ogreslayer

OK, let me take a serious crack at it. I'll do it by way of an unnecessarily long screed because typing is cheap and I can type fast, and by comparison, because I don't think it's as simple as jealousy (although that's a factor with some for sure). I won five poker tournaments in a row in Wuxi, China, and you could cut the air of resentment with a knife it was so thick! So past success and a childish sense of "hey, no fair you win so much!" is a valid complaint (worthy of dismissal).
But there can be more to it than that. Let's compare the Wings (and the other teams) with America (and the other countries).
Living in China, I constantly deal with the question about why some of my fellow foreigners, mostly Europeans, have such a low generalized opinion of Americans (not America the government, which is a separate issue, but Americans, and their attitudes and culture in general). Is that because they are "just jealous"? Hardly. I wouldn't be so daft as to think that. I know that I'm also dealing with prejudices, and stereotypes, most of which wouldn't exist for any country/nationality/whatever without some thread of reality, however distorted or magnified, to go on. Also, I don't take any prejudices personally, and I am more than aware that the perception dynamic changes completely whenever things are one-on-one.
Even so, one undesirable mark of a stereotypical American is rooted in positive self-perceptions that-are-by-comparison-or-at-the-expense-of-others.
1) Spouting "We're number one!" - or some other mantra that suggests the same thing. (we did invent foam fingers, among other things)
2) A general belief (by some individuals) that we really are number one, in everything, even if we aren't.
3) Isolation and Centrism - little knowledge or genuine interest in what others are all about, or have to offer. Little "other" awareness.
4) Laurels, and the resting thereupon - "We invented democracy."..."If it wasn't for us, you'd be speaking German/Japanese."..."Everything good that happens in the world is because of us."
I could make a long laundry list, but I won't. I can't stand blind America bashing, from within or without, any more than I can stand blind self-promotion. It all looks silly to me. Furthermore, it doesn't matter whether anyone is right or wrong about their perceptions, because we are talking about PERCEPTIONS - self and other - which are too often highly subjective.
So what about the Wings? Let's start with the fact that Detroit affectionately refers to itself as "Hockeytown". I personally like that. When I hear that I take it positively, as it just means that the sport enjoys broad, passionate community spirit and support in Detroit. From my experience, I LOVE sitting and watching a hockey game with a Wings fan, because THEY...LOVE...THE SPORT, generally speaking, of course. Likewise, sitting at a baseball game with my Cubs fan friends, and a hot dog, a beer and pretzel in hand, is a treat and a half for me. Feels like Americana to me. I can eat the atmosphere with a fork and spoon, it's so good.
Incidentally, why do you think I haunt the LGW site? Same reason, MATT...LOVES...HOCKEY. And he draws in kindred fans by the THOUSANDS. Who wouldn't want to be part of that? I would, enough to be a supporter even.
Now despite the Hockeytown nickname, which is loaded with implications that can be taken negatively, the reality is that hockey in Detroit (just like every major city that has more than one pro team) takes a firm back seat to other sports, like football, baseball, and basketball. Hockey is not the number one sport in "Hockeytown". The best you might do is compare it to "per capita support/spirit" -- in which case every Canadian hockey town might step in to rival Detroit with some very real claims of their own. And I'm sure New York, which has two hockey teams, might have some claims of its own to make as well.
But what about the past wins, past Cups, being part of the Original Six, the dynastic history, especially with the Bowman/Yserman/et al years? You all really do have a city that can stand proud, right?
Sure. But sometimes pride, over what you think might set you apart in a good way, can EASILY be delivered in an in-your-face elitist way that is not just fallacious, but can win you some richly deserved enemies and repels good people.
For example, hailing from San Jose, I've always been dismissive of any fan that makes a comment about hockey teams in places "where it doesn't even snow" -- as if that somehow makes a team any less worthy. But that is akin to the kind of attitude that some are treated to by some Original Six team fans. There's always the "eww, you're a newbie" kind of nonsense (and it is childish nonsense) that comes with any self-assessment, anything that might set you, or yours, "apart from the rest". Do any of you see hockey as a "Canadian Sport"? Well, originally, even before the Original Six, it was. But Detroit was right there in its infancy. Doesn't that make it at least part American? Ask the average Canadian hockey fan, and see what they say. And then ask yourself if the question even matters to anyone except the one taking exception. Because to me it doesn't. I don't have a problem with a Jamaican Bobsled Team. The more the merrier, especially in a sport that needs all the support it can get.
BUT...just as Europeans sometimes point to their older cultures as a point of implied superiority over, say, North and South Americans, Australians, etc., it is not uncommon to hear hockey fans from Canadian and Original Six teams especially, who will allude to a sense of superiority of their own on a similar (and equally fallacious) basis. Big deal. It's silly, but it's also human nature. Old rich snubs its nose at new rich. Freshmen are hazed by Juniors and Seniors. Newbies in many internet forums are often treated to house/bridge trolls that lie in wait to put the newbie in their places.
The Yankees, like the Red Wings, are often hated for what is seen (especially in the past, when there was far more truth to it), as The Team That Can Best Afford To Buy A Pennant/Cup. Follow the money, and it really is/was, to many, no longer about who is the most talented, but rather who could afford to stack the field deck with the best/most expensive talent. At that point, the reasoning goes, why not cut out the middle man (the sport itself) and cut to the core question that is being determined, which is which city (or owner) has the most money?
Fast forward to today, and there are many who see the past accomplishments as bought-and-paid-for-deck-stackings. Which is to say, no respect for the past laurels upon which some might want to rest.
The Hockeytown/Big Dynasty syndrome, if taken (or dished out) negatively, can sound presumptuous -- like there's a feeling of entitlement, or "more-worthiness" that goes along with it. For example, I remember well when the Sharks eliminated Detroit in '94. That didn't just upset Detroit. It seemed to upset the entire hockey world. Young upstarts, and who the hell are they to fluke their way past mighty and far more proven Detroit? NHL.com covered it...then stopped covering the Sharks pretty much altogether. Very, very strange, but its just a small portion of what happens even today with Eastern Conference coverage versus Western Conference. East is elite, older, more established, while the West is rough, and new (pronounced n-ewwwww). And poor not-so-western-after-all Detroit and Chicago (once the upstart) ended up divided from the East and thrown in with the newbie western upstarts.
What does that have to do with some people hating the Red Wings? I don't know, I was rambling and got lost along the way.
[/unnecessarily_long_screed]

