Amen!  The sucking up Bettman and Sid did to each other during the circus show was beyond lame.  I wonder if Crosby realizes he’s a part of the NHLPA, not the NHL?  Doubt it.

I do like the idea of forfeiting the game due to an inability to ice a full roster.  It would be worth it just to see Bettman blow his lid.  I wonder how many more rules he’d invent to punish the Wings Org after that?  Moron.  The day that man leaves the NHL will be eternally celebrated at my house.

Posted by snafu from Michigan on 01/26/09 at 12:21 PM ET

Been tied up over the weekend.  Catching up on all things Red Wings…...my take.

Dress em, put em on the ice and let the ref’s make the call.  A forfeit would be cool.

Back at ya Gary. Ass.

Posted by Rumbear from Top O da Hasek, when in doubt, pinky out on 01/26/09 at 12:33 PM ET

Part of me likes the idea of the forfeit.. just for the FU. Gary. Factor.. Part of me says play the game and get on with it.
2 points on the bottom line. But I keep coming back to this being a matter of principal.
Screw you Gary. I vote to give up the 2 points.
Pull a Roger Neilson & wave the white towel.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/26/09 at 12:35 PM ET

I say the best course is to dress them both and play them.

I’ve heard a lot of conflicting reports as to whether the league has a legal foot to stand on when it comes to enforcing an unofficial suspension of the players.  If they don’t, then we get to ice the better possible lineup for a chance at 2 points which may come in very large late in the season.  If they do, then they bring to the forefront the idea that, while I have no doubt that the commissioner is ardently trying to sell the league on a worldwide stage, he’s forgotten that the competition for the Stanley Cup is the most important thing and maybe people bring on a serious discussion of replacing him with somebody who has his priorities straight.  The Wings can afford fines, the league can’t afford for the non-hockey-favorable MSM to get wind that there’s a power struggle going on behind the scenes.  Even in a loss, the Wings win this one.

To the argument that Lids and Datsyuk should have shown up to the festivites and avoided this all together, I say you’re wrong.  If the main idea is that the All-Star Game is supposed to be a selling point for the league, a place where they can put all the best talent on display to grow the fan-following, then please explain to me how two injured Europeans shaking hands and giving interviews are accomplishing that.  If you’re not already a hockey fan, you have no idea who the hell Nick Lidstrom is or why him being interviewed is interesting.  I’ve never talked to anybody who ever told me that they got interested in a sport from watching the All-Star game.  Most people I know who have learned to love a sport that they didn’t grow up with did so because of exciting playoff games/series (like me).

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 01/26/09 at 12:38 PM ET

So I heard that Steve Mason was supposed to play in the “Young Stars” game but didn’t go and I don’t hear of him being suspended.  (sorry if this was covered in the lower threads, haven’t read through them all yet)

Absolutely ridiculous.  How is 12-11 a hockey game?  No, I didn’t watch one minute of it.  I just saw the score come across on the bottom of ESPN2.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 01/26/09 at 12:41 PM ET

18 skaters instead of 20 is somehow intent to injure?  Please.  It’s going to suck to not have Dats and Nick tomorrow night but the wings will be fine.  While I’d love to see Holland bring up a guy or two from the minors just to challenge Bettman I’m sure there is some sort of fine or penalty involved with playing over the cap, so oh well.  Holland and the wings need to take the high road and just move on.  Holland stood up when he needed to and now its time to focus on winning another cup, not give Bettman a reason to call press conferences.

Posted by forgie on 01/26/09 at 12:47 PM ET

I’m in favor of the “Dress em anyway and see what happens” idea.

I have this image of 3-foot tall Gary running around the ice in figure skates tugging on the arm of Lidstrom with all of his might like a child that wants to go home.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 01/26/09 at 12:48 PM ET

I am glad you all agree with me that we should dress Lids and Dats, and if the league objects, forfeit and leave Li’l Gart with egg on his face as he stammers through the inevitable media whirlwind.  We win from every angle except the standings, as we look like a stand-up franchise, and Bettman looks like the Ass he is.

