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A lot of him must have been at that recent visit.

Take a s*** all over Pittsburgh's new barn.

Am I the only one bothered by the fact that Bleacher Report is just a giant collection of amateur blogs? Legitimate (if you can still even call them that...) are bad enough, but some of the blogs on that site are just dripping with stupidity; armchair drivel at its best. I'm fine with the idea of people having a blog and a voice, but I think it gets fuzzy when they start trying to pass themselves off as proper journalists when they blatantly are not beholden to the same standards of integrity and accuracy.

I would rather the City put more cops on the streets then help a building out. I understand the need for a new arena but when it comes down to it the City has bigger issues it needs to address first...like stated security, schools, streets, abandon buildings and other things.

I agree in spirit with what you are saying. And I don't want to go into politics. However, the city simply can't afford it. Detroit HAS NO MONEY!! We can barely afford to keep the lights on in the schools....no exaggeration. Hard to fathom, but the city is broke. I get concerned that such a threat and "force play" by Illitch might create some deep resentment from those who believe there are higher priorities than funding a new arena. Additionally, I'm not sure how effective such a leverage "force" play by Illitch to threaten to move the Wings out of the city in hopes of keeping the Wings and adding the Pistons. Looking at the big picture, this would be nice and yes financially good for the city...but not as lucrative as some may think. The core componenet of city revitilization and economic growth is getting people to reside in the city. Not to visit a few/often times for a couple of hours and back to the suburbs. I have a friend who owns a restaurant downtown and he loves the Wings/Tigers/Lions/Air Race business, but it's nothing to "hang your hat on"....especially considering that ticket, parking, arena vending has become so very expensive. His sentiments are that it's so darn expensive just to park and attend a game....a lot of people are foregoing visiting downtown restaurants/bars for pre-game, post game meals/drinks that once used to be such a steady part of his business....cause they just spent a ton of money simply going to the game. Anyhow, I would love to see this arena built downtown and have it a great representation of the city of Detroit, the Wings, and if absolutley neccesary the Pistons (but would rather the Wings have their own barn).

Why wouldn't Illitch Holdings possibly take advantage of such a marketing scheme? Look at Ford Field, same thing. Also I still love the Joe no matter what most people think and I agree it will be very hard to say goodbye.

I'm sure whatever he decides to do will be awesome, but it'll be hard to say goodbye to the Joe.

I sure hope he does not expect for the City of Detroit to pay for some of it like they did for Comerica Park. If the City was healthy I would be for it but it can barley pay for public services let alone paying for part of a new stadium.

I still hate the idea of a joint stadium... hopefully he puts some of that great technology and focus on ice quality.

Yes we sure can. Hell, they can even have Kindl.

Bogosian for Hudler and a pick. We can only dream.

I heard there were concerns with his "core" temperature. What, too soon?

The thing about Draper is he is a LEADER! On his last few goals I noticed something about him that I think is well planned out on his part: He gets more excited than just about any player I have ever seen score a goal- like it's his first ever NHL goal. The smile on his face just draws his teammates together. I think he does it on purpose because he knows that the team has been going though some struggles the past few weeks and this is just a little way he can turn the ship a degree in a positive way. It's a way to just make the guys part of a team. After the Sunday Boston game he was waiting in the tunnel high fiving, smacking and Arse grabbing all the other players- just being light hearted and fun. One of the players threw a playful (yet hard) shoulder into him and just about knocked him over- I think it was Z. Of course this is another example of how he brings a lightness to the team that makes the guys want to be there. I think he is a bigger glue to this team than we may ever know. Work ethic- I have heard how he is one of the hardest working men on the team behind the scenes during workouts, etc. I'm sure this is something that rubs off on the younger guys on and off the ice. He isn't playing poorly- in fact he seems to be doing fine enough for a 4th line. We all want to see what our young guys can do, but without a seasoned grizzled vet to really nurture them along the way and to shape the character of the team- the Wings might not be what we now know them to be. I really think the intangibles of a guy like Drapes are well worth the money. That said a few months ago I was ready for him to hang them up along with Malts. Granted- a pay cut does need to happen.

I love the 97 team. But in terms of being better for it would be the 02 team. I cmon ten hall of famers. But the 97 team of a sweeter victory. Especially after losing in 95, and 96...

Much as I loved the team in both '97 and '98 (and if any team needed a reason to rally round, we did in '98), I have to say the team in '02 was just phenomenal. I mean, look at the fourth line - two Hall of Famers on the fourth line - how many teams do you know who can make that claim? And it also gave us a chance to see a potential star for the first time...that year was proof that you really had to have something to crack the lineup as a rookie, and a certain someone did just that. And now look at where he is... And this is a team ('02) where I can honestly say I remember exactly where I was when the whole thing turned around and I knew that it was ours. I can't say that about '97.

02 team would own the 97 team but that's just me

The 2002 team was as close to invincible as their will ever be.

I wouldn't mind adding one solid d-man as long as we don't have to give up too much. Would be nice to have some more insurance in case of injury. And to me, Kindl is far from insurance.

Call me crazy, but I think all this Messier talk as being such a great leader is a little overrated. I don't think he'd be in the conversation if the 1994 Rangers didn't win. There's to much attention on one year. Just my opinion.

EXACTLY!!! Yes, the core of Marios message was true... BUT, it was obviously just Mario whining and crying because things didn't go his way, like he has done his whole career, and now taught his little protege to do as well. Not him actually caring about the league or other players. Mario doesn't really give a s*** at all. As was pointed out before, HIS TEAM is the leader in both penalty minutes AND fighting. He has never said anything about that. HIS TEAM pays the dirtiest player in the NHL to go out game after game with one goal; injure other players. He doesn't say s*** about that or condemn that kind of play either. He could be expressing ways to change the game for the positive, with his influential voice, in league meetings. But nope... Mario doesn't give a s***, and doesn't even attend those. But now that his boys got their ass handed to them for once, NOW he is all up in arms and pretending to care about the league and other players... Lets call it what it is. Hypocritical bulls***.

Whats not to love about Draper? I'd buy that for a dollar.

Some people are incredible. He had a very, very solid stretch of about 15 games where his play seemingly got better every night, has struggled a bit over the past week, and this thread appears with stupid poll options. Unbelievable.

Indeed. Forget all the technology, big screens, heated seats or whatever, the on-ice product is what matters. All the stadium technology in the world won't get you a Stanley Cup.

Of course he expects them to pay. That's why he bought the Pistons. He's using the threat of moving the Wings to the suburbs as leverage for city funding for a new rink. With The Wings and Pistons playing in metro Detroit you get 10,000+ people in that area 100 times a year, spending money. Like Illitch, the city needs to invest in order to stimulate the economy. The man loves Detroit. If he wants a new rink, I say help the guy out. It will be good for the city and good for long-term revitalization.

DO IT DO IT. JUST DON'T INCLUDE THE PISTONS.