They wanted me to be happy and wanted me to be a better player. But the NHL came up with this fight, not Detroit. They started fighting against Dynamo, and not Detroit.

If I were bitter at Hudler for leaving, this would go a ways to assuage that.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/06/09 at 04:07 PM ET

maybe it’ll be good for him as a player and a person, and in a few years he’ll be back to add some more silver hardware to his collection.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 08/06/09 at 04:17 PM ET

To walk away from the Organ-I-zation had to be tough, but passing on that kind of ching tax free… equally tough. Call it a cash grab or whatever… not sure I have hard feeling towards him, but there’s just something I don’t like about “one of the guys” walking away. I like black ‘n’ white, no gray areas… this falls in that gray category.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 08/06/09 at 04:55 PM ET

Exodus from Joketown for cash after your chokejob.  Hossa takes only $1mil. more to play for the Hawks with Kopecky.  Hudler bails for greener pastures.  Samuelsson, well, who cares.  And your replacement is…Jason Williams?  Oy.

Good luck with that crappy taste Chief talked about while still claiming the Wings lost to an inferior team.  On home ice.

Jokes.  Anaheim will own you this year, and we’ll enjoy every moment of it in the Burgh.  Chris Osgood FTW.

Posted by docciavelli from Drinking from the Cup on 08/06/09 at 06:08 PM ET

HELLLoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Bitchesssszzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz !!!

Honestly, I didn’t know if I could ever return.  Ever.  Since before That Night.  Someday, maybe, I could describe ALL the events of that gut wrenching night.  And just the thought of coming to the A2Y would reopen that wound with a serrated buck knife.  I wanted no part of that.  Someday I would go back, I knew.  What about today made it “that day” after 60 days?  Jason Williams?  Of all the God Awful things?

Biiiiiiittchh Pleeeeeezzeee !!!

I had to come back if only to say this.  “I just threw up a little.  In my Mouth.”

Oh, and June 12, 2009?  To me I will always remember it for this, and with the outcome that date must never have a Detroit sports reference.  For me, the only way to bury that pain of June 12, 2009, is this.  June 12, 2009 must forever be remembered only for this… “Lisa’s Wedding Anniversary”.  Someday I may be able to describe that evening that carried into near daybreak Saturday morning before I learned the tragic outcome, but not now.  Maybe anytime this season will still be too fresh.  June 12, 2009 will always first of all be Lisa’s Wedding.

Band of Bitches Always, Bitches.

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 08/06/09 at 06:15 PM ET

Bill’s Alive!

Bill’s Alive!

Rejoice!

Exclamation point!

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/06/09 at 06:27 PM ET

That is a beautiful gown.  And it looks like excellent taste in the bridemaids gowns, too - no linebacker-like puffy shoulders or giant butt bow.

It must have been a lovely ceremony.

It doesn’t surprise me that there is no animosity between Hudler and Holland.  Essentially, they both have the same goal - for Hudler to be a better player in two years for the Wings than he is right now.  Location isn’t as important as the end results.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/06/09 at 06:37 PM ET

People need to calm down about Williams’ return.

Go pick up What it Means to be a Detroit Red Wing and flip to page 302 to find the entry for….the…horror…Jason Williams....

Here’s the final paragraph from that entry:

I’m honored to be a Detroit Red Wing. I’m not sure I can put it into words. You’re part of an organization that thrives on winning and has an illustrious history. Every time you put on that jersey, you’re representing all the players who have worn the winged wheel. Many of them are Hall of Famers. You’re overcome with tremendous pride each time you put on that jersey.

Yup, sounds like someone who hates Detroit to me.

Posted by thethirdcoast from Rottenchester on 08/06/09 at 06:55 PM ET

...the NHL came up with this fight, not Detroit.

So it was Lil Gary that caused all of the fuss? Hmmm. Who woulda thunk it?

I am 25 years old. Why would people say that it’s the end of my NHL career? I am not ending my career. I might be here for a long time. I might now. I don’t know what’s going to happen. You, guys, are not very welcoming! [Hudler laughs]

Other than his stick-handling and the way he pokes guys like Pronger in the chest, what I’ll miss most about Happy is his sense of humor.

They treat players really good there in Detroit. That organization is one of the best in the hockey world. They are classy people. They are no fake. They show great respect for everybody. They do what they say. They treat everybody really good. That’s why players like it there and want to be there for a long time.

That should be in every recruitment pack that the Wings send out.

