Tuesday, March 29, 2011

More WHOA than Joey Lawrence


Name?
Josh Emerson (@Whoabot).

Favorite team?
Why, that would be the Detroit Red Wings. I also have an affinity for the Leafs and Lightning...and don't tell anyone, but I secretly like the Predators. shhh.


Who is the most underrated player?
The most underrated player in the NHL right now is Darren Helm. I wouldn't say he's the most underrated on the Wings, just because we all know what he brings to the table and I think we as a fanbase rate him pretty favorably. He's ridiculously fast, he's strong on the puck (usually), and he's an amazing penalty killer. Good at drawing penalties, too. In a fan sense, he gets people out of their seats. If anyone disputes any of this, go over to Youtube and relive Darren Helm's one-man penalty kill against the Hawks in 2009. Enough said.

Who is the most overrated player?
This is a really hard question, and I really didn't want to answer it with this - I really wanted to think of someone else, but Sidney Crosby. It's not because I don't think he's good - I know he's good. He's very good. Admittedly, my opinion may be soured due to the sheer idiocy of a majority of the Pittsburgh fanbase, but the constant hero worship of even the smallest things he does is very annoying to me. I hate watching a hockey broadcast between teams like Buffalo and Minnesota and having each intermission filled with a discussion about why Sidney Crosby is Jesus and a filler piece about Sidney going fishing. Don't even get me started on the headshot/concussion fiasco that started because of him. There are a million other dudes in the league who got hurt and with far worse hits. Where's their coverage? Plus the whole Mario whining when he employs Matt Cooke. As for Crosby, dude's a crybaby. His attitude sucks. He's a flopper. No personality. Overrated.

What is your favorite jersey (regardless of if you own it or not)?
Yzerman 19 with the C. It's classic. I mean, nearly everyone owns it, and for good reason. He IS the Red Wings. Aside from maybe Gordie Howe, he's what you think of when you think of Detroit. You could just say "19" and everyone knows what you mean.

What is the most important piece of hockey memorabilia you own?
I have a personalized autographed picture from Marty Turco. My roommate from Central Michigan's father was close to the Dallas Stars and managed to snag me an autographed picture for my 23rd birthday. Marty Turco is my favorite goaltender. It's hard to say it now, since he's with Chicago, but I do love Marty Turco. It's very special to me.


What’s one rule you’d like to get rid of and why?
That stupid trapezoid. It restricts the goalies way too much. Plus, the penalty they get for touching the puck even a fraction of a centimeter inside it is pointless. I wanna see goalies play the puck more, see what they can do.

What one rule would you add in it’s place and why?
I honestly can't think of any rules I'd add, except maybe "If you crank someone in the head from the blindside, we can fire you". I don't care if someone's not a repeat offender, if you do that, you're in big trouble, buster. No free passes for that.

Who’s creepier- Ovie or Crosby and why?
Crosby. I don't find Ovechkin creepy in the least. Crosby's mustache, though....usually, if one has a mustache like that, you'd usually find them going door to door in their new neighborhood...

Which team has the best logo?
Gotta go with the Wings. Surprise, eh? I mean, it's a winged wheel. That's cool, plus it's classic. Runner up would likely be the Sharks, just because I really like sharks.

Who is your favorite all-time player?
All time is Steve Yzerman. Ridiculously skilled player and as classy as they come.

Who is your favorite player now?
Pavel Datsyuk. He's very strong on the puck and just a magician with the stick. They don't call him Houdini for nothing. Off the ice, he's ridiculously humble, team centered, and hilarious. Really, you can't hate him.


What team do you love to hate?
Penguins. Cheap shotting whiners who never seem to get their comeuppance from the league for whatever reason *OBVIOUS COUGH*. Their fans are horrible bandwagoners and are some of the most unpleasant aspects of humanity. Hey, remember that time your owner had to threaten to move your team to Kansas City? Of course not. That was before your time...6 years ago. I would honestly rather talk hockey with a fire hydrant, because a fire hydrant wouldn't make fun of my state's economic problems. Or maybe it would. I don't know fire hydrants. Also, Matt Cooke.

