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Workin’ On Mysteries Without Any Clues…It’s A Summer of Stanley Live Blog
by IwoCPO on 06/14/08 at 08:00 PM ET
Comments (46)
Updated 1914,16 June: Obviously, relinquishing control of this thing was just too difficult. First pic of the summer added below.
As previously published, I’m on Summer (of Stanley) vacation. And since I am, I offer you this.
A month-long live blog. Do with it what you will.
Courtesy of RWBill, and his new VA tags.
Filed in: | Abel to Yzerman | Permalink
Tags: liveblogging,
Comments
Something I’ve been wondering about since the second round:
Do I remember hearing that Forsberg had two groin pulls? Does that mean he’s a hermaphrodite?
Posted by Modnar from Cincinnati, OH on 06/14/08 at 07:50 PM ET
This is really getting freaky. TeamDub (married to the girl from Southpark), Heaton, and Modnar (Cincinnati) all posted their comments BEFORE IWO Chief even opened up the freaking Blog!
Clearly (or I can see Cleary now) this afterglow of the Stanley Cup is NOT going away any time soon. This Blog will be our opening to the Draft (who the Hell are those guys, we just know that Hakan Andersson “The Swedish Chef” will be brewing up some future Conn Smythe Trophy award winner at pick # 750 that no other team considered) and also the Free Agency melee July 1 when non contending Red Wing Wannabees will spend $6 Million thinking they can transform their franchise with one player, or at least bring in more spectators, b/c after all it’s about revenues not building a franchise.
Anyway, too many IPA already, I guess this is where we meet to discuss the signing or not of Brad Stuart which will determine if we go after former WHL tough guy Dick Lindstrom.
WTF is up with KK’s clock anyway, it doesn’t adjust for Daylight Savings Time or is KK a closet Newfie stuck in “Atlantic Time Zone”? The clock is always one hour ahead.
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 06/14/08 at 08:19 PM ET
Have a great rest from those of us that are reaching maturity (and are trying as hard as we can not to ) and can do nothing about it. That is who we are because of circumstances beyond our control. Or more like being the one that has no choice, but has to control most everything. You know like having 5 sons and naming them Larry, Moe, Curly,Shemp, and Joe. Actually those are my Dad’s names for my sons. And good names they are. Mine are way better. Naturally. I’m the Mama.
Rest up Chief.
“THIS IS THE YEAR!”
“BRING IT ON!” “AGAIN!”
Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!
Posted by Kate from Pa. on 06/14/08 at 09:46 PM ET
Have a great Summer Bill. I’m taking a week away from hockey after the draft, so I’m only hoping your month will be 10 times better.
Posted by Steve from New Jersey on 06/14/08 at 10:09 PM ET
I’m heading to Blind River, Ontario in a couple weeks. Any hockey landmarks up there I should consider taking in on the way to my folks’ island?
I heard that the area is a virtual spawning ground for NHL’ers but don’t know specifics. If it jogs a mind or two, I’d love suggestions for a hockey day trip.
Perhaps I’ll bring Sundin back in the minivan....
(yes I said Island, they own one in the middle of nowhere with nothing but fish and a really nice house...no phones, no hospitals, no interwebs....much Canadian beer and smallies tho!)
Posted by Scott H from Kalamazoo on 06/14/08 at 11:42 PM ET
Do I remember hearing that Forsberg had two groin pulls? Does that mean he’s a hermaphrodite?
I’m pretty sure it does. At least he can make good on it when someone tells him to go f- himself.
Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 06/15/08 at 02:33 AM ET
Do I remember hearing that Forsberg had two groin pulls? Does that mean he’s a hermaphrodite?
The groin, in the medical sense, does not refer to the genitals; it refers specifically to the adductor muscles (and possibly pectineus) on the inside of the leg. In other words, he pulled the groin muscles on both his left and right legs.
Posted by Doogie2K from Calgary on 06/15/08 at 03:16 PM ET
First off, let me finally say hello to you all here. I don’t know if I can ever be considered one of the 19 (God knows at this point I wouldn’t want to be #20), but the internet being what it is you might be stuck with me anyway. I have noticed that, by the time I get around to posting, or thinking about it, my thoughts have already been expressed, usually repeatedly, which is pretty creepy on hand, but also somewhat refreshing.
