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Blashill isn't an NHL coach. They have no system. Every player has regressed. He's followed Babcock's lead and tries to turn players into something that they're not. Smith should never have been put solely on the PK and been forced to become a defense first defenseman. Jurco has been forced to play a grinder role. Helm has been used in a scoring role when he can't score far too much. They want Mantha, a natural shooter, to play like Homer because he's big. He allows Tatar to play like that guy in your beer league who refuses to pass to anyone because he ALMOST played in the CHL when he showed up to an open tryout. He keeps sending Sheahan out there despite him being ineffective in almost every area of the game. That's how it's partly on him and not all on management.

People in Metro areas of GR are life long Red Wings fans. And that won't change. A GR team wouldn't be nearly as popular. Besides, the surrounding areas there aren't as wealthy as metro Detroit people are, you likely wouldn't see sell out crowds. They might have a population, but hockey games are expensive.

Your initial quote was " Wrong. GR is bigger than Buffalo, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Ottawa, and QC." you didn't say anything about "surrounding area". If we are going to go there, cool. Here are the numbers according to Google for each of those cities and the "surrounding area". Grand Rapids - 1,005,648 Buffalo - 1,135,509 Edmonton -1,159,869 Calgary - 1,214,839 Winnipeg - 782,000 Ottawa - 1,236,324 QC - 806,400 This really doesn't matter, but my point is that you are just throwing out statements regardless of whether they are true or not to make a point. When you start out a statement to someone with "Wrong", you have to expect to be called out if you are not right. It started as all 6 of these cities were smaller then GR period, then when that was proved wrong it became the "metropolitan areas", now that is proved wrong as the GR area is only larger then 2 of the 6 you stated. Either way, I'm done with this debate. I would be shocked if Grand Rapids ever got an NHL team.

I liked the Crap Shooters that Karen came up with. Those logos though, they could be going GoTs and calling them The Mountain or King's Guard.

I do not claim to be a hockey expert, so I would invite those that know more about it than me to correct me if I am wrong. Here are my impressions of the Red Wings: 1) It should come as no surprise that the Wings can't score. When they get the puck, if they manage to clear the D zone, they do NOT drive to the net or take a shot, they dump the puck to the corner and surrender possession about 75% of the time. They went from the best puck possession team to the worst puck possession team. I have to believe they are coached to do so, because that is what they consistently do. 2) They have NO passing game whatsoever. Cannot make two clean passes in a row, most possessions are short lived and end up with a botched pass and possession to the opponent. A lot of blind passes to no one in particular which end up on the opponent's stick, often in front of our goalie. 3) No speed or quickness. A few years ago the team did not have speed. Now they have some players with real speed but they don't play with speed. When we get the puck we are immediately pressured by the opponent with no room to maneuver. When the opponent gets the puck they sail into our end unimpeded. 4) Cannot win puck battles on the boards. 5) The Wings give the opponents more space than any other team, letting them maneuver or pass at will. 6) Consistently melt down late in the game. This is a carryover from the last few years under Babcock. Cannot put an opponent away in a close game. 7) We probably have the two best goalies in the game, who are getting no support whatsoever from the defense or offense. 8) The power play is inept, to the point the wings should decline any penalty if that were possible and forget the power play. It only results in embarrassing short-handed chances for the other team. I can accept the fact that due to making the playoffs for 25 years in a row we are not getting the upper level draft picks, but I no not think the player talent is as bad as their performance indicates. (However, I do believe you are only as good as you play) Either the team is grossly underperforming or they have the most mediocre talent or lack of talent in the league. I believe the team is grossly underperforming and the blame has to fall on the coaching staff. It is possible that they will gradually get their act together and have a strong finish.(Pittsburg started out pretty bad last year if I remember right), but now I am starting to think that is just wishful thinking. Let me know what you think. Joe S

I agree is almost done. I think saying he has 2-3 years left is being generous. I would not be surprised at all to see Holland protect him. I just think it is the wrong move. I also think there is a better chance that, if left unprotected, that he would be left unclaimed due to his age and what he has left. I mean, I just feel it makes more sense to take a risk on a guy like Jurco or Sheahan when it comes to building a new franchise. Sheahan can make a reliable 3rd line center for them at worst when it comes down to it. He is also young enough where they'd own his rights for a long while. In the end, they are not building a team of teenagers over there. They'll have plenty of guys who have been in the league for a few years, who can be of service for several seasons. To take a 37-year-old for a veteran presence just seems silly in today's NHL. The game is getting faster, Hank is getting slower. Younger players are playing bigger roles than ever.