June 12, 2009 must forever be remembered only for this… “Lisa’s Wedding Anniversary”.

Man, Bill, if I were you, I’d punch your wife right in the mouth. There’s no way a girl as gorgeous as Lisa could have come from your genes. 

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 08/06/09 at 07:16 PM ET

I had no idea RW’s last name was Gates.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 08/06/09 at 07:19 PM ET

Man, Bill, if I were you, I’d punch your wife right in the mouth. There’s no way a girl as gorgeous as Lisa could have come from your genes.

Parthenogenesis. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/06/09 at 07:36 PM ET

June 12, 2009 will always first of all be Lisa’s Wedding.

Welcome back Bill, I wasn’t going to post for a while, but you brought me out of the woodwork.  Congrats to Lisa and your family.  I wish her and her new family many happy and healthy years together.

About June 12, I am a survivor of Game 5 and 3 O/T.  It took a year before I could look back with any fondness on that game.  At least you have a wonderful counter-memory to eradicate what we all feel about June 12.

Welcome back, bitch.  We missed you.  And your stalker skills.  Now if you could bust out the NVGs and tracking devices, and get together with MO and his arsenal, we have a troll infestation around here that could use some attention.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 08/06/09 at 07:56 PM ET

Great pictures BIll; thanks for sharing them.

Williams can go away anytime he wants.

Hudler is definitely a cool dude, despite that totally disgusting clucking thing he did with Ozzie.

More later, but I have some porn to watch now. Excuse me.

Posted by Osrt on 08/06/09 at 08:27 PM ET

[Markov] was really liked in the Detroit locker room.

Really? It didn’t seem like it. Just points out how much we don’t know about what happens in there.

Alright, seriously, off to the porn session.

Posted by Osrt on 08/06/09 at 08:34 PM ET

I had no idea RW’s last name was Gates.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 08/06/09 at 08:19 PM ET

I had no idea Bill Gates’ daughter was so womanly…and stunning…and pretty…  But with all that money, surely he could genetically engineer a superior human to handle these tough times, a person specially created to bring order to this chaotic world.  Like Friday Baldwin in Robert Heinlein’s book ‘Friday’.  A book so goddamn fun (ignore it’s plot holes), I named my brand new Dodge Avenger after her.  The Dodge was my tribute to Detroit, the name, my tribute to Heinlein.

Lastly, Congrats Mr. Bill.  Nice photo, really puts my summer to shame.

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 08/06/09 at 10:02 PM ET

Parthenogenesis

Just hilarious. I looked that up and I still don’t know what it means. 

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 08/06/09 at 10:27 PM ET

Posted by docciavelli from Drinking from the Cup on 08/06/09 at 07:08 PM ET

indignity becomes you considering how the pens’ owners BLACKMAILED your city twice into concesstions to keep the jokers in your town.

Posted by Jeebus on 08/06/09 at 10:49 PM ET

Congrats Bill, and welcome back.

Congrats Happy, and good luck.  We’ll want to welcome you back in two years when you’re a complete and dominant player, and ready to fulfill your contract.

And trolls who’ll revel in schadenfreude at any misfortune that may fall our way next season, that says so much more about you and your inability to just let go and enjoy your Cup than it does about the Wings or any of us.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from Fortress Europe on 08/07/09 at 02:25 AM ET

Parthenogenesis.

I Lol’d. Pathetic of me, I know.

Posted by MarkK from Maryland on 08/07/09 at 07:30 AM ET

My apologies, OTC:

Parthenogenesis (from Columbia Encyclopedia):

parthenogenesis (pär’thənōjĕn’əsĭs) [Gr.,=virgin birth], in biology, a form of reproduction in which the ovum develops into a new individual without fertilization. Natural parthenogenesis has been observed in many lower animals (it is characteristic of the rotifers), especially insects, e.g., the aphid. In many social insects, such as the honeybee and the ant, the unfertilized eggs give rise to the male drones and the fertilized eggs to the female workers and queens. It has also been observed in some snakes, fish, and monitor lizards. The phenomenon is rarer among plants (where it is called parthenocarpy) than among animals. Unusual patterns of heredity can occur in parthenogenetic organisms. For example, offspring produced by some types are identical in all inherited respects to the mother.

