I’ll admit, it’s really hard not to root for the Hawks if your not a Detroit or a St. Louis fan.

You just wanna see that uniform battling for the Stanley Cup.

Posted by Steve from Battle of NY on 08/23/07 at 03:28 PM ET

No matter who else I cheer for, I root for the Hawks because my Mom’s family is from Chicago.  When a sweet, polite grandmother would like to see Bill Wirtz eviscerated in the middle of Lakeshore Drive, you know he has driven away fans with a talent that has rarely been seen.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/23/07 at 03:52 PM ET

Never liked the Hawks, but I havent been around that long anyway.

Posted by callmedrw on 08/23/07 at 04:25 PM ET

I would love to hate them again.  Like in the rivalry days with Belfour.  Now I feel more sympathetic for them than anything.  Especially since they signed Lang.  Poor guys.  I sincerely hope they become playoff contenders again soon.  And I see that they are trying a little bit.  It would be nice if the ownership wanted the same thing.

Posted by cementslinger from Midland MI on 08/23/07 at 09:08 PM ET

You know, as a diehard Red Wings fan who has lived in Chicago for seven years, I have an interesting take on this issue. I attend every Wings game here (I pay for the center ice package specifically to see my wings and it gets blacked out because of the Blackhawks “home game” policy. If I only knew who to write a letter to...) and it’s really so sad to see a stadium with more away jerseys than home jerseys. When the Hawks fans around me yell derogatory comments at me, I can have nothing but respect from them. I live in this town and hockey gets no love, zero. It’s honestly heartwarming to see some actual hockey fans even if they are about to throw a beer at me. This is an ORIGINAL SIX team in one of the biggest markets in the country both in population and sports fans. There is no excuse for having a failing franchise here. The sports fans here are fanatics. I’m glad a writer is finally paying this issue some attention because I’ve thought for a long time that hockey’s condition here in Chicago is truly symbolic of its condition in America. The NHL really should step in and force the hand of these despondent and out-of-touch owners. They lack foresight, true respect for the game’s history, and respect for the people of Chicago. Their policies are specifically designed to respect “...the season ticket holders”. How many casual hockey fans are season ticket holders?! They are playing a part in the demise of one of the greatest games there is. Saving hockey in Chicago may indeed save Hockey - and this is coming from a Red Wings fan.

Posted by Ryan from Chicago on 08/23/07 at 11:50 PM ET

Just imagine how much fun it would be if both Detroit and Chicago were good enough that every game had playoff implications.  Eight games per season between the two teams might almost be bearable.

They better not be making big changes to their logos with the uniform change (I hope not, but I haven’t seen).  When you have something that works, leave it alone.  Concentrate on changing what doesn’t work. 

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 08/24/07 at 04:43 AM ET