We need...

[Booster313 138]

As I scan the threads started in the last two games I see the following topics, "Osgood and Draper... turn the page", Lidstrom Final Year, with such replies as how slow he is, how he turns over the puck, how his offense is terrible. There's also "We need a goalie...Osgood is done, and my personal favorite and probably the most laughable, "Is Zetterberg on the decline?"

Yes I know that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and yes last night was an abysmal outing by our winged warriors, Osgood let in four goals on 11 shots and yes he seems to be a step slower but two were not what I would call "bad" goals to give up. The Wings were giving up odd man rushes and we couldn't sustain any offensive pressure. It appears we have been hit with the injury bug again Abbey, Rafalski, Franzen, and now Cleary are all out.

The part that I don't understand is the first half of this season, (yes two games ago) this team was playing so well that everyone thought the cup was on its way back. I know a lot can happen in half a season, (two more games) but it seems to me that the fall from grace was fast and hard.

These are the same Detroit Red Wings that have the longest playoff streak in pro-sports history, these are the Red Wings whose idea of a terrible season is a first round exit, they have the same coach that was "the best in the NHL" a week ago, they have the same 40yr old graying leader that the city and press alike were begging to return. We have the same two forwards ESPN and Sporting News rated in the top 15 league wide. As for our goaltending, we have an aging backup who was praised for his first start this year, hell the idea of a 50/50 split was even being tossed around, and a rookie starter whom was a Calder runner up last year and has already posted a convincing shutout this season. Come on people the Lions would kill for this measuring stick.

Now this is not to say that there aren't things to criticize about the team thus far, but the Red Wings have proven season in and season out that they know how to win, they always find a way to generate some kind of success...I understand why the press prints these headlines, it's polarizing and sells newspapers, I just don't get it from the fans.

This team deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Booster313

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

All the really successful sports teams have the most neurotic fans.

Fans have the right to think what they want. They don't "owe" the team anything really. The team provides fans with entertainment, while fans provide teams and owners with actual revenue, which goes into player salaries.

LGW is actually more fun with neurotic threads. Go to a Panthers or Thrashers board, and see how many people give a damn there. Not many, hence not as interesting a discussion board.

[Nightfall 871]

I agree with you 100%. As a true fan of the Red Wings, I can tell you that there are parts of me that want to not come back to these forums. Mainly because of the attitude of some of the posters here. I regularly talk with Wings fans at lunch and have better conversations with them than I do with posters here. I guess a lot of it has to do with the fact that many internet posts can be brutal. People speak their minds, and with anonymity, truly nice people can turn into morons quickly.

I lay it out a lot like you do.

1. The management deserves our full support. If not for the consecutive postseason appearances, but for the tradition of winning that has been built.

2. The players deserve our full support. No player is going to be a top line player like Lidstrom for 20 years. Even he is not immune from the negativity, which surprises me. I guess all it took was one non-Norris trophy like season for the commoners to turn on our captain. Anyway, every player deserves to be supported. They all play their hearts out and to chew into them for their mistakes or belittle them is really dumb.

That isn't to say that conversation shouldn't happen. Sure, anyone can ask the question if "player A should be signed" or "player B didn't play well". What is just wrong are the attacks against players, management, and ownership from moronic fans. Case in point, look at the "need a goalie" post. Osgood has sucked the last 3 years? 2008 was one of his best seasons! Talk about uninformed and dumb just because of that fact.

A majority of posters in these forums are not true Wings fans. They are what I would call bandwagoners. The instant that the team falls on hard times, these posters will be joining up on the Sharks or Hawks forums and claiming that they are fans. Just watch. All it will take is one bad season to make it happen. I certainly hope that doesn't happen, but I suppose there is an advantage if it does happen. Look at the Tampa Bay Lightning. When they won the Stanley Cup, everyone was a Lightning fan. I have a friend who has been a season ticket holder to the Lightning since they started playing. At the start, it was the ticket to have in Tampa Bay, and the general hockey knowledge was pretty low. After the Stanley Cup run, he would describe it as one of the most uninformed hockey fanbase he had ever known. Fans would ride the players and be non-supportive if they weren't doing well. Today, its a great time to be a hockey fan in Tampa Bay because the team is playing well, Yzerman is in charge, and the base of fans is small but they are die hard fans who support the team. That, IMHO, is the best time to be a real fan of the team.

Ah well, I have said enough.

All the really successful sports teams have the most neurotic fans.

Fans have the right to think what they want. They don't "owe" the team anything really. The team provides fans with entertainment, while fans provide teams and owners with actual revenue, which goes into player salaries.

LGW is actually more fun with neurotic threads. Go to a Panthers or Thrashers board, and see how many people give a damn there. Not many, hence not as interesting a discussion board.

This is very true. Without the common idiots, it really is not entertaining to go to forums and read the posts.

