To say that the types of TV deals struck by the Leafs (for example) are related to “fans” is an attenuated connection at best.

so it’s not “fans” who watch the games on TV, generating advertising revenue?  if not, who watches?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/04/08 at 08:54 AM ET

Blech.  I was hoping I would feel better this morning but I don’t.  I think I actually feel worse.  Just another night of sleeping on the floor of the Hasek.  Is it time to start drinking yet?  I was not productive at work yesterday so I need to kick myself in gear and get some work done.

I just hope the Wings are shaking it off better than I am.  Yesterday, I began to overanalyze everything. Why were the Wings so afraid to ice the puck?  I know that they were trying to make the safe clear but even if they iced it, they still had their timeout and Uncle Mike could have taken it and rested the guys on the ice.  ARRGGGHH!  I need to stop thinking about it.

Anyone else already feeling that wonderful blend of nausea and excitment about tonight’s game?

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/04/08 at 09:22 AM ET

Anyone else already feeling that wonderful blend of nausea and excitment about tonight’s game?

Nausea yes…

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/04/08 at 09:30 AM ET

Expectations, not entitlement, are high in Detroit and for the fans of the Winged Wheel. If someone doesn’t understand why, take a gander in the rafters at the Joe. It’s tradition, history & success. To go along with what’s visible to the world hanging up high… we have a cellar full of bones and been adding to that collection one way or another for nearly 20 years straight. I know I tossed another one in the cellar Tuesday at about midnight for me. Even from the outside looking in, it’s impossible to ignore 2 decades of being in the hunt.
Hockeychic… just remember you are in Diveland and still watching from the Hasek. Feel better? If not consult the nearest Dive fan.
And feel free to have a bloody mary, ya know vodka before lunch thing.... IIRC you’re a vodka chic.
Jennifer… c’mon now. Reread your post from yesterday. We need all on board to pull, push or whatever.
Andrew, I export goods to Euro suppliers alot and once in awhile seem to find contraban in some of my imports. The Danish LOVE their Christmas beer, I kinda like it too.
The final buzzer is long gone from Tuesday am, leave it there.
Pregame here will start at the day job… there’s a beer fridge in the shop.
CALLING ALL TICKET HOLDERS.

GO WINGS.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/04/08 at 10:07 AM ET

Jennifer… c’mon now. Reread your post from yesterday. We need all on board to pull, push or whatever.

Oh I know, I’m just nervous. Riding the stress train as I always do.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/04/08 at 10:09 AM ET

Anyone else already feeling that wonderful blend of nausea and excitment about tonight’s game?

I’m torn.  I’d much rather see the Wings win it on home ice.  but I don’t want to bear the stress of a game 7.  of course, it could be one of those games that we’ve seen from the Wings in years past where it’s over about half way through the first period.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/04/08 at 10:17 AM ET

Anyone else already feeling that wonderful blend of nausea and excitment about tonight’s game?

Yep...we need to end this thing already.

The smell of stale beer, urine, and vomit is permeating the Hasek so bad my eyes are running.

I can’t take 7, and my liver can barely stand 6.

For the love of all things Holy...please bury this fiasco Zetterberg and let me live my normal life again!!!!!

Posted by Scott H from Kalamazoo on 06/04/08 at 10:20 AM ET

I agree Scott.  I want my life back again.  It can’t be though until this is over.  My wife keeps telling me it’s fixed for the Baby Boy to win it for Little Gary.  Ass.  And there is nothing we can do about it.  She said the same thing in 2001 when the Dive won it with Ray Bourque.  I can’t handle her repeating this to me---and she is a native Michigander and Wings fan.

Posted by Jeff from Loveland, CO on 06/04/08 at 10:35 AM ET

Gotta get the routine going....

Hasek Roof Golf 10:00am-Noon. Limber up!  Can YOU hit the Mellon Center from here?

Baggage Car Poker 1:00pm-5:00pm Cash only. No cats.

Pre-Game festivities 6:00pm-Gametime.  Reserve your floor space early.  I get’s the feeling it will be SRO tonight.

For inspiration the big screen in the Hasek will be looping Game Six vs the Preds and Stars all day.  Because, the Wings own games numbered “6”.