A great point from my friend Fugu at hfboards:  NBC opted out of the Cirque de SoGay too, is Bettman going to try and suspend or punish them too?  That’s rhetorical as we know it’ll never happen.

We should pitch in to send Baroque and her salad tongs Gary’s way.  He wouldn’t last five minutes in a battle of wits or fists with Baroque.  She is spitting hot fire over this debacle.

Posted by VooX from Behind the Bar in the Hasek Club Car on 01/26/09 at 12:50 PM ET

I’d say just dress them and put them on the ice.  I like the idea of straight out defiance rather than just civil disobedience.

Also, I couldn’t imagine Pimp Babcock forfeiting anything, could you?  Dude’s a badass mofo.

Posted by BuzzFledderjohn on 01/26/09 at 12:52 PM ET

Gary.Ass.  Is there an established minimum number of skaters you must start the game with?  The Wings should have 16.
A forfeit well announced ahead of time and loss of revenue for a $$ struggling franchise would be sweetest. CBJ could then blame Gary.Ass.

Gary finger up nose “still smells like crosby”.  LMAO Gabe U Magnificent Bastard!

Posted by RWBill from the Land of 12 in 12. on 01/26/09 at 12:52 PM ET

I’d rather the Wings not challenge the cap since that could involve some serious sanctions and is more than just a challenge of power. It’d be a full-on rebellion against the CBA (established order) and they’d be the ones coming out on the wrong side of the “law.”

Dressing Nick and Pavel is a far better idea and would involve taking moral high ground they might actually be able to hold. Of course this assumes Nick and Pavel are actually able to play (Holland’s opposition may be in principle, not because the two are actually going to play in any case).

Unfortunately, the Wings are the League’s good citizens and I can’t see them rocking the boat like that. And that’s exactly what makes Bettman’s power play here so abusive.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids, MI on 01/26/09 at 12:56 PM ET

giving interviews are accomplishing that.

Not everyone in the world sees the humor in listening Pavel’s horrid English. Interviews like Pavel to the non-puckheads of the world aren’t selling nor promoting anything.
Dr Ramani should have bought some air time for the ASSG. weekend and there’s your Pavel interview(s).
Have to wonder how many times the “average” viewer was subjected to the Jackatorium commercial this weekend. Just sellin’ the game, right Gary?

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/26/09 at 01:06 PM ET

yeah wtf….steve mason who played the game before the asg then skipped the montreal “festivities” is apparently playing tomorrow…..hmm interestings…..o and perfect idea to have the Rahmani commercial aired during the ASSG….and on another comm note, if i have to see that ad one more time where the d-bag pens fans puts up boards and glass in front of his tv my head just may explode.

Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani from Nyc by way of A2 on 01/26/09 at 01:13 PM ET

The Wings will take the high road here and play the game with a depleted roster. As much as we hate Bettman, Kenny knew what he was getting into when he told Pav and Nick to stay home and not go to Montreal. Having them play or calling up players to push the Wings above the cap isn’t going to prove anything, and the Wings will be laughing stock of the NHL community for having such a reaction.

I understand that Pav and Nick are obviously essential parts to the team, but the Wings can survive one game without them. They still have more talent minus them than the BJs do on their entire roster. So, give Hank and Hoss extra ice time, and tell Kronner that he’s the #1 D-man for the night, and roll with it. I think the team will respond in a big way tomorrow to the adversity they’ll face because of this, and at this point of the season, there is nothing wrong with that.

