Kevin Bieksa you are really...

[Sharpshooter]

Hazel Mae's leather skirt absolutely agrees.

Ehhh....Sharpshooter, you dropped wallet there.

Donny....you're the greatest.

[wallstreetamigo]

1) Saying he doesn't fight anymore is a gross misrepresentation. It would be "fairer" to say he hasn't fought yet. Cause I know how Fair & Balanced "Fox News" style you like to be. And, taking a major penalty in the playoffs to swing the momentum by a top 4 dman, would be about the most stupid decision he could make. What are you thinking by even suggesting that??? You want him to fight in the playoffs??

2) Uh, if you haven't noticed, for the last couple of years, the league has cracked down on after whistle skirmishes by handing out 2min penalties to players who do as you're suggesting. You want him to get taken out of the scrum and get assessed a penalty to put the team down a man on the PK? I don't know about his judgement but yours is on full tilt tonight, it seems. That's not called not having emotion, it's called not putting your team down a man, to satisfy your own inner emo kid.

You can call it whatever you want, though.

You're having a poor performance tonight....bad calls, bad plays....i'm tempted to bench you for the rest of the night.

Are you suggesting that I am trying to imitate Bieksa?

Until he does fight, he doesnt.......that is pretty self explanatory. It is no more fox style news than saying the fact that he has fought and played that way in the past means he still does. He isnt fighting and that really is the bottom line. If making excuses as to why floats your boat, then so be it. The current reality is what it is.

Its funny then how guys constantly get into skirmishes and stick up for their teammates a bit even now in the nazi-style NHL after-whistle crackdown. Even some of our own guys do. It may be toned down, but it is not gone, except with Bieksa of course.

Actually, I wouldnt have minded him showing some emotion against Chicago and sacrificing 5 minutes of his too-valuable-to-the-team-on-the-ice time to actually maybe make a statement that we werent going down without a fight. I realize that fights are rare in the playoffs but if any team needed to take the initiative after a very poor showing overall, it was this one.

[Barry_Wilkins]

Bahahahaha! He would have shot the puck into the crowd from the point first, though. Slegr was useless. His dad certainly didn't rub off on him too much!

I'm glad Slegr Jr doesn't sing the same tune. His dad was a convicted felon. As for "useless", that's overstating it a bit. But then the Bieksa lovers seem to have no trouble dissing other Canucks (even past ones!) in order to stick up for Bieksa, so the "why are you even a Canucks fan, you negative nelly!?" argument is ironic, to say the least.

[wallstreetamigo]

You and others are saying what a great intimidating presence and what a great fighter he is. You can't have it both ways. If he doesn't fight, his "talent" for it means nothing. Just as Dan Sedin is useless as a scorer if he never shoots. So quit bringing up his "toughness". He's an ineffective hitter. And now he doesn't fight (which is peculiar since he's in a contract year, I guess he still thinks he can fatten the offers by potting 40 points).

I have to agree with this.

The example of a scorer who doesnt shoot is actually a reasonable one. It doesnt mean they cant shoot, but their reputation as a shooter has limited value to the team if they dont actually shoot. I like that example actually.

[Barry_Wilkins]

Sedin scoring and Bieksa fighting = apples and oranges.

No it's not. It's a perfect analogy. Strengths don't matter if you don't use them. Just who, exactly, on the opposing team is Bieksa intimidating any more? He was never an intimidating physical presence. In fact, quite the opposite. And now, your argument is that he should wait for the spontaneous moment when a fight is needed to drop the gloves. I have seen Bieksa get rocked by numerous bodychecks this season, and he just skates away after the whistle. He does occasionally get mad, but it takes a lot to get under his skin. His lackadaisical play extends to his (non)decision to fight.

Forget about sticking up for his teammates. He won't even stick up for himself.

[CANUCKLELION]

No it's not. It's a perfect analogy. Strengths don't matter if you don't use them. Just who, exactly, on the opposing team is Bieksa intimidating any more? He was never an intimidating physical presence. In fact, quite the opposite. And now, your argument is that he should wait for the spontaneous moment when a fight is needed to drop the gloves. I have seen Bieksa get rocked by numerous bodychecks this season, and he just skates away after the whistle. He does occasionally get mad, but it takes a lot to get under his skin. His lackadaisical play extends to his (non)decision to fight.

