Detroit to Play the Mid Winter Classic!

But Not host it.

The NHL once again is going half way with the Wings. The NHL has kept in the west, made them travel more than any team in pro sports, forced them in to so - so rivalries and in somes eyes done the Wings zero favors.

The Mid Winter Classic, the outdoor game that showcases the NHL in a great light, takes the players back their youth and is a money windfall banza for the communities that host it. So finally the NHL are in positive talks to allow the Wings to, host it, in Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor, it's a great college town, the biggest non race stadium in North America. No doubt the NHL sees the glitz of putting 110,000 paying fans in the seats to get that record for attendance to a NHL game. What are there any negatives?

Of course Ann Arbor could hold the game, but where are people going to stay, how will moving around town be in winter months and is the NHL selfish in forcing this game here for only a number.

Red Wings fans have been loyal to hockey for over 15 years due to the product on the ice but they have put up with watching playoff games til 2am on work nights. The Wings is still the top ten selling jersey in pro sports and every YEAR this team draws more fans while on the road than most home teams play too.

Ilitch has been an ambassador to the game of hockey. He has championed hockey in this area and around the world. He has put his money into a product at times the rest of the world could give to craps about. He has also made sure the product is second to none.

The Ilitch family should have total say on how this game goes down and its location. They deserve that. Lets hope something gets worked out. I think its important for hockey, NHL, the City of Detroit and the Red Wings.

(sources)