The phenomenon of parthenogenesis was discovered in the 18th cent. by Charles Bonnet. In 1900, Jacques Loeb accomplished the first clear case of artificial parthenogenesis when he pricked unfertilized frog eggs with a needle and found that in some cases normal embryonic development ensued. Artificial parthenogenesis has since been achieved in almost all major groups of animals, although it usually results in incomplete and abnormal development. Numerous mechanical and chemical agents have been used to stimulate unfertilized eggs. In 1936, Gregory Pincus induced parthenogenesis in mammalian (rabbit) eggs by temperature change and chemical agents. No successful experiments with human parthenogenesis have been reported.

Basically, it is cloning from a monther to daughter, with no male input involved.  So, no Bill genes required! 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/07/09 at 08:08 AM ET

Cloning from MOTHER to daughter, of course.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/07/09 at 08:09 AM ET

Welcome home Bill. Congratulations to your beautiful, beautiful daughter, and of course to the rest of your family. Who’s the young man standing between the girls?

I had to come back if only to say this.  “I just threw up a little.  In my Mouth.”

I’m still throwing up and will continue to do so until I am assured Jason Williams will be nowhere near the point.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 08/07/09 at 08:20 AM ET

MO and his arsenal

Practiced a little yesterday at work in some down time. 2” grouping at 30 yards.
Is it troll season, or is that an open season here?

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 08/07/09 at 08:30 AM ET

With those other holes, it looks like you cheated and ripped out the ones that were too far off before you took the picture.  For shame.

And I think it’s wabbit season right now.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/07/09 at 09:01 AM ET

I think it’s wabbit season right now.

Duck season!

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 08/07/09 at 09:14 AM ET

With those other holes, it looks like you cheated and ripped out the ones that were too far off before you took the picture.  For shame.

Easy on me now Ms B. It’s the first time I’ve picked up the bow since January. A fella needs to warm up a tad. Not too mention 2” circles are kinda small at 30 yards. 

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 08/07/09 at 09:47 AM ET

Anaheim will own you this year, and we’ll enjoy every moment of it in the Burgh.

LMAO!  You’re joking right??  I guess that means the pens will be servicing the Caps in the back alley this year, too.  You did have one thing right, pens are an inferior team.  Don’t drag your teeth; use all lip like you did with the refs.

Posted by TEMO from LANSING, MICHIGAN, U.S.A. on 08/07/09 at 09:55 AM ET

Congrats Bill, and welcome back. Your daughters are lovely. I do think the 19 have all been accounted for now. After The Unwatchable, some of us were worried that we’d have a few goners.

Oh, and for those who haven’t wandered to the main page, a warning that you might want to avoid it ... the Anointed One has the chalice today. Talk about throwing up in your mouth.

Posted by Bella on 08/07/09 at 09:58 AM ET

After The Unwatchable, some of us were worried that we’d have a few goners. 

Goners?  I’ve expanded operations since that game.  I was one of the few that took it all in.  I sat there and watched the whole unfathomable mess.  Soaked it in, the hate in me almost became tangible.  But I did it so that the next time a banner goes up in Joe Louis, it will seem all the sweeter.  Without defeat, you can’t truly appreciate victory.

Congrats Bill…my sis gets married in Traverse City nexy weekend, to a speech pathologist.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/07/09 at 10:09 AM ET

  I guess that means the pens will be servicing the Caps in the back alley this year, too.

I’m preparing to do something I have never done before in my entire life,pull for the Flyers, at least in the games that they play the Pens. I think that will be the series for Pen haters to keep an eye on in the East.

It’s gonna be a banner year for Pittsburgh’s oral surgeon.

Posted by dougie on 08/07/09 at 10:36 AM ET

And trolls who’ll revel in schadenfreude at any misfortune that may fall our way next season, that says so much more about you and your inability to just let go and enjoy your Cup than it does about the Wings or any of us.

Oh, Andrew.  We wouldn’t come here and job the 19 and Chief if it weren’t for the incessant whining about conspiracies and childish just-lost-your-lunch-money lash-outs at Crosby.  It’s quite enjoyable to watch the train wreck that is the collectively self-entitled and self-aggrandized Wings fanbase after such a colossal karmic chokejob.  Considering we had to deal with all of your laughing and pointing last year after the finals - and some guy from Slovakia signing in Detroit for less money - you can deal with our pointing and laughing for a bit longer. 

How many Tuesdays is it?

Posted by docciavelli from With the Cup in Cole Harbour on 08/07/09 at 10:36 AM ET

Considering we had to deal with all of your laughing and pointing last year after the finals

Really? I don’t think so.