Oh, and the thing that initially drew me here was the glossary. Top notch work.
Anyway, what I originally came here today to say is this: the hermaphrodite explanation was far more plausible.
Posted by monkey from Old Dominion on 06/15/08 at 04:31 PM ET
Chief: Enjoy your time away from hockey, if you can!
News, from George: Apparently Cheli just had some minor knee surgery. Why is that important? Well, George notes that Cheli is just about to sign another 1 year deal.
Maybe, just maybe (please), the “19” will have to find a new whipping boy—and Lilja doesn’t get another deal.
Posted by Jeff OKWingnut from Hockey Netherworld on 06/15/08 at 05:48 PM ET
Chief, enjoy the summer.
I’m teeing of at 8:15am on Tuesday....let the Summer of Stanley begin....you in?
Posted by Rumbear from Sun Dieggo on 06/15/08 at 06:07 PM ET
The groin, in the medical sense, does not refer to the genitals; it refers specifically to the adductor muscles (and possibly pectineus) on the inside of the leg. In other words, he pulled the groin muscles on both his left and right legs.
I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t let the truth get in the way of a good Forsberg joke, eh.
Posted by Modnar from Cincinnati, OH on 06/15/08 at 06:14 PM ET
Here’s a second to Lilja looking for work in all the wrong places. Ericsson needs a roster spot.
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 06/15/08 at 07:19 PM ET
Here’s something to chew over, from Inside the Kings a few days ago (http://www.insidesocal.com/kings/2008/06/forum-answers-i-2.html#comments):
Brian S said:
I spent two hours last night with Lombardi and Hextal with three other season holders who have not yet renewed. Lombardi was unbelievably candid. He took A LOT of grief from the other three (long, long time) season ticket holders about the usual complaints. While I don’t feel free to directly quote anything he and Hextal said, I can offer some things I came away with:[...]
6. DL is very aware that we need some grit and size on the back end to go along with our puck movers. I do not think he yet sees where we are going to get a player like that from. We don’t have one in our system who’s ready to play.
7. He tried to keep Stuart and only traded him when he knew he could not sign him. He’s hoping to get him back this year. A couple days ago, Detroit offered him half of what the Kings did last season and based on that, he feels there is a chance we can make a deal.
June 12, 2008 6:43 AM
Thoughts? Comments? Random neural firings?
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/15/08 at 08:11 PM ET
Random neural firings?
This is most definitely general and random and not directed at Stuart: while I have no problem with people making decisions based on money, particularly huge amounts of money that can be used for all types of good and important things, it kinda surprises me when people do. I’m looking for jobs right now at about a quarter of what I could be making because job satisfaction is more important to me. I’d think that winning the Stanely Cup is pretty much the ultimate in job satisfaction for a hockey player.
But back to Stuart: half? As in, $1.75M? Doesn’t that seem a bit low? Unbelievably so, even?
Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/15/08 at 09:09 PM ET
Or is he referring to what the Kings offered him last year to re-sign? And how high could that have been, anyway?
Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/15/08 at 09:11 PM ET
I like Stuart. Good guy with good chemistry with Kronner.
I like our team philosophy more and am excited to see the young guns step up. Give Kronner and Meech time together. They’ll be deadly offensively and sound defensively. Or use Lebda; he can hit pretty well and is getting better at lining people up with his hip-checks.
I think Stewie will leave for the sake of a young family, money included, unless we offer him a much longer term than LA. Family support (her fam lives in Cal) for the newborn, and more money for an unsteady journey-man career...I think I would take LA too.
Posted by Osrt on 06/16/08 at 01:54 AM ET
Thoughts? Comments? Random neural firings?
My first thought is that when you’re talking to season ticket holders and trying to make sure they stay ticket holders, you give them whatever you can to cling to.
That’s about all the thinking I’m prepared to do right now.
Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/16/08 at 02:30 AM ET
Family support (her fam lives in Cal) for the newborn
Well, that has me worried. That’s tough to beat.
Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/16/08 at 02:49 AM ET
My first thought is that when you’re talking to season ticket holders and trying to make sure they stay ticket holders, you give them whatever you can to cling to.