Posted by Jeremy from Bowling Green, OH on 01/26/09 at 01:13 PM ET

If the Wings decide to forfeit for safety reasons, they need to hold a televised press conference and issue issue a press release to all MSM that details the events leading up to the suspensions, including the two following mitigating factors:

—Bettman spoke with Sidney Crosby and made sure he was coming on Friday, not Saturday, as Crosby originally planned. By doing so, he ensured that Crosby would be there for all of the off-ice festivities and, as a result, would not be subject to any league-issued sanctions. To the best of my knowledge, neither Lidstrom or Datsyuk received a similar “courtesy call” from anyone involved with the league, let alone the commissioner.
—At least two players skipped the Young Stars game, but will not be suspended (Blue Jackets’ goalie Steve Mason—who played back-to-back games before the ASG in spite of “a sore back” and will probably play vs. the Wings Tuesday—and Capitals’ forward Nicklas Backstrom—who specifically said he was not injured, but wanted to rest for the games that count and also thought someone else should have the “honor” since he went last year). Colin Campbell’s rationalization for this unequal treatment (paraphrased)...“Well, that’s not even a real game.”

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 01/26/09 at 01:16 PM ET

It occurred to me that it’s possible Stuart and Franzen will actually be OK to return.  That would mean Chelios goes on D and Meech plays forward again.  Problem is, we have no idea on the condition of those two.  Where is Bruce when you need him?

Posted by BuzzFledderjohn on 01/26/09 at 01:19 PM ET

you’re an idiot. 

A.  teams play down all the time, when someone dressed gets injured.  ohh man they should really just stop and forfeit the game when that happens because it may get to dangerous for the others.  no professional hockey player would agree with you, sorry.

B.  It may be a stupid rule, but they knew about.  whatever, i still disagree with it, but i’m not a baby like you claim every other non-wing to be.

C.  Since when is this:  “Detroit will play a regular season game that actually means something in the standings with an incomplete roster.”  or this: “All you did Gary was piss off a bear who’d been sleeping the first three months of the season.”  even close to true?  you make it sound like we’ve been losing horribly and need the win vitally.  Obviously we want to win, but seriously?  you sound like the ignorant homers that other detroit fans sound like.  grow-up, write a good blog.

Posted by ck1 from detroit on 01/26/09 at 01:22 PM ET

you sound like the ignorant homers that other detroit fans sound like.

It’s literally never been my intent to sound like anything else.

grow-up, write a good blog.

Yeah…see.  Bad news.  That’s about as good as it gets.  Might want to keep looking.

Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 01/26/09 at 01:29 PM ET

Enh, I’m done worrying about it.

Detroit’s not going to dress Lidstrom and Datsyuk just to spite Bettman.
Detroit’s not going to dress a bajillion guys and go over the cap.
Detroit’s not going to forfeit the game and stamp their metaphorical feet.

What Detroit IS going to do what they’ve always done.  They’re going to go out there and win the game in spite of whatever stupid shenanigans Bettman tries to pull.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 01/26/09 at 01:32 PM ET

Gary Bettman was right. There. I’ve said it.

Kudos to Malik.

http://www.faceoff.com/story.html?id=cfebc04c-6e97-4329-b57e-9b9fefc72436&add_feed_url=http://www.faceoff.com/topstories.atom

Nice to see that someone else has finaly figured it out.

Posted by Lurker on 01/26/09 at 01:34 PM ET

ck1——We are juvenile here.  We have no rules.  All there is here are diehard Red Wing fans that know the game very very well.  Don’t tell us how to behave.  One thing we have in common is we dislike Gary. Ass. a whole lot.
The next time I see him on TV, I will be temped to toss a brick at it.    But, that will only make my wife happy.
Dress em, and roll with the punches!