We won so many Cups that we learn to celebrate without rubbing it on the other team. We just don’t need validation.

Posted by Guilherme from Brazil on 08/07/09 at 10:43 AM ET

I guess that means the pens will be servicing the Caps in the back alley this year, too.

I’m preparing to do something I have never done before in my entire life,pull for the Flyers, at least in the games that they play the Pens. I think that will be the series for Pen haters to keep an eye on in the East.

It’s gonna be a banner year for Pittsburgh’s oral surgeon.

Seriously?  You’ve all now jumped on the Caps bandwagon?  Just can’t wait to “Rock the Red?”

Maybe you missed the fact that the Caps were booted from the playoffs exactly how the Wings were: In Game 7.  On home ice.  By Pittsburgh.  Or maybe that’s a tough concept, since apparently this means the Caps are a better team for losing that game according to Chief.

The Caps aren’t any better this season.  Nylander’s still on the payroll.  Their defense is still shit other than playing the point on the man advantage.  And goaltending?  Well, I’m putting money on Neuvirth being called up from Hershey to sit between the pipes at some point in the season.  Mike Knuble, all 37 years old of him, does not make the Caps the EC champs.

Apparently that crappy taste in your mouths causes not only delusions of grandeur, but also psychotropic hallucinations of back-checking Russian douchebags not named Datsyuk.

By the way, that fellatio you gave us June 12th was quite nice.  Just enough tongue on the balls.  Looking forward to having you suck us off again.

Posted by docciavelli from Cole Harbour with The Cup on 08/07/09 at 10:49 AM ET

Goners?  I’ve expanded operations since that game.

You’re a stronger gingerbread man than I, Drew. I couldn’t watch. But I do appreciate you expanding operations—Nightmare on Helm Street has helped this crappy off season go by more quickly. As the Dude would say, It’s a Swiss f*ckin’ watch.

Posted by Bella on 08/07/09 at 11:13 AM ET

We wouldn’t come here and job the 19 and Chief if it weren’t for the incessant whining about conspiracies and childish just-lost-your-lunch-money lash-outs at Crosby.

I’ve never seen “the incessant whining about conspiracies and childish just-lost-your-lunch-money lash-outs at Crosby” used as a euphemism for “our inferiority complex” before.  Something of a waste of extra letters, but I appreciate the effort nonetheless.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/07/09 at 11:29 AM ET

Just for you Ms B. And this might help with the puke in the mouth Bella…..

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 08/07/09 at 11:40 AM ET

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 08/07/09 at 12:40 PM ET

Get it stuffed and hang it on the den wall, MO.

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 08/07/09 at 12:07 PM ET

Oh, welcome back RWB.
Beautiful bride! Congrats.

When does camp open in TC? Hope to hear who looks energized to reclaim the prize and restore it to Hockeytown.

BTW, the main page has a spot on the Red Wings as ‘the cream of the crop’.

GO WINGS!!!

Posted by stonehands-78 from the beginning ... a WingsFan, on 08/07/09 at 12:12 PM ET

Seriously?  You’ve all now jumped on the Caps bandwagon?

You mean like you’re straddling Niedermeyer and the Anaheim bandwagon?  You seem to forget we beat them in game 7, on home ice. 

Their defense is still shit other than playing the point on the man advantage.

Detroit isn’t Washington.  You comparing their blueline to ours??  How many Norris trophy winners do they have?  And for that matter, how many does your defense have?

Apparently that crappy taste in your mouths causes not only delusions of grandeur, but also psychotropic hallucinations of back-checking Russian douchebags not named Datsyuk.

As opposed to cheap shot Russian douchebags not name Malkin?? 

Looking forward to having you suck us off again.

Sorry, but that’s what you pay Bettman for, *#$%@&.  You wouldn’t have won the Cup without his help, remember that, choke on that, swallow it bitch.

Posted by TEMO from LANSING, MICHIGAN, U.S.A. on 08/07/09 at 12:17 PM ET

Congrats, RWB…  many Blessings and Joy to the newly wedded couple.  This is the kind of stuff that, when all is said and done, is what’s important.

Well…  this and another Red Wing cup…

Posted by BobTheZee on 08/07/09 at 12:26 PM ET

There’s no way a girl as gorgeous as Lisa could have come from your genes.

The second photo looks like Brett Hull.

