Also, I think I read that you either have to miss the game before or immediately following the ASG. I checked and he played in the one immediately prior too.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 01/23/09 at 08:01 PM ET

Whew Chief, I thought this was totally gonna’ be an anti-Brodeur screed.

Posted by Steve from New Jersey on 01/23/09 at 08:02 PM ET

Yes, but unfortunately I believe Gary made up this “policy” in February of last year…

Posted by Tyler from Arizona on 01/23/09 at 08:12 PM ET

The reports today stated that this was instituted at the GM’s meeting last year after a bunch of players, including Brodeur, didn’t attend and weren’t injured.

So yes, Lidstrom and Datsyuk are the first, but guess what someone has to be first. I still don’t see a reason why they couldn’t at least attend the off ice activities this weekend. Last I checked you can still get on a plane with sore ankles.

And I would also bet that this wasn’t out of the blue and the NHL warned the Wings, Lidstrom, and Datsyuk to attend before suspending them. They didn’t and they got suspended. All-Star participation is included their and every other players contract. They don’t have a leg to stand on this case.

Sure the NHL has let it go in the past but it has obviously been abused by players and the NHL is starting to crack down that this year. It sucks for the Wings, Lidstrom, and Datsyuk but that’s life. The Red Wings aren’t bigger than the league.

Posted by jkrdevil on 01/23/09 at 08:20 PM ET

. I still don’t see a reason why they couldn’t at least attend the off ice activities this weekend

How many days off do guys get during the season? God forbid they spend a solid week with their families in their own homes.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 01/23/09 at 08:27 PM ET

I still don’t see a reason why they couldn’t at least attend the off ice activities this weekend.

Is it difficult to type with one hand while you’re fondling Gary’s nuts with the other?

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 01/23/09 at 08:29 PM ET

“How many days off do guys get during the season? God forbid they spend a solid week with their families in their own homes.”

No offense All-Star weekend isn’t supposed to be vacation time, they have all summer to go on vacation. Again All-Star participation, if selected, is part of their contract. It is being part of being an NHL player. Therefor I don’t think it is unreasonable for the league to expect the players to be there at the very least for the off-ice stuff.

Posted by jkrdevil on 01/23/09 at 08:31 PM ET

Nothing in the CBA requires players to participate in the All-Star Game.

Posted by PRS on 01/23/09 at 08:36 PM ET

And Lidstrom record prior to this in allstar game doesn’t count for anything. He’s been to every one, and when he misses one he gets punished. A horrible call from Bettmen, eventhough he got his new weak-ass rule on his side.

Posted by CJ on 01/23/09 at 08:43 PM ET

All-Star participation is included their and every other players contract. They don’t have a leg to stand on this case.

According to the SPC, participation in the ASG is subject to “direction and control of the Club’, not the player or (more importantly) the league. And there is no specific mention of associated events, requiring players only to “play hockey”. If the Red Wings approve (tacitly or otherwise) of their players not going, this should satisfy the terms of the SPC. There is nothing anywhere in the CBA itself concerning ASG participation. And there is no provision in the SPC nor the CBA for punishing the players in this situation. Please stop trying to use it for justification.

Perhaps there is something in the NHL bylaws that cover this sort of thing…but in that case any sanction would have to be against the team, not the players involved.

Posted by shep on 01/23/09 at 08:48 PM ET

From the Standard Player Contract Exhibt, page 245, of the current CBA (obtained from the NHLPA website).

“2. The player agrees to give his services and to play hockey in all NHL Games, All-Star Games, International Hockey Games, and Exhibition games to the best of his ability under the direction and control of the club in accordance with the provisions hereof.”
http://nhlpa.com/CBA/index.asp

They have the ability to at least be in Montreal and take part in some of the activities. It is part of their contracts so whether you agree or not the NHL does have the right to sit them out as a result.

Posted by jkrdevil on 01/23/09 at 08:51 PM ET

How does this effect the Wings, roster and cap wise? Will we have to bring anyone up for this game? Or play short? I’m way to drunk and lazy to look at the roster and see whose up, hurt, etc.

