FunkedUp

Hey there. You are, indeed, in a unique situation. I'm assuming your flying into Detroit Metro airport and not Detroit city airport. If so, you are probably anywhere from 30-45 minutes away from the Joe, depending on traffic. Actually, since your coming on Saturday, and the Wings, Pistons, and Tigers all have games that day, you will almost certainly encounter traffic. Not to mention Tech fest which is going on. I honestly could not help you on price estimations for getting a cab from DTW (airport) to the Joe. It would be a hefty price though for sure. Detroit is not a cab friendly city, but its not impossible to find one. There will be some at the airport to accommodate your requests, but be prepared to shell out big bucks. I'm pretty sure JLA allows backpacks but they will certainly inspect it first. You can walk from Broadway to JLA, there will be tons of people everywhere. Just don't be stupid and walk around on your cell phone or listening to your Ipod or do anything else that makes you unaware of your surroundings. Downtown Detroit is safe, but its not Utopia. Oh also, I believe JLA sells beer for $8, but you actually get 2 beers since its 24oz. So technically, you are paying $4 a beer. You should stay longer, but enjoy your stay in Detroit. You certainly picked a good time to visit.

I've been just thinking about the success the Wings have been having. without recent high draft picks. It has led me to wonder about other teams. So, in recent years, how many first round draft picks (that are on the roster) has Detroit had? What about a team like Pittsburgh? I've been trying to think about how many they have, and I could only think of Crosby, Malkin, and Staal, but I know I'm missing others. Its great to see the Wings remain elite without many first round draft picks, while other franchises NEED them desperately to compete. Thoughts...

So the current first rounders that are currently on the roster: *** = team drafted by. Pittsburgh. Crosby (1) Fleury (1) Malkin (2) Staal (2) Whitney (5) Orpik (18) Hossa (12) *** OTT Roberts (12) *** CAL Gonchar (14) ***WAS Sykora (18) *** NJ Sydor (7) *** LA Smith (23) *** VAN Taffe (30) *** STL Beech (7) *** WAS Detroit. (Over the last 10 seasons the Wings have only had four first-round choices, and none of them were higher than 19th overall.) Kronwall (29) Cleary (13) *** CHI Stuart (3) *** SAN Is this right? I think so...

I want whatever it is that your smoking.

Whoever scores first wins...

It was not a good enough effort. The wings were just outplayed today, no excuses. I think Drake, and Maltby had a good game though.

Heres my idea... Double header hockey games at the Big House in Ann Arbor. Afternoon game - Michigan vs. Michigan State. Night game - Detroit vs. Toronto. This would be huge. You would have two of the premier college institutions squaring off that would give good exposure to NCAA hockey and the game of hockey itself. The night game would be the Wings and Leafs. This would draw tons of people from all over Michigan as well as people from Ontario. (both big markets) If the tickets were priced right you would undoubtedly see the hockey attendance record shattered. Nothing in terms of exposure, ratings, and attendance could top it. The Yankee stadium game would be cool, but I'd think the Rangers and the Bruins would get the nod for that one.

I seriously thought the same thing...

Good Pics, I like the one with Homer kicking. Yeah, the worst thing about last night was the waived off goal. It isn't something like a questionable hooking call or a accidental trip. This was a goal, no question. Oh well, no use bitching about the unchangeable. Wings are gonna come out hard on Saturday.

Erat's salary. 08-09 - 3.50 NHL 09-10 - 5.25 NHL 10-11 - 5.25 NHL 11-12 - 6.00 NHL 12-13 - 5.50 NHL 13-14 - 3.50 NHL 14-15 - 2.50 NHL Kinda weird lookin.

The scary thing is that he's just entering his prime...

Stevie....Hall of Fame....Who would of thought?

