BringHomeTheCup!

Red Wing fan #3: Isn't Fedorov a UFA this year?

I'm not sure whether or not to take that seriously. His stats haven't ever really been that great, but then again, he isn't really a quality starter type goaltender. I compare him to Cloutier.

I don't think so, it's likely the last contract Malts will sign. I wouldn't be surprised to see the last year go unfulfilled due to retirement. We are paying him less than a million per, worse case senario, we buy him out. I don't see how this is a bad idea. Besides, with injury, trades, and guys leaving via free agency, the rooks will get an opportunity.

10-3 Each of the game winners 2. Cleary's hit on Phanoooof 1. Cleary's SH penalty shot goal

I just can't help but picturing that 94, SMYTH above it on the back, the winged wheel on the front.....

True, but again, look what happened to Manny in the playoffs. It's quite similar to what happened to Backstrom this year. Is having more records than anyone else a record in itself? And if it is, would that record count in the number of records held?

That's pretty intersting to me, sorry if I came off angry or upset or whatever. I know there are some places not too far from Detroit, now that I really think about it, that are pretty well off. I guess most people on here are getting upset, including myself, because it seems like you are questioning our dedication. I know for me, and most of my friends, it isn't about doing something else. It's about not being able to do mcu hof anything, much more the less, attend a playoff game at the Joe. I mean, for the price of one playoff ticket in the cheap seats, all of us can get together at someone's place, order a few pizzas, have a few beers, and still have some cash left over. It's a totally different mindset out here as well. I think that has a lot to do with it. Like I said, personally, I have trouble making rent, car and insurance, cell phone, utilities, and food. To go to a playoff game, I would have had to start saving over a month ago. Instead, I've went to about 6 regular season games.

That is a big if, Bert is getting better and better with each game he plays. But there will come a point where he won't get better. With Smyth you know exactly what you get, and I think he brings more intagables than Bert. I don't know if we could fit him in, but I'm sure Kenny will look at it long and hard.

What you are saying couterdicts itself. Is it opinon or fact that economics, as you say, aren't the biggest factor in the decision not to attend games? I would suggest you do some more research, see what the average income in with in 100 miles of the Joe. It isn't going ot be nearly as high. The economy is the single biggest reason you aren't seeing as many people at the Joe as in years past. Are there other factos? Yes, no doubt. Just what criteria were you using when you searched salary.com? I looked, I couldn't find any link to search salary by geographic location, other than first by searching by job. Even then it doesn't give me a clear answer.

Dom, no way. He has been too inconsistent. Hank, I'd buy that, and of course who would argue with Nick? But I would also throw Cleary's name in the mix. He cooled down a bit in the last 2 games of the San Jose series. But he has been huge. Making big plays, scoring big goals. If the Wings win the cup, and Cleary plays like he has for the most part in these playoffs, I think he has got to get some serious consideration.

Well said.

I agree, but I can't help but think of ways to fit Smyth in under the cap lol

True, but look what happened in the playoffs.

True, but remember his back is a huge issue. How much longer can he play that physcial style? And also, we have guys who hit, Malts, Franzen, Cleary, Homer, I know none of those guys have the physcial presence that Bert brings, but insert Smyth, and every line has a tough grid it out guy.

A year ago I wouldn't have blinked at spending $100 or more on a playoff ticket. But after my recent layoff, I'm so far in th red it just isn't feasiable.

That site is pretty sweet, my buddy told me about it a few years ago. It's nice because he covers all the major canadian papers and such. Like I said, he is pretty accurate too.

That may be so. But you are forgetting how awful the economy is here. Like I said before, it's a choice between basic needs and a hockey game, what are you going to pick? You said before you pay a $3,500/mo mortgage. That alone says you make at least $3,500/mo, yeah cost of living is significantly higher, but understand this. Here, people aren't worried about making minimum payments on their crdit cards, or having the mortgage in on time. We are worring about how we are going to find the money to get our next meal, how much longer the electric company will leave our elecrticy on because it hasn't been paid in months. We don't wonder where our kids are going to go to college, we wonder if they can find a job after high school to help us stay afloat. I really don't think you have a grasp on how bad things are here. Going to a Wings game is a great way to get away from it all, but not when it's going to a Wings game or having food.