Posted by RedWingsAndBeer on 01/23/09 at 08:57 PM ET

As stated earlier, The GM meetings were in February http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=229887 .

After Luongo and Brodeur skipped out on the ASG. So the rule was instituted to make sure that players did in fact attend the festivities (at which point they almost certainly would play).

It’s really not that hard to see. Unless you’re a paranoid fan who doesn’t care to figure out a simple timeline and put up a knee-jerk blog entry.

Posted by Tin Man Tim on 01/23/09 at 08:59 PM ET

“The Red Wings aren’t bigger than the league.”

They ARE the league. They just let the other teams participate to keep from getting bored.

Posted by dougie on 01/23/09 at 09:00 PM ET

Dreger of TSN,

So now Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom don’t show up at this year’s game, with the Detroit Red Wings going on the premise that the two players are injured.

The Red Wings knew - all the other teams knew - that this was a distinct possibility because it was discussed last February at the NHL’s general managers’ meetings. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said the league would enforce a policy where a player would miss his game prior to the All-Star break or the first game after it.

This is no surprise for the Red Wings. If those players were in Montreal participating in other All-Star activities, we wouldn’t be talking about this because they wouldn’t have to sit out their game on Tuesday.

Now this is a bittersweet outcome for Lidstrom, because he’s been there for nine straight NHL All-Star Games. Does the league have any interest in using Lidstrom as the first example? Absolutely not. But then you have to go back to the fact that the Detroit Red Wings knew this was a possibility.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 01/23/09 at 09:04 PM ET

Is it difficult to type with one hand while you’re fondling Gary’s nuts with the other?

Ok, round 2 is on me Gabe. Best damn laugh all day.
The point of Lids n Pavel being the “someone has to be the first” is crap. But mind you it’s the first Wings to do it, so they’re the “first to be punished”. A Devils player (highly respected man like Lids) did it last year and no penalty what-so-ever.
Huh.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/23/09 at 09:06 PM ET

Frankly I’m surprised we haven’t heard a peep from the PA on this.  AT THIS POINT IN TIME the Red Wings have stated the players are injured and we have to assume they are until proven wrong.

Telling injured players that they must attend a league event and potentially miss treatment is exactly the type of reason that the PA was created for.

Posted by moocat on 01/23/09 at 09:17 PM ET

Dater,

As it stands, it appears as if Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom, for one, will be forced to sit out a game when the Red Wings resume play next week. Lidstrom said he will skip the ASG this year despite being voted in by the fans - and the team said he has an elbow injury. But, yet, Lidstrom played in Detroit’s last game before the break, as did Pavel Datsyuk.

Datsyuk also won’t play in the ASG before of what the team called a hip-flexor problem, so he’ll sit out Detroit’s next real game, too.

Without calling either player a faker over these injuries, I think Bettman is well within his bounds to do this, and we all know how players from other sports have skipped ASGs in the past (especially baseball).

more and someone should tell Dater Lids was not voted in…

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 01/23/09 at 09:33 PM ET

Why does playing the night before the AS break hold any significance, especially in Pavel’s case at that was the game he was injured in?

I just can’t see how forcing a player to risk further aggravation of an injury either through playing in the A.S. game or by attending the “festivities”  via suspension is the right course of action.

Just saying “no” is one thing but as far as we know the Wings players injuries are legit.

Posted by moocat on 01/23/09 at 09:51 PM ET

The contract says “PLAY” in any allstar game. Not attend allstar weekend.

Posted by YYZerman from Detroit, Michigan on 01/23/09 at 09:51 PM ET

I’m a Red Wing fanatic, but I gotta say - this site and the most of you who post here are total a$$ clowns.  There is no reason for Datsyuk and Lidstrom to miss the All-Star weekend. The total child-like responses I see here from supposed Red Wing fans in response to rational arguments are quite astounding.

