skacore 2 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I can only smile reading this thread. I'm glad a poll like this was finally taken so some people can wake up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mckinley25 679 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I think part of it is the fact that he walks and talks like me He walks like you? Do Europeans walk different than us? I know Datsyuk is bow legged, but I don't think that has anything to do with him being from Russia. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
talex 1 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 (edited) It is a combo of all the reasons listed. That said with the recent Zetterberg signing, he is basically as local as anyone else now and has showed commitment and loyalty to the Wings and Detroit, so did Datsyuk and both are amazingly popular. If Wings fans cannot get behind Z after his signing, well no north american player is going to affect things very much. The Wings could use some more physical presence for sure and everyone loves to see them fight back, but to not watch a game because of that is silly. As far as the jerseys go... well I think the economy has alot to do with it, things were better back then they are now, plus you can find many of those jerseys used now on places like ebay for a song compared to new ones. I personally watch every game I possibly can and enjoy each and every minute, being in Milwaukee when the Griffins are in town I make sure to go to the Admirals games to see our young talent play. I am also going to 5 games in the next 2 month's, so maybe I am a little more than a casual fan, then again the redwings are about the only good thing left in my home state, so maybe it means a bit more to me than those who still live there... Oh yea... the rivalry thing is huge... Luke Skywalker w.o Darth Vader... Batman w/o Joker... A good bad guy (or team) always makes the hero more interesting and stronger... Watch how things heat up now with the Sharks... fear not new villians are coming, then you will be more vested!!! my 2 cents. Edited January 30, 2009 by talex Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedatsyukian 7 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I love the way the red wings play and I'll continue to love it. If you can't enjoy hockey without fighting then I would rather you not watch. Go watch UFC. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skacore 2 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 (edited) I love the way the red wings play and I'll continue to love it. If you can't enjoy hockey without fighting then I would rather you not watch. Fortunately your opinion means nothing. Go watch UFC. I plan on it. Tomorrow night, GSP vs. BJ II! Edited January 30, 2009 by skacore Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thedatsyukian 7 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Fortunately your opinion means nothing. I plan on it. Tomorrow night, GSP vs. BJ II! Poor me. I'll just have to keep enjoying the way the wings play, damn it sucks having a meaningless opinion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ms_Hockey 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Honestly, I respect and enjoy both ways of playing. Wings just happen to have more a finesse game, whereas a team like the Ducks have more a physical game. Two different ways of playing - both equally respectable and enjoyable. I don't think one is better than the other. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I love the way the red wings play and I'll continue to love it. If you can't enjoy hockey without fighting then I would rather you not watch. Go watch UFC. 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! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Holiday 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I'm from Michigan. I love watching Datsyuk play more than anyone in the league. I could care less who is on the ice as long as they provide for an entertaining scenario. They do. I don't give a s*** about the last names and if someone could tell me why a fan has to "relate" to a player to like them. I don't really understand it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest micah Report post Posted January 30, 2009 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! Me too. I wouldn't be friends with a guy who wouldn't stick up for me if I was in trouble, why would I be a fan of such a man? I love my friends and family, and I'll stick up for them, even if it means risking a few bruises - not because I'm yough (I'm not) but because it's the right thing to do. It's not that I find Canadians more relateable than Europeans per se, but that I find the way they play hockey better jives with the way I try to live my life, and with the kind of men I respect in real life. I don't like people who let themselves or their friends get pushed around. We're talking about ice hockey here, not some thugs on the street who might be packing heat. They aren't that scary, most of the time when you lose a hockey fight, you end up with a cool shiner that chicks dig and maybe it'll hurt to blow your nose or lay on your pillow for a few days. Big deal. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
joshy207 156 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I'd have to say that the majority of Detroit-area hockey fans have trouble relating to the Wings' style of play. The fact that there are so many Europeans on the team isn't the problem in itself, but it does add to it. Those who can remember, think back to the players that were most popular in the mid- to late-80s when the Wings were climbing out of the league cellar. Probert. Kocur. Gerard Gallant. Harold Snepsts. Not because they were great hockey players--they really weren't--but because they were honest, hardworking, blue-collar guys. The teams of that era would work their tails off, bust some heads when needed, and occasionally win a few games. Without really knowing them, they seemed to be the kind of guys you might have grown up with or you might see at your local watering hole. Similar to the people you were friends with. This team doesn't play that style at all. They do work hard, but in different ways. They're immensely talented. Maybe too talented, maybe fans expect them to win every game 10-0, maybe they're expecting the Harlem Globetrotters and get frustrated when the Wings don't dominate every minute. Also, they aren't the guys we grew up with. They aren't the guys I'd expect to see at my neighborhood bar. They aren't like the people I hang out with or work with. It's not that the fans don't love and admire the European and skilled Wings, but they don't have that feeling of personal connection with those guys, or with the team's style of play. That's why guys like McCarty, Draper, Drake, and Helm are so popular here. They're "us". That's why fans go haywire when the game gets rough like the end of the 2nd against Dallas. If the Wings played like that all the time, the Joe would be ROCKING, all game, every game. That's "Detroit". That's what gets the fans really fired up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pskov Wings Fan 71 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 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. Only about half of the Real roster are Spaniards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 Only about half of the Real roster are Spaniards. 