Cry me a river.  Holy smokes!!  This is worse than playing the Cryers.  Wait until a call doesn’t go thier way.  Had Detroit swept they’d be rested.  Get over it.

Posted by McFly on 05/28/09 at 07:50 PM ET

As usual, Ted tells it.  Like. It. Is.

Posted by mudshark from Divetown, Colorado on 05/28/09 at 08:03 PM ET

Cry me a river.  Holy smokes!!  This is worse than playing the Cryers.  Wait until a call doesn’t go thier way.  Had Detroit swept they’d be rested.  Get over it.

it’s amazing how people would take side of complete dope(Bettman) instead of taking the side of an legend who have the scars on his body from playing the game.

Posted by FlyersFan on 05/28/09 at 08:09 PM ET

Cry me a river.  Holy smokes!!  This is worse than playing the Cryers.  Wait until a call doesn’t go thier way.  Had Detroit swept they’d be rested.  Get over it.

I would love to see you express those sentiments directly to Ted’s face. Even at 84, I believe Ted would wipe the floor with ya.

Have no fear though, the Wings won’t be the team needing excuses after the series is over.

Posted by dbcooper from parts unknown on 05/28/09 at 08:15 PM ET

Cry me a river.  Holy smokes!!  This is worse than playing the Cryers.  Wait until a call doesn’t go thier way.  Had Detroit swept they’d be rested.  Get over it

then again McFly is probably a Poultry fan,who cares,the fact Bettman is going head to head with the NBA on game 4 and 6 says as much as game 1 and 2 back to back.he ISN’T trying to grow the game despite his protests to the contrary.

Posted by Speedy Sammich from DTown on 05/28/09 at 08:15 PM ET

Call the Wambulance, uncle Teddy’s going ga-ga. He’s right about one thing though the Red Wings are stupid.

Posted by Lindas1st on 05/28/09 at 08:21 PM ET

Funny, I just finished watching Net Worth again. A must see for hockey fans. It’s the story of how Ted Lindsay led the way to form the NHLPA back in the old days, 1956.

He was a force off the ice as well. A great and honorable man with the stones to take on the NHL as it was back in the day.

As a fan I hate the schedule for the Finals. Back to back games?  I just don’t see it. Rushing through the Stanley Cup Finals is no way to attract viewers.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 05/28/09 at 08:29 PM ET

Very Nice Ted Now Have someone change your Depends & give you your Meds

Posted by Evilpens on 05/28/09 at 08:38 PM ET

even your legends are whining now.  i agree with the above—worst than those stinkin’ cryers

Posted by Bob from atl on 05/28/09 at 08:44 PM ET

The point isn’t even mostly about the Red Wings or the Penguins - it’s that this is the Stanley Cup Finals, both teams have just been through three playoff series, and instead of giving them a schedule that allows for another day or two of rest and then going every other day so BOTH teams will be at their best and the hockey will be the highest quality possible, the NHL allows it’s schedule to be dictated by a network that doesn’t pay squat to show hockey, makes my mom wonder if NBC is deliberately TRYING to hire the dumbest people possible to cover it, and give the teams back-to-back games to start off.

Sure, the teams play back to back plenty of times during the season - and how many times do all the fans grumble about the crappy hockey that results between two tired teams?

It’s bad for the sport and won’t show off both teams to their best, and points out just how stupid the NHL TV contract is with NBC.

The “oh, the Wings fans and the team is such a bunch of whiners” meme is stale.  Try something different for a change - something new would be nice.  The same-old, same-old is boring.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 05/28/09 at 09:02 PM ET

even your legends are whining now.

Yea, that’s right The Wings have legends. The rafters are full of them. Can you make that same claim?

The Wings have cases full of Stanley Cups and other assorted semi-meaningful trophies.  Can you say the same?

Let’s see how puffed up you are when The Wings add Stanley Cup #12 to that trophy case. We’re keeping the Cup.

Lets Go Red Wings!!!!!

Posted by Kate from Pa. on 05/28/09 at 09:03 PM ET

Call the Wambulance, uncle Teddy’s going ga-ga. He’s right about one thing though the Red Wings are stupid.

Posted by Lindas1st on 05/28/09 at 09:21 PM ET

i think Ted when he said stupid,was referring to you

Posted by Speedy Sammich from DTown on 05/28/09 at 09:06 PM ET

Are there any Wings fans happy they made the finals??? All I’ve heard is whining and conspiracy theories.  You’d think they got screwed worse than Bret Hart. Oh, and we’d stop talking about their whining if they’d stop it soooooo deal.

