...but hey, at least I elicited an reaction. I want to make sure it's clear I love this team. I always have and I know the important thing is championships, not gloating over individual achievements ala the Byfugliens, and Kanes etc... Just because I leap from the seat on my couch when our Wings pull of a tic tac toe play that few other teams could dream of accomplishing, doesn't mean they have to...and there is most definitely something to be said for the class the Wings display game in and game out...and the age of the team is a factor as someone pointed out... It's a minor complaint, and it stems mostly from the 'smugness' I get from a player like Hank skipping out on the ASG, which, as much as you all claim is not for the fans, is complete nonsense. It may not be what we're into, and that's because it tends to suck in all the ways you described in the previous comments. But that's why they changes it every year, to try and make it better for the FANS. Realistically the ASG is for kids. A game we looked forward to when we were younger. But Kids are still fans. And kids deserve to see their Red Wings compete with all the rest of the all stars. And don't tell me you didn't get pumped when Tatar pumped his logo out after getting his first career Goal (incidentally I always pronounce Tatar with a thick Boston accent akin to Mayor Quimby). And remember Pavs nasty steal in Nashville last year where deked Rinne out-his-shorts, put it top-shelf, and then did a one legged triple fist pump with the biggest grin I've ever seen him show. I must have rewound that 20 times on my DVR to see that reaction (after I rewound it 10 times to watch the play). You know you all love it. Stop denying it. You can be classy and still give a shout out to the fans. Are we saying its not classy to raise your sticks postgame in salute of the fans? To give away a stick at game's end to a young fan who may right then be deciding between basketball and Hockey as their sport of choice for life? What is not classy about that? I will grant you that my initial post was a bit harsh in tone, but don't dismiss it outright. There's a lot there.

How many times this year has Babcock been interviewed saying he 'hasn't seen the best from the team,' or that we have 'yet to play a full 60 min game.'  I'm not saying it would make a difference, but maybe if the Wings weren't only thinking championship, but were worried about the fans opinions just a hair we might get that extra 10%.  Might get that extra 6-7 minutes to make it a complete game.  Maybe?

Part of me is pumped that Hank and Pav are not being forced through the 'rigors' of the All Star game.  Pav obviously could use the extra recovery time, and I'm sure Hank has some legitimate back pain to repair.  Hell Hank's back should hurt from carrying the team during Pav's injury.  But part of me is legitimately pissed.

The Red Wings, in their current incarnation, have become a complacent, egotistical team, and it's upsetting as a fan.  I love my team.  Always have and always will.  I am endeared to nearly everyone on the team, but our superstars really need to start remembering who pays their bills.  It's us.  The fans.  If we don't care or watch, then there's no market, no advertisers, no ticket sales, and no money.  We deserve a little appreciation.  And the All Star game, as awful as it usually is, is supposed to be about the fans. 

How does it look when our players are smugly suggesting that 'it's a shame' they are injured as they'll have to miss the All Star game (read that in an article about Z).  We're talking years now since there's been a legitimate detroit presence at an All Star game.  I mean godbless Nick, but the allstar game is about Flash and Skill, and as gifted as Nick is, he is known for subtlety.  Not flash.  We know the fans all want to see Pav pull off some ridiculous dekes.  And not just detroit fans.  Maybe our stars would get a little more respect from other fan-bases if they could see some of the skill we posses, in a non antagonistic setting.

And it doesn't stop just there.  The Wings need to up the ante during home games as well.  As much as I hated watching big Dustin Byfuglien scoring goals in the playoffs last year, I was kind of jealous of how much he paid homage to the fans after every goal.  And we see it all around the league.  Players jump into the boards, pound on the glass, and the emotional outpouring from the fans is all the better.  Because the players make them feel involved.  That their cheers are heard.  The Red Wings seem to give eachother high fives and barely as passing glance into the stands.  

The 3 star selection in many out of town stadiums shows the home town stars skating across the rink and pushing their stick over the glass to a lucky young fun.  In Detroit it's barely a passing wave.  At seasons end (or with some teams after every home win) most teams will stand at center ice and salute their fans with a stick raise.  I just don't see it coming from this team.  

I realize Detroit is an elite team.  Our stars are incredible, our 4th liners loveable.  Is it asking to much that they don't act it?  Babcock or 

I moved to LA from Detroit about 5 years ago, but still watch every Wings game, and of course hit the stadium whenever they come to LA or Anaheim (sometimes even San Jose).  I'm even an LA Kings season ticket holder, but my allegiance has never wavered.  

It drives me nuts watching the games on TV how empty the stadium is.  I realize that there are at least 2 acceptable reasons for this.

1. The economy:  I get it.  It's bad, and it doesn't get much worse than the D.  Selling those seats can be tough.

2. Corporate BS: Ugh...I can't stand for a purchased seat to remain empty just cause some business doesn't give their seats away.  Especially the lower bowl glass seats that feature so prominently on every broadcast game.

But what's excuse for the rest of those seats?  Sure the beginning and end of the period can be tough...I remember how crowded those bathroom lines can get...But it is simply shocking to watch the mass exodus in the third period when the Wings go up by a goal, or down by 2.  Right after a goal, the camera pans through the crowd and people just flock to the exits.  

I remember traffic being bad in Detroit, and yah those tunnels can get crowded...but that is part of the experience.  I know as a fan, whenever I attended a game I was there through the 3 stars every night, win or lose.  I still do the same in LA even though I don't have near the passion for the Kings.    And I promise,  The stories you've heard are true, LA traffic is worse. 

So what about you people?  Do you cash out at the first sign of a blowout, or are you a true fan?  I suppose I'm probably barking up the wrong tree complaining about this on a blog where I can't imagine the readers are guilty of this.  But maybe you are.  And I would love to hear you justify it.

Not sure if we're allowed to post about other websites, but yahoo's Puck Daddy has a post up today about how Blue Jacket fans are putting their own money up to buy a game winning goal against Detroit this weekend.  Money is pouring in from multiple sources, and even the Jacket players are getting involved.  It's all going to charity.  The players are aware and want the win.

Not sure what to make of this.  I mean it's a great idea to boost a struggling team, especially since it goes beyond just fans on a message board, but is hitting the team themselves.  It's also wonderful that the money will be going to charities that i'm sure are deserving.

But, as a Wings Fan there's a lot not to like.  For one, this is just bad karma.  I mean the Wings are almost made to look evil in this scenario as a win deprives these various charities of money.  (note: in some instances the money will still go to charity, but will go to the Blue Jackets choice foundation in the event of a win).  It also gives the Jackets an energy boost that Detroit will be hard pressed to match.  I mean talent might win out, and as a die hard Wings fan I hope it does, but it's hard to deny the emotional boost this can give you.  And since this is the kind of thing fans typically involve themselves in to help a struggling team, it is forever unlikely Detroit's fan-base can match this monetary level of passion, at least to the extent that it reached the organization and gets the players involved.  I am well aware of all the charitable contributions the Red Wings organization is involved in, but the players themselves most often seem ambivalent to the fans...it's one of the things that bothers me as a Detroit fan.  The players seem to take the fan-base a bit for granted.  Almost to the same extent us Detroit fans take our team for granted.