19 replies to this topic

[adamrice23]

I just heard that the NHL has higher overall attendance ratings than any other sport. Why then does it struggle to gain fans and grow?? I personally believe that it is not just hockey that is struggling it is sports in general. The NBA just had some of the lowest finals ratings of all time. I am not exactly sure what it is but people just do not watch sports like they used to.

[Duckette]

They focus too much on TV ratings. Hockey is NOT a TV sport. Never will be...

[Reb]

They focus too much on TV ratings. Hockey is NOT a TV sport. Never will be...

NEVER say never!!!

Just one of the mottos I've discovered in life.

[finagler]

They focus too much on TV ratings. Hockey is NOT a TV sport. Never will be...

NEVER say never!!!

Just one of the mottos I've discovered in life.

Hockey in HD is very watchable, although nothing beats being at the game.

[LightItUp4126]

Football, football, football. If it isn't football, then it's not worth watching. I don't care what season of the year it is, people demand football. Hell, the AFL Playoffs are on ESPN! It just shows how in demand the sport is.

[GO DUX]

Part of the problem is the crappy tv broadcasting of hockey games in the U.S I'm sure we all heard about the NBC incident

[Duckbill]

Echoing the statement that televised hockey has greatly improved with the invention of HD. IF only we could get more game broadcast on it. I would love to see ESPN get the NHL back (even though I hate ESPN). Many lazy ignorant citizens of "Sports Nation" will watch it just because their sports overlords told them to (like they did with f**king lame-oh golf!).

[DropThePuck]

Q: When you look at the state of the game now, in your mind, what has changed from 2005-06?
SCOTT NIEDERMAYER, ANAHEIM DUCKS: "Coaches and players are more comfortable with how to play with the new rules. It's a big adjustment not being able to do a lot of the things you were before. It took awhile for guys to adjust, especially older guys like myself who have been around for a while and were used to playing a certain way."

Q : Is it time for the NHL to revisit the standard of officiating to try to open up the game?
NIEDERMAYER: "The officials have done a decent job holding the standard up. They're still calling it very tight. I don't think it's gotten too far away. You know if you get your stick up anywhere near the hands, you're going to get called."

Q If you were given the chance to make one change to the game, what would it be?
NIEDERMAYER: "You could give a penalty for not having someone moving forward -- if you're standing behind the net, they'd have to have one player moving forward to chase you out from behind the net. In the good old days, someone would chase Paul Coffey out from behind the net, and off he'd go."

<other players' responses here>

[DropThePuck]

The league has Voluntarily Retired List procedures in which the commissioner can declare a player retired if he refuses to declare himself as such. Once a player is on that list, he is unable to return without approval from member clubs.

One suggestion is that players would be forced to indicate their intentions sooner than December or face being placed on the retired list.

"If I had to declare earlier, my answer probably would have been different," Niedermayer said during the All-Star weekend in Atlanta. "If they think that's a good idea, that's fine with me. But if I had to make a decision sooner, I probably wouldn't be standing right here."

<link>

[Dark Knight]

Here's a fact about the NHL: The commissioner's a moron.

[GLOVESAVE35]

No no DK. It's interesting facts about the league.

[DropThePuck]

No no DK. It's interesting facts about the league.

[Dark Knight]

No no DK. It's interesting facts about the league.

Oh, ok. Let's try this. Isn't it interesting that the Board of Governors allows the NHL to be run by a moron?

[GLOVESAVE35]

Oh, ok. Let's try this. Isn't it interesting that the Board of Governors allows the NHL to be run by a moron?

Interesting yet scary at the same time because it follows that some/most governors must be morons too.

[BuckyHermit]

Interesting yet scary at the same time because it follows that some/most governors must be morons too.

That would explain the Los Angeles Kings organization...

[Todrick]

That would explain the Los Angeles Kings organization...

nothing can explain 40 years of Suck

[ladiesandgentlemen]

Here's some new figures that are good news for the NHL:

NEW YORK (March 25, 2008)—Fueled by unprecedented League-wide competition for playoff spots and positions, the NHL is on pace to obliterate its March attendance records. A per-game average of 17,900 fans—97% of capacity—has filled NHL arenas this month. The existing March record average of 17,331 was set last season.

The late-season surge has ensured another season of record NHL attendance. The 2007-08 per-game average of 17,194 is running 1.7% ahead of the 2006-07 campaign, which concluded with a record figure of 16,961. The NHL will surpass 20 million in total attendance for the seventh consecutive season and will, for the first time in its 90-season history, conclude the regular season with a per-game average in excess of 17,000.

[DucksSnip]

good to hear...i bet GB is loveing this...my guess is that he is going to stay the course..no matter how you feel about the guy atleast he is growing to game.

[DropThePuck]

Many low-payroll teams sit below the playoff line

The Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes and Nashville Predators are the 12 lowest payroll teams, and the Penguins and Sharks are the only teams in that group in a playoff position.

"The fact is that money has always talked, and it carries the preponderance of play," said Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke. "A top-five payroll team may indeed win the Stanley Cup, but money is still a good predictor of success. A top payroll won't guarantee you a Cup, but you can dress a better lineup."

<USA Today link>

[Duckbill]

It's been a little while but Washington is on the cusp of being added to that list, of course the Pens/Sharks/Caps have lower overall payrolls than some teams, but they do have at least two bona fide superstars each which earn some good salaries.