I have no idea what planet Pavel's been on, but there is no way that would have been anything other than a distraction. Not in Detroit. Not at this time of year. But, whatever. His intentions were pure, I believe. Too bad for Mitch, though. I know he's been gearing up to shower us with his passive-aggressive political views. Unfair that he has to take time away from that for a pesky thing like writing about sports.

And now George brings us the 72 Questions post.

You've seen it. Now, Datsyuk's telling us he's not completely sure about leaving the Wings in April, or May, or June, or ever.

And cue the distraction. Cue it up, big time.

There is little wrong in my life that I don't blame Ken Holland for right now. I'm trying to get my daughter to increase her bat speed and pull pitches, but she keeps swinging late and pushing balls to the right side of the infield: Holland's fault. My wife has a pet lizard (yes, RWBill, it's a "bearded dragon"...and I know what you're thinking) and we have to drive across country soon, stopping every 20 miles to check the lizard's (his name, the lizard, is "Probert", BTW) living conditions. I do blame Holland for that too.

So you'd better believe I blame Tick Tock for what has turned into an absolute circle jerk.

You think Datysuk's family situation just cropped up, or did Kenny have an inkling when he signed the three-year deal? If you'll recall, there were rumblings back then about retirement. You'll also recall I was one of the rumblers. I never did, and will not, get into the sources for those rumors but it was strong. He was on the fence.

So Kenny does the three year deal. Two years later here we are. If the Wings eat that 7.5 (or 5.5 depending on who you talk to)? Holland's fault. If the Wings "trade" Datsyuk to a cash-strapped sap of a team to get them to the floor of Little Gary's thigh Cap, along with a second or third rounder? Blame Holland for the lost pick.

You say he couldn't have prevented this? I say it's his job to prevent shit like this. It's his frigging. Job.

Anthony Mantha's in Grand Rapids. Hockey move? Got it. Andersson's better defensively and on the PK. Mantha gets so little playing time that it's reasonable to consider that he's not viable while we vomit (playoff reference).

But was this necessary?

“Anthony Mantha was a spare part in the (AHL) Calder Cup playoffs a year ago. Why does anyone think he is going to be the answer in Detroit?”

That's a Holland quote from a redolent Krupa story, over the weekend, and it's clear evidence--to me--that Tick Tock Kenny Holland is losing it.

What possible good can come from throwing this kid under the bus like that? Is that from the "Alienate your already emotionally brittle young player" handbook? It sounds so completely unlike Holland that I can't help but think that he's reading, he's seething, he's losing it. An adult does not make that statement. In fact, it sounds like something I'd say.

Great Verlander's given up 3 in less than 2 innings. Yup. I blame Holland.

The most well-managed, calm organ-I-zation in all of sports has turned into a backyard bonfire featuring Fireball and Dokken's greatest hits.

Two days before the playoffs.

Fun times.