Posted by Lurker on 01/23/09 at 11:04 PM ET

I think we’ll all look back at this in June and be saying Thanks. Gary. Ass. Without a hint of sarcasm directed at the little cock knuckle

Posted by Transplant in Atlanta on 01/23/09 at 11:06 PM ET

First, attending even off-ice activities can still be tiring - switching several time zones is tiring in and of itself, and standing around schmoozing with suits takes more out of a person than you might think.  I know it surprised me the first time I went to a large trade show.  If they need to rest, they should get the rest.

Second, if you can’t play in the game (and the contract covers playing), why bother attending at all, when a replacement has already been named?  Does that mean the replacement has no obligation other than playing, and the injured player has to cover everything else?

Third, why does this policy NOT apply to the kiddie version of the all-star game?  They are professionals as well - and their game sort of resembles hockey ... I mean, it is on ice and they skate and stuff, so it’s close ... so why do different rules apply to the youngsters?

Fourth - Bettman can kiss my ass.  Then I’ll take a set of rusty salad tongs and rip his tonsils out through his rectum.  I hope he gets an epic case of dysentery, gets dehydrated, and hallucinates that small birds with bright red wings and sparkling silver beaks are chasing him along a frozen treadmill and trying to peck his eyes out and eat his brains (or styrofoam packing peanuts, or whatever else keeps his skull from collapsing like a pricked balloon).

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/23/09 at 11:12 PM ET

First, attending even off-ice activities can still be tiring - switching several time zones is tiring in and of itself, and standing around schmoozing with suits takes more out of a person than you might think.

The contract says “PLAY” in any allstar game. Not attend allstar weekend.

Fourth - Bettman can kiss my ass.

They ARE the league.

Is it difficult to type with one hand while you’re fondling Gary’s nuts with the other?

I gotta say - this site and the most of you who post here are total a$$ clowns.

I rest my case.

Posted by Lurker on 01/23/09 at 11:18 PM ET

There is no reason for Datsyuk and Lidstrom to miss the All-Star weekend.

Yes. There. Is.

They play the most minutes of any defenseman and forward on the team, if I recall correctly, and they are both injured and need their rest so they can help their teammates win games that actually count in the standings, not a fluffy exhibition.  If they can’t play in the game, why bother hanging out with corporate suits - especially since it is well known that those dang Europeans are so boring and uninteresting (why else would Ovechkin not be voted in, other than his complete dullness), nothing like the good Canadian boys that are the marketing darlings.

They should miss it because it’s a total waste of their time if they aren’t healthy enough to play.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/23/09 at 11:20 PM ET

They play the most minutes of any defenseman and forward on the team, if I recall correctly, and they are both injured and need their rest so they can help their teammates win games that actually count in the standings, not a fluffy exhibition.  If they can’t play in the game, why bother hanging out with corporate suits - especially since it is well known that those dang Europeans are so boring and uninteresting (why else would Ovechkin not be voted in, other than his complete dullness), nothing like the good Canadian boys that are the marketing darlings.

This response tells me everything I will ever need to know about you.

Posted by Lurker on 01/23/09 at 11:24 PM ET

I like GM Ken Holland’s take on the whole matter.  It explains it a whole lot better than any of us can:

http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1211965

Posted by BuzzFledderjohn on 01/23/09 at 11:31 PM ET

This response tells me everything I will ever need to know about you.

Posted by Lurker on 01/23/09 at 11:24 PM ET

Please stop.  Your comments are equally as ass-clownish.

Posted by BuzzFledderjohn on 01/23/09 at 11:33 PM ET

This response tells me everything I will ever need to know about you.

Really?  All you need to know is that I believe life is too short to waste time and effort on things that are unimportant to a person’s long-term goals?  In that case I commend you on your perspicacity.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/23/09 at 11:41 PM ET

Before I get into my argument, I have a few things to say to Lurker, who has repeatedly bashed some A2Y members:

Why don’t you go lurk in 2004 when the term assclown was still used. And really, couldn’t you come up with something, anything, to use in place of that insult, instead of repeating the exact same phrase multiple times with those coooool dollar signs in places of the letter s? And one last thing, have you ever read A2Y previously? Being juvenile, cracking jokes, praising ourselves and our unbelievably great team while taking Bettman’s name in vain is kind of what we’re about here.