What player do you love to hate?
It's a tie between Matt Cooke and Corey Perry. Both are incredibly scummy and dirty players. Corey Perry has a face only a mother could love and that everyone else wants to punch.

What are your thoughts on Puck Bunnies?
Not a fan. Then again, neither are they. You're not really a fan of a sport if you're just in it to bang guys.

What player do you like that’s not on your chosen favorite team?
Alex Ovechkin. I love Ovie. I love that he's like a rambunctious little kid when he plays. He's fast, he hits, he scores. He's just so entertaining and full of personality. He just LOOKS like he's having fun out there. All the time.

What team surprises you the most this year?
I won't say Tampa Bay. I know they're winning lots of games and are playoff bound, but Steve Yzerman is in charge. No surprise. But I think New Jersey is the most surprising. They had such a horrible start, but with the recent tear they've been on, they had people thinking they could actually make the playoffs in spite of the John MacLean fiasco. ...guess they really do *die hard*. ...okay, sorry. Bad joke. And yes, I know McClane...whatever.

What is your favorite hockey memory?
On my blog Beards of War, last year, I wrote an entry called "What the Detroit Red Wings Mean to Me". In it, I described how I became a fan, and my most cherished hockey memory and why I loved the team. Basically, I lived a year in Colorado and it was the worst of my life. I won't go into details, but in a nutshell, I wanted to die. The year was 2001-2002. I was a Michigan boy taking all this crap from people in that dreadful state desperately wanting to go home. During the playoffs, I watched Detroit destroy Colorado in the conference finals. The 7-0 game. I can't really describe my feelings watching that, other than it was amazing. Then I watched them win the Stanley Cup. And I felt like they won it for me, like they were telling me to not give up. I can beat this. And I did - three months later, we moved back to Michigan. To this day, watching the end of Game 5 of the 2002 finals gives me goosebumps and I tear up a little. My absolute favorite hockey memory.


Which team has the worst jersey (third jerseys included)?
I hate the Colorado Avalanche's color scheme. Their third jersey is super ugly too.

Of the floundering teams which team should pack up and move to a new market? Do you think the NHL will ever let that happen?
Phoenix. The team has NEVER made money and their ownership situation is a constant circus. The whole 'public funds covering debt' thing is shady too. And as we've seen, the NHL is fighting tooth and nail to keep the team there for whatever reason...and that reason is "GARY BETTMAN MUST NEVER BE PROVEN WRONG."

Do you follow other sports besides hockey or are you a one-sport fan?
I don't follow any sport as intently as I follow hockey. I do watch baseball in the summer, though - I'm a fan of the Tigers and Marlins.

What player from all the other teams that would you love to have on your team?
Well, I'd say Ovie again, for all the reasons listed above. Second choice would be Shea Weber. I like his game (cheap shots from the last game excluded) and his shot.

Do you believe that a fan can cheer for more than one team and still call themselves the biggest (insert team name here) fan?
To be truthful, I don't think someone can call themselves the biggest fan of any team regardless. I mean, there's always someone to dispute it. "I have more jerseys than you!" "Yeah, well Brent Fedyk autographed my kidney!" I tend to stay away from that whole argument.

Keep it or Get rid of it

Ticket Stubs: Keep.
Twitter: I'll say keep, just because it's how I get my hockey news...and talk to people. There's a lot of reasons I'd like to get rid of it (mainly time management), but not just yet.

Swedish Style Tailoring: Keep. Just because I'm jealous of them and my inability to pull off those clothes is no reason to get rid of it.
Stephan Walkom: Ehhh...get rid of him.
Biz Nasty: At one point, I would've said keep him, but he's really just obnoxious now. He's jumped the shark. Maybe take a break for a while, but not quite 'get rid of'.
Touch up Icing: I would say "keep it", just because I don't think no-touch would work in the NHL. I think hybrid icing would be a much better choice, though.
Shoot out: GET RID OF IT. Do 5 minutes of 3 on 3 or something instead. I have no problem with ties. No charity point.
Colin Campbell: Get rid of him. Guy isn't competent enough to do his job.
Tickets to an Oilers game: ...for free? Sure, give 'em here.
Puck from a losing effort: ...also for free? Keep. Gimme.
Puck Bunnies: Sometimes they're nice to look at, but I'd rather have real fans in those seats.