Forget about sticking up for his teammates. He won't even stick up for himself.

If Bieksa's physicality is considered a strength, he sure hasn't been showing it.

He has never been effective against big skilled forwards, he can't clear the crease,

but he sure can do a pirouette, Bieksa probably should have been a figure skater.

[Baggins]

I have to agree with this.

The example of a scorer who doesnt shoot is actually a reasonable one. It doesnt mean they cant shoot, but their reputation as a shooter has limited value to the team if they dont actually shoot. I like that example actually.

When has a coach ever told a scorer to not shoot so much?

[bbllpp]

<br />I guess that's why Bieksa hasn't won one for at least a year eh? lol<br />

Bieksa's fight card

http://www.hockeyfights.com/players/1562

Man you must have great emotional toughness because you keep making a fool of yourself and keep coming back for more you are like the Dana Murzyn of the Bieksa haters.

[bbllpp]

<br />Aha, but Alberts was his partner and all you guys are saying Alberts is a useless fighter. If Bieksa is the ONLY fighter on our D, then it is his job. You guys cant have it both ways.<br /><br />Ballard probably didnt stick up for himself because he had his bell rung and could barely get off the ice let alone fight. use your head on that one..... <img src='http://forum.canucks.com/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <br /><br />Rick Rypien was injured that game. <br /><br />A better question is, why not Bieksa? Why is he too good to stick up for Ballard there? Why should it be up to Glass or Alberts?<br /><br />Excuses, excuses, excuses.<br />

Bieksa coming off the bench is a 10 game suspension. (always respected Big Bert for that)

[bbllpp]

2. He doesnt engage with the other team after the whistle at all (which, by default, shows an emotional investment in the game). Instead, he just stands there or skates away, even when a guy bumps Luongo or roughs up another guy. No emotion. back in the day, he would have been the first in to at least facewash a guy.

I have no idea what you are talking about here. He is in every after the whistle scrum I've seen this year and he's more often than not been the first guy to jump in and protect Luongo.

[bbllpp]

&lt;br /&gt;Aha, but Alberts was his partner and all you guys are saying Alberts is a useless fighter. If Bieksa is the ONLY fighter on our D, then it is his job. You guys cant have it both ways.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Ballard probably didnt stick up for himself because he had his bell rung and could barely get off the ice let alone fight. use your head on that one..... &lt;img src='http://forum.canucks.com/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='<img src='http://forum.canucks.com/public/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />' /&gt; &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Rick Rypien was injured that game. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;A better question is, why not Bieksa? Why is he too good to stick up for Ballard there? Why should it be up to Glass or Alberts?&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Excuses, excuses, excuses.&lt;br /&gt;

What is tough?  Murzyn was tough, he knew he wasn't a good fighter but he fought anyway.  He always stuck up for his team mates even when he knew he was going to take a beating.  If Alberts is so tough why did he not fight the guy?  Murzyn would have fought the guy.  Bieksa was not on the ice and you are a fool to think the coach did not tell his team not to retaliate (Moore ring a bell?).  That's all they need 1 guy out with an injury and another out for 17 minutes for instegating a fight.  Yes, this is smart hockey very smart hockey.  The time for a fight would have been after the hit not later in the game.

If you think that a 20+ minute defenceman needs to go around challenging the other team to fights (Especially with a depleted D-core)to show how tough he is you are a fool.

Bieksa fights as a result of on ice circumstances, he does not go looking for fights.  I have no problem with this because unlike the modern goon Bieksa can actually play hockey.  If Bieksa doesn't fight this year I have no problem with that.  It's not his job to fight and you are a fool to think it is.

Sorry wallstreet I never thought you would stoop this low.  The CANUCKELION propaganda campaign must be working on you.

[Sharpshooter]

Are you suggesting that I am trying to imitate Bieksa?