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 01/26/09 at 01:44 PM ET

http://www.faceoff.com/story.html?id=cfebc04c-6e97-4329-b57e-9b9fefc72436&add_feed_url=http://www.faceoff.com/topstories.atom

did ASS write that article….i think it really underestimates how lucky he was that players like ovie, crosby and malkin came into the league, while players like dats and zetts continued to shine…they’re all amazing players, and THEY brought the fans back, not Bettman’s “policies”. if any of us were the commish when those players came to the league it’d be pretty tough to screw that up.  so they came up with a salary cap…thanks, thanks for costing the nhl a season and almost costing us a sport….o and thanks soooooo much for bringing the nhl to versus…just stellar coverage there, who needs espn are the almost every home in america that gets espn and not versus….but seriously thanks for making the ASSG pre-game show a cirque de so gay routine, that was awesome. i see you celebrate fighting as an integral part of the game but then have men in spandex flying through the air to ambient music…i think someone’s a little bi-curious eh gar-bear

Posted by Itrusteddrrahmani from Nyc by way of A2 on 01/26/09 at 01:45 PM ET

It’s literally never been my intent to sound like anything else.

but seriously thanks for making the ASSG pre-game show a cirque de so gay routine, that was awesome. i see you celebrate fighting as an integral part of the game but then have men in spandex flying through the air to ambient music…i think someone’s a little bi-curious eh gar-bear

ck1——We are juvenile here.  We have no rules.

Beautiful.

Thanks.  Gary.  A$$.

Posted by Lurker on 01/26/09 at 01:52 PM ET

you’re an idiot. 
A.  teams play down all the time, when someone dressed gets injured.  ohh man they should really just stop and forfeit the game when that happens because it may get to dangerous for the others.  no professional hockey player would agree with you, sorry.
B.  It may be a stupid rule, but they knew about.  whatever, i still disagree with it, but i’m not a baby like you claim every other non-wing to be.
C.  Since when is this:  “Detroit will play a regular season game that actually means something in the standings with an incomplete roster.” or this: “All you did Gary was piss off a bear who’d been sleeping the first three months of the season.” even close to true?  you make it sound like we’ve been losing horribly and need the win vitally.  Obviously we want to win, but seriously?  you sound like the ignorant homers that other detroit fans sound like.  grow-up, write a good blog.
Posted by ck1 from detroit on 01/26/09 at 01:22 PM ET

Oops another puppy out of the Jacquetoriemme.  Quick, kick it!

Who else thinks it wouldn’t be beyond Li’l Gary to throw out a new rule stating that if you forfeit a game during the regular season it automatically disqualifies you from a postseason appearence.  And then somehow finds a way to throw Pittsburgh into the vacant spot in the Western Conference since they won’t make the top 8 in the East…

Posted by Animal Drew from A Nightmare on Helm Street on 01/26/09 at 02:07 PM ET

This might make me unpopular, but I don’t think the Wings should make a bigger deal of this than it is. We pride ourselves on being a classy organization (well, at least on THEM being classy), so I say don’t forfeit, don’t dress Nick/Pavel, but also just don’t try that hard.

If Babs is rolling three lines, have him instruct the players to skate slow and do everything possible not to get hurt. Show Bettman, in no uncertain terms, that what he’s done diminishes the quality of play on the ice, in a young hockey town like Columbus that NEEDS these Red Wings games to generate revenue.

The Wings will probably win it anyway.

Posted by Ian from San DIego, CA on 01/26/09 at 02:08 PM ET

This might make me unpopular, but I don’t think the Wings should make a bigger deal of this than it is. We pride ourselves on being a classy organization (well, at least on THEM being classy), so I say don’t forfeit, don’t dress Nick/Pavel, but also just don’t try that hard.

Ian, having contrary opinions around here doesn’t make you unpopular.  Being an ass about it does.  I appreciate that you avoided doing that.

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 01/26/09 at 02:20 PM ET

Matt beat me to this up there before all the trolls showed up (we must really be doing good as of late to attract so many, sheesh).

What if Pav and Nick aren’t ready to dress anyway? Isn’t that something that would make Gary. Ass. Look even worse?

“You guys can’t play because you didn’t spend extra money to cancel whatever you had already planned and hop on a jet to stand around and talk to people. Because that’s what is important, sitting in a press box and doing an interview while this joke of a game is being played “.

