Hank

It was revealed on WXYT The Ticket last night that the TV ratings for Red Wings games are down 21%. What is the cause? It can't be the economy as TV is essentially free. It can't be the Teams lack of success? They asked listeners to call in and give reasons why. The resounding response was this: - Not enough fighting or lack of fighters on the team. - Too many Europeans - Nobody to relate to - Regular season is meaningless so why bother watching until the playoffs. By far and away the top response was there wasn't a tough guy on the team. I called in and said it's because the team has too many Europeans. This was shot down by the gentleman who was running the Wings pre-game show saying that players like Fedorov were very popular. I wish I hadn't been hung up on before I could present my rebuttal. Yes the fans loved Fedorov, Larionov and the other Russians, but they still possessed so many North American stars to help offset the heavy European influence. At that time, we still had Shanahan, Lapointe, a prime Drapes, Maltby and McCarty and of course Yzerman. All of those players are either gone, or a shell of what they once were. Now we have Kopecky, Samuelsson, Lielja and Filpulla. I'm not trying to insult those players, but fans can't jump on their bandwagon as easily. I have no doubt that if the Wings were to swap rosters with Boston, the Joe would never have an empty seat and Illitch could go back to gouging fans for nose bleeds. And TV ratings would be through the roof. That team has a tremendous blend of speed, power, toughness, skill and a healthy balance of top North American and European talents. Not only that, but you have tough customers like Zdeno Chara, Scott Thornton and Milan Lucic. I love the Wings. I always have. But I admit that I don't watch nearly as many games as I once did. I used to tape games for crying out loud. But lately, I find myself watching other teams on my Centre Ice Package. There's nobody on the Wings I can relate to like I could with Yzerman. I know I might be in the minority in my belief of the dip in TV ratings, but I truly believe that if the team were to swap out 4 top Europeans for 4 top North Americans, while adding some middleweights and a top heavyweight, the Joe would be rocking and more couch potatoes would tune in. The economy was always brought up as an excuse for the lack of bodies at Joe Louis arena (an argument I never bought - The Tigers, Lions, Pistons and college teams never saw a dip in their attendance) . But that argument can't be used for the lack of TV viewership. The only reason for that is fans simply care less for the current Red Wing squad. And it's not for lack of success. It also wouldn't hurt if the Wings players themselves were made more accessible to fans. Tigerfest helps fans reach out to their baseball heroes and connect with the team. Why are the Wings sheltered in their high tower? Are they too good for the people that pay their salaries? A handshake or autograph goes a long way to establishing a fan base that becomes emotionally attached to their team. The evidence of declining TV ratings and need to reduce ticket prices just to fill the Joe makes me believe that there is far less attachment to the current group of Winged Wheelers. Just my $.02. Flame away or add your thoughts please. I'd love to hear what some LGWers have to say regardless if it's in agreement or staunch disagreement. Cheers!

Just thought I'd 2nd your opinion. And judging by the TV ratings and attendance figures, I'd say we're in the majority. Heck, more than half the people on this thread are agreeing with us. The wings have an embarrassment of riches, but that doesn't always mean their style of play matches the fans appetite. The Devils have been a tremendous team for years too and yet they could barely sell out Stanley Cup games in the dead-puck era. Reason? They were death to watch. The Wings aren't boring in the same sense that New Jersey was, but still the style we see now isn't what most Detroit hockey fans would choose first. And lets face it. We've won enough that some people feel they can complain about that. If we hadn't won in 50 years and then had this team, it probably wouldn't be as big an issue. But there's a big difference between winning and entertaining. Ask Devils fans.

That's a very ignorant and naive statement. Of course you do. Everything you do with your team is to make money. And large TV Ratings make lots of money. That's like saying you own a business for the love and don't worry about being in the red every year. You can only do that so long before you're out of business.

I'm a big fan of Graves, but should his number really be retired? He played 10 years in the big apple, but probably only averaged 50 points per season. Is that what gets you into the rafters these days?

If they look like this, I'm in. (Yes, I know she's Mexican. What's the difference? )

And yet HALF are Spaniards! That's a big difference from 10%! I'd die for 50% North American's at this point. That's why the late 90's Wings still worked. They had a perfect blend. Now it's all European players.