Posted by alexcutter on 08/07/09 at 12:35 PM ET

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 08/07/09 at 12:40 PM ET

Bra-@#$%-ing-vo, MO.

Posted by Bella on 08/07/09 at 12:13 PM ET

Thank ya, ma’am.  I don’t think I’ve ever been praised with a Big Lebowski quote before…seriously.  Movie buffs like me and Andrew from A2, love that kinda stuff.

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/07/09 at 12:58 PM ET

Welcome back, RWB!  Best Wishes on your daughter’s marriage.

And MO?  Outstanding.

Posted by SYF from a "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp" on 08/07/09 at 02:12 PM ET

We wouldn’t come here and job the 19 and Chief…

Posted by docciavelli from With the Cup in Cole Harbour on 08/07/09 at 11:36 AM ET

Dude. You just admitted that you “job” the 19 and the Chief.

Posted by not a pens fan anymore from gettin in the job line on 08/07/09 at 02:23 PM ET

Dude. You just admitted that you “job” the 19 and the Chief.

Posted by not a pens fan anymore from gettin in the job line on 08/07/09 at 03:23 PM ET

LMAO.  Indeed he did

Posted by TEMO from LANSING, MICHIGAN, U.S.A. on 08/07/09 at 02:41 PM ET

Not too mention 2” circles are kinda small at 30 yards. 

What kind’ve draw weight are we looking at?  I’m trying to remember if you had to account for much drop-off and arch at 30 yards.  Fiberglass or metal shafts?

It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten my compound out of storage.  I shudder to think of what shape the strings are in, probably just need to take it to the shop and let them work it over real good before I try to draw it but, man, these pictures make me nostalgic.  I bet my recurve is still surviceable.  Hmmm. 

I miss the bow almost as much as my Anschutz and this isn’t helping!

Posted by shanetx on 08/07/09 at 02:43 PM ET

You’re welcome, Drew. *raises glass of sarsaparilla*

And thanks for making my day, MO ... that image is the anti-Jackatoreum. Just be sure to aim for Rosby’s greasy porn ‘stache next time.

Posted by Bella on 08/07/09 at 02:44 PM ET

What kind’ve draw weight are we looking at?  I’m trying to remember if you had to account for much drop-off and arch at 30 yards.  Fiberglass or metal shafts?

70 pounds, 30” draw… carbon arrows. Mucho kinetic energy with newer single and double cam bows, and they give an 80% let off. Arrows are basically flat from 0-25 yards.  If you haven’t looked at bows in a few years, they’ve come light years since the 90’s when I got my first Bear compound. The bow I have now will punch an arrow straight thru unless I hit a shoulder plate or large bone. 
Bella,
Notice the arrow in his chest. I was going to aim for his heart but remembered any chest shot will deflate the lungs on a heart-less creature.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 08/07/09 at 04:17 PM ET

I was going to aim for his heart but remembered any chest shot will deflate the lungs on a heart-less creature.

Awesome.

Posted by Bella on 08/07/09 at 04:50 PM ET

Wow, impressive stuff.  I’m trying to remember what the let off was on my old compound.  We “had to” keep it under 45 lb for competitions, but I think I was actually around ~65 for most of the time I was shooting casually/practice.  It got kinda obvious when arrows went far deeper than most folks. Go figure.  80% seems pretty amazing, though.  I think we were around 45-lb draw, 20-lb to hold (and we never used releases so that extra let off would be handy).  I bought that bow back in 98 or so, so I’m sure it’s pretty outdated by now.

I looked into buying a bow, but didn’t get very far in the research stage, very briefly about 7-8 months ago before a string of household appliances decided to end their lives in unison and, in doing so, completely destroy my toy buying money (seriously, I had a ‘fridge, microwave, dishwasher go out a week apart then my wife set my stove on fire and less than a month later I had to drop $4k (with crazy discounts from a friend who installs that kinda stuff) on a full new furnace/ac.  It’s been a brutal, brutal year).  The basic shape of the newer bows is pretty “out there” when you go in expecting something like…

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-32208395844112_2065_38537153

... and find a lot of things like this:

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-32208395844112_2065_36863295

Given my time target shooting, I’m not sure why this should’ve surprised me much.  After all, the new model of target rifle that was incoming when I quit looked even odder.  When I bought my last target rifle, the dealer tried to convince me to wait a month or two for the new model to be released.  I wasn’t altogether swayed by the appearance of this creature: 

Posted by shanetx on 08/07/09 at 04:58 PM ET