Posted by eyesris from Asheville, NC on 01/26/09 at 02:26 PM ET

The (mostly) Canadian media’s treatment of the Lidstrom/Datsyuk suspensions is one of the most stunning displays of intellectual dishonesty, fake outrage, and outright lying that I’ve seen in my entire lifetime of reading sports journalism.

Let’s toss aside for a moment the fact that, in the eyes of the Ontario intelligensia and professional Wings haters all over North America, Gary Bettman has, overnight, gone from developmentally disabled pariah to sage, omniscient arbiter of justice. Let’s forget that complete 180 for a moment.

Has anyone noticed that much of the Canadian and Canadian-centric good-old-boy network of hockey writers absolutely refuse to refer to this as a “suspension?”

Anyone noticed how many hockey pundits are claiming Lidstrom’s absence is related to his long-ago ankle injury?

Anyone noticed that almost no national NHL writers are making reference to Lidstrom’s MRI or elbow tear?

Anyone noticed that almost no national NHL writers are making reference to Bettman’s phone call to The Yambag Hammerer?

Anyone notice how many are conveniently forgetting to mention that Datsyuk was forced to come out of the Phoenix game?

Fascinating to see how willing these people are to play fast and loose with the facts in order to carry Bettman’s water after years of trying to dissociate from him.

<sarcasm>I wonder what’s behind this change of heart?</sarcasm>

As I said in a post about this over at KK Hockey, this little escapade serves to prove one thing: Wings hate trumps Bettman hate anytime.

F*ck ‘em all.

Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 01/26/09 at 02:26 PM ET

Something useful from the troll’s link…..
“The contrast this weekend between the effusive and ebullient Ovechkin and the whiny, rather robotic Crosby could not have been more dramatic. Of course, Ovechkin was on the ice and Crosby wasn’t. But when Crosby speaks, he sounds as though every word was pre-programmed by the marketing people at RBK.”

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 01/26/09 at 02:31 PM ET

The Yambag Hammerer

That is absolutely glorious. Tough to say, but glorious just the same.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 01/26/09 at 02:32 PM ET

The (mostly) Canadian media’s treatment of the Lidstrom/Datsyuk suspensions is one of the most stunning displays of intellectual dishonesty, fake outrage, and outright lying that I’ve seen in my entire lifetime of reading sports journalism.

Let’s toss aside for a moment the fact that, in the eyes of the Ontario intelligensia and professional Wings haters all over North America, Gary Bettman has, overnight, gone from developmentally disabled pariah to sage, omniscient arbiter of justice. Let’s forget that complete 180 for a moment.

Has anyone noticed that much of the Canadian and Canadian-centric good-old-boy network of hockey writers absolutely refuse to refer to this as a “suspension?”

Anyone noticed how many hockey pundits are claiming Lidstrom’s absence is related to his long-ago ankle injury?

Anyone noticed that almost no national NHL writers are making reference to Lidstrom’s MRI or elbow tear?

Anyone noticed that almost no national NHL writers are making reference to Bettman’s phone call to The Yambag Hammerer?

Anyone notice how many are conveniently forgetting to mention that Datsyuk was forced to come out of the Phoenix game?

Fascinating to see how willing these people are to play fast and loose with the facts in order to carry Bettman’s water after years of trying to dissociate from him.

<sarcasm>I wonder what’s behind this change of heart?</sarcasm>

As I said in a post about this over at KK Hockey, this little escapade serves to prove one thing: Wings hate trumps Bettman hate anytime.

F*ck ‘em all.

Posted by Mandingo on 01/26/09 at 02:26 PM ET

Outfuckingstanding.

And then there’s this, from Stu Hackel, stolen from Snapshots.

Yes, Bettman is right to want injured players to do as Crosby did—participate in all the events except the game. But what if specific treatment is needed, a point MacLean tried to raise with Bettman, and that kept the player from being in Montreal? Bettman grimaced and wiggled his fingers on that, indicating he felt that was an iffy excuse. MacLean didn’t press the issue and moved on.

