redwingslady87 130 Report post Posted October 3, 2007 When's the last time the Wings ever did anything like that (in regards to meeting the fans)? I guarentee you if Illitch had a 'meet the team' event where anyone can come to the joe and hang out with the players, taking pictures, getting autographs, more tickets will sell. I hate how snobby this team can appear to be at times. I know it's not the players fault, as I'm sure most of them would love something like this. It's time the brass let the shields down and the fans in. As said in a previous post probably 10-15 years ago. The last time i can remember was probably 10 years ago when Stevie Y and Federov came to Caesarland in waterford on two different occassions. I was probably about 10 at that time. I Had been standing in line all afternoon and evening with my dad waiting to get Yzerman's autograph and we didn't get to meet him til about 10pm, but he didn't leave until everyone had come through the line and even at 10pm he was still nice to everyone, gave them a smile and a hug for those who wanted one. Its not that the Wings no longer have players like Yzerman who would do something like that, but the corporation no longer offers events like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted October 4, 2007 (edited) Part of me is mad at the fans for not selling out the game tonight. It was the home opener, so it's really disappointing it wasn't an actual sellout. I mean, if teams like the Florida Panthers can sellout their home openers, there is no reason why the Red Wings can't (although, there weren't really that many empty seats tonight, and the fans that did attend were great). On the other hand, part of me is extremely happy that tickets are becoming so cheap again. Nothing beats seeing a Red Wings game live, even if the Joe is a dinosaur amoung arenas, and the in-game entertainment is pretty outdated. It's also a good thing in another way: the lack of sellouts will finally start forcing the Red Wings organization to become more fan-friendly again, for once. The organization has really alienated the fan base over the years, and it's become extremely frustrating. As for the sellout thing themselves: I have full confidence that if the Wings were to lower their ticket prices come next playoffs, there will definitly be sellouts. And if they stay the course and keep ticket prices low, the sellouts should come even sooner then that. But they need to stop being such snobs and make this team accessable to the fans again. Illitch has made the Tigers a very fan-friendly organization. Ticket prices are reasonable, games are fun, and the team celebrates with the fans (like they did when the won the American League title last year). If Illitch can let the Tigers be so accessable to the fans, then why can't the Red Wings? It's time for some changes. I love the Red Wings, and with the new cheaper tickets, I've bought some for quite a few games this year (like tonights for example, which I just got back from). But if the team really wants the fan base back, they need to start showing more of an effort to connect with the fans. Edited October 4, 2007 by Kp-Wings Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrie 900 Report post Posted October 4, 2007 After the Yzerman-Shanahan-McCarty era, not selling out is a good thing. You don't want this Organization to turn into the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leafs ownership doesn't give a damn about their fans, because every game is sold out, and it doesn't matter how bad the team gets. I'm glad it's not a guarantee that the Wings will sell out. It may suck now, but in the long run the Red Wings will be better off for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted October 4, 2007 After the Yzerman-Shanahan-McCarty era, not selling out is a good thing. You don't want this Organization to turn into the Toronto Maple Leafs. Leafs wings ownership doesn't give a damn about their fans, because every game is sold out, and it doesn't matter how bad the team gets. I'm glad it's not a guarantee that the Wings will sell out. It may suck now, but in the long run the Red Wings will be better off for it. changed it to represent Mr. moneybags and co Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kp-Wings 3 Report post Posted October 4, 2007 changed it to represent Mr. moneybags and co You're brutal. As much as that is true, the Wings ownership is not nearly as bad as the Leafs ownership. But the real fault up there is the Leafs fans themselves. If they had half a brain they'd realize that the organization will never try to put together a winning team because the games still sellout anyways. Harold Ballard once said it himself: "Why should we worry about putting together a good team? The fans still come anyways". Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
datsyukismyfriend 4 Report post Posted October 4, 2007 are tickets still available? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
toby91_ca 620 Report post Posted October 4, 2007 I actually disagree with ya on the hi-lighted area...I honestly believe that they're trying (came pretty close to the Cup Finals in 2002) to put the best product on ice, & will spend up to the cap limit - however many of the decisions made by the Leafs mgt over the years always screws them up in the long run...A few examples would include re-signing Antropov for another 2 years @ $2 miil per years, trading for Toskala before they had a buyer for Raycroft, & speaking of Raycroft - his services had cost the Leafs a future star in netminder Tuukka Rask. This is why they want Scotty Bowman to run things. Also, the Leafs would make even more money if they went deep into the playoffs, so I think they are, to an extent, making an effort to ice a strong team. You never know, Antropov might turn out to be good this year. He is on pace for 164 goals this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OsGOD 3 Report post Posted October 4, 2007 are tickets still available? as of 2:20am this morning no... i heard they gave them away to FREE to everyone on the street outside the joe looking to get in. hehe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted October 4, 2007 Also, the Leafs would make even more money if they went deep into the playoffs, so I think they are, to an extent, making an effort to ice a strong team. You never know, Antropov might turn out to be good this year. He is on pace for 164 goals this year. True, but he'll be second to Stastny. He's on pace for 246 goals this year! Talk about one hell of a season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
