Anyone Miss The NHL on ESPN

[meesterperfect]

by bigswede

I blame it all on Gary Bettman!
He alone has ruined NHL.
He can go fuck himself!

i met chelios at a bar in tampa after a lightning /blackhawks game i think in 93.
he said a lot of bad stuff about bettman, so i'll take his opinions seriously, he should know.

 

[Frank Fire]

No i don't miss it at all

 

[Jagger69]

i met chelios at a bar in tampa after a lightning /blackhawks game i think in 93.

I guess that was right around his 40th birthday then?

Dude is still playing in the AHL....

http://www.chicagowolves.com/releases/1451-wolves-sign-chris-chelios

 

[tartanterrier]

We get NHL every night in the UK on ESPN

http://tv.espn.co.uk/sports-on-espn/nhl/

 

[feller469]

ESPN won't show the NHL anytime soon, too much of a loss with each broadcast.

Versus is back on DirecTV, about two weeks ago.

It was Islanders- Caps and Pens-flyers in those long overtime games. Pat LaFontaine and Keith Primeau got the winners in each i think.

I miss watching the NHL but i am leaning toward the season being too long. Shorten it by 20 games and make each game more vital.

When I had DirecTV, I had the Home Ice package and loved watching the Kings and Ducks after 11pm east coast time.

 

[GibbsGrad2002]

I do miss hockey on ESPN I not a big fan of Versus or VS

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

You know, we have the same problems up here with CBC. Every fucking Hockey Night in Canada is pretty much based around a Maple Leafs game (The second last team in the league, or, as I like to call them, the faggots in blue). And then TSN is always showing the next Penguins or Capitals game...

 

[BigSwede]

by bigswede

I blame it all on Gary Bettman!
He alone has ruined NHL.
He can go fuck himself!

i met chelios at a bar in tampa after a lightning /blackhawks game i think in 93.
he said a lot of bad stuff about bettman, so i'll take his opinions seriously, he should know.

It started with the instigator and then it went downhill.
Chelios was right.

I guess that was right around his 40th birthday then?

Dude is still playing in the AHL....

http://www.chicagowolves.com/releases/1451-wolves-sign-chris-chelios

Dude is not in the AHL anymore.
Dude is in Atlanta.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=946&encode=TRUE

 

[Jagger69]

Dude is not in the AHL anymore.
Dude is in Atlanta.
http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=946&encode=TRUE

I knew that! ( :dunno :1orglaugh

Thanks for the update, BigSwede! Good to see him still playing (as long as it isn't Detroit that is). He's a freak.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

The league is the reason the games arent on basic cable and are only broadcast regionally, or just on VS. The stations offer to them wasnt enough money for the NHL... so they decided to be greedy bastards and sign with VS

That was Bettman.

by bigswede

I blame it all on Gary Bettman!
He alone has ruined NHL.
He can go fuck himself!


i met chelios at a bar in tampa after a lightning /blackhawks game i think in 93.
he said a lot of bad stuff about bettman, so i'll take his opinions seriously, he should know.

Yeah it's somewhat common knowledge the Players Union doesn't like that creep. Still, the league is doing good attendence wise lately. Just look at the Hawks. They sell out every game now but the arena was half full just about less than a decade ago.

I guess that was right around his 40th birthday then?

Dude is still playing in the AHL....

http://www.chicagowolves.com/releases/1451-wolves-sign-chris-chelios

I don't really want to second guess this years olympic squad, 'cause God knows they deserved that gold, but I wonder if just a few of the vets - the Tkachuck's, Modano's and even maybe an old timer like Chelios - would've made a difference, but you have to wonder what difference that might of made. Brian Rafalski was incredible (MVP next to Ryan Miller). That team is still one of the funnest teams I've ever watched, period. I'd like to get a poster or painting signed by the entire silver medal team from this year. That would be pretty rad.

About ESPN, they lost me when they cancelled NHL 2nite. John Buccigross, Melrose and Chicken Parm were my favorites to watch. Now I get the NHL channel which has some pretty in-depth coverage and some obscure games like the U18 and U21 international games and even can watch my relative on the occasional AHL game which is nice. I think this all coincided with ESPN picking up the NBA, hence probably why those pussies dropped their NHL coverage.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

Yeah it's somewhat common knowledge the Players Union doesn't like that creep. Still, the league is doing good attendence wise lately. Just look at the Hawks. They sell out every game now but the arena was half full just about less than a decade ago.

That's because the old owner finally died and left the team to his son. The old owner fucked the team royally ("Televising games is an insult to ticket holders") and it was only after he died and his son took over that the team improved.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

That's because the old owner finally died and left the team to his son. The old owner fucked the team royally ("Televising games is an insult to ticket holders") and it was only after he died and his son took over that the team improved.

