What makes the Red Wing's organization worth taking less money

[RedWingsLaw 0]

What are the specifics on why players want to come and stay in Detroit. Is it more specific then the winning attitude, loyal fan base, world-class players, tradition, or just the greatest logo in professional sports?

I don't imagine current players are saying "Wow Detroit can draft with impeccable foresight, I want to play there."

[Konnan511 1,736]

The organizational approach to treating players and staff with respect. I really don't like seeing or using the word "class" as it is used wayyyyy too much on boards.

Edited August 24, 2008 by Konnan511

[RedWingsLaw 0]

I can see that too, do you think Illitch makes other incentives available to the players of which are not provisions on their contracts. One thing that comes to mind is the "Grind Line" commercials from Little Caesars. Also if you saw the Hasek retirement conference he eluded to the business relationship that he had with Mike Illitch. Makes you wonder if the Wings help out their players with savvy investments and business opportunities when they are done playing and this is another factor of why the organization is great.

[Dabura 12,207]

Familial dynamic and a commitment to winning.

[theman19 47]

i'll add a chance to play for a cup every year.

[betterREDthandead 58]

The organization is loyal to a fault. I think a lot teams in the league would have got rid of Maltby and Chelios by now, but the Wings will make every effort to find ways to keep you around if you've still got a role to play, which those two do. They don't look at players as cost-benefit figures on a ledger. And who else would have given McCarty even a sniff at the big time again? I think this is why you don't see the younger guys worried about being kept in Grand Rapids for as long as they're able. They know if they're patient their turn will come and the team'll take care of them.

The Wings just do all the little things right in dealing with their players. And yes, Konnan511, it's called CLASS. Call a spade a spade. From Mike Ilitch all the way down to the poor sap who has to pick up sweaty jockstraps, it's a classy show. Oh, and the guaranteed shot at a Cup every year doesn't hurt.

[19Hockeytown5 0]

Winning-short/longterm, Class with-in the organization, Tradition/history.

It's really that simple.

[RedWingsLaw 0]

I see your point about the aging core of role players. McCarty took more penalties then I could stomach, if he wants to compete again he needs to use his feet to skate and his stick to score, not hitch a ride with his stick in someones midsection. It did bring a tear to my eye to see the Joe actually fill up more then we had seen during the majority of the season when Mac made his Wings re-debut. The vast majority were proudly sporting their McCarty jerseys too. He is still a favorite son of this proud hockey community and as it has been said the Wings, especially Holland, has a soft spot for Mac. Has everyone heard about when he was filing for bankruptcy and had to liquidate all his assets he was forced to sell his three cup rings. As soon as they went on sale, they were bought by Mr. Mike Illitch and he promptly gave them back to their rightful owner. I think that is the best illustration of why players may want to come to Detroit.

[Rivalred 630]

The organizational approach to treating players and staff with respect. I really don't like seeing or using the word "class" as it is used wayyyyy too much on boards.

I would have to disagree with this statement as I like to view the GLASS as 1/2 full and not the GLASS as 1/2 Empty. I grew up in a middle CLASS family with middle CLASS morals and ethics with all the rest of the blue collar middle CLASS families. I would get up in the mornings, go to CLASS, and on the weekends I would go to church and bible CLASS in a church with lots of GLASS windows. I was not aloud to SASS my father and mother because that means I would not of have any CLASS.

The CLASSification of CLASS is use a lot... It is used to distinguish between Lower CLASS, Middle CLASS, and Higher CLASS. This goes for the Red Wings as they have more CLASS that some other organizations.

As I type this, I am looking at my Stevie Yzerman GLASS and all I can think is this man has a lot of CLASS. Well, enough of me as I will start CLASS in 1 week and need to prepare.

[LeftWinger 4,963]

...the ones that do finally come here are through realizing money doesn't buy you a Championship. Besides, more than likely they've already been a millionaire over and over, so how much more money do you need? Plus that fact that the best player in the World (Lidstrom) conmstantly takes less than he can get on the open market and that has to intrigue som players. Of course, some players just want money...