Yeah there should be more time before series but if they had an extra week all we’d hear about is poor ice.  Hockey wasn’t made to be played in June.  Shorten the season 8-12 games and we’d already have our champ.

Posted by Quacker from LA on 05/28/09 at 09:12 PM ET

Just further prooves Bettman’s hatred of the Wings…

Posted by Hippy Dave from San Francisco by way of Detroit on 05/28/09 at 09:19 PM ET

As Wings forward Marian Hossa said, “You get the Stanley Cup finals once a year. Why do you rush it? What if the first game goes to three or four overtimes? Then we have to start again the next night? I don’t think that’s smart.”

thanks, Hossa, for the players’ perspectives.  I’m siding with the players on this issue.  it’s not a good schedule for players on both teams.

Posted by Jeebus on 05/28/09 at 09:19 PM ET

You know what, Cheli? You’re right. We really don’t.

Adam Brady is a moron. Actually, we do want to know what Cheli thinks about this. Every writer, player, coach and blogger should shame Garry B. on this back to back crud. Its not about the wings, its about the quality of the game. What if game one goes multiple overtimes. Game two is going to be crap as neither team is going to have much legs so the speed and the skill, which is what the NHL wants to actually showcase, is going to be missing.

Posted by UMFan from Colorado on 05/28/09 at 09:20 PM ET

Are there any Wings fans happy they made the finals???

In spite of a lot of people, yes.

Hockey wasn’t made to be played in June.

You’re exactly right...in this case.

Posted by mrfluffy from Cincy on 05/28/09 at 09:20 PM ET

I agree with Baroque...this has nothing to do with the teams and everything to do with catering to NBC.  I don’t mind the quick start, and could really care little more that they’re playing back to back.  I would have absolutely HATED a 9 day layoff though.  So the point to me is, why does it have to start with two NBC games?  Why couldn’t they do Sunday NBC, Tuesday Versus?  I’m sure there is an answer but I really don’t care about that either.
Maybe its just all you neurotic Wings fans, but I think Lidstrom and Datsyuk will be on the ice in fine shape. I think they were kept out largely because they just weren’t needed.  So, in my opinion, the turn around is irrelevant.  I also disagree with the “Pens had and easier time of it” statement.  While the Anaheim team and series were difficult, the Wings also got two pretty easy opponents in Columbus and Chicago.  The Philly and Washington series were pretty tough for the Pens, but they were both fortunate and good against Carolina.  Ultimately, as the writer pints out, they’ve played one more game than the Wings, so its pretty lame to think this is an attempt to handicap the Wings.
I’m a fan of skilled, puck possession hockey, therefore I’m a huge admirer of the Wings. I enjoy the Pens for the same reasons, and think it will be interesting to see if they can beat the best this time around.  I just think there’s way too much being made of this stupid schedule thing.

Posted by dip on 05/28/09 at 09:39 PM ET

even your legends are whining now.  i agree with the above—worst than those stinkin’ cryers

Posted by Bob from atl on 05/28/09 at 09:44 PM ET

whining?how is stating the obvious whining?Bettman aschedules back to back game 1 and 2,then puts games 4 and 6 on versus the NBA.tell me HOW this helps the Championship round of the NHL put its best product on with the most viewers?then again not many championship legends in ATL,so i can see how your perspective might not understand.most in Detroit want them to win,but we also realize that OTHER markets will not watch games when the NBA is on head to head.that is what Lindsay is making his point about.Lindsay,played,coached and ran an NHL club.get it together,Lindsay also created the union to give players a better chance to make a decent wage,when they had no rights.before slamming a legend,realize THAT legend helped make the NHL better product and loves the game most NHL fans do.You make yourself sound like a Bettman apologist.

Posted by Speedy Sammich from DTown on 05/28/09 at 09:42 PM ET

So the point to me is, why does it have to start with two NBC games?  Why couldn’t they do Sunday NBC, Tuesday Versus?  I’m sure there is an answer but I really don’t care about that either.

Because Bettman agreed to that in a contract with NBC,AND he believes NBC will help sell the NHL,something i haven’t really seen since NBC took the NHL.All they do is show Eastern Conference teams,mostly NY,Philly,Pitt,Washington etc.,that doesn’t grow the game.

Posted by Speedy Sammich from DTown on 05/28/09 at 09:47 PM ET

thanks, Hossa, for the players’ perspectives.  I’m siding with the players on this issue.  it’s not a good schedule for players on both teams.