My thought too. Especially when they are angry at the idea the team is going to be even younger and more inexperienced next year, and possibly with an inexperienced coach. 
Half-price seems pretty harsh - he made $3.5 million this past year, I’ve heard around $4 million on the market, and Holland has said he wouldn’t give him more than his partner, Kronwall ($3 million) so I don’t know what he’s talking about, either.
If he gets term and dollars from LA, and he will be close to family, I can’t see him not going back to California - after all, he has already won a Cup, and many players never even get that once in a career.
We’ll see - I just thought it was somewhat thought-provoking.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/16/08 at 07:24 AM ET
Sadie:
I can understand going for the money in the case of hockey players. If a guy has a good long career, he is still likely retired by his mid or late 30’s. That’s a pretty short time to try and make money to sustain a family and to build up a nest egg for a second career to keep him busy. It’s different if you can picture yourself working until into your 60’s.
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/16/08 at 07:28 AM ET
Random neural firings?
Dragons
Babies in spaceships
corn
bitsy
Flash
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 06/16/08 at 08:12 AM ET
P.S. Los Angeles has 15 (FIFTEEEN!) picks in the draft this year.
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 06/16/08 at 08:14 AM ET
RE: Stuart—If he leaves, it’s much more his loss than the team’s. I think it was Babcock who said that a lot of the reason for Stuart’s success here is that he’s been allowed to be what he is—a #4 defenseman. IMO, $3.5 million is overpaying for that role. If he takes even more to go back to LA or head elsewhere, he’s just putting the screws to himself in terms of expectations.
I hope he stays, but if not, maybe it just moves up the timetable a bit for Meech, Quincey, Ericsson, etc.
Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 06/16/08 at 09:20 AM ET
That’s a pretty short time to try and make money to sustain a family and to build up a nest egg for a second career to keep him busy.
True, although practically speaking, a guy who’s made the NHL minimum for five years has probably equalled my forty years, even considering the differences in tax brackets. And since those earnings are all concentrated at the beginning of his career, he’s in a much better position in the long term, assuming that he invests and doesn’t stop working entirely after that.
It’s not that I don’t understand going for the money--it’s certainly the less selfish decision in most cases--but it still surprises me. Moreso when it comes to professional sports, even, as those guys have already worked so hard and long to achieve their success.
Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/16/08 at 09:26 AM ET
Random neural firings?
Dragons
Babies in spaceships
corn
bitsy
Flash
Ice cubes
Pizza
Lop-eared bunny rabbit
Ankle
Pegasus
(If you’re going to go all literal...)
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/16/08 at 10:36 AM ET
boy, this live blog sure has gone in the crapper quickly. maybe the draft will pick it up. I don’t follow prospects much, so I’d be interested in seeing who is out there that any of you think the Wings might go for. is there anybody expected to go higher in the draft than the Wings’ first pick, that they might trade up for a higher pick?
Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/16/08 at 01:57 PM ET
Stuart has a chance ELSEWHERE to be a more pivotal figure. Playing 3rd fiddle behind Lid(N)strom and Raffi has to play on ego just a bit. Stuart, while I’m sure would love the chance to stay here, HAS to be thinking about being an impact player somewhere else where he is closer to being a franchise stalwart versus just another part of the recipe.
BBQ
Flashdance
Pork Pies
eggnog
papercut
fishing with beer
lederhosen
Datyuk
Posted by Scott H from Kalamazoo on 06/16/08 at 02:09 PM ET
He’ll go WAY too early for the Wings, but I’m interested in where Bogosian will end up - because his name sounds like the alien race from the star system next door to the Klingons.
“Look out, here come the Bogosians! We must deploy the shield made of Don Cherry’s jackets to protect us!”
(I may not be good at juvenile, but I can do silly. Spent time this weekend with the nephew.)
How bizarre is that? My anti-spam word is “63serious.”
Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/16/08 at 02:25 PM ET
Isn’t Bogosian the precinct captain on one of the Law and Order shows?
flibbityjibbits
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 06/16/08 at 03:35 PM ET
As far as the draft, the only prospects the Wings are looking at are a bunch of Swedes no one has ever heard of who within eight years will be nominated for most of the major NHL awards.