Until he does fight, he doesnt.......that is pretty self explanatory. It is no more fox style news than saying the fact that he has fought and played that way in the past means he still does. He isnt fighting and that really is the bottom line. If making excuses as to why floats your boat, then so be it. The current reality is what it is.

Its funny then how guys constantly get into skirmishes and stick up for their teammates a bit even now in the nazi-style NHL after-whistle crackdown. Even some of our own guys do. It may be toned down, but it is not gone, except with Bieksa of course.

Actually, I wouldnt have minded him showing some emotion against Chicago and sacrificing 5 minutes of his too-valuable-to-the-team-on-the-ice time to actually maybe make a statement that we werent going down without a fight. I realize that fights are rare in the playoffs but if any team needed to take the initiative after a very poor showing overall, it was this one.

Until he fights he doesn't??? Well then, until it rains, it won't. Until I don't exhale, I won't inhale. Until the sun rises, it won't.

Makes about as much sense I suppose. Nope it does.

I don't need to make excuses for his fighting. It's not like the guy has a quota. If you think he does, then you don't know very much, aside from all your apparent "experience" and"knowledge" in the game.

Dude...you're talking out your crapper on this one.

[wallstreetamigo]

Until he fights he doesn't??? Well then, until it rains, it won't. Until I don't exhale, I won't inhale. Until the sun rises, it won't.

Makes about as much sense I suppose. Nope it does.

I don't need to make excuses for his fighting. It's not like the guy has a quota. If you think he does, then you don't know very much, aside from all your apparent "experience" and"knowledge" in the game.

Dude...you're talking out your crapper on this one.

I am also not the one who said his fighting skill is tremendously valuable to the team. That was you guys.

I fail to see how stating the obvious makes it false though. If he doesnt fight, then his fighting is not really as valuable to the team right now as you guys are suggesting it is. Seems like a fair comment to me. MEH.

I dont personally care if you question my experience or my knowledge. That is up to you. I never said he has a quota. If these comments dont make it clear what I am saying, then nothing will. You will continue to expound how valuable he is as a fighter and an intimidating force and I will continue to say that if he doesnt do it, it is not valuable to the team.

I have never disagreed that when he plays that way it doesnt help the team. It does and I have always said that. He needs to play with that kind of edge to be valuable (not necessarily fighting, but with raw emotion and an ornery edge). I have yet to see that this season or anytime last season after he returned from his injury.

[vwnuck]

He had a stellar defensive game tonight with almost zero errors. However, you've also got to acknowledge that the NJD are the worst team in the league right now. They have zero offense, are missing 5 defencemen and their best player wasn't even playing due to injury (yes, Parise is a better all around player than Ilya "Goal Suck" Kovalchuk).

Let's put it into perspective...

wow i didn't realize that Ilya Kovalchuk was no good any more... man to be described as no offense he must really suck..

[Sharpshooter]

No it's not. It's a perfect analogy. Strengths don't matter if you don't use them. Just who, exactly, on the opposing team is Bieksa intimidating any more? He was never an intimidating physical presence. In fact, quite the opposite. And now, your argument is that he should wait for the spontaneous moment when a fight is needed to drop the gloves. I have seen Bieksa get rocked by numerous bodychecks this season, and he just skates away after the whistle. He does occasionally get mad, but it takes a lot to get under his skin. His lackadaisical play extends to his (non)decision to fight.

Forget about sticking up for his teammates. He won't even stick up for himself.

No, it's a lazy and stupid analogy. The Sedin's practice their shooting in order to perfect it and accomplish as many of them as they can, at the urging and expectations to shoot as much as possible, in most every situation while on the ice. The coaching staff would be pissed if they stopped shooting for 13 games.

Conversely, Bieksa, doesn't practice fighting. It isn't an essential trait for him to help the team win games, like the Sedins' shots and shooting %. Bieksa isn't urged by the coaching staff to fight or fight more. If anything they have tried to get him to fight less, with dmen injured and his responsibility being more towards eating up minutes, than served up knuckle sandwiches with a side of punch. The coaching staff would be quite pissed, of he took himself out of the play for 5 or possibly 10 and a game because without thinking and instigated a fight. That's dumb and detrimental to the team.

