The owners believed the Stags could be an alternative to the NHL's Detroit Red Wings, who had missed the Stanley Cup playoffs in seven of the previous eight seasons.

The team was composed of journeymen, with the exceptions of star left winger Marc Tardif, veteran Western Hockey League star Gary Veneruzzo and beleaguered ex-NHL goaltender Gerry Desjardins (who found his way back to the NHL in mid-season and helped lead the Buffalo Sabres to the Stanley Cup finals).

Additionally, the Stags were unable to secure a television deal (except for a one-off broadcast), rendering them practically invisible.

Losing money, Michigan was eventually forced to trade Tardif to Quebec for Pierre Guite, Michel Rouleau and famed minor league sniper Alain Caron.

Within a three-month span, though, they were all gone: the hapless (1-13) Wheels folded October 10; the Loves (after drawing just 2,213 fans per match and losing $300,000) shifted to Indianapolis on November 18; and, just into 1975, the Stags disappeared as well.

After playing seven straight road games (all losses), the Blades debuted at the Baltimore Civic Center on February 2 (coincidentally against the Howe-led club from Houston) in front of 9,023 fans.

Detroit radio icon Vince Doyle called play-by-play and former Red Wing Marty Pavelich was the color commentator.