That is a beautiful friggin’ sight to behold, Chief.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 08/18/08 at 08:25 PM ET

I kinda dig the red visor. Like some sort of death bot.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 08/18/08 at 08:52 PM ET

I didn’t know Hossa was gay.

Posted by rwhater on 08/18/08 at 09:03 PM ET

I didn’t know Hossa was gay.

Who gives a shit?  Dude can play.

Posted by Cal on 08/18/08 at 09:24 PM ET

Who gives a shit?  Dude can play.

hilarious.

Like some sort of death bot.

hilarious.

Posted by rwingscup19 from dallas on 08/18/08 at 09:26 PM ET

Thanks for the shout-out chief… I can’t take full credit for the image though. Give “gaborikowns” from HFBoards his due. Afterall, he’s the guy in the picture.

Posted by Adam from Detroit, MI on 08/18/08 at 11:01 PM ET

What a great picture!

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 08/18/08 at 11:15 PM ET

Consider all of yourselves ripped off

Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 08/18/08 at 11:31 PM ET

Awesomeness.

bitches

Posted by Osrt on 08/19/08 at 12:38 AM ET

i dont think that visor is red.

Posted by cowboycoffee from San Francisco on 08/19/08 at 02:55 AM ET

Jesus—he’s wearing Wings gear in the offseason training without it being mandated by the organization?

After this, I really wouldn’t be surprised if we find a way to re-sign him long-term after 2009.

“What are you offering me, Kenny?  Fifty bucks and all the tripe soup I can eat?  Where do I sign?”

I guess the fact that we’re the first team he’s actually CHOSEN to play for counts for something.

I think the tinted visor is mandated if you kick ass.  Ovechkin wears one too.  Must be to dull the glare from Don Cherry’s suits while he’s ranting at them for being visor-wearing Euro-pussies.  While they accurately and professionally shoot pucks at his big ignorant head.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from my shed, building the perfect Hockey Death Bot on 08/19/08 at 03:30 AM ET

For some reason, I smell fake.

Nice portent of the future, though. 

I think the tinted visor is mandated if you kick ass.  Ovechkin wears one too.  Must be to dull the glare from Don Cherry’s suits while he’s ranting at them for being visor-wearing Euro-pussies.  While they accurately and professionally shoot pucks at his big ignorant head.

I liked Ovechkin’s mirror one - the one he had to stop wearing because Marty Brodeur complained that with the mirror shades he couldn’t see Ovechkin’s eyes and it gave the shooter an unfair advantage over the goalie.  That was sharp.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/19/08 at 05:17 AM ET

I liked Ovechkin’s mirror one - the one he had to stop wearing because Marty Brodeur complained that with the mirror shades he couldn’t see Ovechkin’s eyes and it gave the shooter an unfair advantage over the goalie.  That was sharp.

Thanks for that reminder of what a whiny bitch Lardass is.

Posted by HockeyJoe from NY on 08/19/08 at 06:34 AM ET

What a great way to start the day! Just imagine how good Hossa is going to look in Red Wing red.

“BRING IT ON!“AGAIN!” Bitches!
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa.-made in Detroit on 08/19/08 at 06:40 AM ET

There is no sour grapes from my part on the Hossa ordeal. I just want you guys to know is that you can’t take any signs or quotes from Hossa into believing he’ll resign. He says all the right things and then will do whatever best serves him. Granted that could be playing for Detroit past this season or it could be playing somewhere else.

Posted by Andrew from Pittsburgh PA on 08/19/08 at 07:34 AM ET

He’s going to look even better when Brooks Orpik puts him through the boards into the 9th row, where Pens fans will beat him mercilessly.

Posted by Steve from Denver on 08/19/08 at 09:12 AM ET

I don’t know if that picture is legit or is the work of photoshop.  But man, if that’s true I think it’s a pretty great sign that the guy is just pumped up to play for Detroit.  I mean he’s working out in the summer and it doing in full Red Wings gear?

Like I said above, I’m somewhat skeptical and wouldn’t be surprised if this is photoshop magic.  If that picture is real I think the odds of Hossa signing on to stay in Detroit are looking much better.

Posted by Dave on 08/19/08 at 09:21 AM ET

He’s going to look even better when Brooks Orpik puts him through the boards into the 9th row…

Orpik won’t have the time to go hunting for Marian. He’ll be skating around with his head on a swivel looking for Babs’ “hunting duo” of Stewie and Kronner. Heads up, Brooks. Heads up.

Posted by OlderThanChelios from Grand Rapids on 08/19/08 at 11:18 AM ET

I have about 10% faith that he’ll actually sign again, but that’s a later concern. For right now, he’s skating with his new teammates (George said they get together for skates before camp starts) and about to earn his first Cup.

