I may be off base here, but I thought he looked really, really good in the last game.  He looked like he was on a *#$%@& mission and he had something to prove, and like he was legimately fired up.  He finished battles, worked hard, and deserved better results.  I think it’s way within the realm of possibility that he ends up being better for us this year than anyone expects.

Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 10/27/09 at 04:01 AM ET

MacIntyre provided the blunt version of the Detroit press’s storylines about Bertuzzi fitting in remarkably well in terms of his defensive play, being called a model citizen by his teammates and coaches, and speaking to the Diggers in complete sentences. 

I don’t think anyone around here’s impolite/blunt enough to say, “Wow, this is weird, Todd Bertuzzi was a real asshat who played completely irresponsible hockey, just worrying about scoring and not giving a rat’s butt about actually supporting his teammates on or off the ice.” I’ve tiptoed around the subject in suggesting that it’s downright bizarre to see Bertuzzi play defense and be praised for his work habits, as well as having passed the Wings’ management’s character test.  That’s nothing short of remarkable. 

Regarding Moore, again, he can’t say anything, he can’t even mention the guy’s name without Tim Danson filing a motion to question Bertuzzi for the sake of bolstering Moore’s civil suit.  Danson is Geoffrey Fieger tenacious and Johnnie Cochran inflammatory, which is why Moore understandably retained him, but Bertuzzi knows that if he addresses his attack in any way, shape, or form, somebody will cross the Ambassador Bridge to try to issue Bertuzzi a summons, subpoena, or motion for “discovery.”

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 10/27/09 at 05:27 AM ET

Malibu:  you’re not off base. You’re right on.  Bertuzzi looked really good last game against the shitbag Dive.  Really good.

George: I get it. I know Bertuzzi can’t say anything.  I’m still researching whether Khan(!), St. James, Sipple and McCoskey are in danger of being sued for mentioning Steve Moore.  I’m no pharmacist, but I don’t believe they’d be in any legal danger for typing his name.

Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 10/27/09 at 05:44 AM ET

bert should be on a line with pavel, I have a hunch that they can really click,there’s some real potential there,and most of the players in the league are scared of bert,so they’ll stay away from pavel
and when the shit goes down,add Z and we get the flying circus of doom
dominating every aspect of the game

Posted by Edillac from jesenice,europe on 10/27/09 at 06:00 AM ET

Edillac, I think you’re right on about the flying circus of doom.  If Bert with Hank and Pavs can play with them and actually outwork his linemates, there’s a lot of potential there.  From what we’ve seen, there’s a different dynamic than on the original flying circus or with Z/Dangle/Charlie. 

It seems ridiculous that someone would even be afraid to say “it was a terrible time in my life, I have many regrets, but I’ve grown and moved on” for fear of being sued.  Of course, I’m no pharmacist either.

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 10/27/09 at 06:20 AM ET

Bert has been skating great this entire season. No complaints there, but he’s gotta bury those chances, he’s becoming worse than Sammy when it comes to shooting, the guys misses the net by a mile point blank range.
I’ve been saying for a while, that he needs to be playing on the line with Pav and Z, sorry Homer, but you just don’t cut it, 5 goals and all.
Bert needs a better center than Draper, but maybe Fil will help him tonight.

Posted by George0211 on 10/27/09 at 07:40 AM ET

Chief: Well, that depends on whether incurring the wrath of Hahn could involve legal trouble.

MarkK: I have nothing against Steve Moore, but his lawyer’s nuts.  Like will sue if you breathe wrong nuts.  “I’m sorry” or, “I regret what happened” might very well send a process server his way.  Danson does his best to ensure that Bertuzzi’s had to live with the persistent headache that is always looking over your shoulder, waiting for the next legal move.  Danson’s decision to file a motion to question Marc Crawford again on the eve of the Red Wings’ pre-season visit to Toronto is a perfect example of that kind of timing, and if he were to file another motion while the WIngs are on their Western Canadian Swing so that he could get Bertuzzi served while he’s on Canadian soil, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit. 

I don’t have any sympathy for what Bertuzzi did, and I think Moore’s obviously entitled to a substantial chunk of Bertuzzi’s career earnings, but the way Danson’s strung out the civil suit in an attempt to essentially put the game and the supposed “code” on trial instead of giving Moore his overdue payout baffles me.  Moore doesn’t deserve to be stuck in suspended animation for the sake of his counsel’s attempts to ensure that this case will reinforce his reputation as someone who stops at nothing to defend a victim’s rights (see: Karla Holmoka for reference).  Moore’s had to remain a victim for five years, and if anyone involved should be allowed to just be himself again, it’s him.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 10/27/09 at 08:00 AM ET

Sooo… more trying to talk ourselves into Bertuzzi huh?

Posted by Primis on 10/27/09 at 03:26 PM ET

No complaints there, but he’s gotta bury those chances, he’s becoming worse than Sammy when it comes to shooting, the guys misses the net by a mile point blank range.

Didn’t he get posted like two or three times in the past two games?

Posted by stayouttamalibu from Temporarily in Tempe, AZ on 10/27/09 at 03:50 PM ET