Posted by Jeebus on 05/28/09 at 10:19 PM ET

+1.  Yep.  I’m on the players’ side on this issue.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 05/28/09 at 09:48 PM ET

Speedy, I said I didn’t care what the answer was
Will the NHL ever appeal to casual fans from towns whose teams aren’t in it?  Here in Philly, once the Flyers flame out, you’d never know hockey still existed.  And this in a town where Al Morganti and Keith Jones are co-hosts of the popular morning show on the AM sports station.

Posted by dip on 05/28/09 at 09:55 PM ET

well i guess here in Detroit it is different seeing as we have had CBC here all my life and we are original 6.most cities fans that like NBA and NHL tend to gravitate to the NBA,the NBA sells itself better.

Mediaheads in NY don’t want hockey talked on radio in Detroit,i know because a longtime friend who was on air here told me they don’t believe it sells.And my pal was a beloved host here before Clear Channel went national here.problem is most sports talk guys don’t know hockey,tho they claim to.XYT in Detroit is acting like Detroit will be lucky get by the Pens.

and yet they claim to be hockey fans,lets see what powerhouses are in the East?i mean true powerhouses.Pens best challege was the Caps and their D isn’t great.But National voices will say Detroit is hurt and they lose in 6 or 7.Do these guys ever watch playoff hockey?EVERYONE is banged up now,guys suck it up to drink from the cup.no offense to you at all i get tired of the media pigeon holing teams the same way fans get on and off their bandwagons.

i’ve been a Wings fan since the late 60s,i saw it go from shit to glory.i have a stick that has the name of every player that has a banner but Stevie Y,if the Wings blow games i rarely blame anything but it being not their year.

Posted by Speedy Sammich from DTown on 05/28/09 at 10:15 PM ET

The NHL can never win.
Fans and players complained that they wanted more coverage. They got it. Now fans and players are complaining about something else. I swear you guys and gals are the whiningest fans and players of any sport I’ve followed.
And for what ever blame you lay on Bettman, just realize that blame should be laid at the owners’ feet. It’s them who hired Bettman. It’s them who’ve allowed his reign to continue. It’s them who he acts for in their behalf.
You fans who want Bettman fired. Stop going to games. You fans who want Bettman fired. Stop viewing games. That should be easy enough reading the complaints, including Osgood’s, about Versus. Yet nearly every other story I read says ratings are up. So please stop watching, stop listening, stop attending if you fans want Bettman fired. Players don’t like it. Strike.
As for Albom, who also works for the Disney networks, he is obviously going to have an anti-NHL bias. Nothing new there. Albom doesn’t have any room to talk or write about hockey in my opinion either. He only does in the late post-season from what I can tell.

Posted by auxlepli on 05/28/09 at 10:32 PM ET

Don’t listen to Bob, guys. He’s in the minority of folks who seem happy with the scheduling fubar.

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 05/28/09 at 10:38 PM ET

The NHL has set its aspirations too high.  Until artificial ice and strong community or school leagues makes it possible to play hockey cheaply anywhere, hockey will never be the NBA with regard to TV ratings. Carolina is an example of what Bettman wants...but even that is a farce. When I lived in NC and went to Hurricane games in Greensboro, they curtained off the entire upper level to make the 3500 fans there seem like more.  Playoff success has built a fan base, but I guarantee that 98% of the people that were in attendance at game 4 the other day won’t be watching the game Saturday. They’ll be on the lake, or watching NASCAR, or whatever, but they won’t be watching hockey.  So why the hell does our sport try so damn hard to cater to those people?
I was at a bar the night of the Caps/ Pens game 7.  I couldn’t get one TV turned to the game.  Why, because the Phillies were on, even though they were losing 7-1.  And Philly actually tries to make the claim that it is the new “Hockeytown”. If I couldn’t get game 7 of a thrilling series between two hated rivals of the Flyers on the bar TV in Philly, what does the NHL really expect?  That Joe Blow in Houston is gonna watch because its on NBC?

Posted by dip on 05/28/09 at 10:44 PM ET

You’re right, auxlepil, I should just shut up and enjoy the games.  Its just that even here in “Hockeytown East” I never get to talk hockey except here at KK...and sometimes I get carried away. (most times?)

Posted by dip on 05/28/09 at 10:51 PM ET

The NHL can never win.

Not with who they have running it, no.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 05/28/09 at 11:11 PM ET

As for Albom, who also works for the Disney networks, he is obviously going to have an anti-NHL bias. Nothing new there. Albom doesn’t have any room to talk or write about hockey in my opinion either. He only does in the late post-season from what I can tell.