Composite Sticks: Get rid of 'em. I like the wood ones.
Biz Nasty’s sloppy seconds: Judging by the girls this guy porks, keep them away from me. I like nice girls...and ones that don't look like bleached blonde potatoes.
A signed Matt Cooke picture just for you: Ha. Yeah, that's funny. You can keep it. I'd probably just pee on it. Or elbow it.
Darren McCarty on Twitter: KEEP. Long live the D-Mac.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Now touring Franzenmuth: Please keep your arms and legs INSIDE the vehicle at ALL times



Name?
Christina. Or @franzenmuth.

Favorite team?

Aside from the Red Wings (naturally), I'd have to go with the Washington Capitals.

Who is the most underrated player?

There's so many guys I could name. Looking at it from the entire NHL perspective (aka how much they get mentioned), I'd have to go with Valtteri Filppula. I know a TON of Wings fans have noticed him a lot more lately because he's like a mini version of Zetterberg at times, but no one really mentions him outside of the Wings.



Who is the most overrated player?

I'll be off-the-wall by not saying Sidney Crosby and instead say Roberto Luongo! He's the next savior, eh? How many Cups does he have? Uh huh. You can get back to me on that one. Also, he's like Crosby in that he dives a lot more than a goalie should.

What is your favorite jersey (regardless of if you own it or not)?

That would have to be my signed Filppula jersey. He's my boy; I've been a fan of his since he cracked the roster, well before everyone else noticed that he's kind of really awesome at times.

What is the most important piece of hockey memorabilia you own?

It's a tie between my "Feed the Mule" shirt I bought the day he signed his 11-year contract, and the Ted Lindsay book I got for Christmas - my friend had him do a personalized autograph on it. It's fantastic.

What’s one rule you’d like to get rid of and why?

Non-reviewable calls on goaltender interference disallowing a goal. How many times has that screwed us over?

What one rule would you add in it’s place and why?

I would just make it reviewable so that us Wings fans don't have to pull out our tin foil hats all the time.


Who’s creepier- Ovie or Crosby and why?

Ovie. I don't want his disembodied head suddenly appearing in my backpack one day during class, saying something in his Russian accent like, "Nobody ever learn perfect slap shot in math class! Go to practice!" and have me freak out in the middle of a lecture. (except that I do like Ovechkin)

Which team has the best logo?

Montreal.

Who is your favorite all-time player?

Nicklas Lidstrom. I still sometimes just focus on him for shifts at a time, marveling at how he seems to know exactly where to be, exactly what to do, and at the exact time he needs to be there/do whatever. And a classy guy, too. Also, when it's a two-on-one and Lidstrom's the one back and the crowd is getting all excited because it's a two-on-one, I like to be able to yell, "It's Nicklas Lidstrom! He's got it under control! You're not going to score, people!"

Who is your favorite player now?

It's a three-way tie: Valtteri Filppula (because he's my boy), Johan Franzen (because I made up Franzenmuth and actually showed him the photoshopped picture and had him sign it), and Chris Osgood (because he's freaking adorable. And also he's a damn good goalie and I will kill you if you say otherwise. Or just burst into tears and complain that no one takes him cereal...er...seriously.)

What team do you love to hate?

Philadelphia.

What player do you love to hate?

Crosby. Just because it's so easy.

What are your thoughts on Puck Bunnies?

Get rid of them, please. As amusing as they can be at times, they are annoying as hell.


What player do you like that’s not on your chosen favorite team?

I like Niklas Backstrom, the goalie for Minnesota. IDK why, I just do.

What team surprises you the most this year? New Jersey. I had them winning the conference! And look at what they did up until the All-Star break - they sucked! Then they suddenly won nine in a row and are trying for a playoff spot (though I think at this point, it's a lost cause).

What is your favorite hockey memory?
I have three of them...okay four.
1. Winning the Cup in 2002, just because I was in Walt Disney World for the Cup-winning game and my entire family made friends with the boat driver because his wife was from Detroit.

