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Coolest professional athlete I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Sorry for the long post. My favorite Datsyuk memory: When he first came to Detroit, no one really knew who he was, and no one really believed in him yet. He was still very unproven in North American hockey, and there was a small period of time where I honestly thought we might deal him and/or Zetterberg because they were struggling in the league. At the time, no one really seemed to know who they were yet. I had just turned 15 and was able to start working for the first summer ever, and I WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT AT ALL! All I wanted to do was be outside playing roller hockey all day with my friends. Anyways, back to the story... I found a job at Holiday Market (right across from the Detroit Zoo water tower) in Downtown Royal Oak as a cashier, right around the time when they were putting up all of these nice, spacious lofts and condos next door. I think I had only been working there for a week or so when, one day, I looked up as the outer doors opened and saw Pavel Datsyuk(!) walk through the doors. Like I said, no one really knew who he was yet, so no one reacted. I, however, recognized him instantly, got very excited on the inside (cool as a cucumber on the outside) and without even meaning to, I waved at him. And he smiled and waved back. He walked past all of the registers to a little cooler, grabbed an orange Vitamin Water, and came to stand in line behind the other customer in my line. Glancing back, I noticed that there were two other registers next to me that were wide open. He had come to my line on purpose! When it came time to ring him up, he casually stepped up and handed me his drink to scan. Being 15 and talking to a professional athlete that plays for my favorite team of all time, and that I had already come to love and admire, I was utterly starstruck and tried, unbeknownst to my managers, to give him his drink for free. I said, "You're Pavel Datsyuk, right?" He confirmed it with nothing more than a small grin before glancing down. I handed him the drink and said, "Welcome to Detroit! This one is on me." He politely declined. Little side note: His english has gotten a ZILLION times better than what it was when he first got here. He was very, very shy and quiet when he first came here and his english was terrible. I remember when I first met him he communicated a lot by simply smiling and nodding, and seemed to understand it a lot better than he could speak it. Nonetheless, it didn't stop him from striking up conversations with me as time went on, even if I had to ask him to repeat what he had said once or twice, or if he had to ask me to repeat myself. I rung him out and he was free to leave, but he ended up staying in my line and talking to me for almost 20 mins about things to do in the area because he had JUST moved here, was living in the new condos next door, and was bored out of his mind. I loaded him up with a bunch of ideas and off he went. A couple days later he came back in, grabbed another Vitamin Water, came back into my line, and proceeded to tell me about all of the things he had gone and experienced in the city. He had played a round or two of golf for the first time ever and loved the courses, although he was admittedly still terrible at golf. He went and saw Lake Huron and Lake Erie. He was so eager to tell me, almost giddy like a child. From that point on, we talked on a regular basis until summer ended. He came in every day, or every other day, bought the same thing, and talked with me about his day or the past weekend. I can remember the first time I noticed his english getting better because I commented on it and he just beamed and swelled up with pride. I could tell it was a big step for him. Looking back on it, I can't help but beam a little, myself. That was one of the best summers I have ever had, or will probably ever have. I literally got to sit and talk sports/life with a young, undiscovered Pavel Datsyuk. Even more than that, I feel that we had a certain degree of friendship after awhile. He could have gone to a different store, or even through a different cashier's line, but he didn't. It was always mine. One of the coolest things I have ever experienced. One of the OTHER coolest experiences in my life? Watching that young, unproven Datsyuk grow into the legend that he is over the past 10 years, and watching him embrace the city of Detroit as we embrace him. He truly is an amazing person and athlete. Pavs- You're my hero, man. I don't know if you remember me, or if you would recognize me if you saw me on the street, but you made my day 10 or so odd-years ago, and you still make my days today! I am overwhelmingly proud to say that I had the honor of meeting you, getting to know you, and now, getting to watch you change the game of hockey on a nightly basis. Love you, dude. #13 for LIFE.

Beyond the physical limitations, it's not like Cleary is incapable of providing value to a team at this stage. The Red Wings don't lack for quality leaders and Cleary was widely respected by his teammates here, so that impact could easily translate to another organization. I'm not really even advocating for the Red Wings to keep Cleary. I just think the LGW consensus (not you, specifically) has turned Cleary into a villain when he still provides qualities that are necessary to win hockey games.

Well this also can be good thing, hockey is the far superior sport and it doesn't need all the drama, over the top celebrations and endless player fiascos. The fanbase may be smaller but way more passionate, loyal and the athletes are the most down to earth guys in all of sports. Long story short other leagues may be bigger but quality beats quantity 100 out of 100 times. I mean giving a murder a contract would never happen in hockey because gangmembers and other troublemakers do not have a place in hockey. Hello Patriots... The Wings problem is simple: as fans we have been spoiled and since Mr. I has to spend money in order to supsidize teams that should not have a Nhl franchise, instead of trying to built another team like 2002 the interest in watching an only behind the pack team is going down. Personally I would prefer less teams and free spending

Hahaha. Bring back the glowing puck and it's a beatles movie

Its 97.1. I think that is enough said. They know nothing about hockey.. Their proof for people not liking hockey in Michigan is nobody ever calls in their show to talk about it. They make this argument all the time. In reality, nobody calls in because they don't want to talk to THEM about hockey. Maybe its just because I grew up playing hockey, and everybody I know loves hockey, but it seems like the Wings are up there at the top. Especially in my home town. Some of it is also that the Wings have been good for so long, while the Lions and Tigers sucked for that same period, and they are finally getting good.

