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Abel to Yzerman

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Friday Deep Digging

by IwoCPO on 12/22/06 at 06:54 AM ET
Comments (7)

The Wings are mystified at this season’s drop in attendance.

Shawn Windsor/Detroit Free Press

But too often lately, the Wings’ brass have looked out and seen chunks of empty seats.

“It’s hard to put your finger on it,” said Jimmy Devellano, the team’s senior vice president.

I’ve got ten fingers.

1.  Michigan’s economy
2.  Steve Yzerman in a suit.
3.  Brendan Shanahan in a Rangers suit.
4.  4 home games against St. Louis.
5.  4 home games against Columbus.
6.  Zero attempts to upgrade a JLA atmosphere that has grown stale
7.  Fan recognition that they’re being taken for granted
8.  The lockout and Gary Bettman
9.  Priorities: Christmas shopping or a trip to the Joe
10. The Punch In The Face

Devellano touches on a few of those, and I didn’t even mention one of his: the success of the Tigers. 

Ted Kulfan’s a bulldog.  He’s got Rory-gate in his teeth and he’s not letting go.

Vancouver fans have jumped aboard, too, and suddenly, Fitzpatrick has 428,832 votes, trailing Anaheim’s Scott Niedermayer (447,502).

Lidstrom is third (427,364).

Voting ends Jan. 2.

“I saw the story a couple of weeks ago; it’s kind of a funny thing they’re doing,” said Lidstrom, who’s not bothered by the write-in campaign.

“It’s kind of funny. It’s not a big deal.”

The Detroit News’ Vartan Kupelian and Mike O’Hara (two writers I actually like) are handing out Christmas gifts.  The Wings?

The Red Wings: A division worthy of their tradition and history.

Kirk Maltby, Red Wings forward: A bounce and a goal, at least one more.

Ahhh...the O-6 division?  Keep beating the drum boys.  Or at least one that gets us to the Eastern Conference where the Wings belong.

MLive’s Danny Knobler touches on Mathieu Schneider’s hot streak, as well as the action-packed three gamer that starts against Minnesota tonite.

None of your deep diggers mentioned the idiocy of a Detroit/Minnesota back-to-back-to-back.

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Comments

I find that illiteracy is a big problem for Mr. Devellano, because the answers are pretty darn obvious… Cough cough cough…

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 12/22/06 at 07:11 AM ET

Are these people brain-dead monkeys?  Gee, I’m really feeling sympathetic; Tom Wilson, Kenny Holland, and Jimmy D go to dinner in Frickin’ West Palm Beach, and they’re mystified, just mystified out of their $1,000 suits and $250-a-plate dinner tabs…

The sidebar says it all.  The Pistons offer 4 sets for $99--with food--and an autograph session with the team’s dance team as well, while the Wings offer “sig-game ticket packages” in the upper bowl for $55 for “rows 19-21,” or they offer two nights in a spiffy hotel with People Mover Tokens and breakfast...sans actual tickets to the game! 

Oy...my aching brain… This is all I have to say.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 12/22/06 at 07:38 AM ET

11:  “Communist” control of press coverage.
12:  Zero recognition of internet coverage (bloggers).
13:  Zero access of players to the public.

This is all Devalano’s antiquated view of the world.

Posted by w2j2 from Alpena, Michigan on 12/22/06 at 08:31 AM ET

Gotta love Kulfan writing about the Fitzpatrick campaign as though he’s breaking the story to all of Hockeytown. You’re not leading anyone by the hand on that one, Ted.

Posted by Matt Saler from Grand Rapids on 12/22/06 at 10:39 AM ET

I find it hard to believe that fans are that interested in this team, I mean with guys like Samuelsson and Franzen, are top wingers, those guys just ooze with charisma.  2 things I look forward to during the NHL season, the trade deadline and the playoffs, otherwise it’s just an endless stream of players going thru the motions and showing no passion.

Posted by Bababooey on 12/22/06 at 11:02 AM ET

Babaooey,

I disagree.  Take a look at Cleary.  He oozes passion (and teeth). 

You want excitement?  Watch Hasek wander out of his net to give up the puck or bowl over Nash on a breakaway.

Posted by Tuba Guy from Royal Oak, MI on 12/22/06 at 01:24 PM ET

What I’d like is a team that doesn’t post four guards around the tunnel that the Wings enter and exit between periods, a PR staff that believes that a half hour of Red Wings Weekly, no website presence (Jimmy D probably has no clue what email is), and tight media controls are “all access,” and a a marketing philosophy that makes the NHL’s marketing look like geniuses with unparalleled player access. 

The Red Wings believe that fans will lap up whatever small tidbits the team decides to bestow upon them, and that’s just silly.

Posted by George James Malik from South Lyon, MI on 12/22/06 at 03:01 PM ET

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