIT:  I'm likely in the minority here, but I'm not in favor of mandating visors for pros.  They are, indeed, grown ass men, and can make their own decisions.  That said, I'm strongly in favor of them wearing them and think anyone who doesn't is likely overestimating the size of their own testicles.  You only get two eyes.  It's ok to be frugal with them.

I don't get it.  The guy has a few good games, so now we want to completely change his role by moving him into a Homer role on the top line?  Wouldn't it make more sense to tell him to keep doing what he's doing so well so far?

Mad congrats to Jimmy and his family.  There is quite literally nothing quite like the first days after your firstborn.  Absolutely an amazing experience.  On a semi related note, I just had my first around eight weeks ago, and her first Red Wings game (of many to come, I hope) was Conklin's shutout.

Firstly, welcome to the board, bigbear!

Secondly, though... you might want to reconsider the framing of your topic.  Why is he a nice guy?  Share a story or two, perhaps.  I'm very glad you know and think highly of a player I respect from afar, but some more context for conversation would likely be smiled upon by the population here at large.

Just tryin' to help