2. A game against Columbus in 2006 that went to a shootout (when it shouldn't have in the first place) - Steve Yzerman standing at center ice, waiting for his turn in the shootout...I've never heard The Joe louder.

3. Meeting my first Red Wings player - I had the chance to attend the Detroit Economic Club luncheon three years ago. My table just happened to have a player sit with us and mind you, I had never met a Wings player in person before. So I watch the whole team file in and one finally comes up to my table, holds out his hand, and says, "Hi. I'm Brett Lebda. I'll be having lunch with you today!" Shenanigans ensued. ...Mostly him swearing, cursing Chelios for stealing the Cup from him a day early, and picking on Cleary and Ericsson, who were both sitting close by.

4. This is a two-way tie between being at the home-opener this season and seeing Datsyuk fight Corey Perry and being at the game against Calgary earlier this season with Zetterberg's buzzerbeater goal and Lidstrom's overtime awesomeness.

Which team has the worst jersey (third jerseys included)?That disgusting mustard yellow third jersey that Nashville sometimes wears.

Of the floundering teams which team should pack up and move to a new market? Do you think the NHL will ever let that happen? PHOENIX. PHOENIX PHOENIX PHOENIX. GET THAT SHIT OUT OF THERE AND MOVE IT BACK TO WINNIPEG. The NHL would be wise to let it happen, unless they want to keep it in a failing economy.

Do you follow other sports besides hockey or are you a one-sport fan? I vaguely follow baseball. Other than that, I'm just hockey.

What player from all the other teams that would you love to have on your team? Nicklas Backstrom!

Do you believe that a fan can cheer for more than one team and still call themselves the biggest (insert team name here) fan? Yeah. When you're invested in a sport like this where every intense fan expects you to know your shit, I think you're allowed to have other teams you cheer for; it gives you more knowledge and broadens your views on other teams so you're not just a homer fan.


Keep it or Get rid it

Ticket Stubs: KEEP. I have all of mine, except for the one Washington Capitals game because we had to give it to the waitress to get our ten free wings.
An email from Colin Campbell: Keep to (most likely) blackmail him later.
Swedish Style Tailoring: Keep. (Hey, why not?)
Stephan Walkom: Eh, keep, but there's other refs I'd rather have back.
Matt Cooke: Elbow him off a cliff with lots of jagged rocks, hitting him with their jags while he plummets down below.
Touch up Icing: Don't even try. Just have players be more conscious of what the hell they're doing.
Shoot out: Boo.
Colin Campbell: BOOOOOO.
Tickets to an Oilers game: Keep.
Puck from a losing effort: Keep.
Puck Bunnies: Toss off a cliff. Hey, they might dive after Cooke, who knows!
Wooden Sticks: Keep, but only for the older, more dignified players.
Sean Avery’s sloppy seconds: Get rid of it.
A signed Sidney Crosby picture just for you: Keep, but only to sell it on eBay later and hope it gives me money toward a game-used jersey. Or hockey tickets.
Darren McCarty on Twitter: Keep! DMac!!

Friday, March 25, 2011

As the Waffle Turns


Name?
Jason Haas (@Waffleboard)

Favorite team?
Red Wings and Lightning. I'm a pre-Yzerman Lightning enthusiast (02-03 season)

Who is the most underrated player?
Filppula. He has his fans, so he's not totally under the radar, but when the man decides it's time to step his game up he's like Zetterberg Jr.

Who is the most overrated player?
Dwayne Roloson. He has been exactly what the Lightning needed, a stable presence between the pipes. But when he's bad, he's bad. And I'd say he's overrated in that most think he'll be a stud next year if re-signed.

What is your favorite jersey (regardless of if you own it or not)?
Gotta be the Winged Wheel.

What is the most important piece of hockey memorabilia you own?
I have a signed puck from Gordie Howe from when I was about nine years old. He was signing at a local furniture store. It's personalized "NHL or Bust!" Sorry Gordie.

What’s one rule you’d like to get rid of and why?
Puck over glass penalty. I supported it at first, but anymore it's just a bad luck penalty, like landing on the Bowser space in Mario Party.

