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Naysayers? Line ‘Em Up
by IwoCPO on 08/20/09 at 10:57 AM ET
Comments (124)
It’s been a long time since the Wings won a Cup, so I have trouble remembering how we celebrated it. I’m sure in some corners of our state, or across this great country of ours that is home to nearly 19 million Wing fans according to recent census numbers, there were parties.
Glorious events filled with recounts of Wing playoff wins and toasts and firetrucks, blocks of cheddar, warm PBR and dancers “working their way through med/law/stenographer school.”
From Huron to Charlevoix up to Marquette and back down to Niles via Bronner’s in Frankenmuth where it’s Christmas 364 days per year bitches? Happiness and Cup celebrations.
In Pennsylvania? They’re still learning how to deal with this kind of success. They’re still learning that a championship doesn’t have to equate to crime or insidious behavior.
For the love of god…no.
PennLive
Car smeared with ‘moist and fresh’ birthday cake in Derry Township
by MONICA VON DOBENECK, Of The Patriot-News
Wednesday August 12, 2009, 1:03 PMA resident of the 300 block of West Caracas Avenue, Derry Township, told police someone smeared birthday cake over his son’s car on July 30.
The police report noted that the cake on the Mitsubishi Eclipse was chocolate and vanilla with sugar icing in a blue and orange color scheme. It was “very moist and fresh to the touch,” the report noted.
The car’s owner told police it was the fourth time the car had been attacked with food. It was twice pelted with Twinkies, he said, and once splattered with a platter of Chinese food.
Investigations, I’m certain, are in their infancy stages but ongoing.
You know what else is just beginning? The absolute sobs from the MSM and some of our “rival” bloggers. About what? Oh, you know. How can they resist? How could they possibly stay away from this story…hockey’s ultimate villain joining the Best Team In The League. Oh, the angst. Where to start…where to start? Well, how about Denver?
Hey Terri Frei? Have you ever considered being anything other than a whiny little, I don’t know, bitch?
You know the details of what happened. What Bertuzzi did was disgraceful. His NHL 17-month suspension, which ran through the lockout season, was insufficient. The sentence he drew from a British Columbia court, probation and community service, was light. To me, though, what’s most galling at this point is the cavalier acceptance of Bertuzzi within the sport as just some guy who temporarily snapped, went a bit far, but served his five minutes in the penalty box, and is back on the ice.
Oh yeah. I know. He starts the article out on his high hockey-loving horse. Telling the Wings, objectively of course, why signing Bertuzzi is a “bad hockey move.” But we all know the traction here. We know what’s driving these sobs…Bertuzzi’s attack of Steve Moore, the innocent. Steve Moore, who if you ask a Dive fan, was on the very cusp of stardom. Steve Moore, the wallflower who didn’t incite a single thing.
Forget the hockey references Terri and stick with your community outrage, your social disgust. Cry for Steve Moore Terri. But don’t try to wrap your tissues around a hockey argument. You just look weaker than you usually do, if that’s possible.
And, yep, there’s more. Lots more.
Seen this yet? Steve MacFarlane in Calgary.
The first thought on many Flames fans’ minds? Good riddance.
News of Bertuzzi’s second stint with the Wings had barely been posted to the web before e-mails began to arrive suggesting the 2008 Stanley Cup champion’s downward spiral has begun.Some, although not as eager to make their feelings public, feel the Flames are missing out.
I love that. “The emails began to arrive…” Really? Let’s see ‘em. Pull a couple quotes out Steve. You want the real story behind MacFarlane’s dislike of Bertuzzi? It’s not even the same as Terri’s. It’s the Steve Carlton or Jim Rice syndrome. Ready? I know you are.
Infamous for the Steve Moore incident and an often surly personality when dealing with the media ever since…
Aww. A Canadian(en) writer doesn’t get his exclusive he feels he deserves? A player doesn’t kiss his ass the way MacFarlane feels he should? What is he? Why, he’s “surly with the media”, of course. Suck it.
Here’s a shocker. The Hockey News has found a way to rip the Wings. Crazy, eh? Hard to believe considering they picked Chicago and Vancouver to finish ahead of the Wings in the West. They didn’t stop there. Oh now. Several paragraphs from Ryan Kennedy, in a little, itty bitty font no less, about how the signing of Bertuzzi is a death knell for the Wings.