Posted by Rumbear from The Hasek, of course. on 06/04/08 at 10:37 AM ET

thanks paul, i’m glad someone else can make that connection. everything is about fans. the more people that watch games, the higher the broadcast rights. the more people that go to games and by concessions and jerseys, the nicer the arena (eventually anyway). i’m ok with revenue sharing, to an extent. the nhl could go back to the originial six (to take it to the extreme), and all those teams be able to support themselves, but lets face it that wouldn’t be anywhere near as entertaining and would rob a lot of fans of having local teams. but what really gets me is when fans of a team lambast fans of one of the teams that is helping to keep their team afloat (if that makes any sense).

comparing the nhl to the nfl is pointless. there’s no similarities. sure the nfl is huge, but its a perpetuating cycle. football is everywhere when you’re growing up, from the middle of nebraska, to the artic circle (anyone remember that article on espn awhile back? good stuff). this is for a variety of reasons, chiefly probably because the ease of which you can play, all you need is a ball really. and because everyone grows up with it, its easier for the nfl to get a large national contract, and once that contract is done, more people grow up with more football.

hockey doesn’t work like that. not yet anyway. its much harder to grow up with hockey in the middle of nebraska (i know i’m picking on nebraska, i mean no offense, really its just insert your great plains here type of thing). hockey, in its most basic form, needs a stick, puck, and some sort of net. then think about what it takes for ice hockey: stick, puck, a thousand bucks worth of equipment (maybe twice that for a goalie) and most importantly ice. the nhl will NEVER compete with the nfl, and i’m ok with that.

what i’m getting at here is that hockey will never generate the revenue of the nfl, the cheapest assets of hockey will never generate the income of the cheapest assets in football, so revenue sharing is probably MORE important in hockey. but its all about proportion. pittsburgh should never really need that revenue, people grow up with hockey in pittsburgh. that revenue should go to teams like bubba jr, where fans are starved for a successful team, and where there’s potential for a succesful team (which i believe there is for a variety of reasons).

so don’t complain to me about wings fans feeling entitled, or wings fans being classless, or comparing them to yankees fans (holy hell does that piss me off).

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/04/08 at 10:37 AM ET

Ok, let’s not even talk about a Game 7, I’m nervous enough as it is.

Not to mention the fact that a couple months ago I bought tickets to see a play with my two best friends on Saturday night, and they are flying in for the weekend and renting an apartment and everything, and if I have to ditch the plans that *I made* for them, they are never going to forgive me.

Posted by Sadie from Ann Arbor, MI on 06/04/08 at 10:47 AM ET

hate on teams all you want, but when you come to a wings forum and start talking trash to fans, you’re just making yourself look foolish, because we’re all part of what makes the nhl go round, albeit sometimes in a really jagged, messed up orbit, but you can thank gary for that. ass.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/04/08 at 10:48 AM ET

The smell of stale beer, urine, and vomit is permeating the Hasek so bad my eyes are running.

yeah, we gotta hose this thing out after all this.

Hasek Roof Golf 10:00am-Noon. Limber up!  Can YOU hit the Mellon Center from here?

Baggage Car Poker 1:00pm-5:00pm Cash only. No cats.

Pre-Game festivities 6:00pm-Gametime.  Reserve your floor space early.  I get’s the feeling it will be SRO tonight.

For inspiration the big screen in the Hasek will be looping Game Six vs the Preds and Stars all day.  Because, the Wings own games numbered “6”.

Awesome… I suck at golf AND poker, but at least that will be distracting! I’ve got my seat and my fetal-position space under the seat reserved for game time.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/04/08 at 10:53 AM ET

Oh I know, I’m just nervous. Riding the stress train as I always do.

Thank God for Xanax, or else I would not be able to get any work done today.

Am I the only one that thinks this is one of the strangest Wings teams ever?

Many on A2Y write about how this team could be the best of the Ilich era. When they are on and playing their game, I feel the same way. But, this team can also be the most frustrating of the Ilich era.

In 3 of 4 playoff series they have come out nervous and flat-footed in the 1st period of the first elimination game (and gone on to lose said games). WTF! The team talks about having experienced, veteran leadership and learning from their mistakes in previous rounds, but then they go out and make the same mistakes in two more game fives.

