Red Wings Hosting the Classic, 24/7at some point?

[Eggs Over Eavesy 3]

Don't know if this has been posted anywhere (if so, my bad; if not, enjoy), but here's the link and a brief quote.

http://www.freep.com/article/20110129/SPORTS05/110129013/Tom-Wilson-Red-Wings-should-consider-playing-outdoor-game-Comerica-Park

"Wilson said he would go back “and have conversations” with general manager Ken Holland and owner Mike Ilitch on whether the Wings would consider hosting an outdoor game in the future and if they’d be receptive to being involved in something like the HBO reality show. "

[titanium2 867]

Your user name makes me hungry.

And it'd be nice but at the same time it's the city Detroit and I don't have much faith that the Bettman marketing team will be in favor.

[kylee 727]

id love both.

[Eggs Over Eavesy 3]

Doesn't it? I have intentions of opening up a store near JLA (or the new stadium whenever it's built) with punny food items based on player names. It's gonna be baller.

In any event, while I hope for both, I think titanium2 may be correct - I really don't see them striving to promote it in terms of a marketing campaign, solely based on Detroit's situation as a city. I've only visited once since being born there (saw the Datsyuk/Bertuzzi awesome shootout goals against the Hawks last year) and the ciy itself wasn't so great. We only found a couple restaurants that were open on a Saturday at about 6 p.m. - the Hard Rock, and I think some little burger shop named Checker's , or something to that effect. It's owned by 2 sisters or whatever. But that's just unacceptable. With that being said, I hope it happens, as Comerica would be an awesome venue...or worst case scenario, it gets moved to Ann Arbor and a new record for attendance can be set for an NHL game. Do you think Babcock & Co. would be receptive to allowing such candid behind the scenes access during the regular season? I think that was a point of contention going into the production of this past Winter Classic 24/7. A "Hard Knocks" edition for the Red Wings would be AWESOME...I'd love to see the trials and tribulations of a Tatar/Smith/Mursak/whoever else trying to make the club next year.

[grandcircuspark 1]

My guess is they would wait until the arena situation is all settled. If Illitch wants to move the team up on Woodward by the Fox (I love the Joe, but this move seems to benefit the city and the Wings) then it wouldnt make sense to have the Winter Classic at Comerica before the next arena is built. If the arena is built, have the Winter Classic during its opening season so they can showcase the new arena/that area of town. One of the big advantages the Wings have playing in Detroit is the land availability in the downtown core. A lot of empty lots and buildings. It would be nice to see that area of town get turned into a giant sports mecca (ie. Wings, Tigers, Pistons, Lions all located within 2-3 minute walk). That would definitely encourage more sports bars, restaurants to pop up in that area, possibly even re-establish a nightlife.

[ACallToArms 270]

Your user name makes me hungry.

And it'd be nice but at the same time it's the city Detroit and I don't have much faith that the Bettman marketing team will be in favor.

If Detroit could convince the NFL that they could host the Super Bowl, they sure as hell shouldn't have a difficult time convincing Buttman to let us host the Winter Classic. Detroit is home to one of the leagues most popular franchises.

[Doc Holliday 1,888]

To be honest, the entire allure for me of the Wings playing the Winter Classic in Chicago was that it was potentially the only time I would get to see it.

Now it would just become an outdoor version of a regular season game. That doesn't sit right with me.

[ACallToArms 270]

We only found a couple restaurants that were open on a Saturday at about 6 p.m. - the Hard Rock, and I think some little burger shop named Checker's , or something to that effect. It's owned by 2 sisters or whatever. But that's just unacceptable.

You aren't looking hard enough. The entire Greektown strip is almost 100% restaurants. Cheli's Chili, Hockeytown Cafe, all the casino restaurants, you may have heard of this chef before: http://www.roastdetroit.com/

I'm not trying to come down on you, but to hear that you couldn't find a restaurant at 6pm on a Saturday is a bit ridiculous. I guarantee that all of the above and more were open.