As for the topic of conversation…I can see a possible conspiracy against the Wings from Bettman but I don’t really believe it. I do think he has the hots for Crosby and would give any of his children away for a single Crosby appendage, but I’m more concerned with where the league draws the line in this argument.

So Datsyuk’s hip flexor is not bad enough for him to stay home and rest…okay. But what if a guy has a broken leg? Or a concussion? Or a freaking cut to the jugular? Does Zednik need to catch a plane to Montreal in a bloody suit and talk to the media and sign stuff for the fans? Puck no.

When it comes down to it, the Wings should still be able to beat Columbus when they get back. But what if they don’t? What if they come in 2nd in the West to San Jose by a single point that could have been earned against Columbus? Detroit is already going to be without Franzen and Stuart for that game so it’s certainly possible that with Mason, who wasn’t suspended for skipping, the Blue Jackets could win the game against the Wings. And that’s too bad because all this rule does is hurt the team whose players get suspended. Doesn’t matter that it’s Detroit or anybody else. It just matters that for skipping an exhibition game, the player’s team suffers. That’s wrong.

Posted by ckittle from Durham, New Hampshire on 01/23/09 at 11:57 PM ET

ll you need to know is that I believe life is too short to waste time and effort on things that are unimportant to a person’s long-term goals?

Being juvenile, cracking jokes, praising ourselves and our unbelievably great team while taking Bettman’s name in vain is kind of what we’re about here.

So Datsyuk’s hip flexor is not bad enough for him to stay home and rest…okay. But what if a guy has a broken leg? Or a concussion? Or a freaking cut to the jugular? Does Zednik need to catch a plane to Montreal in a bloody suit and talk to the media and sign stuff for the fans? Puck no.

HEE!! HAW!!

Posted by Lurker on 01/24/09 at 12:38 AM ET

I do think he has the hots for Crosby and would give any of his children away for a single Crosby appendage

I’ll give you three guesses as to which appendage he would prefer…

As for you Lurker?  Please go back to lurking.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 01/24/09 at 12:49 AM ET

I like GM Ken Holland’s take on the whole matter.  It explains it a whole lot better than any of us can:

Not to completely change the subject or anything, but this is probably going to require a call-up from GR.  If Mule and Stewie are out, and Lidstrom and Datsyuk are suspended, the Wings ain’t going to be able to ice a complete lineup.

Wouldn’t mind seeing Leino and Kindl wearing the Winged Wheel versus Columbus…

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 01/24/09 at 12:50 AM ET

This will be my only comment on the matter, thanks to the 19 for speaking up the past little while, epic bonding moment.  If I wasn’t a heartless bastard, I might actually cry at the A2Y unity moment.

Here is what I suggest… we have gotten a lot of people checking in to hear our rants on the subject, and no doubt they will tune in during the All Stupid Game to see our thoughts during the game, f’ing douchebag Lurker$$.

With the talk of Wings chilling with drinks on the beach, a rather appropriate programming alternative is available during the All Stupid Game:  CSI: Miami for five hours straight on A&E, bitches, 6 pm - 11pm EST. 

Let the world look in on the A2Y 19 during the Ass.G. game and watch as we Live Blog the CSI: Miami mini-marathon.  Way more compelling than anything the NHL is showing that day.

Anyone else care to join me for a CSI: Miami marathon live-blog?  There will be blood, unlike the All Stupid Game.

Thanks Gary.  Ass.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 01/24/09 at 12:53 AM ET

One question for you all.  I’m certainly no Bettman fan, however I obviously do not have the irrational vitriol toward him that the gang of regulars here apparently has. So I pose this to you all:  On the subject of the lockout - probably the most important issue in hockey in the past decade - was Bettman right or wrong?

It’s been fun - you’ve all been good sports.  I’ll check in to see was nuggets of wisdom you all can offer on this question.

Good night!

Posted by Lurker on 01/24/09 at 01:01 AM ET

Sorry, but I couldn’t resist one more:

And really, couldn’t you come up with something, anything, to use in place of that insult, instead of repeating the exact same phrase multiple times ?