Fewer people play hockey and you're more likely to watch a sport you have played. Hockey is a "white person" sport so a good chunk of the population ignores it.

Hey remember that time you tried to kill a funny post? Yeah... that sucked.

Yeah, I'll go with the red wing scouts on there drafting abilities vs. wannabe scouts at any network. They should have earned the ability to make unpopular picks without scrutiny. Funny how he backslides "worst draft in 10 years, blah blah blah. But we will see how they develop." In 5 years he will be singing the praises of our prospects. We have all watched this movie before....

The DRW twitter feed was promoting "Wingspan Wednesdays" today--apparently every Wednesday they'll be uploading full episodes of FSD's Wingspan series. There's a bunch up as of today, they're on the Wings' official YouTube page: http://m.youtube.com/user/OfficialRedWings This is awesome for us out of market fans that don't have access to FSD.

If you asked this question in 95 the answer would be the Wings no.1 hands down. This town was so cup crazy, with that ridiculous drought and how good that team was in the regular season it was gonna be our year. I want Stanley playing on the radio, wings flags from every car it was a beautiful thing till we got swept. Which made finally winning it in 97 all that much more gratifying and to this day I've never seen this town more excited for one team then for the Wings back then. Of course after winning it a few times fans got spoiled and Yzerman and the old school retiring left a disconnect for awhile. Now with the Lions and Tigers being good and still without a title for a long time that hunger has shifted to them and the Wings being good is just old hat now. Just a side note being in Chicago and watching this city after they won their first cup in ages paled in comparison to how crazy Detroit was in 97.

Thanks man. Means a lot. Now just wish I could change my username lol

I think that is a great point. You could even take that a step further and suggest that a part of the reason that hockey is so disrespected is because NHL players don't make negative headlines. Obviously, that is a very backwards statement. I hope I'm wrong, but if I'm not, what does that say about us as a society in general? Again though, point the finger at ESPN who likes to talk about talk more than anything. They will take a controversial subject and beat it to death.

I think popularity is great amongst the State. I mean, I can find random people at events and speak some good hockey with them. I can always run into atleast one person that actually is knowledgeable about the team and sometimes I can find someone whom can really speak about the pipeline and future. It may not be at the same level it was prior in the 90s but it certainly is still there. Look at USA Hockey, we're second in registered players only down by like 2,000 IIRC to Minnesota, aka the State of Hockey. After Michigan and Minnesota it drops off pretty nicely and then it goes within "divisions" basically. Hockey simply doesn't get it's full due in America, so it always will take the backseat in media coverage and what not.

Well at least the Wings are more popular than the Pistons. You know you've got a s***ty product when your sport (which is played everywhere) is constantly losing ground to a sport played almost entirely above the Mason-Dixon. Anyway, hockey is the most intense, physically demanding sport there is, and baseball is the most cerebral. As such, they are the best. Anyone suggesting an opinion to the contrary is wrong. Yes, I said it, your opinion is absolutely, positively, scientifically verifiably, wrong wrong wrong. "But...But...But...Kip, the NFL has hilarious commercials, sensationalized drama, and tons of play stoppages. You don't even have to pay attention to the game to enjoy it" Shut you face biotches!

No reasonable offer for Thomas Vanek refused? Getter dun, Ken.

Sheldon Kennedy was a beast for me in 94 sega hockey. #15.

Yeah and I'm still upset when I see anyone else wearing it. Totally disrespectful towards Woolley.

The Power of Positive Thinking. Welcome to the Grand Illusion. Both great titles. Take your pick. On one hand, it makes sense to dream big and have faith that you will see your dream to fruition. On the other hand, it is much easier to plot a course for the parade than to plot a course for winning the cup.

hahaha, he should get started on planning the teams spring golf outing instead

I <3 him. And he's ALL OURS!

Straight Pavel gold: Gold Jerry, GOLD!

So what was the deal with him filing arbitration? Did he think he should get drastically more than this or something? Did the Wings seriously lowball him? Because I think this is right about the price that most of us thought he would sign for.

What happened to helping the team? If you could be a part of the best third line in hockey AND a spot on the power play what the F? I don't like the thought of him more less demanding a spot in the top six...that being said I still feel Brunner is still a Red Wing until he's not

I hope he's the one forced purely based on his terrible nickname, "emdog"