...here's an example, how many years now has Lidstrom been making over $4 million pers season? How much more money does he need? He would rather resign here and possibly win more than sign somewhere else for money he'll never see anyhow! He's not going to go through all the cash he has now let alone use any of the $10 million dollars he could get elsewhere! Same goes for all players who feel they've made millions upon millions of dollars already, may as well get the best chance to win a Cup. Marian Hossa, perfect example, he's already made how much in his career? I do believe this season he will be making more than ever, so it's not like he LOST money to come here, he'll never spend $7.4 million dollars (of course reasonbly, if he just blows money and buys 7 different million dollar houses that's different) but the three million is isn't getting this season (if he took the Edmonton offer) isn't gonna matter to him if he wins consistantly, same wth Brad Stuart, he'd rather win than sit back and collect money he'll never even get to touch in his lifetime. Of course this philosophy is coming from someone (me) who belives you shouldn't wnat more than you need. But I do believe that the players that come here for less are those type of players, they already have more than enough money, so why not come have fun and win for a change?!?! Which is why I also believe Zetterberg will be signed for less than the $7 million the "EXPERTS" and saying he'll get. He's not gonna ask for more than Lidstrom and why should he ask for more than Datsyuk? He'll sign for similar money as Datsyuk and he'll sign long term. Same goes with Franzen, he'll sign for Filpulla money (maybe a bit more) and he'll gladly stay for less than what he could get out there...

...bottom line, when players want to win, they'll take less to do it. Also, if they sign for less, there is a lot LESS expected of them, so there isn't a whole lot of pressure on them to score 100 goals and get 300 points. Poor, poor Malkin, if you couldn't handle the stress and haul of the playoffs last year, ust wait until he fizzles out again and the fans turn on him because of all the money he's making now. Poor guy...

....where do you go to win? Detroit. You go to Detroit to win, Detroit doesn't call you to win it for them. You need Detroit, Detroit is already a winner, so odds are they don't need you...

...Superstar cast, still make millions, hoist Stanley Cup.... Priceless!

[Yemack 1]

if you were to take less money and go to Detroit, why would you do it?

My reason would be that I can have fun! while making millions dollars whereas in some other team, it's just business and I would have tougher time getting out of the bed.

Why is it fun to play in Wings uniform?

Mostly because they win all the times and they do things the right way.

[Chunkylover 26]

Has everyone heard about when he was filing for bankruptcy and had to liquidate all his assets he was forced to sell his three cup rings. As soon as they went on sale, they were bought by Mr. Mike Illitch and he promptly gave them back to their rightful owner. I think that is the best illustration of why players may want to come to Detroit.

Dude, that's awesome.

I think the team leadership really sets a great example. Yzerman, Lidstrom, and Shanahan deferring money to help them sign Hull inspires everyone else to do the same. Someone else mentioned this in another thread, but who would ever think to enter contract talks and say they deserved more than Yzerman or Lidstrom. Instead they accept that as the reality and out of respect follow suit.

[Booster313 138]

The truth is we can all speculate but none of us can possibly know. I would say that it starts with Mr. I all the way down though.

[IceMunkee 15]

I heard a rumor that Mr. Illitch gives all of his players a nice hooker after every away game.

[miller76 463]

I heard a rumor that Mr. Illitch gives all of his players a nice hooker after every away game.

If that was the case Avery would be a franchise player with a long contract for this organization. Hell, he would probably try out for the Tigers as well!

[Barrie 900]

The organization is loyal to a fault. I think a lot teams in the league would have got rid of Maltby and Chelios by now, but the Wings will make every effort to find ways to keep you around if you've still got a role to play, which those two do. They don't look at players as cost-benefit figures on a ledger. And who else would have given McCarty even a sniff at the big time again? I think this is why you don't see the younger guys worried about being kept in Grand Rapids for as long as they're able. They know if they're patient their turn will come and the team'll take care of them.