Thanks Gary.  Ass.

Thanks. Gary.  Ass.

Thanks Gary.  Ass.

You get the idea.

Posted by Lurker on 01/24/09 at 01:06 AM ET

Okay I lied one more post, but only because the Glossary has come up lately.  Based upon these quotes, I have a new nickname for Gary’s Baby Boy.

I’d had a talk with Gary Bettman as to the capacity of me being here, what it was going to be.

Translation:  I can’t think for myself, and my daddy, Gary, insists on holding my little pee-pee when I go to the bathroom.

Q. Pavel Datsyuk and Nick Lidstrom will be kept out of their next game on Tuesday evening. How do you feel about that? And did you and Gary discuss that if you didn’t come and take part in some of the events, that that would be the issue for you? And I think you play Wednesday next week.

SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, as for them, that’s their decision. It’s up to the player, up to the team in order to keep that in mind.

You know, for an event like this, for the All-Star Game, it’s important to get everyone involved in it, and on board, especially from the players. So I don’t see anything wrong with that, as long as everyone’s aware of the situation. That’s something that guys have to deal with.

Translation:  Daddy told me he would pull down my pants and spank me over my knee if I disobeyed and didn’t show up.  Pavel and Nick… boy will these guys be sore, daddy is a tough disciplinarian as he has penile inferiority comlex and relishes on being a hemorrhoid-inflamed Ass.

So Sid toes the company line as we knew he would.  It’s hard to stand up for yourself when you have no spine.

As Gary’s Baby Boy relishes being on his knees he has found a new hobby, and I have a new nickname for him:  “Sackpuncher Sid”

Has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 01/24/09 at 01:10 AM ET

As George points out, Wings can’t call anyone up from GR if Lids and Dats are still getting paid for Tuesday’s game, not with this team so close to the cap.

So….... 16 skaters going against Mason, who should be suspended for the game as well?  This entire situation is incredibly ****ed up.

Posted by yawt from norcal on 01/24/09 at 01:11 AM ET

Let the world look in on the A2Y 19 during the Ass.G. game and watch as we Live Blog the CSI: Miami mini-marathon.  Way more compelling than anything the NHL is showing that day.

Anyone else care to join me for a CSI: Miami marathon live-blog?  There will be blood, unlike the All Stupid Game.

Anyone…?  Baroque…does this fit into your life goals?

Posted by Lurker on 01/24/09 at 01:14 AM ET

Lurker, please stop trolling.  This is the second time I’ve asked.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 01/24/09 at 01:25 AM ET

And really, couldn’t you come up with something, anything, to use in place of that insult, instead of repeating the exact same phrase multiple times ?

Hey Lurker,

Because thats the way we roll.  If you dont like it take a f*%@*ng hike.

Posted by Ken Tomlinson from So Cal on 01/24/09 at 02:48 AM ET

The total child-like responses I see here from supposed Red Wing fans in response to rational arguments are quite astounding.

Pull my finger, Spermgargle.

Posted by O-Joe on 01/24/09 at 07:57 AM ET

Guys:

Don’t feed the trolls, remember?

**********

If the Red Wings are limited to 16 players because of injuries and suspensions, can they even play the game against Columbus at all, or do you need a minimum number of players to avoid forfeiting a game?

If that is the case, the excrement will impact the rotating blades in Columbus if they need to refund ticket money because there will be no game.  And that would be a shame, because Mason should be very sharp after taking the week off to rest.  And I’m sure all the teams fighting with Columbus for a playoff spot would love them getting a couple free points.  And the team already got hammered last year for not meeting growth targets so they didn’t receive their allottment of revenue sharing dollars.