This team is making my hair fall out faster than Rogaine can re-grow it!!! END IT TONIGHT!!!

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Cool and Drizzly SoCal on 06/04/08 at 10:58 AM ET

In 3 of 4 playoff series they have come out nervous and flat-footed in the 1st period of the first elimination game (and gone on to lose said games).

See, I feel just the opposite. That they didn’t come out nervous or hungry enough. Too calm. I know Babs wants to keep everyone from getting too stressed, but I worry sometimes that he’s got them too relaxed. There’s something to be said for a little nerves and fire in your belly to get you motivated.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/04/08 at 11:10 AM ET

but if you could airlift a case of good old Canadian whiskey

Andrew, I’d be happy to.  Now where exactly am I sending it to again? Hmmmm?

I want my life back again.

Could not agree with you more. This isn’t fun. I hate the playoffs...and this year it’s worse than ever. And yet...here I am. I feel like an Emo kid with a razor blade...I know I should stop, but I can’t.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/04/08 at 11:31 AM ET

See, I feel just the opposite. That they didn’t come out nervous or hungry enough.

Oh, and Jennifer? I blame you for Tuesday morning’s loss. Not Detroit, not Pittsburgh, just you. Why didn’t you try to stop us from jinxing the game?

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/04/08 at 11:32 AM ET

I’ll pass on the golf, I can’t afford another expensive hobby.
And the pregame will start a wee bit earlier for me. Beer by the pool sounds good @ 4pm central.
The Stress Train can pick me up at the station at 7.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/04/08 at 11:38 AM ET

I feel like an Emo kid with a razor blade...I know I should stop, but I can’t.

now that is hilarious. well played.

am i the only one that is doing about 5 minutes of work, checking back here, doing another 5 and checking back? if there was a chart graphing my productivity since the playoffs started, i don’t think it would be too flattering

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/04/08 at 11:38 AM ET

I think this is a ridiculous way to run a business.  it’s like McDonald’s saying...let’s put a McDonald’s in this location where nobody eats, and make all the other McDonald’s pay them a share of their profits to keep them afloat.

idiocy, IMO.

Sports leagues are not simple “businesses” as the term is generally used.  They are a unique creature which require unique rules for them to function in an effective manner (e.g., antitrust exemptions, unique CBA’s, etc. etc.).

If you think the NHL was better off (as a whole) pre-salary cap when the Wings/Flyers/Rangers etc. were outspending teams by a 2 to 1 or sometimes up to 3 to 1 margin, you’re deluding yourself (this is where the Yankees fan comparison IS valid - MLB fans of a big market teams have little to no incentive to be supportive of changing the system in place in that sport, bc, why the hell shoudl they?  With no salary cap and limited revenue sharing, teams like NYY/NYM/Bos etc. can always be competitive on a regular basis - so in that sense, I can see why you might prefer a system in which teams like Detroit are at an advantage due to their financial capabilities).

The current economic system in place better serves the league as a whole, adds a lot of strategy to the building of teams in that it rewards the most intelligent/shrewd evaluators of talent (on this front, the Wings are remarkable, and should be praised - so many of your top players have remarkably low cap values) given the limited dollars that can be spent.

Comparing sports league management to general business - franchises like McDonald’s for example - is silly (not to mention the fact that franchise systems require advertising payments which are predicated on percentages of revenues, so Franchises that make less pay less, and yet benefit equally by the advertising created by the funds paid into the ad fund pool by everyone - but I digress).

Finally, keep in mind that the financial performance of NHL teams is not solely based on attendance figures - the local TV and radio contracts have a large impact on the teams finances (which is why the Rangers/Flyers/Wings of the world still were able to outspend the Pens of the world pre salary cap even with sellouts at the Igloo).

Posted by D. Myers on 06/04/08 at 11:39 AM ET

am i the only one that is doing about 5 minutes of work, checking back here, doing another 5 and checking back? if there was a chart graphing my productivity since the playoffs started, i don’t think it would be too flattering

Would it look like mine?
G _*
O __*
O ___*
D ____*
_____*
______*
B ________*
A __________*
D ____________*
APRIL_____MAY_____JUNE

Posted by CaptainDennisPolonich from Cool and drizzly SoCal on 06/04/08 at 11:50 AM ET

am i the only one that is doing about 5 minutes of work, checking back here, doing another 5 and checking back? if there was a chart graphing my productivity since the playoffs started, i don’t think it would be too flattering

Nope, I’m tapping F5 every 5-10 min too. Good thing we don’t have much work lately. I haven’t started the pregame jitters yet, but my stomach is getting queasy.

