Setting the Record Straight... Why the Detroit Red Wings are the Best Franchise in the NHL.

Like most of you Red Wing fans out there today, I too am a little gloomy and a little bitter still about last night's game. But you know what I keep reminding myself that makes it a tad bit better? I should be thankful that we even had a season in the first place, and I should be pleased with how far into the playoffs we got considering there was a time when I truly believed we weren't even going to be making it his year. Don't you agree? Good. Now, here's the kicker to my thought today. While I wanted desperately to come out victorious against our long-lasting rival last night to prove a point that Detroit is an overall better franchise, I realized this morning that I don't need an overtime Game 7 to do so, I just need to prove my points in a more factual manner. So without further adieu...

I grew up in the 90's and was blessed to be able to witness some of the greats play for Detroit like Steve Yzerman, Ray Sheppard, Paul Ysebaert, and the Red Army (even if I don't remember it really, I know that my dad plopped me down on the couch to watch with him). I was also blessed to be born at the beginning of what has seemed to be our never ending playoff appearances (fun fact: we've made the playoffs every year since I've been born). But more than that, Detroit always seems to be one of the best teams in the league. And why do you ask?

Well in 1996 when I was just starting to master my ABC's and 123's, Detroit was nicknamed "Hockeytown", a big name to uphold, during their playoff run and continued to refer to it throughout their '97 playoff run that lead into a Stanley Cup Championship. Ever since then the name just stuck. And for good reason too! While other cities have tried to claim the name of fame, they have nothing to prove to the world on why they should! We do.

That leads into my next point. Detroit has 11 Stanley Cup Championships. That's 11 titles, 11 banners, and 11 rings. There's not even enough fingers on your hands to put the rings on! That also means they have the third most championships in NHL history and the most among the American franchises. Under our current commissioner, Gary Betteman, Detroit has won four cups and will continue to be a leader until someone (that means you Boston) catches up to us, which won't be anytime soon. Also, just an FYI for you Blackhawk's out there... some of our players have more Stanley Cup Championships under their belt alone than your entire franchise. So I don't want to hear you chirping to me about how you're the best team ever alright? You're not.

Have I mentioned any of our legends yet? While I know I briefly mentioned Yzerman earlier, let's not forget Gordie Howe, Mr. Hockey himself, who made a electrifying appearance in Hockeytown this past series, Nicklas Lidstrom, one of the best defenseman in the league well over the decade, and our future legends, Datsyuk and Zetterberg who at their pace could definitely become a part of our banner brigade.

Overall though, I told you that we were going to carry out the series to a Game 7. Granted I didn't think we would blow a 3-1 lead or take it into overtime last night, but I did know that it was going to be a great series to end our time with the Western Conference. And as always, I believe we are the best team in league history, recent history, and today. With the NHL Draft approaching and the Red Wings with the 17th pick, who knows what to expect. Mind you... let's not forget that Datsyuk was a 6th rounder, Zetterberg a 7th rounder, Franzen a 3rd rounder, and Darren Helm, a 5th rounder and former Grand Rapids Griffin ;), all of who were a part of our 2008 Stanley Cup Championship and our 2009 team that was a win away from another cup.

If all of that doesn't excited you for what the future holds for our team, then I don't know what will. I'm still very proud of how our boys came out this season (even though I didn't display that last night), and you should be too. Expect a lot of blood thirsty, puck craving, hungry Red Wings and Red Wings fans next season folks! And, don't forget to stay posted on my blog! The Red Wings might be done for a while, but there is still much more hockey to be discussed!

Sidenote: Please keep my dear cousin in your thoughts as she must endure being a Red Wings fan living in Chicago right now. Oh and Andrew Shaw, yeah, you can go tie cement blocks to your ankles and jump in Lake Michigan. I don't care if you're a undrafted, 21 year old player... you're a filthy scumbag and I don't appreciate that bullshit maneuver you pulled on Filppula last night.