Detroit just eighty-sixed its chances at getting back to the Stanley Cup final this season.
It’s only August, you say? No matter. The Red Wings just signed left winger Todd Bertuzzi to a one-year contract, which means for the 2009-10 season, the Wings will, in fact, be cursed.
Yes. He claims the president-trophy winning Wings signed their own exit visa when they brough Bert into the fold in ‘07. Dude…STFU. The Wings lost to Anaheim for the same reason they lost to Pittsburgh in June: poor officiating and injuries. A mediocre team won the Cup in ‘07 and again in ‘09.
And Kennedy? It’s all hockey, eh Ryan?
Though I wish Big Bert no specific ill will…
Rigghhhtttt.
Now. Is that to say that every “neutral” observer of hockey is completely against the Bertuzzi signing? Nope. James Mirtle, while admittedly not a Bertuzzi fan and generally pessimistic about his effectiveness, at least sticks to hockey. He also correctly points out that the Williams, Eaves and Bertuzzi deals were adequate on the short-term but necessary when you consider the amount of money potentially opening up next season.
Bertuzzi’s no 18 minute a night power forward anymore, but can he log 13 and stand in front of the net on the power play? Why not?
Listening to Holland describe his recent signings on Tuesday, it’s clear that these are really just filler pieces designed to supplement his cast and help the Wings hold over until next season when they’ll have roughly $16-million come off the cap and yet still have those same Top 5 forwards under contract. Maybe he looks like a genius if one or more of his new spare parts emerges as a suitable scoring option, but even if that doesn’t happen, he’s created some competition for third and fourth line spots and taken the heat off of a player like Bertuzzi who’s clearly seen better days.
Obviously, he’s right. Bertuzzi is on the downslope. But so was Dallas Drake. So was Larry Murphy. So was Bob Rouse and even Brent Gilchrist. Every team needs a guy or two who have internal motivations, something inside that’s driving them that only they understand.
Oh, and while Mirtle’s talking money to the tune of 16 mil? Well, now we’re getting into this kind of question. How much is our Captain going to be making when he’s up for some re-signing and using Homer’s favorite ink with a pile of paper?
Six or even less, I’d say. Million, that is. For the good of the team, you know. It’s what Captains do. They sacrifice, especially when Gary has decided that the teams who have carried an entire league for more than a decade need to be knocked down a peg. It’s. What. Captains. Do.
They don’t ask for 8.7 million per year. And their sidekicks don’t demand equal pay just to prove the other guy isn’t “the man.”
That was an awesome point I just made and I’d usually end on it, but you deserve more from me so more you shall receive in the form of reaction from the Detroit media. Oh…good.
If Holland can make this work financially while still making sure the young players get suitable NHL ice time, I’m fine with it. But if Bertuzzi impedes the progress of others just for a veteran, physical presence, I think it’s a mistake.
Even if you’re making a decent point? You, Jamie, need to STFU and not just because you spell your first name like that or share the name of William Tell. It’s because you’re a Detroit writer and no one caves to the organ-I-zation like a Detroit writer does.
But…it’s a legitimate point. I like the Bertuzzi signing. Not shy about admitting it either. But not if it takes a minute of ice time away from Darren Helm. Not one frigging minute. I want that kid wreaking havoc and blasting people every night for at least fifteen minutes/night. Deal? Good. Abdelkader’s the kid who’s going down and it’s not a huge sacrifice for him or for the Wings. He needs some seasoning and we have the luxury of letting that happen.
Leino? I’m still not sold. When Uncle Mike lets me know it’s ok, I’ll be a fan. Until then, until I know our Uncle Mike isn’t hedging his bets? I’m in wait and see mode.
Finally, I’d heard about this well before I read it. Greg Eno’s a Detroit staple in terms of writing and blogging.
His piece on Bertuzzi is a great example why. Go back to what I said earlier about a hidden motivation with this guy. Eno gets it.
You want to know why Tick Tock signed Public Enemy Number 1…again? Because he gets it too.
Bertuzzi will probably never again be the player NHL fans remember in his prime. It usually doesn’t work that way the further the calendar advances. But he’s on board for a relative pittance of a salary, and the Red Wings believe in the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. They always have.
