Could the Detroit Red Wings actually be moved?

[The Secret 304]

I'm originally from Windsor, Ontario which is almost a sub-urb of Detroit... I could see the JLA from one of my apartment Windows. Anyway I moved from the area 3 years ago because it was tough to find work then. With this recession hitting and the big 3 automotive dying it's gotten steadily worse and does not seem to be slowing down. Michigan and Southern Ontario are hurting really bad because of this as we all know. I have heard rumours that if GM goes bankrupt that the Wings will likely be moved. Please excuse my ignorance here but is this at all possible or is it just people freaking out and speculating this? I don't know if could cheer for the Winged Wheel anywhere else... losing an original 6 team, any original 6 team would suck so bad I don't know what more to say. Can anyone shed any light on this?

[maltbymaniac 13]

could and would not ever happen PERIOD.

[ZabiOfDetroit 0]

Nope, they will not move.

People will always buy Little Ceasers.

[RainingBlood 8]

Illich Holdings will not go under, the company owns too much, and the economy will eventually take a turn for the upside. The economy is like an 18 wheeler when your going in the wrong direction it will take a while to get it back in the right direction. Dont worry about the Redwings moving because it wont happen.

[CrossoverThrash 0]

Little caesar's is the perfect company to own in hard economic times

[Shaman 713]

Well here is the #1 reason why they wont move...they are an original 6 team the NHL would NEVER approve them moving.

[finalfilppula 2]

too much history. it won't happen.

[BlueMonk 102]

No.

[The Secret 304]

I figured that they would stay where they belong but I have heard these crumby rumours a few too many times recently and had to ask your opinions. I feel a bit better hearing all your thoughts. It would be a sin for any original 6 team to fold or move.

Look at ticket prices for Canadiens games, it will make you throw up at what people are charging here!

[DRWExaminer 0]

I believe this rumor started when Al Strachan made the comment on Hockey Night In Canada. It was an off the cuff remark by Strach in reference to the fans in Detroit not being able to support the franchise due to the economic woes of the area should things continue to deteriorate. There was no factual basis for the comment, but nonetheless it has sparked converasation which is exactly what Strachan had hoped for.

[Chelichic 12]

The Wings have nothing to do with GM... the Lions is a different story. Illich will not pull the Wings out of Detroit. His companies are doing great and will mostly continue doing well regardless of what happens to GM. If anything Illich should take over the Lions.

[StevieBoy 2]

I would hope to hell that it never happens and feel safe saying it probably never will. But those saying they won't move because of Little Caesers are a little misinformed. I understand Illitch owns both but it's a business. They won't dump profits from Caesers into the Wings. If the Wings became significantly unprofitable (which again won't likely happen) then they'd have to look atmoving the team. But the Illitch's are good business people and you don't risk one to save the other. They are separate entities which, for the most part, must be self sufficient. I'm sure someone will come back and argue this but they'd never be so irresponsible as to float one wiht the other.

[12Newf 0]

I believe this rumor started when Al Strachan made the comment on Hockey Night In Canada. It was an off the cuff remark by Strach in reference to the fans in Detroit not being able to support the franchise due to the economic woes of the area should things continue to deteriorate. There was no factual basis for the comment, but nonetheless it has sparked converasation which is exactly what Strachan had hoped for.

that is a strachan specialty, comments with no factual basis. the guy is a hack.

[bellarina 1]

Mike and Myrian Illitch are Detroit.

No way in hell this team goes anywhere.

[OsGOD 3]

yeah they will be moved when they get the new arena

Wings have no relation to the big three... thats like saying if the porn industry collapses Burger king will go out of business.... The only thing that will happen is that about 50,000 metro detroiters will be forced to go on unemployment and given the nature of the jobs... forced to leave the s***ty state of michigan. then they might have issues "selling out" the joe... but that is nothing new so its business as usual.

[Jwo 7]

The team did not move out of Detroit back in the 20's when they were in debt and they sure won't move in the future.

[Ruys92 0]

The Wings would never go to a different city. However, on a recent tour of the building, the tour guide was more than suggesting the idea that by the end of this year a decision will be made as to whether they are going to renovate the arena, or build a new one. He did not but any means suggest building the arena out of town. I'm not sure if this input really means much but he works in the marketing department and he may know a little about the situation; definitely more than any of us (for the most part).

[wingslionstigers 12]

Why would you be asking this when the Detroit Red Wings attendance for 08 is in the top 5 in the NHL and has been for the last 20 years. Where are they going to possibly move to gain more attendance than they have now? Theres been teams moving around the past 30 years looking for a town to reach higher attendance ratings with no luck. Theres only 1 city in North America that can challage the state of Michigan and the city of Detroit on attendance and thats Montreal.

So umm yeah i think this pretty much sums everything up.

[detroitdan 0]

The Wings would never go to a different city. However, on a recent tour of the building, the tour guide was more than suggesting the idea that by the end of this year a decision will be made as to whether they are going to renovate the arena, or build a new one. He did not but any means suggest building the arena out of town. I'm not sure if this input really means much but he works in the marketing department and he may know a little about the situation; definitely more than any of us (for the most part).

They've been saying that a decision will be made by the end of the year for a lot of years now...I'm not holding my breath

[Proud 2 B a Wings Fan 0]

Stop listening to the Hotstove on Hockey Night in Canada where most of the idiotic rumurs in the NHL get started. Illitch sells pizza not cars!

[nosyt612 103]

I think you guys are missing the guys point entirely, hes saying that if the Auto Companies go under then the Joe would not even come close to the attendance it has now. Now i don't think they would move, but it would put a lot of stress on the franchise. His point has nothing to do with Illitch's money, it's about the fans having no money.

Edited November 27, 2008 by nosyt612

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Will never hapen. Next topic.

[Barrie 900]

If the Red Wings can stay in Detroit when they only made the playoffs 2 out of 17 seasons, they'll last through the few years it'll take for the big 3 to get their act together.

[Barrie 900]

I think you guys are missing the guys point entirely, hes saying that if the Auto Companies go under then the Joe would not even come close to the attendance it has now. Now i don't think they would move, but it would put a lot of stress on the franchise. His point has nothing to do with Illitch's money, it's about the fans having no money.

Well, as of now, only one could go under, not all 3. Even if one goes under, it'll probably overall make the other two stronger.

[nosyt612 103]

Well, as of now, only one could go under, not all 3. Even if one goes under, it'll probably overall make the other two stronger.

Thats still a lot of jobs that are disapearing, which will affect attendance. There is no way the franchise is moving tho.