Mike Ilitch & Steve Yzerman

The Detroit News‘ sports columnist, Bob Wojnowski, wrote about the Detroit Red Wings owner, Mike Ilitch. He pointed out that when Ilitch wants to, he can make things happen like turning a small pizza business into an empire and the “Dead Wings” into a dynasty. When Ilitch doesn’t strive for the best, the Detroit Tigers have 119 losses in a season.

“So the question, as an NHL season heads to oblivion and beyond, is this: Where is Ilitch, the feisty leader of the famous Red Wings, when he’s needed most? Mike? Hello? You have the best fans in the United States, the biggest stars. So why are you letting yourself be led around by small-market, lame-market owners who haven’t invested one-millionth the time and money in the sport as you have?”

I happened to agree with his column. Understandably, Ilitch cannot make any public comments because of the fines Bettman would land on him. However, he definately could talk to the owners and convince some of them for more negotiations and less “it’s all about the salary cap.”

Red Wings captain Steve Yzerman no longer holds the optimistic outlook that the NHL season will be salvaged, “I don’t see it happening. The philosophies haven’t changed and there’s no compromise in sight. I’d hoped at the last moment the owners would move off the salary cap, but they’re not going to. I don’t see a deal being done in the next week, and that’s pretty much all the time that’s left.”

He then went on to say he planned to continue to work out in hope of the NHL’s return, but with a bleak outlook for it even coming back next mid-season Yzerman might not return. “I’ve pretty much got my mind made up about what I’m going to do, but there’s no need to say for sure yet,” Yzerman said. “If next season started on time and the Red Wings called about playing, it’s something I’d definitely consider. But starting in January might be different.”

I’m frustrated that the lockout has gone this long and neither side will budge, but I’m the most frustrated with the fact that Yzerman’s last NHL game could be him leaving the ice after the puck hit him in the eye against Calgary. No player, much less a highly respected player and leader, should retire under those circumstances.

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Posted in: Wings News, Yzerman | | January 2005

One Response to “Mike Ilitch & Steve Yzerman”

  1. Anonymous Says:
    September 30th, 2005 at 4:07 pm

    I agree,

    I love Hockey. and recently I have bought stock in it. Not like real stock on Wall street, but a stock market that is strictly for sports.

    You have seen it? Its pretty cool. You buy issues for your favorite teams and you make real money. Not like a fake stock simulator. I cash out Dividends each time the team wins. Also I can sell my team stock when the price goes up.

    check it out if something like this interests you.
    heres a link http://allsportsmarket.com
    you can log in and check it out for free..

    They just released IPO’S for Hockey this week, so there are alot of good deals there.

    Keep up the good work on your blog!
    -Erik

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