Can't remember which player it was but a rep for the players union said there are like three teams in the south that are holding the union back from getting their, I guess, "profit sharing" or whatever their contract stipulated. I think it was like Florida, Phoenix, and maybe even Atlanta that are fucking them up from maxing out their revenue potential. Hell, Dallas sells out quite a bit; that's like selling ice to Eskimos.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

Can't remember which player it was but a rep for the players union said there are like three teams in the south that are holding the union back from getting their, I guess, "profit sharing" or whatever their contract stipulated. I think it was like Florida, Phoenix, and maybe even Atlanta that are fucking them up from maxing out their revenue potential. Hell, Dallas sells out quite a bit; that's like selling ice to Eskimos.

I've heard those teams, as well as Tampa and Columbus. Nashville, as far as I know, has actually been a success; they have been turning a profit for the past few years, albeit a small one. I always find myself wondering why the Islanders are never mentioned when it comes to financially-challenged teams. They never sell out, they have attendance worse than every team except the Coyotes (And the Yotes are beginning to sell out their arena now), and they haven't been a threat on ice for years.

I've heard plenty of rumours about Dallas, but say what they will, the reason Dallas has been a success so far (this applies to Tampa for the few years after they won their Cup) is because year after year they have put a playoff-caliber team on the ice.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

I've heard those teams, as well as Tampa and Columbus. Nashville, as far as I know, has actually been a success; they have been turning a profit for the past few years, albeit a small one. I always find myself wondering why the Islanders are never mentioned when it comes to financially-challenged teams. They never sell out, they have attendance worse than every team except the Coyotes (And the Yotes are beginning to sell out their arena now), and they haven't been a threat on ice for years.

I've heard plenty of rumours about Dallas, but say what they will, the reason Dallas has been a success so far (this applies to Tampa for the few years after they won their Cup) is because year after year they have put a playoff-caliber team on the ice.

Ugh, I forgot about Nashville. Actually I heard Carolina is doing poorly in attendance, but I must say there was one place on the planet hockey should not be played, it's with those shit kickin', twang talkin' good ole' boys down there in Nashville. Basketball, baseball, football? Yeah. But hockey? A cold day in hell before those guys played hockey in Nashville. :2 cents:

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

Ugh, I forgot about Nashville. Actually I heard Carolina is doing poorly in attendance, but I must say there was one place on the planet hockey should not be played, it's with those shit kickin', twang talkin' good ole' boys down there in Nashville. Basketball, baseball, football? Yeah. But hockey? A cold day in hell before those guys played hockey in Nashville. :2 cents:

From all accounts, Carolina's fans are some of the most knowledgable and passionate fans in the league. I would argue that Carolina's poor attendance is due to their poor first-half this season more than anything else, though comparing their 2010 attendace to their 2009 and 2008 seasons, there is only a drop of a thousand fans. I always thought Carolina played to near full arenas. :dunno:

I give credit to the fans in places like Nashville, Atlanta and other southern cities. The fans that make it out to those games are just as passionate about the game as any Canadian you will ever meet, and unlike some fans in Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto (this applies to fans of the other three teams, though not as much), they don't come to the games because it is the cool thing to do; they go to the games because they love it and support their teams. That's one of the things I hate about the media in Canada when they were reporting on the Coyotes situation; they made it out that there were no dedicated fans in Phoenix and they always took shots at then whenever they talked about them. No one seems to remember that the almighty Winnipeg Jets averaged only 11,316 people every game in their final season. Granted it was a different time with lower attendance across the board, but the league average back then was still 15986. Teams like the Coyotes, Predators and Thrashers might not have as many fans as the Canadian teams (I would argue that a good chunk of Canadian fans are pure bandwagon fans, but I won't now), but the fans that they do have are just as dedicated as you or I.

 

[sdj374]

I miss the NHL on Sega Genesis. Especially the one where you could make a guy's head bleed.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

From all accounts, Carolina's fans are some of the most knowledgable and passionate fans in the league. I would argue that Carolina's poor attendance is due to their poor first-half this season more than anything else, though comparing their 2010 attendace to their 2009 and 2008 seasons, there is only a drop of a thousand fans. I always thought Carolina played to near full arenas. :dunno:

I give credit to the fans in places like Nashville, Atlanta and other southern cities. The fans that make it out to those games are just as passionate about the game as any Canadian you will ever meet, and unlike some fans in Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto (this applies to fans of the other three teams, though not as much), they don't come to the games because it is the cool thing to do; they go to the games because they love it and support their teams. That's one of the things I hate about the media in Canada when they were reporting on the Coyotes situation; they made it out that there were no dedicated fans in Phoenix and they always took shots at then whenever they talked about them. No one seems to remember that the almighty Winnipeg Jets averaged only 11,316 people every game in their final season. Granted it was a different time with lower attendance across the board, but the league average back then was still 15986. Teams like the Coyotes, Predators and Thrashers might not have as many fans as the Canadian teams (I would argue that a good chunk of Canadian fans are pure bandwagon fans, but I won't now), but the fans that they do have are just as dedicated as you or I.

