Yzerfan1999 81 Report post Posted January 22, 2008 (edited) This article appeared this morning in the Edmonton Journal under the thread title - Its from Jan, 20th from Detroit Free Press, and I thought I saw it kicking around in here but after a quick search I couldn't find it. The article made me feel kinda bad for the guy - do you guys think he gets enough credit/attention around Detroit? I don't see why the guy is not the #1 guy over there. Can Hockeytown be Z-Troit? Edited January 22, 2008 by Yzerfan1999 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted January 22, 2008 He needs to beat up some reporters to become popular in this country. If that fails, there's always the ever-popular drug bust which will elevate him to the higher echelon of espn notoriety. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CrossCheck24 2 Report post Posted January 22, 2008 The article made me feel kinda bad for the guy - do you guys think he gets enough credit/attention around Detroit? I don't see why the guy is not the #1 guy over there. I think that Lidstrom is number 1 and for good reason. I think that he is probably the 3rd most recognized name on the team (depending on Cheli and Hasek). In my mind he is 2nd behind the captain. I think that Nick has the intangibles that Hank will learn with time and experience. In time he will be the #1 guy and if he sticks around #40 will be in the rafters. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LeftWinger 5,153 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 ...odds are, with all these LOOOOOOOOONG term contracts being signed, in 2009 he will sign a deal that keeps him here for at least 12 more years. He will play his career out in Detroit (I am not sure about Datsyuk) and if he keeps up his 80-100 pts per season, there's no reason he won't have his #40 retired... ...here's the problem with Hockeytown. First off, tickets are still TOO expensive and they're only going to up once these UFA's start signing. But more importantly this franchise (say what you will about Lidstrom) has no identity, or for better understanding, has no one player that EVERY SINGLE fan can relate to or can recognize just by speaking his name. Every sports fan (whether football, baseball or basketball) knew who Stevie was. Sure in the world of hockey everyone knows who you are talking about when you mention Nick or Hank or Pav. But ask the average Pistons fan if he knows who Hank is. This franchise needs a face that the fans relate to and recognize just by seeing him. Sure you cannot replace what Stevie gave to Detroit, for petes (no pun intended) sake he grew up here. He spent more years in Detroit than he did growing up in Canada. The Wings stars today are not going to have that effect on the city as Stevie did. Sure, they will be great, heck they already are, but which team can fill the seats and give an identity is the question. A team with Hank, Lids and Pav on it or Yzerman, Fedorov, Probert and Ciccarelli? Problem is, these players are retired (for the most part.) Todays NHL is watered down with players with no personalities and most of them are not personable. The Chris Chelios' of the NHL are gone, he is the last of a dying breed. Opposing fans come to the rink just so they can boo him, he fills the seats. This franchise needs a face, and really, Hank or Nick aren't it. If Illitch does a few things, the arena will sellout again. #1 being drop prices, but that won't happen, next he has to get players that the fans recognize, he needs to bring Sergei back, he at least would be someone who average fans know and recognize. He should put Yzerman in a position where he is seen more by the public, what that may be I am not sure, but something is wrong in hockeytown and winning is not the problem, as much as we are winning that arena should be full. Sure Sergei is not the be all to end all, but having his familiar #91 on the ice would help fill the stands more than it would hurt... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 Until Lidstrom retires, he will be the most recognizable Wing in the overall sense I think. Could Zetterberg be more recognizable? Sure, but it's not like there's a need for him to get respect or that he's being disrespected in any way in my opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EuroTwinLove40 0 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 He needs to beat up some reporters to become popular in this country. If that fails, there's always the ever-popular drug bust which will elevate him to the higher echelon of espn notoriety. or a Jiri "T-Lusty"-esque scandal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 or Stanley Cup, lower ticket prices and international TV contract Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest LivingtheDream Report post Posted January 23, 2008 That article also mentioned how the Tigers have no problem selling tickets. I'm starting to feel the ticket price economy thing is a crutch and is diverting attention from other problems with hockey in Detroit. What the heck it is, I am not sure, but I have a clue. I have this friend at work who simply isn't interested in the Wings anymore because he thinks they don't have what it takes to win a Cup. Thinks Datsyuk and Hank can't pull through and is unimpressed with making it to the conference finals last year (because we didn't win it all). This kind of attitude is to me about the lowest a "fan" can get, but I hear it all the time. I'm starting to think a big chunk of Wings fans were fair weather fans and with the glory days over have no interest in an exciting new young team. Of course we are all real fans here. ANYONE who takes the time to sign up and post a thread or reply on hockey has to be a fan! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted January 23, 2008 Until Lidstrom retires, he will be the most recognizable Wing in the overall sense I think. Could Zetterberg be more recognizable? Sure, but it's not like there's a need for him to get respect or that he's being disrespected in any way in my opinion. On top of that, it doesn't sound like he cares. Much like Yzerman, he seems content to blend in and hide. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