I have a hard time believing the Wings would trade up. Here’s a quick look into how Hakan Andersson approaches the draft.
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 06/16/08 at 03:45 PM ET
That was neat, he sure is George Clooney looka-like.
Posted by HockeyTownTodd from upset when blogs don’t live up to my expectations on 06/16/08 at 04:21 PM ET
As promised, new plates hit the street today!
A special thank you to the Virginia DMV.
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 06/16/08 at 05:45 PM ET
Eric Bogosian- awesome hockey player, awesome actor, awesome perm. Who could ask for anything more?
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 06/16/08 at 06:07 PM ET
1914, 16 June? Oh boy! Sam, you only have 12 days to prevent the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand!
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 06/16/08 at 07:19 PM ET
Igor Larionov should be a lock for the Hall this year.
Posted by monkey from Gary's World, setting fire to McCrimmon on 06/16/08 at 07:24 PM ET
RWBill is just letting Karen Newman know where to find him.
...he’s brilliant like that.
I just picked up the SI special issue. If anyone needs one mailed out, i.e. can’t find it on the nets, let me know.
Posted by Osrt on 06/16/08 at 08:11 PM ET
should have just gone ahead and put 12 instead of 11...or maybe 20. just so it’d be good for the next decade or so.
Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/17/08 at 02:03 PM ET
Congrats to “The Professor”...Igor Larionov is in the Hall of Fame. A well deserved honour.
Will his HOF plaque also mention that he was the instigator in the famous March 26th brawl with the Dive ?
Posted by mc keeper from The Home Of Lord Stan on 06/17/08 at 02:43 PM ET
Thoughts while watching Game Four again. First, Brett Lebda is a good defenseman. I think he got lost in the praise a little bit during this cup run. He’s really steady and fast as hell.
Second, Henrik Zetterberg is more than good. I’m watching the planning in Swedish before he, Lidstrom, and Kronner killed that five on three. People are standing around a bit, but then everyone skates away, while Hank explains to Lids and Kronner what’s going to happen. Lidstrom didn’t say a word! Babcock tries to listen in for a minute, looks baffled, and then just goes about his business. WHAT A TEAM! You’re about to face a five on three in the Stanley Cup finals, and your assistant captain calmly explains to your two best defensemen what’s going to go down. Then they go out and kill it off. Amazing.
Posted by TDeters on 06/17/08 at 08:32 PM ET
“So Lidas, I need a Conn Smythe because Pav is going to get the Selke. Look, Emma said I’m not gettin any without some hardware. I need this boys.”
Nice observations TD; I wish I had the game recorded :-(
Posted by Osrt on 06/17/08 at 09:05 PM ET
So in addition to Lil’ Gary, the inept folks in Pittsburgh who were outsmarted by the emo kid, and the Air Force fairy from Texas, we now have oversensitive AssCan security guards to add to the list of octopus haters. I’m confident that I speak for all my cephalopod brethren when I say that this intolerance will not be tolerated, and these people need to be hunted down and disemboweled ASAP.
Posted by cephalopod from Chicago, on the poop deck, not over it yet on 06/17/08 at 09:34 PM ET
P.S. Los Angeles has 15 (FIFTEEEN!) picks in the draft this year.
Sweet, that way they can waste 14!
Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 06/18/08 at 09:35 AM ET
RWBill is just letting Karen Newman know where to find him.
...he’s brilliant like that.
I just picked up the SI special issue. If anyone needs one mailed out, i.e. can’t find it on the nets, let me know.
Posted by Osrt on 06/16 at 09:11 PM
Karen knows I am usually outside her house near the hydrangeas because I call her and remind her, just in case she’d prefer real wood to plastic.
I didn’t think to look for any magazines. Did they make a special Great Lakes Hockeytown SI issue? I haven’t looked around here in the Atlantic. Any Hockey coverage may be off the shelves by now.
Posted by RWBill from jabbing a six inch sewing needle into my eye. on 06/18/08 at 10:53 PM ET
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Posted by TeamDub from The gratch. on 06/14/08 at 07:02 PM ET