I haven’t watched the MacLean/Ass Pumper interview. But the idea of that condescending little prick give the Darren Garcia finger wiggle makes me want to puke then punch somebody. 

“Bettman grimaced and wiggled his fingers…”

It’s only 1430 here, but I see no reason I shouldn’t start drinking immediately.

Posted by IwoCPO from Sunny San Diego, bitches on 01/26/09 at 02:36 PM ET

Something useful from the troll’s link…..
“The contrast this weekend between the effusive and ebullient Ovechkin and the whiny, rather robotic Crosby could not have been more dramatic. Of course, Ovechkin was on the ice and Crosby wasn’t. But when Crosby speaks, he sounds as though every word was pre-programmed by the marketing people at RBK.”

On a related note, has anyone ever noticed that when he speaks, Crosby’s face always looks like he just caught a whiff of dog sh*t?

He has an almost continual look of (to be voiced in the manner of a 15-year-old girl) “Ewww! What. Is. That. Smell?! I am SOOO going to barf!”

Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 01/26/09 at 02:37 PM ET

Anyone noticed that almost no national NHL writers are making reference to Lidstrom’s MRI or elbow tear?

Anyone notice how many are conveniently forgetting to mention that Datsyuk was forced to come out of the Phoenix game?

We need to cut you off of the Koolaid.  Everything Kenny says is gospel, right?

Posted by Lurker on 01/26/09 at 02:42 PM ET

Ian, having contrary opinions around here doesn’t make you unpopular.  Being an ass about it does.  I appreciate that you avoided doing that.

Well said, J. J.

And Ian, good points all around.  Honestly, I’m willing to bet most here don’t disagree with you as much as you’d think - you are probably dead on as to what will REALLY happen.

Posted by BuzzFledderjohn on 01/26/09 at 02:43 PM ET

It’s only 1430 here, but I see no reason I shouldn’t start drinking immediately

THAT, young man, will warrant an immediate suspension for the next live blog.  Oops!  Did I say suspension?  I meant you can’t participate… but you can still get paid. (you know, from all the cash your website generates)

Posted by calquake on 01/26/09 at 02:46 PM ET

The Yambag Hammerer

I know the Chief usually frowns on glossary entries coined by members of “the 19,” but I think Mandingo nailed this one on the head (in a manner of speaking).

Posted by YzermanZetterberg on 01/26/09 at 02:48 PM ET

Everything Kenny says is gospel, right?

Oh no,no,no…. everything YOU say is gospel, right?

Posted by calquake on 01/26/09 at 02:49 PM ET

Everything Kenny says is gospel, right?

Point taken.

I’d much rather trust someone like Al Coates of the Kitchener Record sports page and his “Just One Man’s Ramblin’s” column to more fully understand the nature and severity of Datsyuk’s and Lidstrom’s injuries over, you know, someone like Ken Holland.

By the way, has anyone heard from Pierre McGuire about this yet? Can we be sure that the Lidstrom and Datsyuk injuries weren’t “wind-aided”?

Posted by Mandingo from The Garage on 01/26/09 at 02:51 PM ET

Gary Bettman was right. There. I’ve said it.

(sarcastically) Everything Kenny says is gospel, right?

If you would have included these two sentences in your very first post, we could have saved ourselves a bunch of trouble giving you the benefit of the doubt that maybe you weren’t completely stupid.  Oh well, fool me once, shame on me…

Posted by J.J. from Kansas on 01/26/09 at 02:54 PM ET

By the way, has anyone heard from Pierre McGuire about this yet?

Surprisingly, the Douche got out of the Canoe for a bit and, on live TV mind you, defended Lidstrom.

Posted by WingsFanInBeanLand from Lidstrom's head telling him 1 more year on 01/26/09 at 02:58 PM ET

I’m excited to wake up Wednesday morning and see what happened, as I’ll be drunk from now until long after Mickey Redmond is groaning over the league’s treatment of their best franchise.  It’s a trainwreck, and I’m a bit squeemish so I might just have to look away.  Aw who am I kidding, we’ll oust the BJs shorthanded.  You know if we played 5 on 4 the whole game we could roll 4 lines.  Just sayin….