What one rule would you add in it’s place and why?
Don't allow the team that cleared the puck over the glass to change, similar to the icing rule.


Who’s creepier- Ovie or Crosby and why?
Crosby. I can see him trying to break the ice with a girl and getting pepper-sprayed, at least Ovie would have jokes.

Which team has the best logo?
It's a tie between all of the Original 6 teams. Stick tap to longevity!

Who is your favorite all-time player?
Martin St. Louis. He's the entire reason I started following the Lightning...at the time (02-03 season), I was 12 years old and south of 5 feet tall as a hockey player. Marty started tearing up the world and I noticed.

Who is your favorite player now?
Marty and Pavel Datsyuk.

What team do you love to hate?
The Panthers. A close victory over the Ducks, but I'm a George Parros and Bobby Ryan fan.

What player do you love to hate?
Corey Perry. Dude's got talent, but he's a dirty player who runs guys half his size.

What are your thoughts on Puck Bunnies?
At least have a working hockey knowledge or else you're just a slut in a different setting.

What player do you like that’s not on your chosen favorite team?
I'm a fan of George Parros, Nicklas Backstrom (Caps), and Mats Zuccarello.

What team surprises you the most this year?
Colorado. Talk about a flash in the pan.

What is your favorite hockey memory?
Jumping up and down when the Wings won their first cup in 42 years!


Which team has the worst jersey (third jerseys included)?
The Thrashers third jersey. It looks like a basketball jersey. Honorable mention to any team with piping that runs down the front of the jersey.

Of the floundering teams which team should pack up and move to a new market?
Atlanta. The Panthers are bad, but Florida will always have snowbirds.

Do you think the NHL will ever let that happen?
I think Phoenix's situation is more imminent, but if it's not working, it's not working.

Do you follow other sports besides hockey or are you a one-sport fan?
The only other sport I'm not big into is basketball.

What player from all the other teams that would you love to have on your team?
Detroit - Drew Doughty. I worry about their defensive depth in the next five years. Tampa - Ilya Bryzgalov. We all remember what happened last time a savior from the desert came to Tampa Bay...


Do you believe that a fan can cheer for more than one team and still call themselves the biggest (insert team name here) fan?
Yes, especially in cases like mine where dual fandom isn't a conflict of interest 99% of the time.




Keep it or Get rid it

Ticket Stubs: Keep
An email from Colin Campbell: Keep
Twitter: Keep, the best people are there.
Stephan Walkom: See ya.
Matt Cooke: Let him work his way back from the AHL.
Touch up Icing: Hybrid rule.
Shoot out: Keep
Colin Campbell: Bye bye.
Tickets to a Blackhawks game: Keep. It's an arena I've yet to visit
Puck from a losing effort: Keep, but give to a young'un.
Puck Bunnies: Gone like their self-esteem around hockey players.
Wooden Sticks: If players wanna use em', then let em'.
Sean Avery’s sloppy seconds: I'll give them to Phaneuf.
A signed Sidney Crosby picture just for you: My name is "biggest fan", so keep, until eBay.
Darren McCarty on Twitter: Keep!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Straight outta Hamilton: Crazy Can-na-nucker named Marlon