Having the NHLPA's MVP award named for one of the men responsible for the formation of the group instead a Canadian Prime Minister with no connection to the game makes perfect sense. Great move in my opinion.

Just you wait & see.... The Hockey Gods will see fit to grant you a baby with a full beard in return.

Just you wait & see.... The Hockey Gods will see fit to grant you a baby with a full beard in return.

Maltby (shoulder), Dr. Jones (Healthy scratch)

Thats just it tho... were not that great. Phx will sweep us

Beauuuuuuuuuutiful. Can we get a Kane v Tootoo match-up soon?

At the end of the day we all have our biases and you can make all the justifications you want. Any of us can spin this argument and make either goalie out to look better or worse than they are. Personally, I really like both Howard and Osgood and I don't want either of them gone under any circumstances next season because I think they both bring a lot of value to this team. Yes, the Wings had poor showings in both of their last two games while both Howard and Osgood were in net. Yes, both goaltedners let in weak goals. And yes, the Osgood supporters can blame it on the rust and the Howard supporters can blame it on fatigue while the Osgood haters can blame it on diminished skill and the Howard haters can blame it on being overrated. The fact is we should be approaching this topic as (hopefully) Osgood and Howard are and embracing this duo as a tandem. Osgood is mentoring Howard and the duo are working well together. Babcock is going to go with who he thinks will give this team the best chance to win and we, as Wings fans, should be pumped at how our season (and team defence and goaltending) has turned out because a couple months ago we looked like s***.
Yeah, I wish we had had the luxury of being able to get Osgood more starts throughout the year but we've seen the emergence of a great young goalie. Yeah I wish Osgood didn't let in a s***ty goal some 20 seconds into the game in philly but I'm happy that he had a solid 3rd period. With 3 games to go in the season we're battling it out for 5th in the West let's reserve judgment on our goaltedning situation for these last few games.
I agree it would have been great if Osgood had come out and dominated the Flyers but now that he had a chance to knock some rust off he should have a chance to play the Jackets on Friday and if he puts in a solid performance I think we should all be pretty content. Things have come together well for this team so bickering over the goaltending seems pretty silly to me.

Wait, when did Downie become anything more than a thug with good linemates?
The man has had one good season, in any league, other than that he has been okay, while breaking rules, bones, teammates faces, and getting severe suspensions.
He has a Hart finalist and a potential future HOFer on his line, and that is just St Louis.
And BTW I love the he only gets 14 minutes and Stamkos and St Louis get more argument, he must play with other lines. UMM NO!
That means his line plays with another winger half of the time.
Why could that be? Could it be like Cheechoo and Michalek and many many others, he is making a living off of their linemates?
NO, it has to be because Downie is so good, that playing him anything more than 15 minutes would be illegal, actually I read some where that the league told Tampa, if he reaches the 15 mpg average Tampa has to forfeit all of their games!
Here is the reason for this thread, LGW gets a boner for enforcers, Downie is a goon, who due to his linemates is productive. Seriously, next season I want to be on St. Louis and Stamkos line, I will play for free, and I guarantee you I score 10+ just by listening to Mickey and stopping at the net with my stick on the ice.
BTW I suck at Hockey.
The other reason, LGW gets a boner for Canadians, and Downie being a Canadien thug who probably shouldn't even be allowed in the league anymore, gets LGW a raging hard on.
Don't blame me those are just the facts!
I mean the guy puts up Sammy/Hudler numbers and is a god, while those guys were scrubs, hmmm could that be because they are not Canadian, GRRRRRRRRRRRRRITTTTTT!

Hmm. I can't help but notice how you are arguing that we SHOULDN'T bring Hudler back because he won't help the team, using the fact that his absence this season noticeably hurt the Wings as a reason to keep Hudler out.
You are possibly the most logic-deprived member of this forum.

this ^^^
I work with a number of people who are very familiar with the Phoenix area or are there currently. From what they say, the hike to Glendale can be absolute murder, especially if you live on the other side of the city. The move & general lack of other things to do in the Glendale area has done a lot to kill off interest in going to games in that market.

That's a farging trick question.There is no life after Lids

Funny you bring that up.
Yzerman says this.

a gentleman never hits a lady...
i know, i know...2 mins for cross-baiting. i'll head for the box.
(and by box, i mean cindy's bitter, withery little mangina!!)

Well considering I doubt Zetterberg has the heart to fight a very physical player like Crosby I doubt we will ever know.

Your baiting game is old dude.
esteef

You want to see Kronwall blatantly leave his feet and elbow Crosby when he's not expecting it?
That's what Kronwall means...right?

Which one? He had like 6 or 7 of them on Hank. What a whiney, entitled little *****. THAT is why we hate Cindy.

GOAL!!!! Thank Cheesus!