Redwings 1926

Funny you should mention that, because it did happen in the 50s when the Cincinnati Reds temporarily changed their name to the Redlegs so as not to be associated with Communists. When Washington DC's high crime rate was the subject of countless headlines, the city's NBA team decided to change its name from the Bullets to the Wizards.

Who would want to root for a team called HP Pavilions? Marketing and branding are as big a part of professional and college sports as they ever were. That being the case, it is important for organizations and leagues to maintain some balance between the two. If the marketing aspect is taken too far, it could become detrimental to the brand. That could effect merchandise sales, and ultimately fan support.

I used to be one in the years right after he left for Anaheim. I feared he may have been starting a trend whereby all the big name free agents want to play in the "sexy markets" with all of the MTV appeal, like NYC, LA, Florida, etc. I know now that I was wrong as the NHL did not become the NBA, and the Wings managed to win another without him. Let's just say I felt some of Cleveland's pain when "Queen James" bailed on them. That said, I hold nothing against Federov anymore and have actually come to respect the guy.

The Columbus Blue Jackets should become the Columbus Knights, or The Knights of Columbus.

My favorite Penguins sweaters are the ones that simply said "Pittsburgh" down the chest, instead of that logo that serves to remind us of another one of the league's worst team names.

I wish the Lions' front office had half the heart Draper does.

Canadians aren't a race, so how can Canucks be racist? It's like saying Yankees is racist, despite its being used even more loosely than Canucks is. The Blackhawks were named after a WW1 military unit, which may have been named after a certain Midwestern tribe or chief, so maybe we can consider that one "racist by default". It's still one of the greatest names in sports. You gotta admit that. The Redwings used to be the Cougars, but I guess someone felt a few large feral kitties in the West would take acceptation to that, similar situation with Falcons, so we settled on Redwings. LOL

Am I the only one who thinks this is a really bad idea? I can't think of any good reason for any successful team, such as Dallas or Tampa Bay, in the region to do it. As for the struggling teams in the South? Why take a step back when your brand is already struggling as it is? The key here is to build an identity, and that does not happen over night. Rebranding doesn't really mean squat if the organization sucks, so why waste the energy. That said, I would love to see the Ducks change their name. It's better than Might Ducks, but that's really not saying much. Unfortunately, they have been successful with that name, so you can bet the farm that's not happening. In reading this post, I am reminded of when this occurred in the NBA in 1997. It resulted in the Bullets being renamed the Washington Wizards, another reason I think this is a bad idea.

Agree with you on Atlanta being a lousy sports town. They love their college games though. Not to be "Captain Obvious" here, but the real culprit the Thrashers' piss poor management, not the lack of fans that resulted from this debacle. I am also a firm believer that hockey can work in the South, and warm weather markets. The problem is those regions have become over-saturated. In my opinion, the best way the NHL can "grow the game" is to leave it as is, as opposed to trying to put a team in every city where they serve to cannibalize one another from a slim pickins' of fans. Allow some the Dallas', Carolinas', and Nashvilles' to gain some regional appeal. I do feel for the Atlanta fans however. They really were never given a chance to succeed as a viable hockey market.

South Florida actually has tons of hockey fans. The problem is, very few of them are Florida Panthers fans. They just go to their games to root for their hometown teams. Go to a game when they are playing host to an Original Six team, or the Flyers, and you are sure to be in a full house. It may be somewhat demeaning to be a Florida Panthers fan, constantly feeling outnumbered by other teams' fans, but it actually is one of that organizations saving graces.

...And Canucks.

I like both of these teams and would not mind seeing either of them win it all, as the home team has never done it, while Boston is in the midst of a 39 year Cup drought. When taking into consideration that the West is the better conference, the travel, and the that this seems to be the year of the home teams, I think Vancouver takes this.

That was entertaining, but I cannot see how these really ugly third jerseys were approved by anyone. Being as comical as they are/were, who were they marketing to? Even most of the current designs have way too much going on with all of those vertical stripes going up the arm pits and intersecting down the sleeves. Simpler is better.

I see what you are saying, but it was still tough for me, seeing as he had become the face of the franchise. By the time he hung them up in 2006, he had literally been with the Redwings all my life, and the captain all but 4 of those years. It was strange, just as it will be strange when Litdsrom, Ozzy, and Holms move on.

This organization did not accomplish what it has over the past 20 years by being stupid, and dumping a guy with 14 years of experience under his belt for a complete unknown would be just that. In your assessment that Yzerman would "be more aggressive in trying to pick up certain players rather than just leave it as is", you are attempting to compare two general managers in two completely different situations. Yzerman is in his first year with a team that has some talent and experience but has not made the playoffs since 2007. Ken Holland, on the other hand, has been with an organization that has been riding high since the 1991-1992 season, and has only had 3 sub-100 point seasons in his 14 years as gm. The last time the Redwings even missed the playoffs, 1990, the Lighting did not even exist. That said, I am as big a fan of Steve Yzerman as the next guy and hope for nothing but the best for him in Tampa Bay , but I don't think it is fair to be comparing him to Ken Holland just yet.

If the NHL were as popular as the NFL in this country, the league would share the same view. With the NHL still trying to establish itself in the a place where it has more regional appeal, ratings are key. Besides, I would bet none of us would have a problem if it were the Redwings hosting the game. I know I wouldn't.

Might as well get used to it because there are only a handful of teams that will draw a decent audience. In the States, that means Canadian teams and markets such as Atlanta, Nashville, Columbus, etc are out of luck in terms of getting a game. I expect it will be the large, traditional markets of the north east and midwest playing in most of the WC games.

Detroit has a following everywhere, especially in all of the southeastern markets. Go to a game in Tampa Bay, Florida, Carolina, Atlanta, you name it, it's a Wings home game. That said, I have heard nothing of Atlanta moving anywhere. Even if it is true, Columbus would be the first to go because they are further east, and the owners out west like the crowds the Wings bring with them. The teams in the northeast that the Wings would be competing against draw pretty well on their own. Nashville is just too far west to go east, especially when you have Columbus butting right up to the north eastern region of the country. I would love to see it happen, even though I would miss the rivalries with Chicago and St. Louis. The Lions will win a Super Bowl before this happens. I hate to say it.

No way!! I can have respect for a team that forces a game 7 after being down 3. Losing in 5 is what spoiled little brats do with entitlement issues do. These guys didn't give up when the going got tough. Go Canucks.

Amen to that!! After these last 4 games, I stand corrected after saying this team lacked heart. Given the bleak circumstances of an 0-3 hole, they played with a lot of heart. After this series, I have a ton of respect for this team and despise the Sharks all the more.

Go Canucks!! I want 4 straight shutouts!! LOL

This is the Sharks' year!! They are destined to win this year.

This is San Jose's year I tell ya!! Worst of luck Sharks!!

Do you remember the days before that when a two game lead wasn't safe for the Redwings? They lost twice in 3 years after leading 2 games to nothing, to Colorado in 1999 in the conference semis and then to LA in the 2001 quarterfinals.

That does not prove anything. In the 3rd period, the winning team is usually try to keep the other team from scoring. A team trying to protect a lead is more likely get an interference call for instance, while the losing team is trying to stay on the "straight and narrow" to maximize their chances of getting a goal.