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If you think the "Hockeytown" logo at center ice is ridiculous, just imagine how Detroit calling itself "Footballtown" would look. Don't get me wrong as I love the Lions as much as the next guy, but if I were to give that title to anyone then it'd probably have to be Green Bay, or maybe Pittsburgh at a distant second... I think "Sportstown" would be most fitting for Detroit, though I suspect St. Louis, Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia might have something to say about that. Personally, I like the "Hockeytown" name. It's no different than folks in Green Bay calling themselves "Titletown", or St. Louis calling themselves "Baseballtown". Why people have to take things so literally sometimes is beyond me... Detroit's "Hockeytown", and screw what other fans think. Many are probably just mad that they didn't think of it first...

23 straight playoff appearances, four stanly cups, six conference championships, several hall of famers, and we make threads like this. I'm going to say no. I forgot: great ownership who spends to the cap, is building a new arena (with our help), and constantly has events showing fan appreciation.

Is that the one where he tries to jam the remote up his ass? Anyway... No. Red Wings fans don't "deserve" better. Do they have a right to be frustrated? Absolutely. But this is a sport. A hobby. Those millionaires owe us *nothing*. Don't like it? You, as a consumer, do not need to spend your money on their product. Some people, like myself, will continue to support the team both emotionally and monetarily because it is enjoyable (granted, not as enjoyable as when we're winning) to us. Others have every right to say they will not accept a sub par product and sod off to something else. But this sense of blatant entitlement is why other hockey fans can't stand the Wings and their fans.

I think the most important question for the upcoming games is how many guys will the Wings be playing who have yet to score their first NHL goal? Or are in a major goal scoring slump? If it's not many, I like our chances.

I know you are frustrated, but this is the type of thread that causes other fans to call Wings fans spoiled. The NHL is a league of parity, and we are going through a bad month. One bad month means nothing, just as one good month means nothing. At the end of the day what matters is where we finish, not how did we do in March. One thing that I think is hurting us is that our backs are not against the wall. We are in a position where we cant really get a higher seed as we are not catching Tampa, and we have had a decent lead on 7th which is fading, but still there and likely to stick. I have said this a million times, the Wings are going through a re-build. Tatar, Nquist, Sheahan, Jurco, Pulkkinen, Smith, DD, Mrazek, Marchenko, XO, Sproul, AA, Larkin, Mantha etc. the list of young talent is endless, to compare us to the Leafs, a team that hasn't won a cup since 1967, has made the playoffs once in 10 years, has not had stable leadership, has a horrible relationship with the media (though that seems more the media's fault), and lacks prospects is just ridiculous. Too many people seem to take things to extremes, when we are winning we are primed for the cup, and when we are losing we are absolute crap and need to get rid of everyone. We aren't either right now, we are exactly what I thought we were coming into the season, a team that falls between 3-6, and in today's NHL with parity the way it is, has a change, but is by no means the favourite. Not a bad place to be when you are on an up swing with a ton of up and coming talent. If you are expecting a cup this year, you are probably going to be disappointed. Of course we all hope this up swing of young talent peaks before D & Z really start to decline, but that's probably not going to happen....though one can hope Bottom line, you cant be elite every single year. We definitely don't "deserve" anything. We have had it better then every other fan-base in hockey since the early 90's.

I think lumping us in with the Maple Leafs is a bit of a stretch. While we're worried about a one month slump and our team continuing a 23 year playoff streak in which our Wings have had a winning season every year from 1992 on, 6 trips to the SCF in 14 years and 4 Stanley Cups in 11 years, many Leafs fans are probably wondering if their team will ever get back to the Finals in their lifetime because they haven't won it, or even been there since 1967. Given the current ownership group in Toronto, the future's not looking too hopeful there. The Maple Leafs are run like a big, faceless corporation while the Illitch owned Red Wings have been more like a family for the last several years. As someone who's been a Red Wings fan practically his whole life, I couldn't ask for much better. Some of my fondest childhood and adult memories are of watching all of those great Red Wings teams of the 90s and 2000s with my dad. Such memories as seeing my 40 year old dad screaming at the top of his lungs on his bed as the Red Wings clinched their first trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 29 years against the Blackhawks, and the "I Want Stanley" song during the 95' Finals, the fight on March 26, 1997, my dad on the floor screaming in front of the big screen when the clock hit 0, and the Wings won their first Cup in 42 years, the nerve racking 1998 playoff run and repeat, the 2002 All Star team, and rushing home from my high school graduation to try to catch end of game 7 against the Aves, and of course 2008 and 2009. I could seriously write a book, but I won't... tonight. And if you really think we have it so bad, or "deserve better", try putting yourself in the shoes of a die hard Blues, Flyers, or Sabres fan, all teams with very loyal fan bases who've endured decades and decades of frustration. As for what other team's fans think of us? Who cares? Win or lose, they hate us, call us know nothings, crybabies, obnoxious, spoiled etc. etc. Why you might ask? reread my post.