The Wings just do all the little things right in dealing with their players. And yes, Konnan511, it's called CLASS. Call a spade a spade. From Mike Ilitch all the way down to the poor sap who has to pick up sweaty jockstraps, it's a classy show. Oh, and the guaranteed shot at a Cup every year doesn't hurt.

I think Holmstrom said it best in a post game interview after the Wings won the Cup in 2002 about the Organization, "It's first class all the way".

[Nev 1,085]

Players have said in the past that Ilitch gets pro-actively involved in making sure that new players get their kids into the best schools and helps them with stuff like finding a house.

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

The organizational approach to treating players and staff with respect. I really don't like seeing or using the word "class" as it is used wayyyyy too much on boards.

Quoted for fricken truth. As much as I like this board, it has made me hate to say or use the word class since people on here use it to put down fans or players of other teams while thinking the Red Wings players, fans, and/or the organization is oh so perfect. While the Red Wings organization is a damned good one and I like how the organization seems to focus on loyalty and keeping players here for longer than usual if the situation is right, I hate how the word is thrown around in here, it makes us sound like snobs and elitists at times, which is why I never use the word.

I think Red Wings players often take more money to play here is because of the shoes and skates, Greektown Casino, the People Mover, and the chance to be on a Wheaties box. Sorry, can't think of any better material right now. *shrugs*

[j.hoop 64]

I see your point about the aging core of role players. McCarty took more penalties then I could stomach, if he wants to compete again he needs to use his feet to skate and his stick to score, not hitch a ride with his stick in someones midsection. It did bring a tear to my eye to see the Joe actually fill up more then we had seen during the majority of the season when Mac made his Wings re-debut. The vast majority were proudly sporting their McCarty jerseys too. He is still a favorite son of this proud hockey community and as it has been said the Wings, especially Holland, has a soft spot for Mac. Has everyone heard about when he was filing for bankruptcy and had to liquidate all his assets he was forced to sell his three cup rings. As soon as they went on sale, they were bought by Mr. Mike Illitch and he promptly gave them back to their rightful owner. I think that is the best illustration of why players may want to come to Detroit.

oh man, that is truly awesome ! i never paid much attention to liking illitch until i saw his drunk ass at the cup parade, but that just brings my respect for him to new heights

[Konnan511 1,736]

I would have to disagree with this statement as I like to view the GLASS as 1/2 full and not the GLASS as 1/2 Empty. I grew up in a middle CLASS family with middle CLASS morals and ethics with all the rest of the blue collar middle CLASS families. I would get up in the mornings, go to CLASS, and on the weekends I would go to church and bible CLASS in a church with lots of GLASS windows. I was not aloud to SASS my father and mother because that means I would not of have any CLASS.

The CLASSification of CLASS is use a lot... It is used to distinguish between Lower CLASS, Middle CLASS, and Higher CLASS. This goes for the Red Wings as they have more CLASS that some other organizations.

As I type this, I am looking at my Stevie Yzerman GLASS and all I can think is this man has a lot of CLASS. Well, enough of me as I will start CLASS in 1 week and need to prepare.

Nah, I like to view it as, the glass is twice the size it needs to be

[Detroit # 1 Fan 2,204]

Playoffs every season, winning, Cups, best coach in the NHL, best GM, best front office, fair treatment, etc.

This is the best team in the NHL since 1995, and will continue to be for a long time. If you want a shot at the Cup, and you have already made alot of money, your best oppurtunity is to come to Detroit. Obviously because of money and family, not everyone does, but for those who do, they win Cups.

[chuklz 15]

I think it has something to do with how classy this organization. It's first class.

[spyder 0]

Because who the hell would want to end up in Atlanta or Carolina?

[Doc Holiday 0]

One word: Bonuses.

Illitch has a lot more money to spend on that since the cap keeps him from spending a large sum of his profits, which allows him to use a good portion towards keeping his players comfortable and happy.

If only he could lower ticket prices so me and my college buddies could go to every game. And $15 for parking?! Come on!

[Mikeal 60]

Class, Devotion, treatment, etc.

Why doesn't anyone mention style of play?

I would think a puck control game with a proven system is a very attractive thing for a lot of high skill players.