They play hockey a certain way in Detroit, and the team’s aura has enabled players to buy into the system and eschew any bad habits learned elsewhere.
Bertuzzi didn’t get the prize—that has so far eluded him—in his first go-round in the Motor City. Already, most “experts” are counting his new/old team out of the running for the 2010 Cup.
Just like they counted the Red Wings out after they fell into an 0-2 hole against Bertuzzi’s Canucks in the first round of the ‘02 playoffs. I think you know how that post-season ended for the Red Wings.
So Todd Bertuzzi knows a little bit about what the Red Wings can do when they’ve been written off.
Bertuzzi is the Great Divider. He’s split the 19, but not fractured permanently. Some of you hate him, the idea of him donning the pristing red and white. Well, guess what? Bob Probert wore it. So did Darren McCarty. Chris Chelios did and so did Sergei Fedorov, while practicing some relationship norms acceptable only in Russia and Tennessee.
Red Wings don’t have to be saints, bitches. They just have to contribute, hustle, take pride in Detroit and take less money for the privelege of being a Red Wing.
I’m on board with Bert and I say bring on the MSM. You thought last Spring was the season of STFU? Not even close compared to what lies ahead.
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Comments
Amen brother. This regular season is going to be a lot more enjoyable than last. And the play-offs, oh you just wait.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/20/09 at 11:19 AM ET
What Bertuzzi does this season is inconsequential to their success, and at this point, that’s the way it should be.
Bingo from Mirtle.
Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 08/20/09 at 11:21 AM ET
GONE from the Red Wings last Stanley Cup Champion roster
Dominik Hasek - the backup goaltender
Andreas Lilja (assumed)
Kyle Quincey (missed, but not horribly)
Dallas Drake
Aaron Downey (Did not play in playoffs)
Darren McCarty (Did not play)
Jiri Hudler
Mikael Samuelsson
Tomas Kopecky
Chris Chelios
ADDED to Red Wings 09-10 roster since (assumed spot on active roster, rather than with Grand Rapids):
Todd Bertuzzi
Jason Williams
Patrick Eaves
Jonathan Ericsson
Ville Leino
Jonathan Ericsson
Players who the two years difference has been positive:
Helm
Abdelkader
Zetterberg
Franzen
Filppula
Kronwall
Stuart
Players who the two years difference has been negative:
Draper
Maltby
Holmstrom
Players still capable of playing at the same level as 07-08
Datsyuk
Lidstrom (arguable negative change, but it’s miniscule)
Cleary
Rafalski
Lebda
Major feature of upcoming 09-10 season that was last present in 07-08 season:
ANGER
Yes, Hudler and Samuelsson are the only real hurtful player losses since the last cup. Homer’s play from 2 years ago as well as Dallas Drake’s hunger should be replaced by Bertuzzi. Draper and Maltby will get the majority of the minutes, but Eaves and Abdelkader should be ready to slot into those roles.
Lidstrom should win the Norris Trophy this year (*should*). Williams can partially replace Samuelsson, the rest will come from the fact that you read correctly when I said that Zetterberg is a better player now than when he won the Conn Smythe. Filppula’s improvement and Darren Helm’s pure awesomeness more than make up for Hudler’s departure.
Let me stress this again because it’s VERY important. This year’s team has something that the 07-08 team possessed but last year’s team did not: ANGER. They know the cup should have been theirs and they’re pissed that it was taken from them.
Bring on the naysayers who want to say the rest of the league has caught up with us. You’ve forgotten that we have an angry gear that they don’t.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/20/09 at 11:28 AM ET
Hello friends,
Yes, I am a Penguins fan that trolls hockey blogs at work all day in lieu of productivity.
Very good points about Big Bert. Am I the only one who thinks that the Steve Moore thing is incredibly over-blown? I have seen several worse incidents than that, it’s just that they didn’t have the terrible luck that Moore had when Big Bert fell on him. It’s not like Bertuzzi was trying to break his neck. It pisses me off when people like Terry Frei make such a big deal about that.