Posted by Nate A from Dark side of the moon on 06/04/08 at 11:51 AM ET

Oh, and Jennifer? I blame you for Tuesday morning’s loss. Not Detroit, not Pittsburgh, just you. Why didn’t you try to stop us from jinxing the game?

Ack… I tried! I kept telling you all to stop with the happy talk… I only have ten knuckles and they were were bloody from all the knocking on the wood paneling of the Hasek.

am i the only one that is doing about 5 minutes of work, checking back here, doing another 5 and checking back?

I’m no math wiz but that’s about 10 minutes more work than you’ve gotten done than me.

Posted by Jennemy of the Skate from putting the b*tches in the box on 06/04/08 at 11:52 AM ET

am i the only one that is doing about 5 minutes of work, checking back here, doing another 5 and checking back? if there was a chart graphing my productivity since the playoffs started, i don’t think it would be too flattering

Right there with you on that one.

As for golf, I can’t hit the ball to save my life, I might injure someone.  Poker, I don’t have a good poker face so you will all get rich off of me.  Come game time, I’ll be in my fetal position in the back.

I want my life back again.

I hear you, I’ve been living on this train for a very long time.  It will be nice to go home again at some point.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 06/04/08 at 11:53 AM ET

I’d love to post how I feel today but Evilpen would just tell me I’m not a true hockey fan. 

Brown paper bag at the ready, I’ll be watching the 1st two periods from work and racing home to catch the 3rd.

Go Wings!

Posted by Margot from Atlanta on 06/04/08 at 11:54 AM ET

D,

i think we all get that attendance is only about half a teams revenue, which is still a pretty large chunk. but, really, individual teams are run just like a McDonald’s franchise. the general business rules still apply. Think about it. that mcdonald’s franchise (team) pays a fee (revenue sharing) to corporate mcdonald’s (the league). that individual franchise, both mickey d’s and a team, has to follow the general business rule: revenue must be greater than expenses. and just like in the general business world, one year, or two years, or 3 years of unprofitability (word?) don’t necessarily mean that the franchise will fold. but continued losses are indicative of a greater problem, be it a management issue or the fact that the possibility for revenue just doesn’t exist.

also, your advertisement argument is ridiculous. the system you described for mcdonald’s? its called revenue sharing. which goes to pay for the nhl to advertise. which benefits the entire league. PLUS individual hockey teams have to advertise for themselves. which an individual mcdonald’s generally does not have to do, at least not on scale or scope a hockey team does.

i agree, the financial structure of the nhl, with the new cba is much more complex than mcdonald’s. but when it comes down to it, its a business, just like any other. the wings were able to spend more pre-salary cap because they generated more revenue. thats just a capitalistic economy. you will be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t agree that a salary cap is necessary for the viability ENTIRE league. the difference between the rangers and the wings? detroit is able to put together winning teams post lockout. i’m happy the wings continue to win without having to spend all that money, it makes what they achieve that much greater.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/04/08 at 11:55 AM ET

hockeychic, don’t feel bad about possibly injuring someone while playing golf...i’m not gonna lie, a few years ago i teed off, the ball hit the women’s tee marker, came back and hit me in the thigh. at least there’d be a possibility of you hitting someone else, possibly claude lemieux there in denver. which really may not be all that bad.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 06/04/08 at 11:59 AM ET

Advertising fund payments by franchisees predicated on percentages of revenue does not equal revenue sharing as done by professional sports leagues.  Its not even the same ballpark.

The other aspects of the franchise system you tried to describe are also incorrect and inopposite to a professional sports league.  A franchisor like McDonalds has hundreds of thousands of teams and it doesnt matter if one goes out of business or one changes hands and so on.  Comparing a 30 team league to a McDonalds franchise makes no sense legally, financially, or practically.