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. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 After reading 5 pages of this, I've come to a decision on how to solve the TV ratings. We need more Spaniards. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I have to agree it was amazing to see the 4th line actually bring some energy. Kopecky even "tried" to throw a few checks after Downey was running around trying to put the Dallas players through the glass. It makes the recent complaints about our subpar 4th line trio a glaringly obvious weakness. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank 0 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 After reading 5 pages of this, I've come to a decision on how to solve the TV ratings. We need more Spaniards. If they look like this, I'm in. (Yes, I know she's Mexican. What's the difference? ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I'd have to say that the majority of Detroit-area hockey fans have trouble relating to the Wings' style of play. The fact that there are so many Europeans on the team isn't the problem in itself, but it does add to it. Those who can remember, think back to the players that were most popular in the mid- to late-80s when the Wings were climbing out of the league cellar. Probert. Kocur. Gerard Gallant. Harold Snepsts. Not because they were great hockey players--they really weren't--but because they were honest, hardworking, blue-collar guys. The teams of that era would work their tails off, bust some heads when needed, and occasionally win a few games. Without really knowing them, they seemed to be the kind of guys you might have grown up with or you might see at your local watering hole. Similar to the people you were friends with. This team doesn't play that style at all. They do work hard, but in different ways. They're immensely talented. Maybe too talented, maybe fans expect them to win every game 10-0, maybe they're expecting the Harlem Globetrotters and get frustrated when the Wings don't dominate every minute. Also, they aren't the guys we grew up with. They aren't the guys I'd expect to see at my neighborhood bar. They aren't like the people I hang out with or work with. It's not that the fans don't love and admire the European and skilled Wings, but they don't have that feeling of personal connection with those guys, or with the team's style of play. That's why guys like McCarty, Draper, Drake, and Helm are so popular here. They're "us". That's why fans go haywire when the game gets rough like the end of the 2nd against Dallas. If the Wings played like that all the time, the Joe would be ROCKING, all game, every game. That's "Detroit". That's what gets the fans really fired up. Post of the month. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GMRwings1983 8,804 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 If they look like this, I'm in. (Yes, I know she's Mexican. What's the difference? ) From the looks of it, you've had that picture ready for the longest time, just waiting for the right moment to post it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zion 93 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 He picked the right time. *boing* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Reds4Life 51 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 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. And they won the Cup. Fortunately Kenny Holland, Steve Yzerman and co. do all they can to ice the best possible team witohut looking up their birthplace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pskov Wings Fan 71 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 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. According to the salary chart split is 12-10 in favor of Europeans. Almost 50%. No big names, but almost 50%. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingslionstigers 12 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 People on these forums are pretty weird who the f*** cares if you can "relate" to them its a hockey team. I like watching them because they play good hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 - 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. Probably all those things, and more. I'm sure Mr. Ilitch cares about ratings; but if Some Guy From Upstate doesn't want to watch the Wings anymore, that doesn't affect me in any way whatsoever. If the Wings are onto something and they're winning, then it's a good day to be a Wings fan. As for the usual "toughness" argument, I agree the Wings haven't been nearly as gritty this season as last, but I'll wait to deliver my verdict on all that after the season is over. I, for one, happen to enjoy watching the Wings play the way they do when they're on their game. My worldview allows for me to enjoy more than one style of hockey -- I appreciate the games and systems many teams play. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Four Report post Posted January 30, 2009 I don't even have the option to watch the Wings on TV.. Toronto ftl. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stormboy 47 Report post Posted January 30, 2009 After reading 5 pages of this, I've come to a decision on how to solve the TV ratings. We need more Spaniards. no good...*grunts* known too many...spaniards. *cough* anyway, my big thing has always been more about passion than anything. i don't care if you fight, facewash, or go crazy after scoring a beautiful fineness goal, just get excited! i feel like wings players don't even raise their hands half the time when they score. they just kind of skate towards each other all ho-hum. i remember when hossa scored his first goal of the season, that OT winner, he did the whole one knee fist-pump thing, and i remember being really excited that we were going to have a fiery goal scorer on the team. now when he scores, i see no excitement on his face. nothing. same goes for just about everyone. people criticized ovie for his over the top goal celebrations, but i'll be damned if that doesn't get the fans' blood boiling. as others have said, last night when players were laying hits and dats was all in that guy's s***, that was some of the most exciting stuff i've seen from the wings. maybe it's hard for them to muster up passion while they're just cruising for the playoffs... so maybe it is a case of cup hangover for both the team and the fans. maybe most people are just bandwagon fans. but i bet the ratings (and intensity) go up come april. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