Home Feel Lightning restrict playoff tickets to Florida residents The Canadian Press - 4/3/2015 8:25:34 AM TAMPA, Fla. - If you don't live in Florida, you can't purchase single-game playoff tickets for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The hockey team says it wants to "create a home atmosphere" for the upcoming series. The Tampa Tribune reports that any tickets purchased with a credit card not attached to a Florida address will be cancelled and issued a refund without notice. Tickets go on sale Friday morning. Spokesman Bill Wickett says the team doesn't "feel the need to apologize" for limiting the number of visiting team fans in the Amalie Arena. In addition, only Lightning team attire will be allowed in the Chase Club section during playoff games. The Tribune reports that loud contingents of fans of teams in Chicago, Montreal, Winnipeg and Detroit have attended Lightning games this season. ___ The Tampa (Fla.) Tribune, http://www.tampatrib.com My sister lives in FL so if any one needs a way to get tixs. I got your back. Yes this is "when" the Wings make the playoffs.

Good story. Too bad it isn't even remotely true. Zetterberg didn't "put this team on his back and will them into the playoffs last year. He didn't play a single game between February 8th and our first round playoff series on April 24th. Nyquist put the team on his back a year ago, scoring 13 goals and 8 assists in March and April. Not Zetterberg, who only played 45 games last year, none of which were in the second half of the season when we were fighting to make the playoffs. Nevertheless, I agree with your larger point. Which is that there's nothing wrong with the team leadership.

Why are guys automatically considered worthless when they get hurt? This is a contact sport, I think. Injuries are going to happen. Not a waste of a trade at all. The moves for Cole and Zidlicky were pretty much exactly what should have happened. They are not at all the reason why this team is terrible now.

I deserve better, I don't know about everyone else.

And what he's helped this team do lately hasn't been the worst possible outcome when you consider how well this team's been doing despite being in a transition period. If this team were built to win a Cup, and underachieving the last few years then that would be one thing. That's not been the case since Lidstrom retired. In fact, I'd say this team's been overachieving and exceeding expectations since then. Comparing this current team to one that's missed the playoffs the last five years is not a fair comparison to say the least. What annoys me is the knee jerk reaction so many fan seem to have with this team. When they're in a slump, even in the midst of an overall good season, they want fire the coach, and clean out the whole front office. If they suddenly make a strong push and win 4 out of their next 5 games then all of the sudden they are heroes. If they lose in the first round, they're jerks and need to be fired. Should they win in the first round? They're heroes. After they come up short in the second round? They all need to be fired. If by the grace of God this team makes it all they way to the Conference Finals, they're all back to singing Babcock's praise again... Being a fan of this team sometimes feels like being a Jerry Seinfeld in a room full of Cosmo Kramers and George Costanzas!! For a coach whose message has become so "stale", I'd say this team's done pretty well all season, with their 40-24-13 record so far.

Wings will go 3-1-1 Lose in OT to Minni Beat the Caps lose to the Habs and beat carolina twice, Tatar will score 30 goals and Datsyuk will lead the team with 65 + points and we will play the lightning in the first round.

Ya... Most fans already live there. Lol

I actually assume hell be brought back next season. Yeah it will suck if he's only in Detroit for 11 games, but for what we gave up for him, if we get into the playoffs then his contributions helped and it'll have been worth it to me. The mates Mattias probably weren't going to make our team, and for a while there the z cole Abby line was pretty awesome. The potential physicality of that line alone on zs wings I see as a plus. We just got hit with our injury bug at a bad time, and now piecing the lineup together in a successful way is more prudent because of the timing. I expect him to be back though, he's still quick, still defensively responsible and if worse comes to worst he can still play a grinding role or sit in the press box as the 13th guy. I don't see him getting more than a couple million so it'll effectively be like cleary this year. Which as sad as it seemed, hasn't turned out too badly. Ive only seen the vague upper body injury tag with him, but itd be alot better if it is his shoulder instead of his back.Which is what I assumed. And I'm in the minority here, but I thought zidlicky was kind of a wash at the beginning. He was scoring goals, but I thought he was pretty bad defensively and that he took very untimely penalties... Both have seemed to even out.

