Leaderboard

My biggest complaint since 2005 would be the shootout, but I won't go into all that again. As for the cap, I don't know that parity necessary equals a healthier league. The NHL apparently thinks so and I'm sure it makes a lot of small markets happy, but people still talk about the Avs-Wings rivalry. That happened in great part because they were two great teams who had to get past the other one to win the Cup year after year. Plus when the teams become successful for years, they usually achieve popularity that transcends just their local market. I also think a soft cap/luxury tax might be better as well. At the very least in principal it would reward great owners like Ilitch who turned around a franchise and know how to run a business. I'm guessing he'd happily pay extra revenue sharing if he could spend above the cap. And with the cap and contract limits, we'll likely start to see more teams having a couple star players and a whole lot of scrubs on the bottom two lines. Owners will always pay top dollar for the star players, there's just not a lot to go around for everyone else. The more they ratchet down the cap and contract restrictions, it'll only get worse. But honestly a part of waining interest is also just getting older and having more things compete for my time. I love hockey, but I could never love it as much as I did when I was 12 years old, going to nearly every home game and watching as many games as I could, even though the team was pretty awful then except for this guy Yzerman.

I think the 90s and early 00s was the glory age of hockey.

A rare opportunity to watch two great teams IN PERSON on the same day. Tigers at 1:30 then the Wings at 7:30. Coming up from Fort Wayne. It'll be sweet to enjoy the atmosphere's of two great sports venues and awesome teams. Hoping for a Verlander vs. Morrow (haven't looked at the projected battery yet) duel followed by some Datsyuk magic. It would be a nice drive home with two V's.

The argument that there are teams in bad markets that water down the product of the game is valid, but I don't think that's something to necessarily pin on the salary cap. It's bad leadership. The NHL has the opportunity to relocate teams like Phoenix and haven't to this point. As far as the salary cap goes, it's about creating a level playing field. You're right that money doesn't buy championships, but in baseball you can pencil in half the playoff field just by looking at rosters. Teams without deep pockets face an uphill battle from the start. You have MLB cities that haven't seen playoff action in literally decades. I question whether some of those small market teams are even focused on winning. I'm pretty sure clubs like the Pirates have just pocketed all kickbacks from the luxury cap instead of funneling that into improving the on-field team. The fans suffer under this model. The salary cap pushes the burden of success on management and scouting. In a luxury cap scenario, talented players just have to float out into free agency until they land on Cash Island. Some teams end up being relegated to Pro Farm status. What's fair is having all teams built under the same set of rules. The NHL messes a lot of things up but the decision to have a hard salary cap is one thing they have right. Teams should not have a competitive advantage on the basis of being owned by a billionaire.

I hate the shootout personally, I think it was brought in as a gimmick to attract more fans but isn't a proper way to decide the outcome of the game. If they ever introduce it to the playoffs and discontinue sudden death overtime it may be enough to turn me away completely. I didn't mind ties as much as I mind a team being able to gain an extra point for winning a mini all-star event at the end of the game. I also miss the fierce rivalries, we may never see anything like Colorado/Detroit in the 90's ever again. I hate the fact that they are in a continuous battle to push fighting out of the sport, and yes as much as I dislike hits to the head and concussions, I think a lot of players are afraid to lay out heavy hits anymore which takes away from the physical aspect of the game. And my god do I miss Yzerman and the days of watching him play. I try not to live in the past but i'm not sure we will see another generation of hockey like it used to be.

our young d has a very bright future

when have i ever said i expect a successful playoff run? enjoy the doom and gloom attitude. im sure glad i can just enjoy watching red wings hockey without getting stressed out about it. They could get swept in the first round, or not make the playoffs at all. whatever happens, im gonna watch the games and enjoy it.