Name?
Marlon (@marlonbrando_)
Favorite team?
There are other teams aside from the Detroit Red Wings?
Who is the most underrated player?
I think you could pick anybody from the "bro" line as underrated, whether Eaves actually plays on that line or not. I'm going to miss Drew Miller because I don't think he'll get another contract from Detroit next year, but the things he does on the PK are amazing. He may not score a lot of goals or accumulate a lot of points but he does a lot of great things that go unnoticed by a lot of people. Eaves seems to fit in wherever he's placed, too, and everyone loves Helm, hands or not. I think the weakest of the 'bros' is Justin Abdelkader - he doesn't seem to do anything extraordinarily well, and still manages to rake up a ton of penalty minutes. If he's going to be our fighter or our grinder, he's got to show more success in doing it.
Who is the most overrated player?
This year? Franzen. But who knows what sort of injuries he's going through. It's great if he can score 4 or 5 goals in one game against a team that was out of the playoff race since December; but if he's going to disappear for an entire month afterwards, is it really worth it? Banking on huge things from him in the playoffs.
What is your favorite jersey (regardless of if you own it or not)?
Number 19, Stevie Y. He -is- Hockeytown, even if he's just on loan to Tampa for a few years.
What is the most important piece of hockey memorabilia you own? I have an autographed Stevie Y card from when he did a signing in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario in the late 80s. I was too young to actually remember meeting him. My dad took me to the signing and I still have the card.
What’s one rule you’d like to get rid of and why?
One rule? Two. I hate the puck over the glass rule. If it's intentional, fine, but if it's like a backhand that's meant to be played on the glass and out and it happens to skip over? Let it go. However, in the referee's defense it seems to be the only black and white rule that they get right. Also, I hate the trapezoid. It pretty much destroys a goalie's ability to play the puck aside from shooting it up the ice on a PP if the opposing team clears it. You won't see goalies get drafted by their puck handling abilities anymore - gone are the days of teams drafting Turcos, Brodeurs, even Osgoods to a lesser extent. Now it's all about size - look at Nashville. Pekka Rinne and Anders Lindback aren't drafted for their puck handling skills, they're drafted for their size. A guy like Chris Osgood wouldn't even get scouted these days because he's under 6'0", and that's a shame.
What one rule would you add in it’s place and why?
I don't see how you can add anything to the trapezoid rule - either keep it or take it out (and I'd prefer the latter). Going back to the puck over the glass thing I think intent should be considered. It's obvious when someone fires the puck over the glass willingly, less so when they're trying to use the boards.
Who’s creepier- Ovie or Crosby and why?
Ovie is ... a unique person. I wouldn't really call him creepy per say, except for that head in a bowling bag tv spot they had a little while ago. Crosby is creepy because he's been conditioned at such a young age to be the saving grace of hockey and I don't think he's actually matured as a person because he's had everything, including a Stanley Cup, handed right to him. He's been fed all the proper things to say to the media and doesn't seem able to think for himself. God forbid a real journalist ask him a different question. When that happens, it looks like he's about to snap.

Which team has the best logo?
I love the Winged Wheel, obviously, but if I was to pick a second I'd say it's a tossup between the Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. I love the way the New York uniforms say RANGERS across the chest, it's simple and classy. The Bruins B logo looks awesome in the centre of the ice at TD Gardens.
Who is your favorite all-time player?
Stevie Y. He's the reason I became a Red Wings fan.
Who is your favorite player now?
Toss up between Pavel Datsyuk's flash while being defensively minded, and Henrik Zetterberg's charisma and leadership. I understand Nicklas Lidstrom is the captain but Hank's next in line and he's already showing it with the way he's carried himself throughout his career.
What team do you love to hate?
I absolutely despise the Penguins since the league has decided that they should be a respected team. I will never respect any team whose owner makes a big deal about losing his star player and cash cow to an incidental headshot and yet continues to employ a guy like Matt Cooke who shouldn't even be on the ice anymore. The Penguins fans consider themselves to be the greatest in the game but that doesn't hide the fact the team went bankrupt twice, and within the last twenty years. Mario Lemieux is hailed as this great person but he's just in it for the money. This is a guy who refused to put on the jersey of the team who drafted him because he didn't want to play there. The only reason Lemieux is even still a factor in this team is because he bought while he was still playing because they couldn't afford to pay him. Not cool.
What player do you love to hate?
So many to name but here's a handful: Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Drew Doughty, Matt Cooke, Roberto Luongo.
What are your thoughts on Puck Bunnies?
I could take them or leave them. If they're buying jerseys of guys who they think are hot, teams are getting money and revenue is being made. With a league as shaky and poorly run as the NHL, every little bit helps. I just don't want to talk hockey with them.