On another note, can you really say that Zetterberg, Franzen, Datsyuk, etc. really took a large pay cut for the good of the Red Wings? Don’t get me wrong, Ken Holland is, arguably…well….probably not even arguably, the greatest GM in the game today. He took advantage of front-loading players contracts and signing them for incredibly long terms. Will Zetterberg, Franzen, and Datsyuk play until they’re 40? Probably not. If so, will they near as productive? Probably not. What is I mean, Zetterberg is making an average of around 7.5mil per year for the next 5 years. That’s still pretty damn good. Franzen may be an absolute steal at $5m per now, but with the way he plays, we’ll see how that $5m per is looking when he is 38 years old.
Posted by BFN on 08/20/09 at 11:31 AM ET
It’s Terry, not Terri.
Posted by @voteforgrant on 08/20/09 at 12:29 PM ET
You’re new here and you’re a Dive fan. I’ll go slow.
My blog. It is what I say it is.
Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 08/20/09 at 11:37 AM ET
Babcock’s still coaching this team. The only way Bertuzzi takes ice time from anyone is if he plays better than someone. And if that happens, go ahead and give him the ice time, even if he’s taking it from Helm or Leino.
I do think Babcock likes Leino, by the way—a year ago, he called him the best player he’d ever cut. Once we’re about 20 games in, and Leino’s had the time to gain his confidence, I think it’ll be clear. Before the end of the season, my expectation is that Leino will be better than Hudler.
Posted by Ryan from Toronto on 08/20/09 at 11:41 AM ET
The 09-10 Red Wings are better than the 08-09 team. Both on paper and on the ice.
There, I said it.
Posted by moore00 from Columbus, OH/Grand Rapids, MI on 08/20/09 at 11:43 AM ET
Franzen may be an absolute steal at $5m per now, but with the way he plays, we’ll see how that $5m per is looking when he is 38 years old.
His cap hit is just below $4 million. Bottom line is that a cap hit in the $4 million range nine years from now should be significantly less burden than it is now. Of course, that’s assuming Gary Bettman doesn’t screw things up, but assuming regular inflation of 4%, a $4 million guy now is a $5.6 million guy then. Alternately that works out to a player nowadays with a $2.8 million contract. What do you expect from a guy making just under 3 million dollars? That puts a guy roughly in the 30-point range or so, right? I think he can do that when he’s 38.
Also, since he signed when he was 29, if he retires, the cap hit disappears. The Wings also have the option to hide him in the minors as a worst case. They still have to pay his salary, but they don’t have his cap hit (which is an awesome F-you to a leage that wants to handcuff teams who want to spend for success).
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/20/09 at 11:45 AM ET
The 09-10 Red Wings are better than the 08-09 team. Both on paper and on the ice.
There, I said it.
Posted by moore00 from the Ohio State University on 08/20/09 at 12:43 PM ET
Twice.
It’s Terry, not Terri.
Posted by @voteforgrant on 08/20/09 at 12:29 PM ET
It’s “he spells his name is Terry”...if you’re going to correct the Chief, put a little corsi into it.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/20/09 at 11:48 AM ET
J.J.
Good point with the whole inflation thing. I obviously didn’t think of that.
I thought the rule was that if a player signed a long contract like that BEFORE he turned 35, it stayed on the books no matter what.
Do I have it the other way around?
Posted by BFN on 08/20/09 at 11:49 AM ET
BFN, you had it backwards. A player signing a contract after 35 stays on the books no matter what, signing before 35 allows more flexibility. Check out the Flyers’ blunder regarding the Chris Pronger contract for more learning / fun-at-another-team’s-expense.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/20/09 at 11:52 AM ET
Thanks for clearing that up.
Either way, it does alter the numbers a little bit. Looking at the cap-hit, these players certainly took huge pay cuts. If you look at their year-by-year salary, it’s not as big of a pay cut as it’s made out to be.
Also, Neither Crosby nor Malkin demanded 8.7m. It was virtually giftwrapped to them after virtually no negotiation. I wish Ray Shero would’ve “Hollanded” both of them, but I guess I’ll just have to hope that they can keep them both until they’re 40 after these contracts are up.
Posted by BFN on 08/20/09 at 11:55 AM ET
Let me add that unlike Jason Williams Bertuzzi had other options, but he WANTED to come here. He has wanted to be here since his first stint. I think that means something, the guy is looking for a home and grow roots and he’s finally healthy, I think he’ll have a good season and prove the naysayers wrong. Besides, the Wings players liked him and wanted him here as well. He still stays in contact with several of them like Cleary, Ozzie and Draper, so this idea the guy is a locker room cancer is just beyind false, it has no merit
Posted by bababooey on 08/20/09 at 12:05 PM ET
Also, Neither Crosby nor Malkin demanded 8.7m. It was virtually giftwrapped to them after virtually no negotiation.