Posted by Osrt on 08/19/08 at 11:33 AM ET

I’m no professional photo analyst, but I AM an enthusiastic amateur, and while I can’t say if the photo is genuine or not, there are a few things that sway me toward the genuine side.  The lower amount of noise means that the flash was used—this can be confirmed by the reflection off the visor and the glass.  This caused reflection off the tape on the shoulders—a nice touch if it was Photoshopped, but tough to replicate without visible artifacts (there aren’t).  The metadata for the original is all intact, with no mention of a post-processing program.  The minimal reflectivity off the jersey fabric also jives with the use of a flash—look at how it seems to ‘glow’ in comparison to the other clothes in the photo.  Finally, there is no discernable off-edging on the jersey, logo, or clothing—you’d expect to see some if it was attached later.  So I think it’s either real, or a VERY good fake.

That being said, if he was practicing with Kopy and Hudler, I suppose the Wings gear was de rigeur anyway, so maybe I’m putting too much stock into him wearing it.  It’d be nice to see him re-sign, but like I said earlier, I’m not counting on it—I expect we’ll re-sign Zetterberg and Franzen and he’ll walk for a fat contract.  But Hossa is one hell of a Plan B if we can’t get The Mule re-signed.

Oh, and Orpik will have to catch him to hit him into the stands.  Don’t think he won’t be taking lessons from Datsyuk and Lidstrom on how to shift away from checks…

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from the photo lab, seeing what's on the slab on 08/19/08 at 01:02 PM ET

holy balls andrew. i’m beginning to think you’re working with the CIA or Interpol or something.

Posted by rwingscup19 from dallas on 08/19/08 at 01:30 PM ET

Hahaha, the Red Wings suck!!!  Can’t wait to see this team fold like a house of cards next Spring.

Posted by DetroitCrapCity on 08/19/08 at 02:31 PM ET

Hahaha, the Red Wings suck!!!  Can’t wait to see this team fold like a house of cards next Spring.

Looks like the Mensa members are struggling to find new material.

Posted by Cal on 08/19/08 at 02:41 PM ET

Apparently the offseason inactivity is driving the trolls batty, too. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/19/08 at 04:06 PM ET

Andrew,

Impressive work but the guy who posted the photo over at HF Boards said it was taken with a cell phone.  Do cell phones have flashes for their cameras?

As they say on the X-Files i want to believe.

Posted by Dave on 08/19/08 at 04:26 PM ET

Hahaha, the Red Wings suck!!!  Can’t wait to see this team fold like a house of cards next Spring.

Ahh, yes, the Impending Implosion rears it’s ugly head.  Don’t worry, it’s right around the corner…

Do cell phones have flashes for their cameras?

  Yes, some do.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 08/19/08 at 06:22 PM ET

Hey Dave,

Yeah, some cell phones have flashes for their cameras, but that photo wasn’t taken on a cell phone—it was taken on an old-model Sony compact LPD (digital camera).  More specifically, a DSC-S600, as seen here:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Sony/sony_dscs600.asp

It’s a limited tool (although still better than anything currently available on cell phones), but whoever was using it seemed to khow to get the most out of it given the setting.  This was not a case of point-and-shoot—it appears that the user took thirty seconds or so to set up the configuration, as light metering, aperture, compensation, sensitivity, and even focal length are not what you’d expect from the automatic settings of most compacts.  Unless Sony’s firmware is particularly biased toward those who know what they’re doing, I suspect the photo was set up manually.  The only criticism is that the subject is slightly out of focus—I think focus lock was used and then either the photographer or subject moved slightly.  Well, that and the red-eye—maybe that was the one detail missed.  The photo was taken last Friday (15 August) at 10:20 AM, if that counts for anything.

It’s a possibility that Sony’s taken the firmware from an old camera and put it into one of their cell phones, but regardless of the source, I’m inclined to say this is genuine.

But as the guy from Pensblog said, we can’t necessarily take anything Hossa (or anyone, for that matter) says at face value.  If he wants to stay a Wing long-term, he’ll find a way; if not, he’ll leave and say he regrets that a deal didn’t get done.  PR is important to today’s pro athletes.

BTW, Dave, I read your comment about MSU’s greatest rival being a non-flammable couch.  Thanks—I haven’t laughed so hard in a long, long time.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from my Hossa shrine, offering incense for a re-signing on 08/20/08 at 03:22 AM ET

Thanks Andrew.  Have to take those jabs at MSU and Notre Dame from time to time.

Posted by Dave on 08/20/08 at 09:10 AM ET

holy balls andrew. i’m beginning to think you’re working with the CIA or Interpol or something

Good One!!  I hate it when the coffee goes thru my nose in the morning!

“...or something” gets my vote.  Andrew Bourne?

Posted by Rumbear from just back from catalina..... on 08/20/08 at 10:40 AM ET

Me, a secret agent?  You guys flatter me.