[Z and D for the C 712]

“Certainly from a Wings’ standpoint, if you’re a Wings fan you can’t get enough information. You just want more and more and more. What more access can you get? What’s it really like?”

QFT. I could literally watch hours and hours of just watching the wings hanging out during practices and morning skates.

[Konnan511 1,736]

Detroit's already been in a Winter Classic, let other teams have it first.

Edited February 1, 2011 by Konnan511

[Echolalia 2,961]

I'm very comfortable with my guess that the Rangers will somehow be involved in the next Winter Classic. Probably not against the Wings, though.

[Guest CaliWingsNut]

To be honest, the entire allure for me of the Wings playing the Winter Classic in Chicago was that it was potentially the only time I would get to see it.

Now it would just become an outdoor version of a regular season game. That doesn't sit right with me.

I just spent the last 6 months screaming bloody murder that the NHL gave Pittsburgh a second winter classic before giving a majority of other teams a chance.

While I'd love to see it, it's completely unfair to the rest of the 20 or so teams who haven't had the chance.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

I can see this happening maybe in a couple years after they get the Rangers in. I would not be opposed to this at all since the Penguins got to host after recently being in it. In fact, I'll be pissed if the NHL says no because we were recently in a WC because that logic wasn't used before when it was the Pens. And plus we are due for a Western Conference classic since there has only been one and three from the East.

[Konnan511 1,736]

I can see this happening maybe in a couple years after they get the Rangers in. I would not be opposed to this at all since the Penguins got to host after recently being in it. In fact, I'll be pissed if the NHL says no because we were recently in a WC because that logic wasn't used before when it was the Pens. And plus we are due for a Western Conference classic since there has only been one and three from the East.

It's easiest in the Eastern Time Zone. A lot easier to schedule and more fair to the players.

[Frozen-Man 144]

To be honest, the entire allure for me of the Wings playing the Winter Classic in Chicago was that it was potentially the only time I would get to see it.

Now it would just become an outdoor version of a regular season game. That doesn't sit right with me.

I gotta agree. I told my wife that I really wanted to go because it was a once in a life time chance to get to see the Wings play in the winter classic (or at least once a decade).

[Eggs Over Eavesy 3]

If Detroit could convince the NFL that they could host the Super Bowl, they sure as hell shouldn't have a difficult time convincing Buttman to let us host the Winter Classic. Detroit is home to one of the leagues most popular franchises.

Touche. Very good point brought up, and it's well taken.

You aren't looking hard enough. The entire Greektown strip is almost 100% restaurants. Cheli's Chili, Hockeytown Cafe, all the casino restaurants, you may have heard of this chef before: http://www.roastdetroit.com/

I'm not trying to come down on you, but to hear that you couldn't find a restaurant at 6pm on a Saturday is a bit ridiculous. I guarantee that all of the above and more were open.

No offense taken whatsoever. With that being said, Cheli's Chili for some reason was not allowing anyone in. I was ridiculously pumped to go there, as per this forum, I've heard great things - I had to settle for JLA Cheli's chili the next day. Which was still great. In any event, we didn't have time to go to Greektown, so I'll concede that point. We didn't go to Hockeytown because the people I were with saw the burger shop and didn't want to go. But the point is this - aside from the burger shop, Hard Rock, and apparently Greek Town, no one else was open to serve food. Not even 2 bars that we went to. The point isn't to "look hard enough" to find a place to eat, but rather, in a major city, there should be a multitude of eateries open, especially downtown on a weekend evening. We took note of several places closed.

So as to not derail the thread, like I've mentioned before, the Super Bowl comment is very interesting, and hopefully there's a way to have the Wings host an O6 rivalry game. I think that would be insanely epic, especially coupled with a 24/7 series.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

It's easiest in the Eastern Time Zone. A lot easier to schedule and more fair to the players.

They can't make it at 2 or 3? There is already football going on at 1:00 anyway so it's not like it would interfere.