What player do you like that’s not on your chosen favorite team?
Steven Stamkos. The kid is a beast, plain and simple.
What team surprises you the most this year?
I really did not think that Steve Yzerman could turn around the Tampa Bay Lightning as drastically as he did but he's done it. Whether or not they'll go deep in the playoffs is to be seen, but fans in Tampa have to like what they've seen so far. Guy Boucher is a great coach (having seen him do his job many times as the coach of the Hamilton Bulldogs), and they've made a lot of interesting moves that have put them from a bottom dweller to a true contender.
What is your favorite hockey memory?
All things come back to Steve Yzerman. When Detroit won their back to back championship in 1998 and the Cup was given to Vladimir Konstantinov.
Which team has the worst jersey (third jerseys included)?
I hate all third jerseys that use the blue body and beige piping with the round logo in the middle. Off the top of my head that's Columbus, Florida, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis. For every day use I can't stand the Atlanta Thrashers jerseys.
Of the floundering teams which team should pack up and move to a new market? Do you think the NHL will ever let that happen?
Atlanta consistently shows that they can't fill an arena, as does Phoenix. The Florida Panthers seem to have accepted this and now advertise directly to OPPOSING fans to fill the seats which is never a good thing. The Islanders are floundering but I think hockey can still thrive there if their management and ownership issues are resolved (ie. slashed and burned and hired anew).
Do you follow other sports besides hockey or are you a one-sport fan?
Hockey's my number one but I follow golf and as of three or four years ago have gotten back into baseball.
What player from all the other teams that would you love to have on your team?
Steven Stamkos. He's young enough that he can still learn playstyles as coaches see fit, he's got a wicked shot, and he's got heart.
Do you believe that a fan can cheer for more than one team and still call themselves the biggest (insert team name here) fan?
I'll cheer for any team on any given night as long as the end result of a game means the Detroit Red Wings benefit in some way. I consider myself to be a Tampa Bay fan (back in the Dave Andreychuk days, then fell out of favour when they couldn't figure out how to continue being a respected team what with ownership changes and other nonsense) but I will never ever root for them over my boys in red and white.


Keep it or Get rid it

Ticket Stubs: Keep.
An email from Colin Campbell: Keep - never know when you might need them for blackmailing or court proceedings.
Swedish Style Tailoring: Keep. Swedes dress well. Just ask Henrik Zetterberg or Henrik Lundqvist.
Stephan Walkom: Get rid of. He's an idiot.
Biz Nasty: I can't stand this guy. I don't know how he's so popular for a healthy scratch. He makes other hockey players look like morons simply because he's affiliated with the sport.
Touch up Icing: Hard to say. I hate to see players getting hurt going for a puck at the end boards but I just don't think no touch icing can work. It stinks in the IIHF tournaments and it would stink the NHL.
Shoot out: 4vs4 for 5 minutes, 3vs3 for 5 minutes, THEN skills comp. I hate watching a team sport for 65 minutes and then have it decided by one on one garbage. Gotta feel for the goalies more than the players.
Colin Campbell: This guy's a moron and has constantly proven he's not suitable for the job he has.

Tickets to an Oilers game: Free? Keep. Hockey's hockey. Paid? No thanks.
Puck from a losing effort: Indifferent. I have enough crap in my house as it is.
Puck Bunnies: Hot puck bunnies? ;)
Wooden Sticks: Bring them back. When sticks break as players make passes, let alone wrist or slap shots, you know something's wrong.
Sean Avery’s sloppy seconds: Having met Elisha Cuthbert in person, I'd say keep. She's foxy. And actually very nice, too.
A signed Sidney Crosby picture just for you: I'll keep that. Right next to the lighter fluid and pack of matches.
Darren McCarty on Twitter: The best thing that's happened to Twitter since @zombie.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Slightly bananas but mostly all there

You might have seen this chicky making her voice known on twitter as 99bananas007. A devout Red Wings fan and an avid sports fan in general, I give you the first of the fan profiles.