Why would anyone with any business sense pay two ridiculous salaries like that in a Cap world if there was even a remote possibility that they could get them for cheaper? Malkin and Crosby making $2 million more per year than Datsyuk and $2+ mil more than Zetterberg is just bogus.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/20/09 at 12:08 PM ET
Interesting that the Dive blogs/fans are in such an uproar about the Moore incident. I’m sure the vast majority of them have to problems with Clod’s vicious hit. So much for consistency.
Listen, Bert acted like a moron. It was a stupid stupid hit, and it had tragic results. I do not condone it in any way. As I’ve said before, I hope that every dime we pay him finds its way to Moore and his family. That being said, I actually find Clod’s hit worse. While the ramifications were less severe, they had every bit of potential - perhaps even more so - for that kind of damage.
Again, not justifying Bert’s hit, but lets look at the differences
-Moore at least had some indication that it was coming. Bert chased him around and tried to get into it with him for some time. At some point, he made the really stupid decision to hit him from behind. Didn’t look like the kind of actions someone would have to intentionally destroy a player’s career. It lacked foresight and the consequences were dire. However, Clod’s hit was on a completely unsuspecting Draper, clearly aiming to slam his face and neck into the boards. One or two inches difference, and Draper could have easily suffered the same or worse fate as Moore. Clod aimed and pulled the trigger just the same as Bert, perhaps with more deliberation.
-The aftermath. Bert served a huge suspension. Bert was charged with assault. Bert gave a press conference where he sobbed openly and expressed his remorse. None of that applied to Clod. He got 2 games. Even now he does not express remorse for that hit. The only real punishment he took was at the hands of DMacs fists of fury while they bloodied his face. Just because the aftermath wasn’t as bad, doesn’t make it any less inherently wrong.
Again - I’m not justifying Bert’s actions at all. I’m not saying that I think he’s paid his full price, or that he’s somehow completely redeemed himself. Rather, I’m highlighting the fact that as Dive fans call for Bert’s head, and label it a disgrace he’s allowed to play the game, I doubt very many of them would have the same to say about their precious lemieux. Consistency, bitches. Embrace it.
...is it October yet?
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 08/20/09 at 12:09 PM ET
“Red Wings don’t have to be saints, bitches. They just have to contribute, hustle, take pride in Detroit and take less money for the privelege of being a Red Wing.”
I took less money for the privelege of being a Red Wing, and look where it got me!
(sad face)
Posted by Marian Hossa on 08/20/09 at 12:11 PM ET
I took less money for the privelege of being a Red Wing, and look where it got me!
2 goals away from a Stanley Cup?
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 08/20/09 at 12:13 PM ET
Would Marian have put the [sic] after privilege? I can’t decide.
“Some of you hate him, the idea of him donning the pristing red and white.”
But Marian would definitely put a [sic] after “pristing.” But I knew what you were going for, as in the following sentence:
I love looking at those pristine Penguins Stanley Cup Champions ads to the right of everything you write, pal.
Posted by Marian Hossa's grammar check on 08/20/09 at 12:14 PM ET
Before this thread goes off entirely in another direction….
Apparently (or conveniently) overlooked in the MacFarlane article:
GM Darryl Sutter obviously didn’t see enough in the spring to bring the veteran back.
What he saw was the 34-year-old’s penchant for taking bad penalties, and a 6-foot-3, 231-pounder who didn’t play very physically for his size.
And that was even before knee surgery in March took away some of the jump and offensive skill that made up for that fact.
Sidelined for nearly the entire month of March after a procedure to clean out some tissue around his knee, Bertuzzi never got back up to speed.
The Wings are hoping he’ll fit in with their flashy puck-control philosophy.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 08/20/09 at 12:15 PM ET
Good point, Animal Drew, but when you put it that way, should Ovechkin be making $1m more than Sid and Malkin, and $3+m more than Zetterberg and Datsyuk?
