Whatever. We had over forty years between Stanley Cups and way too many years of calling them the Dead Things. They're the best and I love 'em no matter how much they cost or how they were put together. With the way all sports are watered down, you're always gonna have a bunch of teams that suck. You have to enjoy the moment when your team is on top. Remember, WE(Detroit) have nothing but the Tigers after hockey is over. How would YOU like to have to look forward to THAT?

GO WINGS!!!!!!

 

Why are a lot of Canadian teams dying on the vine? Why are the revenues drying up and sending teams down South to the States? I'm willing to bet that those teams are being taxed into oblivion. But, evenso, is it attendance by Canadian fans that is helping to kill hockey in Canada, as well. What is the explanation for what is going on up there. Tell me. I'd really like to know why Canada no longer has the preminance with teams any more. What a shame! Hockey in America is strong and seems to have no problems finding venues for teams. I don't care about what everyone says about the Wings having bought out all the big name talent. Detoit has bought smart and planned smart all along. The Wings organization assembles a Cup team where other teams in the NHL fail from lack of experience. I really thought the Wings Cup runs were over for a long time after the 98 Cup win. But, to my suprise, they cut loose the one that needed to go and filled the spots with guys the were castoffs from other teams and made yet another hockey powerhouse. Think about this......Joey Kocer (beer league)....Frederick Oloufson...(sweedish league oldtimer)....Chris Chelios....(Blackhawk oldtimer).....Igor Larionov (Old wornout Red Wings castoff come home) These are all guys that no team really would sign for a Cup run other than the genious of Scotty Bowman and his ability to see a team as a whole unit to go again for the Cup. Proof is in the puddin' boys. There are other teams spending big bucks like the Wings and have fizzled when the time came. But, when you've got Wings players that take a pay cut to bring the likes of Brett Hull, now that's what a team and a vision of another championship are all about. GO WINGS!! THE CUP IS COMIN' HOME BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Being a Redwings fan, of course I'm going to be biased in my opinion. But to say the Wings bought the cup this year is absurd. Both Hull and Robitaille were cast offs from their previous team and considered over priced and to old. Any team in the league could have had either of these players. Yes, it would cost some money, but the ROI would've been there.

Hasek on the other hand wanted to come to Detroit. The other choice was St. Louis, but he picked here because he knew it was his best chance to win. Picking up Hull and Robitaille helped with the decision as well.

Just my $.02 and I'm sure some will disagree.

Bob

 

IMO, the Canadian teams are being hurt by the US vs Canadian $ exchange rate. Tickets and other revenue are paid in local monies, but players demand to be paid in US $. This reduces a lot of profit for the owners. So, if some hotter-n-heck Southern US state wants a team, the owner is happy to move and increase profits. Look for the NHL to either become truly "national" (as in USA) or some kind of profit-sharing to be introduced by the league to keep the "heritage" alive.

Oh yeah- go 'canes... until game 7 then go wings!

 

I am with Nomo, it is the exchange on the money and it is the cost of doing business in the sports that is killing Canadian Hockey !!! What the NHL commission should do is cut all prices and I mean ALL PRICES from tickets to food and INCLUDING players salaries. Cut everything by 50%. If they did this across the board for everyone that is involved with the sport then they might have teams actually move back into Canada and people will start to go to the games without spending their next months savings. Ottawa has already told people publicly that they are having financial problems and no one has really jumped up and said hey, this is what we should do. It is absolutely discusting that if I want to go and see the Toronto Maple Leafs play at home for a game with half decent seats, it is going to cost me at least $75.00 CDN for one seat. That doesn't include the travelling / hotel costs if we stay over night / food, etc. A person could easily spend over $400 for four people to go and see the game. If I was to jump the border to see the Red Wings play, it would cost me at least $65.00 U.S. for a half decent seat, but then you have to figure the exchange in there which is about 1.55 to buy right now. So that $65 US seat just became $100.75 CDN and then there is all of the extra's. If they cut the top guys wages and everything else behind them then things might just get a little better.

Oh, Canes in 7 just to show Detroit and everyother high salaried team that low budget teams can take the cup too without spending a lot of money doing it.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Well. the Cup is finally back in Motown. What a night. I was at the Joe the last Cup they won in 98 when they won in Washington. The atmosphere at the Joe, although the Wings weren't there when they won the Cup, was absolutely SPECTACULAR!! UNBELIEVABLE!! The place was electric. I'm going to get me a hat!