To say the he was "never" an intimidating physical presence throws any credibility of your hypothesis right out the window. You don't have a leg to stand on after that asinine comment. Nothing, including the truth could be further than that. He consciously goes out, even acording to him in his interviews that are scattered over the last few pages, and looks to hit guys to set the tone and to give them pause for later in the game while rushing into the zone again. That's physical presences, that's intimidation, and that a concerted effort on his part to do both.

Apple.

Oranges.

[Sharpshooter]

I am also not the one who said his fighting skill is tremendously valuable to the team. That was you guys.

I fail to see how stating the obvious makes it false though. If he doesnt fight, then his fighting is not really as valuable to the team right now as you guys are suggesting it is. Seems like a fair comment to me. MEH.

I dont personally care if you question my experience or my knowledge. That is up to you. I never said he has a quota. If these comments dont make it clear what I am saying, then nothing will. You will continue to expound how valuable he is as a fighter and an intimidating force and I will continue to say that if he doesnt do it, it is not valuable to the team.

I have never disagreed that when he plays that way it doesnt help the team. It does and I have always said that. He needs to play with that kind of edge to be valuable (not necessarily fighting, but with raw emotion and an ornery edge). I have yet to see that this season or anytime last season after he returned from his injury.

He usually fights to stick up for himself or to send a message to the other team that their roughing up our players, will not go unanswered, when he's on the ice. But again, he wasn't on the ice when Ballard got hit. He can't do it alone out there. That Rypien's and Desbiens's job and responsinsibility....not Bieksa's. When and if Bieksa fights, that'll be his decision. So stop getting your panties in a knot over your 'concern' and "i'm just saying" perception of his fighting or lack of fighting.

Seriously....next you'll be putting lol after everything a la Canucklelion. Is this what it's come to for you, to go after Bieksa...some amatuerish points about not fighting in the last 13 games?

Seriously, you can do better....at least I thought so. Very....meh, on your part.

I can't wait for you to get back in your usual normal form. We'll chalk it up to a tweak or an upper body(way upper) injury and give you a maintenance day....hopefully, you'll get back soon, and we won't have to list you as day-to-day.

Get better brother.

[hank&dan]

He usually fights to stick up for himself or to send a message to the other team that their roughing up our players, will not go unanswered, when he's on the ice. But again, he wasn't on the ice when Ballard got hit. He can't do it alone out there. That Rypien's and Desbiens's job and responsinsibility....not Bieksa's. When and if Bieksa fights, that'll be his decision. So stop getting your panties in a knot over your 'concern' and "i'm just saying" perception of his fighting or lack of fighting.

Seriously....next you'll be putting lol after everything a la Canucklelion. Is this what it's come to for you, to go after Bieksa...some amatuerish points about not fighting in the last 13 games?

Seriously, you can do better....at least I thought so. Very....meh, on your part.

I can't wait for you to get back in your usual normal form. We'll chalk it up to a tweak or an upper body(way upper) injury and give you a maintenance day....hopefully, you'll get back soon, and we won't have to list you as day-to-day.

Get better brother.

So I guess no "messages" have needed to be sent this year or last years playoffs? Not ONCE has it come up while he's been on the ice?

[Sharpshooter]

So I guess no "messages" have needed to be sent this year or last years playoffs? Not ONCE has it come up while he's been on the ice?

First question. You tell me.

Second question. You show me.

[Sharpshooter]

Looks like the 'HamJuice' pairing is on for tonight.

They'll prbably slot in on the second behind Edler and Ehrhoff, and ahead of Alberts and Rome.

Ballard out...essentially because Rome has been playing well. I don't see that continuing though(Ballard sitting that is)

[CANUCKLELION]

Looks like the 'HamJuice' pairing is on for tonight.

They'll prbably slot in on the second behind Edler and Ehrhoff, and ahead of Alberts and Rome.

Ballard out...essentially because Rome has been playing well. I don't see that continuing though(Ballard sitting that is)

The province says Ham and Rome, all other pairings the same. Alberts has been the only partner BXa has had when BXa has a plus, +/- game. Why would AV change it?