Although Zetterberg and Datsyuk are great, you can pretty much assume that they are at their potential right now. Malkin, Crosby, and Ovechkin, on the other hand, are 22 and 23 years old with some room to grow. That doesn’t justify the fact that they make significantly more than Zetterberg and Datsyuk, but I can see why there is a discrepancy.
Posted by BFN on 08/20/09 at 12:16 PM ET
Posted by CaptNorris5 from Chicago via Detroit on 08/20/09 at 01:09 PM ET
Completely agree.
And I feel sick just reading Turtle’s name… I root for all of our minor, but I certainly don’t want Francis Lemieux to ever play for us.
Posted by Guilherme from Brazil on 08/20/09 at 12:16 PM ET
Chief,
Didn’t even make the top 20 on this post.
My 3 post first comment streak has been broken.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/20/09 at 12:17 PM ET
If you look at their year-by-year salary, it’s not as big of a pay cut as it’s made out to be.
That only matters to teams like Phoenix. Detroit can afford to pay those salaries and more. It’s the cap hit that’s critical.
I’m not gonna get into criticizing what players on other teams are making, but I was surprised when those two in Pit seemed to be just handed contracts with little to no negotiation. Maybe more happened behind the scenes, but it did seem to happen awfully quick and easy.
Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 08/20/09 at 12:17 PM ET
Great post Chief.
Kind of answers that whole “Hey I wonder what the Chief thinks of the signing of Big Bert” rhetorical thing that has been rattling around in my noggin.
The Summer That Could Have been winds down and we got the Ooommpa Loompa doing sit ups and drinking cheap russion vodka for a paycheck in the hockey wasteland, Hossa wondering if his curve ball will ever be the same after shoulder surgery and Kopecky with a phat paycheck trying to figure out where all his bff’s went. When you look at JJ’s comparisons you have to like how the gaps were filled by Tick Tock. The core of the team remains solid with proven performers and now a few gamers are thrown in for good measure. Toss in the memories of what could have been and that whole the Wings are outta it routine that the wizards of smart in the NHL are singing and we have us a bonafide, dare I say it…...underdawg.
Until the Wings start winning, then the diggers will pop in and say how they told us ....so.
I feel better. You should too.
Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, sippin rum & catchin some rays on 08/20/09 at 12:17 PM ET
Have you ever considered being anything other than a whiny little, I don’t know, bitch?
Ahhh, irony.
Posted by alexcutter on 08/20/09 at 12:19 PM ET
And with some of that $16 million in expiring contracts next year, do you think the Wings might buy themselves a goalie who doesn’t set up at a bad angle when he’s faced with a 2-on-1 in Game Seven of the Finals?
Boy, I hope not.
Posted by Maxim Talbot on 08/20/09 at 12:28 PM ET
Posted by Maxim Talbot on 08/20/09 at 01:28 PM ET
Maxime Talbot is a rapist.
Posted by CaptNorris5 from The Winged Wheel, stuck in Chicago on 08/20/09 at 12:32 PM ET
The Steve Moore thing is over. It happened half a decade ago. Punishment was light, granted, but that chapter is closed.
Bring on the new.
Posted by Hippy Dave from Portland by way of Detroit on 08/20/09 at 12:32 PM ET
...the Wings will, in fact, be cursed.
I love how he includes that “in fact” as though talking about a player bringing a curse down on a team is rational.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 08/20/09 at 12:33 PM ET
And with some of that $16 million in expiring contracts next year, do you think the Wings might buy themselves a goalie who doesn’t set up at a bad angle when he’s faced with a 2-on-1 in Game Seven of the Finals?
Boy, I hope not.
Posted by Maxim Talbot on 08/20/09 at 01:28 PM ET
Hey Max, let me know when Horse Face Fleury has 3 cups.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/20/09 at 12:34 PM ET
“Hey Max, let me know when Horse Face Fleury has 3 cups.”
Best guess? June something, 2011.
Posted by Maxime Talbot on 08/20/09 at 12:36 PM ET
Six or even less, I’d say. Million, that is.
Do you mean cap space Lidstrom’s next contract will free up? I woudn’t be all that surprised if he drops down to $1-2 million at 40.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 08/20/09 at 12:38 PM ET
I woudn’t be all that surprised if he drops down to $1-2 million at 40.
Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 08/20/09 at 01:38 PM ET
I say $2.5 mil, unless he wins gold and the Cup this year in which case he’ll retire.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/20/09 at 12:39 PM ET
Me play for $1-2 million? Heck, no money will be necessary! I will pay the Wings for the privelege [sic!] of letting me play for them! Because that is what the captains do! Because that is what the champions do! Why? Because some dork blogger says so!
Posted by Nick Lidstrom on 08/20/09 at 12:40 PM ET
Nick Lidstrom has never used that many exclamation points in his life.
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/20/09 at 12:42 PM ET
When that guy from the Blackhawks attacked my nutsack, I used many exclamation points.
OW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Nick Lidstrom on 08/20/09 at 12:43 PM ET
Alot of animosity spewing in the comments today.
Why can’t we all just get along?
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/20/09 at 12:52 PM ET
Yep, great post Chief.
Like I stated earlier, the Wings aren’t rebuilding, we’re RELOADING.
Posted by Trish from PalmBeachCntyFL on 08/20/09 at 01:00 PM ET
Why can’t we all just get along?
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/20/09 at 01:52 PM ET
Look at the comment immediately above yours for that answer. Who the hell wants to get along with a retard like that?
Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 08/20/09 at 01:03 PM ET
Well, it could be worse. I could use derogatory terms to refer to the mentally disabled.
Posted by Nick Lidstrom on 08/20/09 at 01:14 PM ET
@ MO
When someone posts a comment like that we learn a hell of a lot more about him/her they we can ever know about Nick Lidstrom.
But I do understand, remember I get this stuff all the time from some of the commenters when I write something positive about you-know-who (87).
I know alot of it is jokes and some quite funny but some of it is down right nasty.
Having said that, I will also say I recived an unexpected & pleasant e-mail from Chief and now have a new found perspective & respect for A2Y and it’s 19 members.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/20/09 at 01:18 PM ET
Well, it could be worse. I could use derogatory terms to refer to the mentally disabled.
Posted by Nick Lidstrom on 08/20/09 at 02:14 PM ET
Could be better. You could just go away.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/20/09 at 01:18 PM ET
“Could be better. You could just go away.”
Indeed. I’ll make like the Stanley Cup this summer and leave you guys alone.
Posted by Nick Lidstrom on 08/20/09 at 01:21 PM ET
Well, it could be worse. I could use derogatory terms to refer to the mentally disabled.
Posted by Nick Lidstrom on 08/20/09 at 02:14 PM ET
To be fair, you used a vulgarity when you said “dork blogger”, so you’re really no better than anybody else.
Either way, vulgarity or derogatory term, I couldn’t give a shit what this moron says anyway.
Man, I love semantics…
Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 08/20/09 at 01:23 PM ET
“Could be better. You could just go away.”
Indeed. I’ll make like the Stanley Cup this summer and leave you guys alone.
Posted by Nick Lidstrom on 08/20/09 at 02:21 PM ET
Saddest part is, that is the absolute extent of wit coming from Pittsburgh fans…pathetc. Enjoy the rest of your summer vacation. I bet you can’t wait to get back to high school.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/20/09 at 01:32 PM ET
Animal, I’m surprised at you. I don’t recall you getting into it like this ever before with a Penguin fan. You usually don’t get baited like that. What’s up?
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/20/09 at 01:40 PM ET
My blog. It is what I say it is.
Posted by IwoCPO from Washington, DC on 08/20/09 at 12:37 PM ET
Love it Chief. Lets call this blog exactly what it is. Funny how the trolls cannot stay away. Closet Wing’s fans I guess, and there are so effin’ many of them.Bitches.
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 08/20/09 at 01:44 PM ET
Animal, I’m surprised at you. I don’t recall you getting into it like this ever before with a Penguin fan. You usually don’t get baited like that. What’s up?
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 08/20/09 at 02:40 PM ET
I pick my battles. I’ve had it out more than a couple times with idiots like this before. Today it’s mostly, because it’s a really slow day at work and there is NO news to report.
Where’s RedWinger when you need him? I haven’t seen the infamous cat avatar in too long.
Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 08/20/09 at 01:50 PM ET
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About Abel to Yzerman
Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977. No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y. Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation. There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature. Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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The pearl buried in the platter of decaying oysters.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 08/20/09 at 11:18 AM ET