Leelanau Sports Guy’s World

The NHL and players reaching an agreement is big news for Traverse City. The Wings training camp has been here the last few years and with the league starting up again, the city will be breaking out it’s red!

Also a press conference was announced for Friday at 10:00 AM to introduce the Wings new coach Mike Babcock. This was a good move by the Wings. Lewis was a good man and good coach, but didn’t seem to be able to get them over the playoff hump. Babcock will be coaching a new-look Wings team with alot more youth, something he is very good at.

Training camp is a go for TC - Record Eagle article by James Cook

Traverse City set for Wings camp - Freep article by Dave Scroppo

Red Wings name Babcock coach

The Detroit News has a blurb and a poll about the deal.

My View: With the lockout ended, fans up here in the Traverse City area are getting excited for training camp. Lots of local businesses will love this news!

However, the NHL does have some work to do. All in all, I think alot of fans will come back, provided they make a few of the proposed rules changes (smaller goalie pads, no red line, etc.) that might make the game faster and higher scoring.

Of course free tickets might help too, like that would ever happen with these owners…

I am sure I will watch as much hockey as I did before, but as the Sports Dude said, the Wings aren’t the only good team anymore. All of the other Detroit teams are vastly improving and putting a good product out there.