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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?

'02 was hailed as one of the greatest teams all time even before they stepped on the ice. To me, it's not really an argument. As for that fan bracket on Sporting News, I'm not surprised that it comes down to the '70s Canadiens and '02 Wings. However, I remember a lot of experts at the time saying Montreal was better so I'm betting that is the team that will win that particular vote. I think an interesting debate would be the '52 or '02 Wings, though. Had the team not been dismantled the Wings could've gone on to challenge or even beat Montreal in total Cups won. Those 50's Wings teams were among the greatest ever in my mind. EDIT: Some people are mixing up "best team" with "best storyline" I think. '97 was great, but there's no way it can stack up to the '02 team in talent, which is what "best" generally means in my mind.

Easy choice for me, and not just because I'm agreeing with Stevie and Shanny. I'll go with the team who had the burden of 40 years of losing on its back when it won the Cup, then came back with basically the same lineup and won it again the next season after tragically losing their top defenseman. '02 was ridiculously stacked with talent and was basically an all-star team, but 97 was talent, heart, guts and grit. If we're talking about not just who had the most talent but who was better, it's 97 all the way.

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.

While i did love the '97 team, and how they played most of all. There will never be such a stacked team as the '02 one. Mark my words, that team will remain the best the NHL has ever seen for a long time; but more likely will ever see again.

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.

Wheres the choice for stupid f*cking poll?

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.