Maybe this situation will distract the media from asking Lecavier about the trade rumours, possibly to the Canadiens?  What am I thinking, this is Montreal - or course they will still ask him about the trade rumours!  And with St. Louis as an in-game replacement for Crosby, they will have two players to spread rumours about.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/24/09 at 08:08 AM ET

Too bad they didn’t sit out the Phoenix game.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 01/24/09 at 08:34 AM ET

The policy as it stands is Gary’s version of Stop-Loss.  The ASG is a joke, everyone knows it, and more and more players are opting out due to injury.  So, Little Gary, in his typical narrow-minded shortsighted way, comes up with a solution for this problem: punish players who have better things to do, like recover from injuries.

The thing is, the players opting out is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.  Maybe if the All-Star game wasn’t such a monumental waste of time the league wouldn’t have such a hard time keeping everyone on board with it.

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 01/24/09 at 08:48 AM ET

I gotta say - this site and the most of you who post here are total a$$ clowns.

Thanks!

If I wasn’t a heartless bastard, I might actually cry at the A2Y unity moment.

Amen.

Fourth - Bettman can kiss my ass.  Then I’ll take a set of rusty salad tongs and rip his tonsils out through his rectum.

—gets on one knee and holds out crackerjack ring—

Posted by Osrt on 01/24/09 at 09:24 AM ET

Good perspective from Bruce Arthur at the National Post here.

From the article:

Ever since Gary Bettman packed up and moved from the National Basketball Association to the National Hockey League, he has tried to mimic his old employer’s blueprint wherever possible. The NBA is in the American South? Well, we’re heading for Nashville. Basketball’s going international? Let’s start the season in Europe. The NBA packs its sponsors into a contact-free all-star weekend full of fizzy gimmicks? They won’t be alone.

Posted by gusoline on 01/24/09 at 10:07 AM ET

Don’t feed the trolls, remember?

Sorry, I just take offense to anyone who calls me child-like.  That really ticks me off.  If I knew where he lived, I’d go put a flaming bag of dog poop on his porch, ring the doorbell and run like hell.

Posted by O-Joe on 01/24/09 at 10:21 AM ET

For further evidence that the Apocalypse may be approaching, I link you to the TSN clip with Dreger, Duthie, and Douche Canoe discussing the sortof/suspensions.

Douche Canoe must have caught Lil’ Gary and his BBB (Sindy) together in the jacketorium and was dissed because he wasn’t invited; defense of Lidstrom and the Wings is strong.  Nice slam to Gary. That must be it, or it is the apocalypse.

Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Quest for 12 on 01/24/09 at 10:28 AM ET

Sorry, I just take offense to anyone who calls me child-like.  That really ticks me off.  If I knew where he lived, I’d go put a flaming bag of dog poop on his porch, ring the doorbell and run like hell.

I understand - it can be tempting.  But although childish is likely an insult, child-like can be a compliment.

The thing is, the players opting out is a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself.  Maybe if the All-Star game wasn’t such a monumental waste of time the league wouldn’t have such a hard time keeping everyone on board with it.

Does anyone know how much of a problem football has getting players to go to the Pro Bowl?  It is not only in Hawaii, giving viewers the opportunity to see coaches in the gaudiest tropical shirts possible, but is at the end of a long, grueling season, so players don’t have a concern about worsening injuries and hurting their team.  I’m sure there are some no-shows because of plans for surgery or other things, but maybe if the hockey all-star game was at the end of the season it might be better attended.

Another option might even be holding it during the exhibition season of the next year.  The lack of contact would fit in with players trying to get ready for the season, most teams have a ton of players in camp anyway as they are trying to sort out their rosters, so no one will be shorthanded ...

... oh, here’s an idea.  Since the point is to promote the game anyway and give a city something special and such, why not move the all-star game to the preseason of the next year and make the big deal instead some kind of convention or trade show deal with media, fans, and corporate sponsors.  Require each team to send two players, for example, of their choice - they could choose them based on both health and how comfortable they are with the public, and the event could serve as a kickoff and promotion for the upcoming season.

No injured players would be forced to participate, it wouldn’t disrupt the rest of the season for any of the teams, and it might be a nice way to get a little bit of buzz going for the fans about the start of the new season.

Couldn’t be a worse situation than the present farce, that’s for sure.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 01/24/09 at 10:35 AM ET