Finally, your statement re: the possibly of success not existing - THATS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM WITH THE NHL as a whole.  If we really lined it up, there are maybe 20 markets in the NHL that SHOULD have teams.  The viability of the league as a whole and on a nationwide scale is far more important than the notion of THIS IS CAPITALISM WE MUST ADHERE TO THE STRICT FREE MARKET FOR THE NHL.  I just dont get why anyone would complain about the NHL as currently constituted after the lockout, on the basis of what, its too “communist”?  The league is much stronger now than it has been since the early 90s.

Posted by D. Myers on 06/04/08 at 12:04 PM ET

I was a wreck yesterday.  Didn’t poop once.  Today?  Three poops so far.  My system is back and working! 

It’s noon, I’m bringing out the heavy artillery.  This shit ends tonight!

(um...no pun intended. seriously!)

Posted by cephalopod from Chicago, on the poop deck, not over it yet on 06/04/08 at 12:09 PM ET

A franchisor like McDonalds has hundreds of thousands of teams and it doesnt matter if one goes out of business or one changes hands and so on.

it probably matters to the individual franchise owner.

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/04/08 at 12:11 PM ET

am i the only one that is doing about 5 minutes of work, checking back here, doing another 5 and checking back? if there was a chart graphing my productivity since the playoffs started, i don’t think it would be too flattering

No, you have oodles of company!

The problem with the league as a whole and revenue is that the new system cost revenue from the traditionally high-revenue teams (Detroit, Philly, Rangers, et al) and redistributes it to small-revenue teams (Nashville, Phoenix, Columbus) with the intent that new revenue streams (increasing fan base and increasing corporate sponsorship) would occur in the smaller markets, thus offsetting the corresponding loss in the established markets and thus increasing revenue league-wide.

This has not exactly been what happened - the more robust markets have been hurting (in the case of Detroit, through economic means beyond the control of the league, but also in the increase in less-desirable matchups at the cost of long-term traditional rivalries) and the revenue-sharing hasn’t been enough to keep the smaller markets afloat as many haven’t been able to draw in enough revenue to be profitable.  Not to mention the fact that the growth in revenue has been partially due to parity with the Canadian dollar and the large amounts of cash brought in by the Canadian teams.

The next major dispute will be between the owners themselves, I think - the smaller markets who can’t even afford to keep up with the salary floor and are still losing money (and whining incessantly about their losses ALREADY), and the bigger markets who will get increasingly tired of their profits being siphoned off toward markets that they can’t forsee ever being successful enough to not need infusions of cash.

And there is no blood sport quite like wealthy men fighting over more piles of money.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/04/08 at 12:12 PM ET

Also, given that this whole issue probably came up with the PENS FANS DONT SUPPORT THE TEAM YOU ALMOST LEFT TOWN, I just wanted to clarify what exactly happened with that.

The Pens, since Lemieux got here in 84, have not had too mnay problems drawing fans to the Arena.  The issue with the Pens was the mismangement by prior owners and the financining of a new arena.  The previous owners Howard Baldwin and Roger Marino managed to practually bankrupt the franchise despite featuring sold out buildings and Lemieux/Jagr/Francis et al and deep Cup runs every year during the 90s. 

Lemieux subsequently took the 35mm or so he was owed and essentially converted that into his ownership interest and set about trying to get a new arena, the only thing that could keep the team viable in this day and age - the new arena is completely distinct from attendance and support issues.  There was never any concern that they would have problems with attendance.

Unfortunately (and hell, Detroit is like Pittsburgh in more ways than one, trust me), tough economic times in a post industrial rust belt city does not lend itself to much state/city money.  Especially after the Steelers/Pirates/Eagles/Phillies/Sixers/Flyers got new facilities.  The Pens had been promised a new arena for years, but were pressing the issue at a time (early 00’s) when the economy was in the shitter, the state had no money, and the city was practually bankrupt.  The only leverage in such a scenario is the threat to move (enter Kansas City).

The support of the team - the Penguins have a core group of fanatical fans (see, Pensblog) that will never leave the team.  The financial and polticial issues of our times is what threatened their vaibility here - not fan support.

Posted by D. Myers on 06/04/08 at 12:12 PM ET

Cephalopod: My Mom came to visit last week and brought me 2 cases of Oberon (can’t get Bells in Atlanta.) I’ll be breaking some out tonight.