It's more than just blood lust. I love players that stick up for themselves and other players. Last year in the playoffs when Roberts punched Franzen in the head nothing was done. NOTHING. It was the playoffs so I don't know if a fight would have broken out with any team, but there was no reaction from any of the wings players. Not even a push or "F you!". I want a team where if you run our goalie, heads will roll. Look at Datsyuk the wrong way? Here's a knuckle sandwich for your trouble. What I love about hockey is that it's this beautiful, graceful, fast game but with a blend of the physicality we see in the NFL. It's the ying-and-yang that makes both sides so incredible. But the Wings have only had the 'yang' in recent years. Give me some YING for crying out loud!

Well said. Yzerman was loved by fans nearly immediately after he recored a goal and an assist in his first NHL game. It helped his popularity that the team was so bad there weren't many other players to cheer for. But he was still adored almost instantly. Still, if Illitch forced the players to greet with fans similar to what they do for Tiger Fest I have a feeling fans would connect much more. But they don't and they're allowed to be sheltered from the masses of people who helped make them millionares. Sooner or later Illitch is going to have to do something. I'm sure he's making money now, but having to charge only $9 for thousands of tickets and seeing TV ratings plummet will force him to make changes.

I understand that argument. But look at teams like San Jose, Colorado or New Jersey. All of those teams have had a wealth of success which means low draft picks. And yet they've been able to draft players like Joe Pavelski, T.J. Hensick, Paul Statsny, Zach Parise and Travis Zajac. Or how about Milan Lucic who was taken in the 2nd round. Sure, a lot of it is luck, but Detroit only seems to have one good scout - Hakan Anderson. There has been a wealth of good players coming from the NCAA. Where are our scouts? Mike Cammeliri was in our own backyard and we didn't even sniff him. Recent drafts have shown we're starting to go after more college players and that's a good sign. But if at all possible, it would be nice to take a gamble once in a while and make a deal for a N.A. player. I doubt Detroit was contacted in the Thornton deal, but if we were, I would hope that Holland made a pitch for him. I would love to see big Joe in a red-and-white uni.

Attendance and TV ratings have been down ever since the conclusion of the '06 playoffs. AFTER Yzerman and Shanny no longer were playing for Detroit. Coincidence? I don't think so.

Of course it's a game for the world to share, but to say we all play it the same way is naive. Look at the world juniors. Does anyone else here notice the difference between the Canadian teams from the rest? All of the teams have skill. But the Canadian teams look like they'd go through a hail of bullets to put the puck in the net. Even the American coaches the past 5 years have said so. They have constantly said that they can match our skill, but their intensity and desire are not at the same level. And they don't know how to change that. That's not to say that there aren't American players who don't play with that same passion. But as Canadian's it's natural to be pationate about your country, top sport and athletes of that sport.

I know I"m in the minority here, but I see hockey and sports as forms of entertainment. I can take a Wings loss if the game was fun to watch. Most Wings games are not that fun to watch anymore. Our style is not something I grew up watching. I can appreciate their skill - no doubt about it. But I'd love more grit and more fights. I don't think that should be a bad thing to say.

Can I ask what makes you watch the Wings? As far as a difference between Swedes compared to Canadians, it's obvious. Canadians and Americans grow up speaking english and have similar names. As much as people don't want to admit it, the difference between Canadians and Americans isn't all that much. Besides, US teams have been used to seeing Canadian talent since 1910. They've grown accustomed to it. But saying that, if there were two players of compelte equal skill, one from Canada and one from US I bet most American's would choose the American, just like Canadian's would choose the Canuck. Does anyone here seriously think Real Madrid would love having a team full of Germans and Russians? No. And I don't think an NBA team would have as much poppularity if it was made totally up with Croatians and Spainards.

Excellent point about the jersey's. During the Cup parade, there were far more jerseys with Yzerman, Shanahan and McCarty in the crowd than Datsyuk and Lidstrom. That might seem like a sad commentary, but again, I believe it's only human nature to want to follow players that look and talk the same as you. I don't begrudge anyone in Sweden for wanting his favorite team to have more Swedes. Why wouldn't they? I just want ONE Canadian or American top 6-forward.

And look where you're from; Sweden. My theory is sound. People will watch players they can relate to. And you can relate to your own nationality. It's only natural. This only strengthens my point(s).

I know. And then you look down the street and see the fan reaction to Tigerfest. All of the players were present giving autographs and talking with fans. You wan more butts in the seats and get fans connected to players why not try actually having the players connect with the fans. It goes a long way.

