Wings shake up front office...

[The Great Gazoo]

I think I can explain the Red Wings lack of fans. Its not the economy, nor is it the success that is taken granted for. They may contribute, but here is the problem:

North American Players.

When this team was amazing and the Joe was rocking, they had North American hockey icons that everyone came down to see. Guys like Darren McCarthy, Brett Hull, Shanahan, and Yzerman. These guys were voices in English that the fans could connect with.

Now, the majority of our players are European, and the stars don't speak a lick of english (a la Pavel).

There are only 10 North American players, none of which are the stars or voices of this team.

Bam

If this guy can get people into the Nashville stadium...i have to assume his job's a hell of a lot easier here...

it's nice to see what a good owner does...

[Fraserburn]

I don't think it is entirely the Wings fault though. Pretty much every NHL franchise is a small-market team. The NHL has been run poorly from the top of the league, giving the whole league a bad image. The lockout didn't help much either.

I never said it was the Wings fault. They are a model franchise if not THE model franchise. Just stating the obvious thats all

[ivalley]

I never said it was the Wings fault. They are a model franchise if not THE model franchise. Just stating the obvious thats all

Got ya.

[CCBuckeye207]

I think I can explain the Red Wings lack of fans. Its not the economy, nor is it the success that is taken granted for. They may contribute, but here is the problem:

North American Players.

When this team was amazing and the Joe was rocking, they had North American hockey icons that everyone came down to see. Guys like Darren McCarthy, Brett Hull, Shanahan, and Yzerman. These guys were voices in English that the fans could connect with.

Now, the majority of our players are European, and the stars don't speak a lick of english (a la Pavel).

There are only 10 North American players, none of which are the stars or voices of this team.

I disagree. The fans have plenty of players to connect to. Guys like Draper, Maltby, Homstrom and Lidstrom have been with this team forever. Chelios has been in the league forever, and is a fan favorite. Drake, Osgood, and Cleary are guys the fans can get behind. Then guys like Downey, Datsyuk, Zetterburg, Franzen, Hudler, and Filppula are guys fans should be excited about. They are fun to watch. I don't think not having NA players is the major factor. IMO it's more the ticket prices and the economy....

[Fraserburn]

I disagree. The fans have plenty of players to connect to. Guys like Draper, Maltby, Homstrom and Lidstrom have been with this team forever. Chelios has been in the league forever, and is a fan favorite. Drake, Osgood, and Cleary are guys the fans can get behind. Then guys like Downey, Datsyuk, Zetterburg, Franzen, Hudler, and Filppula are guys fans should be excited about. They are fun to watch. I don't think not having NA players is the major factor. IMO it's more the ticket prices and the economy....

yet all we hear is how much Detroit needs to see players like Crosby and vinny lecavalier to get fans pumped, but they dont get pumped over Zetterberg

Like it or not given the option of having a top of the line talent from North America (Preferably USA, but Canada counts too) and a Top flight Euro.
Detroit fans would opt for the North American every single time

[Josh2Blue]

I disagree. The fans have plenty of players to connect to. Guys like Draper, Maltby, Homstrom and Lidstrom have been with this team forever. Chelios has been in the league forever, and is a fan favorite. Drake, Osgood, and Cleary are guys the fans can get behind. Then guys like Downey, Datsyuk, Zetterburg, Franzen, Hudler, and Filppula are guys fans should be excited about. They are fun to watch. I don't think not having NA players is the major factor. IMO it's more the ticket prices and the economy....

The majority of your attendants of NHL hockey games aren't diehard fans.. They are your wandering fan who doesn't know the players outside of Pavel, Hank, Drapes, and Nick.


Guys like Draper, Maltby, Homstrom and Lidstrom have been with this team forever.. but they still do not talk. People don't want to connect with Swedes, they want to connect with Americans, and sadly, the moderate fan cannot connect with a guy like Draper who isn't going to lite up the lamp.

[Heaton]

yet all we hear is how much Detroit needs to see players like Crosby and vinny lecavalier to get fans pumped, but they dont get pumped over Zetterberg

Like it or not given the option of having a top of the line talent from North America (Preferably USA, but Canada counts too) and a Top flight Euro.
Detroit fans would opt for the North American every single time

Who doesn't get pumped when Zetterberg or Datsyuk have the puck? Especially Datsyuk, the 10 or so games I've been to this year everytime he touches the puck a buzz goes through the arena.

Red Wings fans have connected with Europeans for 15 years now, thinking a lack of a NA star being the main reason why the Joe isn't sold out like it's been for the past 10 years is a major cop out.

[Josh2Blue]

Who doesn't get pumped when Zetterberg or Datsyuk have the puck? Especially Datsyuk, the 10 or so games I've been to this year everytime he touches the puck a buzz goes through the arena.

Red Wings obsessors have connected with Europeans for 15 years now.

We all get excited when they touch the puck, but casual fans aren't.

[Heaton]

We all get excited when they touch the puck, but casual fans aren't.

Fairly sure it has to do with Yzerman being the Captain and being a Detroit icon than just a need for another NA schmo. Of course when a majority of the "old guard" left there was going to be a rift.

[CCBuckeye207]

In the end, it comes down to the lockout. It separated fans from the game, and they may never come back. The NHL isn't going to bring in news fans, so they are stuck with the die hards, and there aren't many of us. It's something, if it does get fixed, is going to take alot of time to fix.

[Vizzini]

yet all we hear is how much Detroit needs to see players like Crosby and vinny lecavalier to get fans pumped, but they dont get pumped over Zetterberg

Like it or not given the option of having a top of the line talent from North America (Preferably USA, but Canada counts too) and a Top flight Euro.
Detroit fans would opt for the North American every single time

They want to see those players b/c they NEVER play regularly in Detroit. No one is crying for Joe Thorton, Joe Sackic, Jerome Iginla or Rick Nash b/c we see them all the time. Wings fans want to see how the other side lives and to have their team go up against the likes of Brodeur, Crosby, Heatley, Spezza, ...etc more than just for two games every three years.