yzerman19

That's pretty bold...even for a kid as highly regarded as Jones...although I could very easily see a year that looks like this: Avs, Portland, Avs

I'd love to play with a kid like Evander Kane. You have to give him credit for sticking up for himself- a very young first round pick at the time. Expected to score some goals and grow into an elite level power forward- no fear, no hesitation- straight up honest fight. You have to believe he scored mega bonus points in his own locker room and around the league (regardless of how you feel about Cooke) for standing up for himself and showing that he can throw the mittens. Fully within the code, he just rocked him.

You hit it on the head. It is about respect. The hockey code has always been about respect. I absolutely detest fights that erupt from good, hard, clean hits. I completely condone a player defending themself...if I'm getting cross checked in the back of the neck and I turn around and tell a guy to do it to my face, and he skates away, he is a punk. If I do that and he says "let's go"...well...so be it. I take every chance I can to de-escalate any situation I'm in- its just not worth it. That said however, I would defend my family, myself, and their and my honor. That said, I haven't been in a scrap since a drunken college brawl in the 90's...I'm also not a pro athlete competing at a very high level of emotion with lots of physicality... Fighting would be unnecessary if everyone treated everyone with respect, but we know that doesn't happen. Back to the questions about lawyers...is disrespecting someone using the power of the law or the power of money any different than disrespecting someone with words or fists? I'd actually advocate that words and fists are much more honest, with less detrimental impact (99.9% of the time).

not a lawyer, but stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night...a couple business law classes in B school, but that was mostly contract law. A single shot to the chin or snout of an idiot shooting there mouth off will never be charged or prosecuted. I do not support or condone pugilism in most cases, but in some cases...people need to be informed that certain things will not be tolerated. sometimes a right cross speaks most loudly.

Libel, slander, sedition, terroristic threats...there are laws against words. Assault by definition is verbal. If it becomes physical it is battery.

People must be accountable for all of their actions, including their words. Morality is not subject only to actual physical action...Nurembourg anyone?? To me, the morality issue is simply whether or not the response is commensurate with the stimulus...call me ugly, and I am licensed to give you a black eye. Quid pro quo. Threaten the safety of my wife and children- different response.

I also played, and the minute I could go half shield, I did...and as described, not for any kind of machismo...because I could see better. I have never put the full mask back on. Not in intramurals, not in men's league...I have a couple scars from some sticks, but nothing that is disfiguring (I wasn't going to be a model anyway). I make a very good living with my brain, so there wasn't any cognitive damage. As for playing with the full shield your whole life...yes, you do team practice and games in a full mask, but we spent way more hours on the outdoor in nothing but a stocking cap. Again, nothing life threatening. I certainly got a bloody nose and a black eye or two. Here's my analogy- its like having sex with your wife of ten years with a condom even though you're fixed...why???

I say borrow as much as you can with interest rates where they are! I'm not tracking the muni market closely, but with tax-exempt bonds, I'm guessing short term rates of less than 1% and longer term maybe out to 3%?? I'll borrow at a duration of 1.5% every day and twice on Sunday.

A bit? Kind of an understatement...he was a grade "A" scouted player coming into the year (meaning first or second round prospect). Let's hope that this kind of adversity lights a big fire in him to prove people wrong.

Toewser is obviously frustrated with both the legal and illegal shadowing he's been getting. He's allowed to get frustrated. Its an emotional game. Let's not forget he is a Conn Smythe winner, and his play is a huge reason why Chicago won the president's cup. When you're snakebit (before last night) and not getting any time or space, and when you do get some you are missing your chances, and your team is down, and you know that your own lack of production is a big reason why...and you're the captain... There's a reason why so many believe that Toews is the best two-way center in the game...if Chicago wins this series, I will all but guarantee #19 puts a big stamp on the next two games. I think the bigger issue is that Detroit matches up better than probably any other team (except Pittsburgh) with top two centers. Both Zetterberg a nd Datsyuk can score goals and play D. You're not seeing Johnny get any shifts without one of those two out there.

agree...Isles are looking like big time up and comers...

agree- meant to quote your quote

18 scholarships can be divided many ways...guys liek Toewser and Parise had full rides FOR SURE...we are not that special that guys will incur debt just to play here...

The bickering on this thread is pretty funny- Did you know that each league in the CHL produces more top end prospects than the USHL and the NAHL combined... The bottom line is hockey is an early development game for prospects. The best go to Canada, the next best to the USHL, the NAHL is a great place for late bloomers to keep their hockey dream alive... Some guys choose college... You could make the same debate about high school hockey in Minnesota vs going Midget AAA... There are always diamonds in the rough and guys that can play, but never got a chance/look when they were younger (Penner anyone?)

I was poking fun at the name...it is Ryan Suter not Sutter- different hockey family

I didn't know that Sutter got a $100 M- Sorry, just being a smart a$$

I just get irritated, as the Wild fans are often of the same general disposition as Gopher Puck fans...as much as I love Parise, I just can't be a Wild fan. I was hoping his presence would tip me that direction...I've lived in Mpls for almost 16 years. The fans, the logo, the marketing, the "state of hockey" crap, the planting of the stupid flag, and then a decade of trap hockey poisoned it in my mind.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it... For a recently turned 25 year old, he's already got quite the trophy case...with a strong possibility of adding a Hart Trophy and another Cup ring... While he doesn't have any points thus far in the series, he is winning 2/3 of his faceoffs and has drawn 3 penalties- including a big one to make it 4x4 in OT in game 1. He's also playing even hockey often being sent out head to head against Koivu and Parise. Hawks game plan is clearly win on depth. If the top line can play even or plus hockey against the WIld top line, Hawks will win on depth.

Excuses don't fly in the pro world...too much money at stake, and the owners are business people. Every team deals with hardship and injuries...Penguins still played fantastic with Sid out. I like Mike Yeo as a person- in real life he is a heck of a nice guy- you just have to produce in this league. Expectations were very high this year as a result of Parise and Suter...getting swept or a mere 1 win will not cut it with those expectations.

If the Wild don't win at least one game at home MIke Yeo is 100% gone. In fact, one win probably isn't enough for him to keep his job. You invest almost $200 million into the top free agents on the market and you get smoked by the Hawks...probably not so good in a performance review.

Didn't Toewser go #1 overall in the bantam draft?

wouldn't anyone look tall next to Karl Goehring?

Obviously I started this conversation, and I like your additions. However to say that Crosby doesn't have a points differential is unfair. Sid gets points. His points per game are the best in the league. It is hard to argue that he wasn't the game's best playmaker when healthy. The issue is that he wasn't healthy. The Hart award isn't for the most skilled offensive player. It is for the most valuable player. Toewser played the games and his team won. He is near the top in every stat that matters- including wins, and his TEAM is the #1 seed because of it. Crosby, Stamkos, Ovechkin, even Kane...these guys are all more gifted offensive players. However, Toews is the best leader and most complete two-way center in the game. He demonstrates it night in and night out. You said it well, he makes everyone around him, and his team better. What else defines MVP? If I were a GM and could take any player in the league to start my franchise, it would be Toewser.

You guys sound like a couple little old ladies...

The case for Toewser for the Hart Trophy: Captain of the President's Cup Winning Team Tied for 2nd in league +/- (+28) Tied for 5th in league goal scoring with teammate Kane (23 goals) Tied for 9th in league total scoring (48 points) Tied for 4th in GWG (5) Tied for 4th in SHG (2) 2nd among regular centers in faceoff % (59.9%) Tied for 2nd in shootout goals (5) Pretty good case to be made...what a complete player he is...