Picture it: December 14, 2009.
Memories flooding in from easier times, brighter days, and Detroit Red Wings teams that still made the playoffs.
Grainy, classic YouTube—kind of like vintage cars from decades earlier but with a bit less class.
Much like a 1955 Thunderbird might stand out in today’s environment, a band is a bit unique as well. Opposite the mainstream tunes with slick beats and club vibes (like “Low” by Flo-Rida), Weezer carried on the only way that they knew how.
Even though they formed in Los Angeles, California, they’re not considered the cool dudes of the music world. Unassuming and leaning into their role as a member of the uncool club, often times they flew under the radar. More often than not people know a song or even three from this under appreciated band.
Anyone born before 1996 essentially grew up with some of their biggest hits. “Island in the Sun” was part of seemingly countless soundtracks. Their “Hip Hip” draws folks in every time. A particular song draws intrigue the most.
The Detroit Red Wings need to take a page out of Weezer’s tracklist this season
Although “Island in the Sun” has been iconic since its release in July 2001, for context it’s older than Axel Sandin-Pellikka (who and what isn’t at this point?), Simon Edvinsson, and even Lucas Raymond, (Moritz Seider, just a few months old), a better song has emerged as the honorary theme song for the Detroit Red Wings’ 2026-27 season.
“Beverly Hills,” “Sweater,” and “Buddy Holly” are all great options, but not quite right.
Weezer’s “Pork and Beans” is an anthem that its music video only amplifies. Posted to YouTube on December 14, 2009, it was a song that has stuck and has aged like fine wine. Or more like a home video on a camcorder that we get to all look back chuckle along with.
Contrary to the influencer craze, in these earlier days of YouTube we had the privilege of seeing a guy with nunchucks goofing around, the shirt guy, singers and lip syncers alike, beauty queens who have trouble with maps and original content that was for the fun of it (not for views, likes or a following).
“I’mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain’t got a thing to prove to you
I’ll eat my candy with the pork and beans
Excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain’t gonna wear the clothes that you like
I’m fine and dandy with the me inside
One look in the mirror and I’m tickled pink
I don’t give a hoot about what you think”
Rivers Cuomo
The words are part of the echo chamber that Seider has sang all preseason and training camp. He and his Red Wings can’t care about any outside noise. As the season goes along, the volume will only get louder and muddier.
Seider has stated in his media availability from Wednesday, September 30, that he and the rest of the Wings cannot care about what other people think of their team, or any expectations they might have set. Honestly, those thoughts and feelings don’t concern the Detroit at all.
At this point, the Wings boast arguably one of the best bluelines (even without Edvinsson) that they have had in at least a decade.
The initial weeks will be rough. As guys get acclimated to new systems, line mates, special teams play and young guys get integrated, things will settle down. Maybe their play quiets the noise, maybe it only amplifies it.
Regardless of what happens, players can take the game with each shift. Focus between whistles on improving upon the last one. As importantly, they get to build a new team together.
Coming together imperative for Red Wings
Todd McLellan (in the same media availability mentioned above) referenced a team bonding activity, paintball with laughs and welts galore. Raymond, specifically, was named as someone who reloaded a lot, which McLelallan took as a good thing. McLellan mentioned the team had to work together (as an entire team).
It was an event thought up by the coaching staff that Red Wings leadership agreed to quickly.
They had to make sure they were not just focusing on completing certain tasks, but also helping their teammates. A seemingly foreign concept to Detroit on the ice in season's past.
Guys would get hacked, whacked and thrown to the ice without any rebuttal. Physicality was another language the Red Wings had no way of speaking (except for a handful of one-off examples).
Already in the preseason, and before the paintball bonding, DeBrincat fought. Seider was as feisty as ever. Anton Johansson introduced himself to every opponent possible. It's a refreshing change of pace.
DeBrincat specifically referenced the fight in his media availability after the game on Thursday, September 24. When asked if he shouldn't fight in the preseason, DeBrincat agreed. Although he saw red, he emphasized that it might not have been the right call and that coach might talk to him about it.
McLellan exclaimed that he would in fact like to talk to DeBrincat about the fight. Along with a pat on the back, McLellan wanted to tell DeBrincat good job. Keep up the great work, and essentially that's what leaders do. Emphasizing that he will always support his players sticking up for themselves and each other.
It seems that the team has already started to play freer and more confident since that night.
Maybe this confidence will snowball in the right direction, where the paintballing activity reignites Raymond's killer instinct. He could regain confidence in his shot (I'm still convinced he has the best shot on the team--when he's confident in it), which would be an unthinkable impact on Detroit.
No matter what happens, Hockeytown has the right man spearheading the new season. Seider alone is as poised as ever.
If Seider can continue to build a safe space for his teammates (along with other members of leadership—i.e. Raymond, Alex DeBrincat, and Andrew Copp) in the dressing room, among the bench and on the ice, who knows where his Detroit Red Wings will go?
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