Posted by auxlepli on 05/28/09 at 11:32 PM ET

fact of the matter is albom hasn’t written a worthwhile column that is newsworthy in awhile.him and his ghostwriting antics from sports events he’s too busy to attend

Posted by Speedy Sammich from DTown on 05/28/09 at 11:13 PM ET

Why are we confusing whining with legitimate complaints?  Yes, we Wing fans are upset about the quick turnaround, but Pens fans should be too.  Neutrals should be because neither team will be on their game in game 2 if the first goes deep into OT.  Furthermore, it makes the premier league in the sport we all love look like the 2-bit operation into which Little Gary has turned it.  All because NBC can’t disrupt Conan, and they have no respect for the NHL.

This just gives NHL-haters more ammunition.  It’s bad for the players, it’s bad for the neutrals, it’s bad for TV ratings.  Thanks again, Gary.  Ass.

Terrible Ted’s right, like it or not.  I’d like to know how Alice, er, Adam Brady would feel if the Ducks had to deal with this back-to-back business… if they hadn’t driven Getzlaf into the ground already, they certainly would have done so by game 2.

Posted by Incognetis from Exile in Alabama on 05/28/09 at 11:41 PM ET

You fans who want Bettman fired. Stop going to games. You fans who want Bettman fired. Stop viewing games.

Hey folks I think Bettman himself is ghost-blogging on our site!

Posted by Hippy Dave from San Francisco by way of Detroit on 05/29/09 at 01:57 AM ET

I am upset with the back to back games, but c’mon.  I think the winner of the Stanley Cup should be able to play back to back games.  Its not that difficult.  Yeah, it stinks that the NHL is bending over for NBC, but that’s what happens when you live in a country where more people watch NASCAR and golf than hockey.  Don’t blame those companies, blame almost every damn person you bump into on a random day for not liking hockey.

Posted by DrW from Royal Oak, MI on 05/29/09 at 06:01 AM ET

Though I don’t understand Babcock’s argument that a five-game series warrants “a nice little break” when the other finalist finished in four. Regardless, NHL should have offered the NBC either Saturday or Sunday as the starting date of the usual procedure. I understand the reason for accomodating NBC and having back to back games, ie. repairing the lack of televised exposure after the lockout, but they should have limited themselves to a compromise not total subjugation. I just hope the NHL gets something in return for that. Somehow I doubt it.

That being said, back to back games shouldn’t be a problem for either team. Winning the first game could prove to be very decisive as there’s little time to adjust for the eventual loser and the winning team will gather a lot of momentum. Detroit has the advantage of home ice with a frenzied crowd and the probable return of important players to do just that.

That’s why I’m less fond of back to back games as a Penguins fan. But it is what it is.

Posted by Moq from Denmark on 05/29/09 at 06:12 AM ET

“Is this supposed to be the premium event of the National Hockey League, or not?” said Lindsay

Exactly.

Cry me a river.  Holy smokes!!  This is worse than playing the Cryers.  Wait until a call doesn’t go thier way.  Had Detroit swept they’d be rested.  Get over it.

You’re missing the point. There’s only a one-day discrepancy in rest for the two teams, so it’s not about rest, necessarily. It’s about the NHL trying to get their game on NBC so hard, that they’re going to sacrifice the quality of it by making one of the two NBC games the second night of a back-to-back. That’s not what you want on a showcase game two, in the finals, on U.S. national broadcast television.

The game won’t win many casual fans over with short shifts, heavier than usual doses of Hal Gill and Brett Lebda, and a lot of junk play in the neutral zone because both teams are on guard about not getting caught tired in the (to that point) biggest game of the year.

If the only issue here is Conan’s debut, the NHL should’ve insisted they take two days between games one and two, and have game two start at 7pm. That would give them over 4 hours of time to finish the game before Conan. If the game did run late, at least it wouldn’t be Conan’s debut night. And in a lot of cases, you might snag an extra viewer or two that tune in around 11pm waiting for the Tonight Show to start.

Two days between games one and two would be crummy, as well, but certainly better. At least it would mean both games on NBC would be with both teams with full tanks of gas, ready to play their absolute best hockey.

Posted by Nathan from Jonny Ericsson's ice cream truck on 05/29/09 at 08:12 AM ET

while i agree with most of this, what you see is pens fans telling everyone to shut up and stop whinning because they know it benefits their team.  so they don’t have a reason to complain because this gives them a better chance of beating detroit.  detroit has one less day of rest and has more beat up bodies who really could have used that extra day to help recover.  and as a neutral fan, i want to see both teams start on even ground and be given the best chance to play their ‘A’ game and put on a good show.

Posted by passerby on 05/29/09 at 06:07 PM ET