Posted by Margot from Atlanta on 06/04/08 at 12:13 PM ET

The next major dispute will be between the owners themselves, I think - the smaller markets who can’t even afford to keep up with the salary floor and are still losing money (and whining incessantly about their losses ALREADY), and the bigger markets who will get increasingly tired of their profits being siphoned off toward markets that they can’t forsee ever being successful enough to not need infusions of cash.

And suddenly the C-word will rear its head - CONTRACTION!

Say goodbye to Atlanta/Nashville.  Though id prefer they move to Hamilton/Winnipeg.

Posted by D. Myers on 06/04/08 at 12:14 PM ET

it probably matters to the individual franchise owner.

Of course - the point is, a franchise closing down doesnt matter to McDonalds corporate.  A team going out of business in the NHL is a public relations disaster, and possibly the worst thing that could happen to the NHL just as its getting back on its feet.

Posted by D. Myers on 06/04/08 at 12:16 PM ET

5 minutes of work? WTF is this work thing being repeatedly mentioned??? The fat guy with the “GM” title seems to know by the color of my eyes (ya know those bloody red things ya couldn’t hardly keep open Tuesday?) in the morning on whether he should expect anything from me that day or not. Oddly enough, bright eyed n bushy tailed today.
I have to work on my AC condensor unit at home when I leave the day job, does that count? Then again changing a capacitor on a motor doesn’t even take 5 minutes.... will vacuuming the pool count as “work”?

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/04/08 at 12:19 PM ET

Is D.Meyers debating him/her self?  I’m just asking…

FedEx just delivered (Ed note: Man how do these guys find me?!) a two pound box from my friend “Al” in Indian Wells.  Two pounds of Hubris.  In a bowl on the bar, use PRN.  Game on.

Andrew good to hear all is well.  Of course, your still in Europe.  I’ll send the CC...FedEx.....they know where you are.

Posted by Rumbear from The Hasek, of course. on 06/04/08 at 12:25 PM ET

A team going out of business in the NHL is a public relations disaster, and possibly the worst thing that could happen to the NHL just as its getting back on its feet.

you’re missing the point, I think.  which is, of course, not to put teams in those markets in the first place.

isn’t it a public relations disaster to put a team somewhere where nobody cares, be ridiculed for it, and have it be a constant drain on the NHL’s finances?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/04/08 at 12:25 PM ET

And suddenly the C-word will rear its head - CONTRACTION!

Only if they can’t get the players to accept getting rid of guaranteed contracts, so when an owner screws up he can just jettison the player without having to pay him.

That would be a non-starter.

I think teams would move first, before they eliminate them completely.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 06/04/08 at 12:29 PM ET

also, a question on comparing the NHL’s revenue sharing to other sports leagues.

do those other leagues have the kind of small market teams that can’t even make ends meet?

Posted by PaulinMiamiBeach on 06/04/08 at 12:31 PM ET

....small market teams that can’t even make ends meet?

Paul, nice backhand!  You play tennis?

Posted by Rumbear from The Hasek, of course. on 06/04/08 at 12:35 PM ET

i’m not gonna lie, a few years ago i teed off, the ball hit the women’s tee marker, came back and hit me in the thigh.

wow.  it’s tough hit a ball 90º...luckily, you weren’t injured.

so don’t complain to me about wings fans feeling entitled, or wings fans being classless, or comparing them to yankees fans (holy hell does that piss me off).

Detroit Fans: at their ‘Best’....esp. @ the 3:20 mark

just some comic relief before the game...Seriously, I had a GREAT experience at the Joe/Detroit for Game 2 [despite the Pens L] and am planning to come back to a game for the 08-09 season…

Good Luck tonite guys, sorry I won’t be able to partake in livegameblog....as I’ll be attending a certain sporting event [Pirates v Astros...yeah, right..HAHAHAHAHAHAHA] they’ll probably be more watching the Pens game outside on the big screen who couldn’t get in, than attending the Succos game…

[Hossa]

Posted by dr. turkleton on 06/04/08 at 12:37 PM ET

i think the pens have a slight edge being in mellon but wings dont want to go to a game 7 back in detroit and possibly loose the cup on the same ice where they were under 35 seconds from winning it. such a kick to the nuts, ya know? i think wings will get it done tonight to also save face. hopefully they dont come out nervous for the first 30 mins, get pissed! and get ‘er done! GO WINGS! Z for MVP

Posted by kristen from troy, mi on 06/04/08 at 12:45 PM ET

Paul, nice backhand!