[Ram 240]

Would love it, but simply not going to happen. Either of them.

[Shady Ultima 40]

It would be nice to see that area of town get turned into a giant sports mecca (ie. Wings, Tigers, Pistons, Lions all located within 2-3 minute walk). That would definitely encourage more sports bars, restaurants to pop up in that area, possibly even re-establish a nightlife.

If you're talking about the area of Woodward, about 5 minutes from the Tunnel from Windsor, I agree. Detroit should really start working on the downtown area. Bring what it can close together, and build on that. They should tear down all the warehouses that line the Detroit river, and make it look nice (like Windsor's side does).

As far as the 24/7 and Classic, I love the idea. But I still think that the rest of the league deserves a shot at a Winter Classic before Detroit gets another one. It's just not fair to the rest of the league.

I'd also like to see a Winter Classic between a Western and Eastern conference team.

[LOredwing248 7]

And it'd be nice but at the same time it's the city Detroit and I don't have much faith that the Bettman marketing team will be in favor.

In any event, while I hope for both, I think titanium2 may be correct - I really don't see them striving to promote it in terms of a marketing campaign, solely based on Detroit's situation as a city. I've only visited once since being born there (saw the Datsyuk/Bertuzzi awesome shootout goals against the Hawks last year) and the ciy itself wasn't so great. We only found a couple restaurants that were open on a Saturday at about 6 p.m. - the Hard Rock, and I think some little burger shop named Checker's , or something to that effect. It's owned by 2 sisters or whatever. But that's just unacceptable. With that being said, I hope it happens, as Comerica would be an awesome venue...or worst case scenario, it gets moved to Ann Arbor and a new record for attendance can be set for an NHL game. Do you think Babcock & Co. would be receptive to allowing such candid behind the scenes access during the regular season? I think that was a point of contention going into the production of this past Winter Classic 24/7. A "Hard Knocks" edition for the Red Wings would be AWESOME...I'd love to see the trials and tribulations of a Tatar/Smith/Mursak/whoever else trying to make the club next year.

I can tell you guys spend a lot of time in Detroit......And at any rate like some have mentioned already we've successfully had a Super Bowl and other events and besides if the winter classic can be held in Buffalo it sure as hell can be held in Detroit..

[Konnan511 1,736]

I can tell you guys spend a lot of time in Detroit......And at any rate like some have mentioned already we've successfully had a Super Bowl and other events and besides if the winter classic can be held in Buffalo it sure as hell can be held in Detroit..

Not to mention IIHF wants to put a WJHC in Detroit/Windsor.

[HankthaTank 1,100]

I can tell you guys spend a lot of time in Detroit......And at any rate like some have mentioned already we've successfully had a Super Bowl and other events and besides if the winter classic can be held in Buffalo it sure as hell can be held in Detroit..

A+ to this above.

The "situation" may not be the best but the Super Bowl got great reviews (MUCH better than Jacksonville did) and there is really a ton of events in and around the city quite often. I work down here and obviously it is really not the best of places, but bringing the Winter Classic down here to Comerica would actually be a great remedy for our "situation". Only a plus for the businesses and all of that. I am for it.

Edited February 2, 2011 by HankthaTank

[SouthernWingsFan 854]

I was on the mindset that I think every team should get a fair shot to play a Winter Classic at least once. However since that logic was thrown out the window and Pittsburgh already played in a 2nd outdoor game because of he who shall not be named, I'm all for the Wings hosting a Winter Classic as soon as possible, whether it's at Univ. of Michigan or downtown Detroit at Comerica Park. Either would be fine by me.

[rage 24]

Detroit's already been in a Winter Classic, let other teams have it first.

:thumbup::thumbup:

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

I think the hardest part about trying to get the game will be a lack of an outdoor football stadium in Detroit. I think they league has said they sight lines are better, and the atmosphere is better with 65-70k people in a circle around the rink.