Detroit, MI

A blueprint of the Detroit Red Wings' new sprawling arena and entertainment district at the north end of downtown was unveiled.

The Detroit Downtown Development Authority voted to approve the framework of a deal with the Ilitch family to build the complex on the west side of Woodward just north of I-75.

The unnamed multipurpose arena would be part of a $650-million complex and district that would include spin-off housing, retail, offices and parking in a long-downtrodden area with ramshackle, decaying structures.

It is not far from Comerica Park, where the Ilitch-owned Detroit Tigers play, and also near Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions.

When completed, the 18,000-seat arena would bring all of Detroit's major sports teams, except the Pistons, into close proximity and create one of the tightest professional sports districts of any U.S. city.

The Red Wings currently play at the 32-year old Joe Louis Arena.

George Jackson, president and CEO of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp., which negotiated the deal on behalf of the city, hopes that eventually the Detroit Pistons might one day agree to share the new arena with the Red Wings to bring all of Detroit's four major league sports teams in the area.

He said no discussions have taken place with the Pistons, which has played in the Palace of Auburn Hills for two decades, about moving.

Red Wings Sign Pavel Datsyuk through 2017 NHL Season

Pavel Datsyuk has agreed to extend his remaining one-year contract at $6.7 million with the Detroit Red Wings for another three years worth $23 million.

He will be earning $10 million in 2014-15; $7.5 million in 2015-16; and $5.5 million in 2016-17.

His cap hit will be $7.667 million, highest on the team.

Datsyuk's agent met with Red Wings general manager Ken Holland to finalize the negotiations.

But the deal can't be officially announced until July 5 because of Datsyuk's remaining one year on his current contract.

Datsyuk has led the Red Wings in points in every season since 2003-04 with the exception of 2010-11, when he missed 26 games with injuries, and 2011-12, when he finished two points behind Henrik Zetterberg.

An exceptional asser, Datsyuk also had three straight Selke Trophies for best defensive forward plus a number of nominations for the Selke Trophy as well.

He had 144 takeaways in 2007-08, the most since takeaways became an official stat in 2005.

 

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Hockeytown on the Move: New $650M Home to be Built for Detroit Red Wings