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

A majority of posters here aren't real Wings fans?

Funny you'd say that after just writing several paragraphs about how people here are overreacting.

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

All the really successful sports teams have the most neurotic fans.

Fans have the right to think what they want. They don't "owe" the team anything really. The team provides fans with entertainment, while fans provide teams and owners with actual revenue, which goes into player salaries.

LGW is actually more fun with neurotic threads. Go to a Panthers or Thrashers board, and see how many people give a damn there. Not many, hence not as interesting a discussion board.

[/quote

[RusDRW 155]

Last year I spent 6000 euros to come with my family to Detroit to watch three(!) games. They lost all of them. I don't give them what you say "benefit of the doubt"...

[Vladifan 680]

( + )

As I scan the threads started in the last two games I see the following topics, "Osgood and Draper... turn the page", Lidstrom Final Year, with such replies as how slow he is, how he turns over the puck, how his offense is terrible. There's also "We need a goalie...Osgood is done, and my personal favorite and probably the most laughable, "Is Zetterberg on the decline?"

Yes I know that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and yes last night was an abysmal outing by our winged warriors, Osgood let in four goals on 11 shots and yes he seems to be a step slower but two were not what I would call "bad" goals to give up. The Wings were giving up odd man rushes and we couldn't sustain any offensive pressure. It appears we have been hit with the injury bug again Abbey, Rafalski, Franzen, and now Cleary are all out.

The part that I don't understand is the first half of this season, (yes two games ago) this team was playing so well that everyone thought the cup was on its way back. I know a lot can happen in half a season, (two more games) but it seems to me that the fall from grace was fast and hard.

These are the same Detroit Red Wings that have the longest playoff streak in pro-sports history, these are the Red Wings whose idea of a terrible season is a first round exit, they have the same coach that was "the best in the NHL" a week ago, they have the same 40yr old graying leader that the city and press alike were begging to return. We have the same two forwards ESPN and Sporting News rated in the top 15 league wide. As for our goaltending, we have an aging backup who was praised for his first start this year, hell the idea of a 50/50 split was even being tossed around, and a rookie starter whom was a Calder runner up last year and has already posted a convincing shutout this season. Come on people the Lions would kill for this measuring stick.

Now this is not to say that there aren't things to criticize about the team thus far, but the Red Wings have proven season in and season out that they know how to win, they always find a way to generate some kind of success...I understand why the press prints these headlines, it's polarizing and sells newspapers, I just don't get it from the fans.

This team deserves the benefit of the doubt.

[Booster313 138]

I agree with you GMR, as I stated the team should be critized but by reading the topics you would think that we hadn't won a game in 3 seasons. I guess I would prefer a bit of logic and fair analysis as opposed to extremes, that being said you are correct the differing opinions do entertain, but the overwhelming negativity also frustrates me so I thought I should add some positive counter point, I in no way doubt anyones claim of being a fan as that's their personal decision, I am guilty of titling my thread with a polarizing title to garner attention.

As for DRWrus, that's unfortunate, it would be like going to Australia to whale watch and not seeing one, it seems you just had some bad luck as the Red Wings winning percentage is better than any other NHL team the last 15+ years. If you really don't like them anymore because they let you down (that's a lot of $$$) then I understand but why not select a new team to follow no team is going to win all their games.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Booster313

[GMRwings1983 8,793]

I agree with you GMR, as I stated the team should be critized but by reading the topics you would think that we hadn't won a game in 3 seasons. I guess I would prefer a bit of logic and fair analysis as opposed to extremes, that being said you are correct the differing opinions do entertain, but the overwhelming negativity also frustrates me so I thought I should add some positive counter point, I in no way doubt anyones claim of being a fan as that's their personal decision, I am guilty of titling my thread with a polarizing title to garner attention.

As for DRWrus, that's unfortunate, it would be like going to Australia to whale watch and not seeing one, it seems you just had some bad luck as the Red Wings winning percentage is better than any other NHL team the last 15+ years. If you really don't like them anymore because they let you down (that's a lot of $$$) then I understand but why not select a new team to follow no team is going to win all their games.

Oh, I know. I was responding to the post directly above mine, which talked about most posters here not being real fans.

I hate it when people say that. Reminds me of something a certain poster (who shall remain nameless) would say.

[Guest scottj]

The negativity in these boards sometimes makes me wanna leave n never come back... but then again it is the best Red Wings forum so I guess I'll deal with it lol

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

A little bit of column A, a little bit of column B.

Fans are going to be fickle for any team and any team is going to have their moronic fans.

Fans should always want the team to win, demand results, etc. But they got to realize and put things in perspective, such as just like in their profession or job, you're not going to always want to fully work, other factors prevent you from doing your job perfectly, whatever. I've had bad or less than productive days at my job before. These guys are going to as well. Or such as you are going to have crappy games in such a lengthy season regardless of how good or bad your team is, and we are fortunate to have a team that usually has a lot less crappy games than usual and that has gotten to having the chances of playing for the Stanley Cup for nearly 20 years in a row.

