Haha what happens in D.C. stays in D.C. xoxo

or former hawks.....

Anyone catch Kronwall's hit the other night? Wow.

Shouldn't have had his head down. Monster hit. Glad someone started punching him afterwards though. Cuz....ya know.

Haha...I know. But seriously, I'm actually sick of seeing someone go after a guy because he hit another player cleanly, but hard. Luckily, he got a 4-minute double minor penalty for it, so I guess the refs made the right decision.

Kronwall is the closest thing the Wings have had since Konstantinov, as far as delivering that monster hit while not being a particularly large guy.

You know I was listening to the Puck Podcast (any chance to plug that, I do) and they mentioned this as well.

My opinion on that is that on the ice it can be kind of hard to tell a clean hard hit from a dirty hard hit sometimes. I think that was one of the rationale for the "instigation penalty." Which I'm not a huge fan on. I don't have too big of a problem of a player standing up for other players, but it does suck that players overreact to clean hits.

Hmmm, I think I actually like the instigator penalty. Of course, the Red Wings hardly ever fight, so perhaps that's my bias sneaking in. I love fighting in hockey, but if a player jumps over the boards and skates across the ice directly toward another player, ignoring the play of the puck, in order to fight...then he should be penalized.

I dunno, though...if in a previous play, the targeted player had intentionally hit someone in the head, and didn't get a penalty...then I understand having to 'protect your own'. It's hard to have a black-and-white approach to these situations. I definitely think that fighting in the game is a more realistic approach to curbing cheap shots than a paltry fine and short suspension. It's one thing to deliver a dirty, injury-motivated hit and face punishment days later...but it's another thing to do that, and know that some big, bad motherfucker is coming for you immediately to beat your ass in front of 18,000 people.

/conflicted

that was a big clean hit, which is nice to see from Kronwell. If he stays away from the 'shadier' hits, which he's known for, he can be an extremely effective player.

I will say, that I too hate the instigator penalty, but not as much as I hate players hunting down guys that just dropped a big clean hit on their teammate.
something like that needs to be accepted, pulling a 'Bertuzzi' deserves retaliation.

Indeed, Kronwall has been guilty in earlier times, of leaving his feet. It looks like he's finally got that under control. This was perfectly clean, and still a massive hit...yet, someone had to go after him. But as I said before, as long as the refs get it right (his instigator got a double-minor for going after him), then I suppose all is well.

Sometimes big clean hits are acknowledged as big clean hits. This was a cool moment in hockey. Does anyone have a vid of this?

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/larsson_suffers_bruised_lower_back_on_hit_from_subban/

youtube is your friend.

I was referring to the aftermath when PK Subban fist bumped Larsson as he was being escorted to the locker room.


Larsson acknowledges the clean hit, Subban showing solidarity that he's not seriously hurt. I love hockey.

The trade deadline is approaching. Who do you way to see your team acquire?

For me, I want the Flyers to go after a defenseman. Right now, the Flyers defense is their Achilles heel since Bryzgalov finally playing better. But how long will that last for? Anyway, Pronger's season ending injury is starting to hurt the Flyers. Timonen and Matt Carle are logging to many minutes right now and I think come playoff time they could be worn out. The top of my wish list is Shea Weber. The Flyers and Predators have a history of making deal with each since Paul Holmgren and the Preds GM are good friends. So, maybe something can be worked out, but it'll cost the Flyers to get him. Probably someone along the lines of Jacob Voracek. However, if I was a betting man my money is on the Flyers getting someone like Hal Gill instead.

Philly doesnt have the cap space for weber, do they? also, are the preds likely to trade their best D man (who is restricted in the off season) to another conference team during a playoff chase? I'd think Suter moves before Weber.

Anyway, the Hawks need offensive "grit", and a top 4 D man. However, it has been widely rumored that they will only take on expiring contracts (wonder if the brass feels the same way I do about the expiring CBA?)
I expect to see Brian Bickell shipped out, probably Michael Frolik too. Some picks will likely exit as well, depending on who they target. A rumor a few weeks ago had them discussing Halpern & Erskine with Washington, both of whom I think would help this team. Theyve also been linked to Sutton (bad idea IMO), Gill, Burrish, and Ruutu.
At this point, however, i think the team needs more strategy adjustments than anything, particularly on the D & PP. I'm not sure who the best fit for what they plan on doing is. I don't see them making any big moves, and maybe not any real "medium" moves.

Wings need a backup goaltender, a backup goaltender, a backup goaltender.

But the rumors so far have been that we're looking for a top-6 forward with some size and grit (which I think we need), and a sizable d-man to play in the 5th or 6th slot. For once, we have quite a bit of cap space.

Since Lidstrom could very well call it quits after this year (which will be a huge impact on the team), I say go for it all this year. They have so much going for them already, but need to build up a bit for the playoff run, which will be extremely difficult in the West.

Playing Anaheim tonight at home, trying to win our 19th straight home game, with the all-time league record being 20. By the way, did I say fuck Corey Perry? 'Cause I should have.

The Flyers have the cap space to get a guy like Weber because Pronger is on the long term injury list. This freed up about $4.2 million. I'm sure Nashville would rather trade Suter, but his price tag isn't going to be as big as Weber's because he will be a UFA. Where as if the Pred trade Weber they will be able to get a top flight prospect and/or young player(s) in return. If I were nashville i wouldn't trade Weber, but if the price is right and they feel they won't have the resources to lock him down long term then maybe Weber goes.


Also, the Predators and Flyers are in different conferences.

I heard Selanne might be available and the price tag for him would be significantly cheaper than if they trade for Perry.

of course they are. i don't know what i was thinking.

Even the best of us make a mistake every now and then.

Selanne and Koivu both were deemed untradeable by ducks GM.

The wings could go for David Aebischer as a backup. He's playing in AHL.

If I was any team shopping for "playoff tweaks" i'd be calling up montreal for Hal Gill. Montreal may ask an arm and a leg, though.

It wouldn't suprise me if John Erskine was moved, he hasn't been playing...why I don't know, I think he's good DFD. (2nd or 3rd pairing) I doubt the caps would move Halpern. I do wonder however if this is the year we move Alex Semin. It's just time..He has so much potential can dance the puck like Datsyuk and has a rocket shot..but he's floundering in DC and I don't know why. I think on a different team he'd really catch his fire back because he'd have something to prove.

I also wonder if Parise will be moved..

Speaking of the Flyers, the rumor mill down here in Avs country that James Van Riemsdyk could be ours for Erik Johnson. Which wouldn't be a bad trade for either party. JVR could be what the doctor ordered and Johnson can hopefully fill in the holes for the Flyers.

I hope it doesn't happen. I'm in no mood to trade Johnson. I finally feel like we're getting some god damn defense in our style and I think that is in no small part because of Erik Johnson. Colorado should be building on what it has in the defense department.

But JVR wouldn't suck.

I hope we're courting Nashville as well. Perhaps a trade like Suter for Jones or something like that.

van Riemsdyk has also been rumored to be traded to the Maple leafs for Luke Schenn.

That would be an interesting trade..

every trade scenario with toronto must involve kadri & schenn. it is a trade message board "rule."

they usually go like this:

Kadri ,Schenn and a 1st

for

Toews, Hossa, conditional 2nd

leafsrule!!!!

Ive heard that Semin isn't much interested in playing a team game, sort of a "me first" guy.

Interested to know why you don't think the caps would move Halpern.