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Bobblehead · 03-09-2007, 11:29 AM

The only thing that worries me are the attempts to "fix" the issues.

Hockey is a great game. We need to stop catering to the fringe markets. We can market to them, but stop trying to change the game to adapt to fickle American (or Canadian) audiences.

Hockey is easier to understand and has much more flow than football. Its rules are easier than the Infield Fly Rule; and other than the playoffs the games are all less than 3 hours (unlike some of the 4 hour 14 inning marathons that occur every year).

And the occasional "black eye" the NHL gets from incidents like Simon's slash is matched by the antics of players in the NFL (also known as the National Felons League) or the bench clearing brawls in MLB. Sure the NHL needs to discipline Simon, but there is no reason the NHL should view themselves as less than other leagues because of these incidents - they happen in all the leagues.

The NHL game has its imperfections, but these can be overcome with a little polish, not sledgehammers.

The NHL needs to ditch Versus and get on a system to which the majority of fans has access (ESPN - even if it is for free). Owners should be mandated to maintaining local interest, not just profits (I'm looking at you "Dollar" Bill Wirtz - for shame).
The NHL needs to do their marquee events (like the All-Star Game) and look like a professional production instead of an off-off-off-broadway production. Cables stretched across the ice and timing not working - bush league.
They need better officiating, either by getting better officials or offering better training and feedback.
The "New NHL" was supposed to be fan friendly. Instead we he "undisclosed upper/lower body injuries", GMs criticized for sharing the most innocuous of goings on from before the trade deadlines and fans being harassed by staff for declaring their displeasure on team moves.

The game is a great game. Some markets may not be worth saving - let them move or contract. Stop chasing respectability in non-traditional markets.

The NHL IS respectable. If the NHL decides to cater to fans instead of catering to new franchise money, better arena deals and corporate sponsorship then the the NHL can get more fans. The fans are not a result of more corporate money and nicer arenas. Nicer arenas and more corporate money is a result of more fans.

When the NHL has leadership that can recognize these things the NHL will once again be recognized as a major sport. (/rant)

03-09-2007, 11:29 AM	#7
Bobblehead Franchise Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: in your blind spot. Exp:	The only thing that worries me are the attempts to "fix" the issues. Hockey is a great game. We need to stop catering to the fringe markets. We can market to them, but stop trying to change the game to adapt to fickle American (or Canadian) audiences. Hockey is easier to understand and has much more flow than football. Its rules are easier than the Infield Fly Rule; and other than the playoffs the games are all less than 3 hours (unlike some of the 4 hour 14 inning marathons that occur every year). And the occasional "black eye" the NHL gets from incidents like Simon's slash is matched by the antics of players in the NFL (also known as the National Felons League) or the bench clearing brawls in MLB. Sure the NHL needs to discipline Simon, but there is no reason the NHL should view themselves as less than other leagues because of these incidents - they happen in all the leagues. The NHL game has its imperfections, but these can be overcome with a little polish, not sledgehammers. The NHL needs to ditch Versus and get on a system to which the majority of fans has access (ESPN - even if it is for free). Owners should be mandated to maintaining local interest, not just profits (I'm looking at you "Dollar" Bill Wirtz - for shame). The NHL needs to do their marquee events (like the All-Star Game) and look like a professional production instead of an off-off-off-broadway production. Cables stretched across the ice and timing not working - bush league. They need better officiating, either by getting better officials or offering better training and feedback. The "New NHL" was supposed to be fan friendly. Instead we he "undisclosed upper/lower body injuries", GMs criticized for sharing the most innocuous of goings on from before the trade deadlines and fans being harassed by staff for declaring their displeasure on team moves. The game is a great game. Some markets may not be worth saving - let them move or contract. Stop chasing respectability in non-traditional markets. The NHL IS respectable. If the NHL decides to cater to fans instead of catering to new franchise money, better arena deals and corporate sponsorship then the the NHL can get more fans. The fans are not a result of more corporate money and nicer arenas. Nicer arenas and more corporate money is a result of more fans. When the NHL has leadership that can recognize these things the NHL will once again be recognized as a major sport. (/rant) __________________ "The problem with any ideology is that it gives the answer before you look at the evidence." —Bill Clinton "The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance--it is the illusion of knowledge." —Daniel J. Boorstin, historian, former Librarian of Congress "But the Senator, while insisting he was not intoxicated, could not explain his nudity" —WKRP in Cincinatti