I loathe the salary cap. Not only because it supposedly prevents the "buying championships" either. That tactic doesn't always or even usually work. The Wings didn't win every year and neither do the Yankees. To this point, neither have the Tigers. The salary cap in hockey is a method to ensure competitiveness among teams that really should fold. It's a way to dictate to incompetent owners/front offices, to tell them how much they should spend on a team, on players, and how much to invest. The league has expanded into small/bad markets. The salary cap keeps those teams on the ice. I don't want to see the NHL turn into the NBA where 2-3 players surrounded by scrubs can bring home a championship. But that seems like the way of the future. Teams will continue to pay top dollar for stars (Minnesota) and then fill their rosters with 3rd and 4th liners playing on the 2nd.

Losing the season series to the Blue Jackets is inexcusable. Detroit should have AT LEAST four additional points.

Datsyuk turns the puck over because he doesnt have the support he used to and the opositions best players zero in on him night in and night out. Gus is creating more because he is on a different line, where he doesnt have to play against the Blues best. This is not like 2009 when we were so deep up front that we could spread the talent around to force other teams into making decisions when it comes to matching line ups. when we get bert and helm back, and can split up dats and hank, and have a big body playing with each of them to open up space, more scoring chances will be created. along with helm wrecking havoc on the 3rd line. and a lot of people seem to give teams the wings play no credit what so ever for playing well. its always "wings are playing like s***". when it comes to how the wings play, thyeir opponents have a LOT to do with that.

Long gone buddy..try to keep up.

Uh, yeah....lol. It was a ton better when there were no salary restrictions.

I wonder if they'll be able to trade his rights on draft day to move up in the 1st round? Our 1st + Flip for, say, Edmontons 1st? Get to move up ~ 10 places in the draft.

DD plaued a great game, and got better as the game moved along. He played on the PK late in the 3rd. By the end of the game he was even joining the rush a couple of times. yes he didn knock a couple of guys down in front of the net. But being the new kid he helped them back up after the whistle. Overall, great 1st game. Should be a long time star on the D.

Good read about the trade that happend a few days ago.. http://bluejacketsxtra.dispatch.com/content/stories/2013/04/06/former-jackets-together-when-trade-news-broke.html

Did anyone else notice how nice he was...just like his sports idol Lids? I wouldnt mind a mean nasty dude like Weber but if DD turns out even 1/2 as good as Lids and is kind and respectful to the game and fellow players I am all in with the kid..

Well, you know the old saying, you gotta dance with those who brung ya.

He's only played 40 games in the NHL, only 26 of which have been this season. And he's playing with a defensive corps that is very hit or miss from night to night. I think it's early to give up on his career as a defenseman.

The first thought that went through my head when I read the topic title was "What an ungrateful ******* ***** ** ****." First, the money that was earmarked for certain players was never necessary; second, there were no viable back up plans; third, the cap was expected to shrink. Spending up to the cap at that point would have put us in a bad salary dump position; why sign some players only to have to buy them or others out? Just because the Wings are going through a few speed bumps is no reason to turn on the man who lost millions of his own money for YEARS to keep this team here; spent millions of his own dollars to sign the best talent available and has given back more to his players and this town than any other NHL owner. I think you owe Mr. I an abject apology.

How is he being cheap. He had no problem offering up 80 million to Suter and Parise this past off-season. The OP has completely failed at making a relevant post. You cant compare the Wings and Tigers. One sport has a cap and the other doesnt.

You're right, before the Tigers were relevant Holland was just ALWAYS offering HUGE contracts to RFAs from other teams. Pretty much his middle name that was... oh wait...

There is no truth whatsoever to the OP's allegation. Ilitch gave Holland the OK to offer massive contracts to Suter and Parise last season. The reason that the Wings aren't at the cap is that there weren't exactly a ton of players to spend money on last offseason.

You know, they sort of remind me of a poor man's LA Kings from last season. A lot of tough, scrappy, opportunistic scorers, and solid defensive core, and one really elite skilled player. Plus good goaltending. If this team makes the playoffs they'll really do well in the tight checking, physically grinding sort of game. I can see them being a spoiler.

Mrazek's development is better served with him spending another year in GR and playing 45+ games. As a backup to Howard he won't get enough games to develop. I do see him being the back-up when Gus's contract is up.

I stopped reading at "well" ...