The more I think about this, the more I like Smyth on our team. He is a blue collar guy. Someone our fans are already familiar with. He plays the game the same way Stevie did, with heart, soul, passion, love for it, respect for it, %110 every night. With guys like Briere, Drury, Gomez, Giggy, and Shanny UFA's I think we have a legit shot. Smyth would have a chance at a Cup here, not many teams with enough cap space to sign Smyth can say that.

Just a quick FYI, tickets that were $20 face value during the regular season are now $99, that is %500 mark up. These are the seats that I usually get. I can't afford much else.

As much as I love hockey, this state is a football state. The Lions have never been a real good team. They have had decent teams, but never a true contender. Yet, the games are packed. I'm not sure if they are sell outs or not, but I know they are close to it. Ticket prices are a lot better to. I went to a Lions game this year, I got the ticket for free. It was a $75 or $85 ticket. I sat just off to to the side of the end zone. Great place to watch a game. If I wanted to get that close to the rink at the Joe, it would cost me easily $150, regular season. And I agree, going to a Wings game is no longer a status symbol.

I myself was unemployed for 6 months. It's hard to find a job in this state. I literally applied at over 700 locations in 6 months, and got a total of 2 call backs. I got one job offer. This job blows. I am making about half of what I was. I can barley pay my cell phone bill (which is cheaper and more convient than a land line), car note & insurance, rent, and have enough money for food. I think someone already mentioned this, but simply making the money to have a home that has a $3,500 mortgage, and struggling to put food on the table (for myself mind you, I have no kids or significant other) are two completely different worlds. It's like Jagr complaining about not being paid enough because the insurance on his 6 Benzs, 8 BWMs, 3 Hummers, 4 boats, and 2 helicopters went up. Living within your means is one thing. But not being able to provide the basic needs is another.

The economy is a HUGE factor in the Wings not selling out. Add in no advancement past the second round since '02, the Tigers recent World Series run, and the hype that the Pistons bring. I don't follow basketball at all, I hate it in fact, but just from watching ESPN, the Pistons seem to be the only 'good' team left in the Eastern Confrence (basketball got it right, why hasn't hockey?) so they are favorites to be in the finals. Plus I've heard they release like 500 $18 playoff tickets. The Wings playoff ticket prices are way too high. In most cases, for the first round, ticket prices jumped %100+. I know when I goto games, I sit in the Upper Bowl, these tickets went up %158 or something like that for the first round. It only gets worse as we prgress. I've heard the third round these same tickets are going to be about %200 increase. It's just nuts. Add in that most Wings fans don't live anywhere near the Joe, gas is over $3.00 per gallon ($3.20 where I live), plus increased playoff parking prices, and food, the price for 2 people to go to a playoff game is easily over $350, and that's with cheap seats. If you want good seats, you are looking at well over $500 for one game. There aren't many people who can afford this. Especially when you can go to a Tigers game for about $100.

Smth did love Edmonton, and he got burnt, badly. He won't be back there. No way. Shanny is trying to decide between retirement and the Rangers, he won't be back, and I don't want him back. I think he would cut into Huds and Flips ice time too much. I cringe at the thought of signing Backstrom. He hasn't proven anything that Jim Carey, or Kevin Hudson hasn't. Nylander IMO would be too expensive for Detroit, and Fedotenko I just don't see much of a positive side. He is regularly a - and his best season he had 39 points. We have guys who fill that role, that aren't as expensive. Another good rumor site is Spectors, it's pretty accurate on a lot of things.

I just don't get Backstrom, he has played 41 games in the NHL, his stats are pretty good, but he plays on the Western Confrence version of the Devils. With just about everyone on this board complaining that Marty isn't that good, he just looks like it because of the system he plays is, you would think that they could make the same asumption about Backstrom. In stead, many of them go in the other direction. I just don't get it. And look at his playoff stats, not so hot. BTW, all you Marty haters saying his stats are padded, take a look and see who faced the most shots this year in the NHL.

Babs has hinted at splitting up Pav and Hank, and they are both natural centers, next season. I think a guy like Smyth would fit in great with Pav, maybe throw Huds on the second line, and Flip on the first? I think Smyth would be worth a serious look. And again, I don't like the idea of giving up more for Bert by signing him, especially if he can't really turn it on in this series. He has about 20 games under his belt, so he should start coming around.