The Wings playing the Penguins this year? That's crazy talk. Next, we'll be talking about the Wings playing original 6 teams like the Rangers, Bruins, Leafs, and Habs. Soon it will be the Flyers, Devils, Islanders, and Buffalo. (Just getting my rant out on how we never play those teams. I guess the NHL thinks its good that the Wings don't even play the Rangers, Devils, or Flyers and the Leafs, Bruins, Habs never even came to Detroit this season. Something is wrong with that.) Anyways, all signs are pointing to Detroit vs. Pittsburgh which will be a great series!

We're definitely going to need Dallas Drake in the lineup. He's playing good hockey, and we will need his physicality. I like his kamikaze instinct. On a side note... I do miss Downey. Not that I think he should be in the lineup over anyone else at this point (unless we suffer injuries), but I feel bad for the guy. Hopefully, he's back next year cause we need him.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/attendance?year=2001 NHL Attendance over the years. ^

I think were gonna see a big move this summer. Not a blockbuster or anything, but I feel something big coming up this July.

So today (Monday 28th) there are no sports teams from the Motor City playing today. I know this is a Red Wings forum but the Tigers and Pistons need our support as well. Today, is indeed a day of anticipation with the Red Wings playing the Avalanche, Tigers playing the Yankees, and the Pistons playing the 76'ers tomorrow night. All big games for each franchise. I know most of you here are not big fans of baseball and basketball, but its good to see Detroit have successful teams (Maybe Illitch will buy the Lions, far fetched I know, but I can dream). Go Detroit Sports!!!

Its actually quite simple. Americans like simple things. Football and Baseball (not so much basketball) are slow sports. Between each play or pitch there is generally an extended period of time, where the teams strategies are discussed. This is allows the average viewer time to realize whats going on. As opposed to hockey, where it is a such fast paced game that most Americans have not played themselves or are unfamiliar with the rules. The game is so fast paced that the average viewer is clueless and doesn't know whats going on at all. These fans wonder why the whistle is blown at certain times, and things like "icing," "offsides", and even penalties require explaining to do to the non hockey fan. You guys remember when the TV stations did that highlighted puck thing??? Another thing. Growing up and playing baseball, basketball, and football is extremely cheap and it is usually provided for by schools or the local community. Hockey costs thousands of dollars to play....think about equipment, ice time, travel time, etc. Also, you can play baseball, football, or basketball anywhere. Hockey requires either cold weather for the ice or a building that can support ice. Back in the 1900's it would have been hard to support an ice rink in warm weather climates. So the tradition of hockey is not as strong is the US as baseball, football, etc... The biggest reason why hockey does not do as well is people don't care to understand the rules and the game. Every single person that I've met that has played or is knowledgeable in all four sports (hockey, baseball, football, and basketball) will say hockey is their favorite sport. Also the people that do not seem interested in hockey know nothing about the rules, history, the game, etc. The find more entertainment in watching cars go around a circle (NASCAR) See how Americans like simple things???? At last but not least, another reason why hockey is failing to grab new viewers is....drum roll. The illustrious, Gary Bettman who actually is alienating the current fans, and failing to bring in new ones.

Love the McLeod effect.

Good hard work by the Mule. Heres to more to come...

Just curious, does anyone know what the record for most octopus's (octopi?) thrown in one game is? Maybe we can break it...

Its not as bad as you think, JLA & Comerica Park have pretty cheap beer. See you are actually getting 24 ounces when you buy 1 drink which equals 2 beers. So therefore 1 beer = $4.25. That is comparable to many bars, restaurants. So therefore 12 beers = $51, which isn't bad for going out. Here in Boston at the TDGarden and Fenway Park, you pay $8.00 for a Dixie cup beer, which is slightly less than 12 ounces. Somewhere between 10 and 12 ounces. So you literally are paying twice as much, if not a little more. Not to mention, you miss more of the game searching for beer. When I come back to visit Michigan and Detroit I envy the lower prices.

dank chronic

I would love to see a McCarty-Drake-Downey line.

Maybe his tattoos as well? I like them. Do any other players have full sleeves like that?