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Homer’s Getting Irritated, Igor’s Getting Honored and the Hockeytown Blog

It’s pretty much what we said the other day.  Tomas Holmstrom isn’t the kind of guy the Wings are going to coddle or cajole.  His ego doesn’t need stroking and he’s happy with the money he’s making (allegedly).

All he wants to do is play some hockey.  And if you prevent him from doing so? 

He’s going to be mighty pissed.  Is he playing tonite?  Nope.

And he told Khan(!) he’ll be ready for the next one.  And, according to Homer, sitting him would not be good for anybody.

Asked how he would feel if they held him out on Saturday, too, Holmstrom said, “You don’t want to talk to me Saturday.’‘

A few tidbits.  Look for a Larionov tribute at the Joe tonite and a free poster of The Professor for the first 19 people in the arena.  Nah. Kidding.  Everyone will get one. It’ll be an all skate.  Kirk Maltby looked back six years during a conversation with former DD Captain Teddy Kulfan.

Maltby remembers Larionov’s goal in triple overtime in Game 3 of the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals against Carolina.

“That goal in Carolina was a huge part of our team winning that Stanley Cup,” Maltby said. “He’s a gentleman, a great guy, very down to earth.”

So am I.  Down to earth, that is.  And here’s proof.  I’ve held off on talking about the Hockeytown Blog.  Why? I just don’t know.  It’s been so natural to stay cynical about the Wings’ efforts to reach out to the fans, that I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

But, it’s been long enough.  They seem to be legitimately making the effort, and should be applauded for that…at the very least.  Consider that they’re actually putting together a useful, interesting product? Well, now we’re talking groundbreaking stuff for an organ-I-zation that has been remarkably stale in all areas communications-related.  Hell, I even Twittered them, and I still don’t know how to use that frigging thing

So congrats to Shannon Paul and the Wings for taking a big step forward with the fans.  Now don’t blow it.

 

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Comments

     

Avatar

Well damnit, they don’t link to A2Y.

And for a blog that is the official one for a multimillion-dollar or-gan-eye-zay-shun… color me unimpressed with the layout and design.

How’s that for good old A2Y 19 cynicism?

Though no disrespect to the actual bloggers and content, I think we all know and like Christy Hammond from her old blog.

Posted by Nathan on 12/04/08 at 03:54 PM ET

monkey's avatar

What in the name of high holy #$%^ is “Twitter”?

Posted by monkey from here to Timbuktu on 12/04/08 at 05:14 PM ET

HockeyTownTodd's avatar

Twitter..?

I think it is a nervous condition in your eye.

After visiting your ophthalmologist then the neurosurgeon he refers you to and
$25,000.oo worth of tests, they tell you to rest and try to relax, here is some
muscle relaxers.

Posted by HockeyTownTodd on 12/04/08 at 05:26 PM ET

hockeychic's avatar

I wish Homer were playing tonight.  Sigh.  Here’s hoping for another good 60 minutes of hockey from the Winged Wheelers.

Posted by hockeychic from Denver, CO on 12/04/08 at 05:27 PM ET

MOWingsfan19's avatar

Mind you the new hiree in charge of all things marketing and reaching out to the fans was last employed in Bubbaville and all. I would like the Professor poster though. Last time I was in DET, was when we played the Rags 2 years ago and that was when Igor had his movie playing aroudn here n there and did a memorabilia signing between periods. I missed a couple minutes of the start of the 3rd period of the game simply b/c Igor too the time to talk to everyone in the line waiting for autographs, very genuine humble man. Absolutely and truly one of the greats that is off the radar of 99.9% of pro sports fans.
A pissed off Homer plays great hockey. I like that.
The oozing man love for Sammy makes me pissed off. I don’t like that. You can show me all the stats you want in regards to his shooting on net, assists etc etc etc, I don’t like that sumbitch, like him less on Z’s line & even less when he on the point on the PP.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 12/04/08 at 05:28 PM ET

DetroitHockey's avatar

I’ve also been reluctant to appreciate any official efforts by the Wings staff to connect with fans considering the continuing debacle that is Red Wings World.  That said, the “chief evangelist” (coolest title ever) at my day job spent awhile last week praising Shannon Paul so I took a look.

I want to complain.  The horrible design really, really bothers me.  The Wings have always been awful with their various web presences and this doesn’t change that.  The content makes up for it, though.  It’s the first time you’ve been able to see actual enthusiasm from anyone in the Wings organization.

Listing fan-run sites in the blogroll is a huge step forward, too (though leaving you off is a crime).  Considering the fans have done a better job promoting the team than the team has for the last ten years, they deserve some credit from the organization.

I should probably post something about this over at my place rather than rambling on here.  So, yeah, “seconded” to everything you say about it for now.

Posted by DetroitHockey on 12/04/08 at 05:36 PM ET

MOWingsfan19's avatar

I want to complain.

Obligatory thing to do being one of the 19.
Oddly enough #19 never complained.
Huh. I’ll have a beer on that consternating thought.

Posted by MOWingsfan19 on 12/04/08 at 05:44 PM ET

calquake's avatar

“Twitter?”  Isn’t that something you go to Dr. Rhamani for?

Posted by calquake on 12/04/08 at 07:15 PM ET

Avatar

Thanks so much for the congrats!

I really hope we don’t blow it, too! And, just so you know, A2Y is now listed on the blogroll for the Hockeytown Blog. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if there are others that should be included on that list as well.

I also wanted to acknowledge some of the criticism regarding the layout and design of the site. Simply put, we decided to launch the blog as a work in progress. Most blogs start out this way and we really felt that it was best to grow the voice and the audience for the site as organically as possible and with as much fan input as possible. At this point, good content and genuine dialogue are the top priorities—the layout and design will be improved as we move forward.

Again, thanks to everyone for the input and the congrats!

Shannon Paul
New Media Creative Content Coordinator
Detroit Red WIngs

Posted by Shannon Paul from Detroit, Michigan on 12/04/08 at 08:12 PM ET

WingMan19's avatar

testing

Posted by WingMan19 from Metro Detroit on 12/05/08 at 12:03 PM ET

     

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Welcome to Abel to Yzerman, a Red Wing blog since 1977.  No other site on the internet has better-researched, fact-laden and better prepared discussions than A2Y.  Re-phrase: we do little research, find facts and stats highly overrated and claim little to no preparation.  There are 19 readers of A2Y. No more, no less. All of them, except maybe one, are juvenile in nature.  Reminding them of that in the comment section will only encourage them to prove that. Your suggestions and critiques are welcome: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

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