I’m more like a jackass-of-all-trades, hence the expoundering ponderous windbaggery on all subjects under the sun.

Catalina, Rumbear?  Do tell…it sounds warm.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from the pumping station, full of hot air on 08/20/08 at 02:07 PM ET

Catalina, Rumbear?

Well Andrew, it was scout camp actually, Emerald Bay on said island with 600 of my closest scout friends.  Our troop sent 27 to be exact.  Canoeing/hiking along the coast, scuba diving and a couple of great sunsets.  No rum or golf for six days caused a bit of a stir.  Rest assured, recovery continues at an orderly pace on both fronts this week.  I am a professional.  Training you see, with Jimmy Buffet coming to town in October my liver will be in fine form.

So what locale do you find your self in of late?

Ahhhh, the Summer of Stanley.

Posted by Rumbear from just back from Catalina.... on 08/21/08 at 12:17 AM ET

Lucky, lucky you Rumbear.  Catalina is beautiful all year round, and warm and dry at this particular time.  I’m pretty sure I could give up mixed drinks and the nine-iron for a week or two of decent weather.  Let it rain when Jimmy Buffett shows up, because it’s always sunny when he plays “Margaritaville.”  But I suppose boat drinks of any kind are frowned upon in the modern scouting movement.  Or have I got that all wrong?  Should I have joined my local BSA troop (sponsored by Domino’s Pizza) when I had the chance as a teenager, in the hope of free pizza and illicit beer from the scoutmaster’s raided cellar?  That may yet turn out to be one of the great regrets of my life.

Oh well.  Have a Hurricane or ten for me at the tiki bar.

So what locale do you find your self in of late?

With my time in Rotterdam coming to an end, I’m back in the arms of ol’ Blighty, just in time for the heavens to open like it’s January, not friggin’ AUGUST.  Once again I’m reminded of why umbrella shop proprietors can actually make a decent living in England.  There are rumblings back at HQ, however, and if all goes unwell, I may find myself in Cologne for the month of October.  So I don’t even bother to get settled in back home before I’m shanghai’ed.  Hope I don’t get confused and drink the old 4711 while spraying my neck and wrists with kolsch.

So who’s been checking the Vegas odds on where Sundin signs?  I’ve got fifty bucks on the Stockholm McDonalds.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from beneath a rainy stormcloud of Olympian proportions on 08/21/08 at 02:54 AM ET

With my time in Rotterdam coming to an end, I’m back in the arms of ol’ Blighty, just in time for the heavens to open like it’s January, not friggin’ AUGUST.  Once again I’m reminded of why umbrella shop proprietors can actually make a decent living in England.

It might be rainy, but at least there is the food!

Oh, wait a minute ...

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/21/08 at 04:35 AM ET

You gave away your location Mr. Bourne. I, for one, am deeply disappointed.

Then again, I may hit you up for lodgings in London if I can find a conference to go to there. Ah, the Imperial Seat…

Posted by Osrt on 08/21/08 at 12:33 PM ET

You gave away your location Mr. Bourne. I, for one, am deeply disappointed.

Hey, somebody asked, so I had to tell ‘em.  I’d make a lousy interrogation subject.  If you’re looking for Mr. Bourne, he went thataway muttering something about Pinsk.

And really, my location doesn’t stay all that constant, so I gave it away today, but in October, I may give a different answer.  Oh wait…

It can be fun seeing new places from the perspective of a working stiff, but sometimes it just completely sucks and you just want some constancy instead of the same old grey rent-a-place in the most generic part of town for however long.  But yeah, Osrt, if you find yourself flying over the pond for a Philosophick conference, call and you got a room.  The pints are on me if I’m that side of the Channel Tunnel when you’re over.

It might be rainy, but at least there is the food!

You can at least get decent Indian here, which is kinda typical of the English—the only decent food is that brought in by immigrants.  And the beer is good.  There’s got to be something, because most restaurants here wouldn’t know a good betutu if it burned the roof of their mouth.

Posted by AndrewFromAnnArbor from behind the third door...no, not that one... on 08/21/08 at 12:58 PM ET

You gave away your location Mr. Bourne. I, for one, am deeply disappointed.

Au contrare, he gave a location, not necessarily THE location.  Tradecraft.

Alas Andrew I must say the ingestion of “adult beverages” remains an activity that is frowned upon in scouts.  So much so that even an olde scouter such as I tends to abide by the rule, setting an “example”, for what it’s worth.  However, a week off from indulging is still cheaper than those 3-day visits to Betty Ford that became de riguer in the stretch drive of February past.  Besides, I hear I am on a list at the Center…from their tone that does not seem to be a good thing.

but at least there is the food!

To close to the birthplace of hagus to have any appeal. What were they thinking?

Posted by Rumbear from Rum, more than just breakfast food. on 08/21/08 at 06:50 PM ET