Name?
Alicia Marie

Favorite team?
Detroit Red Wings
Who is the most underrated player?
Jonathan Ericsson
Who is the most overrated player?
SYDNEY "Cry Baby" Crosby
What is your favorite jersey (regardless of if you own it or not)?
Mike Modano Away Stars Jersey (The White One)
What is the most important piece of hockey memorabilia you own?
Joe Kocur Autograph.
What’s one rule you’d like to get rid of and why?
Getting tossed out of the face off circle for a false start
Who’s creepier- Ovie or Crosby and why?
Sydney Crosby Is Much More Creepier Than Ovi. And That Is Because He's Too Quite. You Always Have To Look Out For The Quite Ones.
Which team has the best logo?
The Detroit Red Wings. Although I Do Like The Dallas Stars Logo Too.
Who is your favorite all-time player?
Brett Hull & Darren McCarty


Who is your favorite player now?
Pavel Datsyuk & Alex Ovechkin & I've Never Ever Told This To Anyone But One Person. Rick Nash.
What team do you love to hate?
The Avs, The Preds, The Pens, The Flames,
What player do you love to hate?
Jordin TooToo
What are your thoughts on Puck Bunnies?
GET RID OF EM ALL.
What player do you like that’s not on your chosen favorite team?
Alex Ovechkin & Rick Nash
What team surprises you the most this year?
The Devils.
What is your favorite hockey memory?
Winning Back To Back Stanley Cups 97/98 And Being At The Game For Steve Yzermans's Retirement & HHOF Induction
Which team has the worst jersey (third jerseys included)?
Flames
Of the floundering teams which team should pack up and move to a new market? Do you think the NHL will ever let that happen?
The Yotes. But No I Don't Think It'll Ever Happen
Do you follow other sports besides hockey or are you a one-sport fan?
I Follow All My Detroit Sports Teams. Red Wings, Lions, Tigers, Pistons, & Wolverines.
What player from all the other teams that would you love to have on your team?
Alex Ovechkin or Rick Nash
Do you believe that a fan can cheer for more than one team and still call themselves the biggest (insert team name here) fan?
No I Do Not.


Keep it or Get rid it


Ticket Stubs: Keep It
An email from Colin Campbell: Get Rid Of It
Swedish Style Tailoring: Keep It??
Stephan Walkom: Get Rid Of It.
Sergei Fedorov: Keep It.
Touch up Icing: Get Rid Of It.
Shoot out: Get Rid Of It.
Colin Campbell: Get Rid Of It.
Gap in your teeth: Keep It. I Love My Gap.
Puck Bunnies: GET RID OF EM' ALL
Wooden Sticks: Keep It.
Sean Avery’s sloppy seconds: Get Rid Of It.
A signed Sidney Crosby picture just for you: GET RID OF IT.

Biz Nasty on Twitter: Keep It. I Love BizNasty. He Keeps Me Entertained. Get Rid Of It.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The start of something new...

DON CHERRY WANTS YOU!

Not really but you know... it sounded good.

Hockey Blogette did the whole blogger profile thing and now it's time for...

FAN PROFILES

Since not every fan is a blogger... Actually... most aren't... I thought it would be a great way for fans to kinda get to know fellow fans. It will be set up quite similarly to the blogger profiles with questions spanning from favorite players and logos to my favorite "keep or toss" section.

So if you would like to be one of the fan profiles:
Send me an email at staff.hockeyblogette at gmail.com and I will send you questions as soon as I can.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Abdel-fighter


I over heard several conversations during the game against the Los Angeles Kings last week stating that Justin Abdelkader was not a scrappy player and could not fight.




JUSTIN

ABDELKADER

CAN

FIGHT

(and he can fight Doug Janik too)



Monday, March 7, 2011

Screw Milbury, Scrap it out




Aaron Downey rocked at it... and gesturing


Steve Yzerman did it...
(The only footage I've ever really found of Stevie fighting)



Teammates have done it...



Even this guy did it... Wait a second... That's Mike Milbury....


What's that saying? People in glass houses shouldn't... uh... do something... with stones... Hypocrite something something.

Yes, I'm aware Mike was just questioning fighting's place in today's game and suggesting that it's role is merely there because we like it. I don't agree with Mike. I don't agree with the officials stopping fights or the league discouraging them. Fighting has it's place in this game and it always has. Whether it's done for momentum, intimidation, defense, retaliation, protection of other players, retribution, bad blood, or as a part of a rivalry fighting is more than just for entertainment.