Posted by Sullyosis from A hateful lair in Post Apocalyptic US (or Arizona) on 01/26/09 at 03:01 PM ET

“We are having a good season,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told a news conference here on Saturday.

“It’s a wonder no one threw a shoe at him,” a francophone reporter muttered.

Wish I’d said that.

Posted by calquake on 01/26/09 at 03:10 PM ET

I’d much rather trust someone like Al Coates of the Kitchener Record sports page and his “Just One Man’s Ramblin’s” column to more fully understand the nature and severity of Datsyuk’s and Lidstrom’s injuries over, you know, someone like Ken Holland.

Why trust anyone?  How about thinking for yourself?

No one seems to dispute that Bettman put the teams on notice last year.  Maybe L and D are injured enough not to play, maybe not.  So why not just show up in Montreal, not play, and not get suspended?  Don’t they owe that to the league?

Oh, I forgot, Bettman has it in for Detroit….
And the aliens have landed…

Thanks.  Gary.  A$$.

Posted by Lurker on 01/26/09 at 03:18 PM ET

And the aliens have landed…

And you sir… are living proof.

Posted by calquake on 01/26/09 at 03:20 PM ET

Alanah just posted an observation and link on KK about little gary.  Wondering what is wrong with his shaking and nervousness.  If he has a disease, I wish him well, but more than likely he feels guilty for offending the Red Wings and A2Y.

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 01/26/09 at 03:22 PM ET

Alanah just posted an observation and link on KK about little gary.  Wondering what is wrong with his shaking and nervousness.

I noticed a very strong (and ravishing) nordic looking babe next to him at the game.  I just assumed she was his keeper (Attendant).

Let’s just give it a rest…let Holland handle it…Wings should go into Columbus and just give it their best shot so the fans don’t feel cheated on their premium priced tickets.  Columbus had nothing to do with this, although it would be interesting to hear Hitch’s thoughts on the whole fiasco.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 01/26/09 at 03:32 PM ET

Maybe they should just dress Dick Lindstrom ... there’s some cap room for him, right?

Posted by Bella from Clark St. on 01/26/09 at 03:46 PM ET

Wings played shorthanded three years ago, dressing 16 skaters against (I believe) the Sharks,right after the 2006 Olympics. The Swedes all went to Stockholm to celebrate the gold medal and didn’t get to California in time.

Also, Suck it, Bettman.

Posted by mc keeper from The Home Of Lord Stan on 01/26/09 at 03:46 PM ET

I like the whole forfit idea, but that means no game.  however, shove it in bettmans face that even though he hates the red wings, there not gonna stop winning. Ii also like the other idea, its not a formal suspension, so do the really have to sit? not to mention the fact that Mason will play them tomorrow and he skipped the game.

Posted by P from Michigan on 01/26/09 at 03:56 PM ET

Let’s just give it a rest…let Holland handle it…Wings should go into Columbus and just give it their best shot so the fans don’t feel cheated on their premium priced tickets.

This is the correct answer, of course, because mature individuals are making the decision.

Think of how much fun would it be, though, to watch Babbles coach the game as he normally would, as though Lids and Pavs were dressed and available (as they should be)? 

Call out the Lidstrom/Rafalski paring and only Rafalski goes over the boards. 
Send out Datsyuk’s line and only Homer and Hossa hit the ice. 

80% of even strength situations played 4v5.  Think of the hoot of watching PPs and PKs where both 5 and 13 would normally be on the ice together and they are not. 

No, it won’t happen.  Because I’m not in charge. 

Since G. ASS has such an affection for circus-like games, if he really wants folks to see how the Wings play without Lidstrom and Datsyuk, the immaturity that makes up 99% of my DNA says to vindictively oblige him.

Posted by O-Joe on 01/26/09 at 04:01 PM ET