If Blashill begi becomes head coach next year I wonder if he'd be considering a Mrazek, McCollum tandem and try to resign him.

While we're on the topic... What's up with that bum Datsyuk? He's missed 7 of the last 9 games. What a horrible signing that was. Trade him for a bag of pucks.

..and tell me again, when Stevie was near the end, how many times we either had to scratch and claw to just make the playoffs or were in danger of backing our way out of the playoffs? Let alone tell me when Stevie would have sat because of an injury that he couldn't just "ice up" and play, especially when it comes down to two of the most important games of the year which would have more than likely secured the playoffs. I am not questioning Dats contributions to this team or his ability to still be an impact player. I am questioning the entire leadership philosophy of this team, starting with him. Z says he's 100%, so why are we to believe that he isn't? He just is what he is anymore, more than a shell, but nowhere near what he was 5-6 years ago, but hey, he is older and not as good anymore. The problem is, these "leaders" today will even sit out a playoff game with nagging injuries, even elimination games, Stevie, Shanny, Hull, Feds, Igor, Nick would have NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER, EVER done so. Disrespect my ass, the fact is, he makes $7M to ******* take this team to the playoffs, not sit because his ankle hurts, again, THEY MAKE SHOTS THAT TAKE CARE OF NAGGING PAINS!!! If his ankle was broken, I understand, but a sore ankle? Gimme a break! In my job, I am working in small places lifting and throwing things all day long, if my back hurts do I get time off? NO! I get to take 2 alieve and get the f*** back in the hole! This isn't December anymore, these games are pretty much game 6's and 7's for us, this team needs leadership to lead! All this blaming Jimmy and Petr is stupid, Petr played well enough last night to win, he had 1 bad goal, but the D (Q especially) let him down in the end. Even Patrick had bad goals against him, even Hasek. Its ******* time for the leaders to inspire this team, if keeping this streak alive isn't important to the leaders of this team, to keep history going, to keep this organization talked about among the elite teams off al time, then ******* retire and let other players who want to preserve history and keep this team excelling take over! Sure, 1st round exits suck, and no way this team is favored to win a Cup this year, but you have to get to round 1 in order to have a chance....f*** letting the streak go, if this team cannot win a Cup every year, then damn it, isn't it important enough to have something to brag and be proud of? The streak is on the line, if they miss this year, they will never get anywhere near it again. I want to Cup too, but if we can't win it, why just say f*** the playoffs? Those of you who don't care about making the playoffs year after year will never be happy, because for you its the Cup or tank. I will take a first round sweep over completely missing the playoffs.

Totally agree. Zidlicky was excellent right off the bat, and that was a big plus for us. But even if he'd only been half as good I'd have considered it a successful trade. Cole has played fine so far, and will continue to do so going forward. Same with Zidlicky. They've both been excellent additions and have done EXACTLY what Ken Holland was hoping they'd do. People bitching about Cole are the same ones who lament Stephen Weiss too. It drives me crazy.

I'm confused, is 6 points in 11 games bad? Did you guys think we were getting Max Pacioretty? We got a 40 point winger, who came to Detroit and played...ready for this...EXACTLY like a 40 point winger. Or were you guys suggesting that Holland should have known Cole would get hurt in advance, and thus not made the trade?

I imagine the Make Believes would happily trade spots with the Wings right now.

We are such a spoiled fanbase, we do not deserve anything. I'm still proud of the team, but I think they may have overachieved some earlier and are now coming back down to earth.

I don't think this loss is on Mrazek. Sure, third goal is a stinker, but he saved our asses many times before that happend. He was also hung out dry at least at the first goal, arguably at the second too. 1st and 2nd period tells me this is all about confidence. We need to find a way to rebuild it. Great teams are made by situations like these. Guess we will find out if the Wings are pretty soon.

@HeleneStJames: Apologies for my poor hearing, Mike Babcock said "Rask kept us from winning." Said Mrazek should have had 3rd goal. Looks like she deleted the previous tweet.

No. It's stupid to trade a player of his caliber when his stock is so low. He is better than he is playing right now. When he finds his game again then trade him and go with Mrazek. Trading him after this season would be a panic move.