Something just seems odd about Nashville and hockey. I understand your point and concede that I hate when hoes on this board go on and on about how hockey isn't mainstream and then they suck off 300lb linebackers as some sort of brilliant athletes; and then, I turn around and say it shouldn't be in the Sun Belt (obviously I contradict myself with that), and further, there are cold franchises like Hartford, Minnesota, Quebec and Winnipeg that shitted on their teams, but I think this all goes back to the high maintenance of the game - you can't just put on a $5 pair of basketball shoes and walk across the street to play.

Icetime in some places - and this varries from place to place - is over $200 for an hour. Where I grew up we had outdoor ice a good four months of the year so I would be down there with frozen feet and friends playing all night, honing my skills. However, baseball isn't exactly the easiest thing to get goin' without about nine friends. Bottom line: hockey is the most expensive sport to play and it's probably not diverse enough to go mainstream (which I think is a bullshit excuse).

Ahh, fuck I'm ramblin'.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

Something just seems odd about Nashville and hockey. I understand your point and concede that I hate when hoes on this board go on and on about how hockey isn't mainstream and then they suck off 300lb linebackers as some sort of brilliant athletes; and then, I turn around and say it shouldn't be in the Sun Belt (obviously I contradict myself with that), and further, there are cold franchises like Hartford, Minnesota, Quebec and Winnipeg that shitted on their teams, but I think this all goes back to the high maintenance of the game - you can't just put on a $5 pair of basketball shoes and walk across the street to play.

Icetime in some places - and this varries from place to place - is over $200 for an hour. Where I grew up we had outdoor ice a good four months of the year so I would be down there with frozen feet and friends playing all night, honing my skills. However, baseball isn't exactly the easiest thing to get goin' without about nine friends. Bottom line: hockey is the most expensive sport to play and it's probably not diverse enough to go mainstream (which I think is a bullshit excuse).

Ahh, fuck I'm ramblin'.

Considering Nashville is the birthplace of country music, it does seem a little weird to have hockey there. But I like Nashville regardless. The Predators are badass.

People mention that all the time; it is impossible to get a hockey base in the Sun Belt because it is either too expensive or there is no ice to play it on. The ice problem is slowly - very slowly - dissapearing in cities like Atlanta and Phoenix, though. Ice hockey rinks are being built in these cities - places that had no or one hockey rink how have a dozen. Of course, that is nothing to a city of five million people, especially when you point out that every small town in Canada has a rink, but it is building. Slowly, it is building around the Southern States. It's going to be a long time if people are going to say hockey is popular in the South, but with teams like Tampa, Anaheim and Carolina winning the Cup in recent years, it will get there. The seeds are there in most cities; they just need some time and nourishment.

Until then, there is always a solution that I never understand hasn't taken off in the South; street hockey. It is not expensive so long as you don't need a real net; I've used everything from shoes to bike locks as goalposts. All you need are hockey sticks (if you can find them in the south) and a tennis ball and you have a game.

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

Considering Nashville is the birthplace of country music, it does seem a little weird to have hockey there. But I like Nashville regardless. The Predators are badass.

People mention that all the time; it is impossible to get a hockey base in the Sun Belt because it is either too expensive or there is no ice to play it on. The ice problem is slowly - very slowly - dissapearing in cities like Atlanta and Phoenix, though. Ice hockey rinks are being built in these cities - places that had no or one hockey rink how have a dozen. Of course, that is nothing to a city of five million people, especially when you point out that every small town in Canada has a rink, but it is building. Slowly, it is building around the Southern States. It's going to be a long time if people are going to say hockey is popular in the South, but with teams like Tampa, Anaheim and Carolina winning the Cup in recent years, it will get there. The seeds are there in most cities; they just need some time and nourishment.

Until then, there is always a solution that I never understand hasn't taken off in the South; street hockey. It is not expensive so long as you don't need a real net; I've used everything from shoes to bike locks as goalposts. All you need are hockey sticks (if you can find them in the south) and a tennis ball and you have a game.

I used to roller blade around the lake in the summer and because I wasn't from a poor family I got in both spring and summer leagues (soooo fun, because the tallent was mediocre and I always took over those leagues). We'll see where it goes, because even the U18 and U21 teams recently had players from as far south as Texas and Oklahoma.

 

[PlasmaTwa2]

Just a note, I was curious and I went looking up a list of profits by team for last season. I don't think it is possible to find a true list because the NHL doesn't release infomation on it. I read on one list that all Canadian teams made a profit, and on another I read that the Flames, Oilers and Senators were all losing money.