Try telling the league that. Having the team or Hank say he would consider retiring if drafted would no doubt be seen as an attempt in trying to protect an extra player, and the team would absolutely be penalized for it. Not worth it.

NHL team in GR might be profitable for them but it would be the dumbest thing for fans.

Ya I think your sarcasm radar needs a little tuning my friend

He's realgud at doing that. Ask Howard.

Zetty! Yes exactly. Kronwall is not a top player (never was really). Zetterberg is still one of the best players on our squad and arguably is the best player in the league for his age 35+. The only other one that might be better currently (slightly) is Joe Thornton (scored like 82 points last year). But anyways, that's why I believe Vegas would pick him up if they are looking for a veteran presence. Because as far as older players in the league are concerned, he would probably be the best one available. I think the sky would fall even harder on top of Ken Holland if we lost Z to a dumb expansion draft. He will most likely rather lose someone like Sheahan.

More likely that Holland takes him and everyone hates him for not being as good as his dad

Vanek going around the World to score it top shelf corner

yeah I know, what was he expecting, a standing ovation? The previz reminds me of SodoSopa they promise you this^ and end up with

Instead of making him Glendening Jr. put him with a couple guys who can score and LET HIM PLAY. None of this "Jurco played really well, that's why I'm scratching him for the next 5 games" nonsense. Don't bench him for a defensive mistake that you let Tatar and Nyquist get away with over and over.

Going from this to this is a ******* joke. Watch the beginning of the video here as douch-nozzle in a suit announces the plans for the roof. http://www.wxyz.com/sports/video-new-red-wings-arena-wont-have-led-roof-team-ops-for-giant-little-caesars-logo

My comment was 100% tongue in cheek. I don't like the name as well and think it should have been The Gordie Howe Arena. I would have even been ok with the Mike Ilitch Arena. As time passed from the announcement, I like it less and less. The only thing I will say positive, is I like LCA better then some random corporate name such as "The AT&T center". At least the Wings and LC have that connection with Ilitch. Still dont like it though.

(Disclaimer: I'm a Packers fan) Lambeau has been renovated quite a few times and is now one of the most aesthetically pleasing stadiums around (though I don't like the new addition they did recently with the new seats). Here's the only stadium evolution video I could find to show the changes (it's a crap video but gets the point across). I share the concerns of everybody else. We went from have a really sweet state of the art new arena with an LED roof. Now we have a short guy in a toga holding a pizza on the roof to go along the one of the most embarrassing stadium names. Now on top of that they have to share the arena with the a basketball team and have all their stupid basketball banners and merchandise and memorabilia... I feel like we've been conned. We were sold one thing, now they're making a ton of changes in the middle of the ******* construction! To be honest, I'm not even looking forward to the "Pepperoni Palace" anymore.

"Suck it up and suck!" Our ultimate revenge. >:}

Dude, I know it's a rarity but GMP was making a joke!

Further proof that elite players do not reach Unrestricted Free Agency.

Quincey scored a beauty last night.. Unbelievable ability to find the puck in his skates, kick it from one foot to the other, up to his stick for the wide open net. May be the nicest goal I've ever seen him score... Check it out... https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.youtube.com/embed/hVkDBNgs59c&ved=0ahUKEwiz6dDkvr3QAhUs6IMKHSVLCOMQo7QBCBowAA&usg=AFQjCNEnsU_r6unUtBanGLduhhAYpOkoXw

This fits if you sing it to that tubthumping song: and then we dump da puck and then we chase da puck we sing the songs that remind me of the good times... You all can judge whether the "I get knocked down, but I get up again" chorus is appropriate. I guess we'll see as season goes on.

we get da puck and then we dump da puck and then we chase da puck and then we don't get da puck and then we get da puck and then we dump da puck and then we chase da puck and then we don't get da puck and then we get da puck and then we dump da puck and then we chase da puck and then we don't get da puck and this goes on for a while and then we lose da game

Completely disagree. Scoring being down is all about the advancement of the goaltending position. I think the general caliber of players is also better so that individual players seldom dominate as in the past. Defensive players are more skilled now and the defensive part of the game has also developed. There's a much larger talent pool to draw from now with some European nations developing their hockey communities and the growth of the game in the states. It's not the same talent pool being spread thinner.