Just understand such things for instance, and especially understand them when it is a good bet they'll make postseason play yet again for the 20th straight year, and espeically just 4 games into such a lengthy season.

I get being frustrated after the last game for instance, I certainly was. I understood that if this game was the norm they are not going to get far but I also understood that there are still plenty of chances for them to play better, they'll hit a good streak sometime soon probably given the nature of an 80+ game season, another postseason should happen, blah blah blah. Right now it is impossible for this team (or any team for that matter) to suggest to me that our hopes for a deep postseason run or championship are in serious jeopardy after just 4 games.

But some of the topics, while it definitely entertained me to mess with some people, were just downright stupid and beyond fickle. I've seen a lot of stupid in here before and it'll never fully be absent from anywhere, but yesterday ranks really high on the stupid scale. Some people like chaos and being around people who are neurotic. While it can be fun to mess with these people, I'd rather it not come to that. Obvious logic is all I ask for, and it was lacking heavily here in some of the topics yesterday.

Edited October 16, 2010 by SouthernWingsFan

[redwingfan19 293]

This board represents like 1% of wings fans, I wouldn't take anything anyone says on this board seriously anyways. most of the "fans" on here became fans in the late 90's, 2002, 2008, if you know what I mean. I just have a blast reading some of the comments on here by the people who think they know hockey but have never even laced up the skates.

[55fan 5,133]

We have fans in Canada and in Australia.

We are bi-polar.

I don't mind when people are disappointed in a player or in the team as long as they realize that everyone has bad days, and that sometimes when one person has a bad day it effects everyone on the team. If someone says "so-and-so had a bad game" or "so-and-so has looked like he's injured or something" and they have something to back it up, that's cool.

The ones that salt my cheerios are the ones who complain about a player for not being more than that player is expected to be, or won't give a guy a break if he has a single off game.

The ones I want to smack are the ones who either hate one player or like one so much that they cut down other ones to make theirs look good.

[Xitium 272]

Holy cow. You know what we need?

We need to not tell each other how to be fans.

[FedorovGurl 2]

Bad games can get me rolling my eyes and wondering WTF, but I keep the faith.

There seems to be very little middle-ground around here. It's either "Stanley Cup, here we come!" or its "We suck ass, we can't win, the sky is falling".

I, with my rose-colored glasses permanently affixed, choose the former rather than the latter.

[redwingfan19 293]

This team will make the playoffs, thats when the real hockey starts, I could care less how this team does in the regular season. I could care less if zetterberg scores 2 goals all year, as long as he and the team brings it when it counts. If people want to attack players, do it in the playoffs when it matters. to attack the team/players during the regular season is just idiocy by the so called "fans"

[pucktividi 472]

How about not giving any critics to the Wings players to be the true fans

[hokeychik22 17]

i'll love the wings whether they win, lose, the whole team is injured, stanley cup champions, lose game 7 in finals vs the pens, win 7-2, lose 4-0.. no matter what i'm a wing for life.. yes there are some players who i can't stand, but love each player/coach/goalie that was a wing...

like last game all i say is you can't win them all, plus it is only the third game of the season..

plus i'm kind of inked with the winged wheel on me for life.

GO WINGS!!

Edited October 16, 2010 by hokeychik22

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Go Wings.

[The Enforcer 13]

Trade or release Draper. Force him to retire. Ozzie should be next. Anything other than that and you are worshipping at the altar of the Grind Line slurpers. "lets get the band back together" and "there's something left in the tank" and "he's still got some hockey left in him" "quit being negative, you're not a true fan" and go on and on and on................

Wake up, we need younger healthier players, these guys are done!

[soultrain 43]

4 games and 5 guys are injured ... we will be fine ... people like to ***** and complain in life, so on a message board it is amplified ... kind of the nature of the beast. just skip over the s***ty topics on the board

[TheWestWing 71]

You think so? Well, NoGood is Lazy And He Sucks!

[Guest mindfly]

Wonder if this is the year the wings' old age will show for the first time.. i've seen several players on decline... the game is too fast for 37+ year old players...

[gonzo7 0]

you should all ways be behind the team , but we are right to be down at the moment

[HOCKEY MATTERS 167]

Holy cow. You know what we need?

We need to not tell each other how to be fans.

This. It's the internet, though. There are bound to be some folks that sit at their keyboard, knowing they'll never actually be face to face with anyone they ever argue with (or flame) here, which means they don't have to have any manners, social skills or sense. Feeding flames and trolls is hard to avoid sometimes, though. That's what make this forum so much fun. It's like watching a freak-show parade right before your very eyes. It's on us as individuals if we choose to let it piss us off.