Err, or known as bitch slap depending on where ya hail from.

The big C won’t happen. It will most likely be the opposite and more in the areas of the country WE all know are less than stellar for puck heads. 2 more teams in the next 3-5 years unfortunately.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 06/04/08 at 12:45 PM ET

Turk, I have a request for you.

There’s no entitlement here today. No hubris. No trolling. I don’t know who’s going to win tonight. We’re all confident, but scared sh**less. In fact the only thing I know for sure is that if the Wings win, they win the Cup on enemy ice.

You seem like a standup kinda guy - a bit of a dick, sure, but that’s only because you’re a fan of the other team. So do me a favor. If the Wings raise the Cup in the Mellon Arena, do the right thing and applaud them for their success and for their effort.  Try to get the others around you to do it too. Because when this series is over, all of the comments will be forgotten, but if Pittsburgh boos the Stanley Cup winners, I’ll truly be embarassed for you.

Posted by Gabriel from San Diego, CA on 06/04/08 at 12:51 PM ET

also, a question on comparing the NHL’s revenue sharing to other sports leagues.

do those other leagues have the kind of small market teams that can’t even make ends meet?

MLB is in Oakland, Minnesota, Milwaukee, Cincinnatti, Pittsburgh, TB, etc.  What exactly are you looking for?  Sports league with only the top most populous cities with teams?  Thatll sure be exciting.

And if this is a backhand as your some of your less intelligent cronies allege, let me repeat again that the pens situation from 2000-2005 had nothing to do with the support of the fans or ticket sales.

Hell, God forbid if little small market Pittsburgh actually wins this series.  I wonder how we’ll make ends meet…

Posted by D. Myers on 06/04/08 at 01:04 PM ET

Gabe,

oh, for sure....If it comes to that point, I’d applaud: not for the Wings winning the Cup™, but for the Pens successful season...No way would I ever Boo [I don’t even Boo when Jagr is in town, even though that seems to be the ‘IN’ thing to do]

BUT. I’d rather partake in a Let’s Go Pens chant...I’m sure there will be yinzers in the crowd who boo & throw stuff to embarrass Pittsburgh & myself...but, I think you’d get that anywhere when the opposition wins the Cup™ in your barn [see: both Pittsburgh Penguins Cup™ clinching games @ the North Stars & @ the Blackhawks]

but right now....that’s the farthest thing from my mind and I’m hoping that I’ll be asking that exact same question to you and all Wings fans in about 10 hours from now…

a dick?....nah, a dick OR better termed dick-move would be to cut & paste a pic from an opponents comments section & post it in your own teams comments just to stir the pot.

Good Luck Tonight!

[Hossa]

Posted by dr. turkleton on 06/04/08 at 01:15 PM ET

I will laugh now because after tonight I may not have anything to laugh about again until October.  But Damn, I feel GOOOOOOOOOOD!

Posted by Boy from the Burgh from Pittsburgh on 06/04/08 at 01:20 PM ET

Hey Turk,

If you’re going to invade the Hasek, get your ass in the back and mop up. Cephalopod just left a mess in the middle of the baggage car.

Doesn’t your team have a blog where you can type your feelings and emo-tions or is Build-a-Bear closed today in honor of Cindy’s special hug party tonight?

And when you’re done mopping, please take that chum bucket and fill it with some of Michelle’s whiny tears for the ice in period 3. Somehow your cute little eskimo pond doesn’t seem to stay cold for very long…

Good luck.

Posted by Scott H from Kalamazoo on 06/04/08 at 01:36 PM ET

Michelle’s whiny tears for the ice in period 3. Somehow your cute little eskimo pond doesn’t seem to stay cold for very long…

Do you use the same bucket for Babcock’s tears from yesterday?  Or is that a separate one? Or maybe you should use the pot and well use the kettle.

Posted by D. Myers on 06/04/08 at 01:37 PM ET