WDFN will crumble under a national schedule. Howard Stern and Opie and Anthony got crushed by Drew and Mike and other local programs. The people of Detroit want to hear about Detroit sports. But if there's a silver lining it's that we won't have to hear about the Lions 24/7 on WDFN anymore. If I had to hear one more caller yell "We have to get rid of Ford Sr.!" I was going to bomb Ford Field.

You and I seem to be a in big minority. Everyone loves the same tired old garbage this idiot has been playing for nearly 2 decades. The clapping seals at the Joe froth at the mouth in anticipation of hearing 'What's Going On?' for the 56,494,395,576th time. I'd like to smash this guys CD collection - which consists of 4 discs.

That goes for most Eastern Conference teams. The travel alone would have them crying for mommy by November. Brian Hayward was saying that when Philly came into Anaheim a little while ago the entire team was crying and complaining about how they had 4 road games on the west coast in 7 days. Boo F**KING Hoo! Last year New Jersey had a total of SIX games where they couldn't sleep in their own beds after the game. Can you imagine how good teams like San Jose or Detroit would be if they had that much rest at home? And in part, that's why the West is so dominant over the East the last few years. We're tougher because we have tougher conditions. The only chance an Eastern team has at winning the Cup is if the Western champ is so beaten up from a much tougher and deeper conference and is tired from all the travel. That's the only way a team like SJ, Detroit, Anaheim or any of the other 5 teams that make the playoffs could be beat by any team in the East. Boston's good, but after that, I'll take any Western playoff team against their best squads.

Awesome. Another gimmic song for this idiot DJ to play. I can say this with all honesty that if I was allowed to murder one person with no repercussions it would be the guy that does the music at the Joe. Through years of playing the same tired old songs, or adding new gimmicy homer songs, he's moved far ahead on my list, blowing past Oprah. "And I say, Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey! What's going on?" 10,098,038,764,238,638,897 times played and counting. That song has been played for over a decade at the joe for that same occurrence. I've decided that when I am allowed to murder him, I'm going to force him to listen to the same lame music he's been subjected me to for the past 15 years non-stop until his ears and eyes bleed. That's not a German song. It's that old 60's tune called "He's so fine" by the Chiffons. It was recorded in 1960. And he's not a genius. He's an idiot. Can we not listen to ONE song that doesn't have a stupid meaning to it? Can I hear a Metallica song now and then to pump up the crowd? Of course not. Because he's a moron. Honestly, I don't get how anyone could like this guy. If you've been a wings fan for at least 5 years you should be sick of this crap by now. I can honestly say I still hear songs he played from 15 years ago. Everytime I go to a game, my wife laughs at me because I'm able to guess the song he's going to play before it's even played. It's a joke. It's tired. And it's extremely annoying.

I've thought this since they 'shocked' the NHL last year with their good season. That team is completely dependent on their PP. Sure, the whole league is about special teams but no team relies more on their odd-man opportunities than the Habs. When they're on a slump everyone says "what's going on with the Habs?". But all you have to do is look at their slumping PP and figure it out. Other teams have found ways to win when their special teams are tanking but the Habs live and die with them. And Kovalev is an idiot too. When he decides to play hard, he could be the best offensive player in the league. But he rarely puts in an effort in back-to-back games. And even rarer has he put in back-to-back seasons. The Habs won't do crap in this years playoffs.

Bryan Heyward had an interesting stat on the Inside Hockey Ducks radio show. Since 1995, only 2 teams have won the Cup that didn't finish in the top 2 of their conference; The Devils in 95 and the Wings in 97. Since then, every single Cup winner has won their conference or was a runner-up. I guess the regular season does mean something after-all. Go Wings!

Maybe they felt like they should quit while they were ahead:

I've always liked this format. The simple reason why it won't happen is because of travel expenses. It's for that same reason we have the divisional format we have now. If anything I'd love to go back to 2 divisions per conference with the top 4 making the playoffs in each. But I love the 1-16 seeding. It would give a lot more weight to winning the President's Trophy that's for sure. Detroit-Buffalo? How fun would that look? Awesome!

I'd love it! The idea is outlandish to begin with, but if we're dreaming we might as well indulge. I would love to have Tavares on the Wings. A young Canadian kid with huge scoring potential??? Sign me up!