Leafs give STH option to not purchase pre season games

[albertGQ]

http://m.thestar.com/#/article/sport...than_ever.html

[Mr.Coffee]

Smart move... I know a few season ticket holders and the pre-season tickets cost at full price to watch kids trying to crack a roster with the odd NHLer tossed in seems to be a complaint I've heard a few times.

Either shave back the cost to 75% or do what the Leafs did here. Build goodwill.

[Arya Stark]

How will the league ever recover financially?

[Regular_John]

Given Toronto's market this is a win/win/win for the STHs, The Leafs, the Public. STHs aren't stuck buying pointless games, the Leafs still sell the tickets and the general public gets through the door for once.

Not sure it would fly in every market (even Calgary/Edm/Vancouver) as pre-season games are typically pretty empty. But with Toronto's rabid fanbase it's a good move.

[Resolute 14]

The only reason the Leafs even consider this is their confidence that the tickets will sell anyway.

In short, don't get your hopes up on anyone else doing it, including the Flames.

[tvp2003]

This year is probably the exception but I'm very interested in attending the preseason games this year. Gaudreau should get a long look, but I hope we see some of the other prospects get a taste as well...

[taffeyb]

Even worse with the split squad games. You should definitely get 50% off of those preseason games.

[PlayfulGenius]

I'll gladly pay full ticket price when the Flames come through Vancouver in the preseason...even if its a split squad.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by taffeyb

Even worse with the split squad games. You should definitely get 50% off of those preseason games.

You're still seeing a full game.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by jaydorn

Given Toronto's market this is a win/win/win for the STHs, The Leafs, the Public. STHs aren't stuck buying pointless games, the Leafs still sell the tickets and the general public gets through the door for once.

Not sure it would fly in every market (even Calgary/Edm/Vancouver) as pre-season games are typically pretty empty. But with Toronto's rabid fanbase it's a good move.

Preseason games aren't empty in Edmonton. Not even close.

The Oilers actually add preseason games into the mini-packs they sell so fans are forced into buying them.

The building is usually almost full for the preseason games.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Preseason games aren't empty in Edmonton. Not even close.

The Oilers actually add preseason games into the mini-packs they sell so fans are forced into buying them.

The building is usually almost full for the preseason games.

When all they can do under the best of circumstances is ice an AHL team for the full NHL schedule, who would even notice a difference?

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

The Oilers actually add preseason games into the mini-packs they sell so fans are forced into buying them.

that's Bush

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Major Major

that's Bush

The Flames do the same.

[taffeyb]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

You're still seeing a full game.

That is true. A team with 1/2 NHL'ers and 1/2 AHL'ers so the price should be somewhere between an AHL ticket and a NHL ticket. Gold flex vouchers for the Adirondack Flames are $180 for 10 tickets so $18 per ticket per game. So I will retract my comment of 50% off. It should really be about 45% off.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by getbak

The Flames do the same.

Really? In game packs? I stand by my statement.

[burn_baby_burn]

It's even worse with NFL tickets. The preseason accounts for 20% of the season. My tickets in Arrowhead cost $110 per seat. All I can get for them during the preseason is $15 per ticket. So you are in a big hole financially right off the bat.

[taffeyb]

Originally Posted by Major Major

Really? In game packs? I stand by my statement.

I had game packs prior and that is true. They usually offer up 5-6 different packages and there is usually only one that does not have a preseason game. The rest do.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Major Major

that's Bush

Yup.

I hope this pushes the Flames and Oilers to stop charging season ticket holders full price for the preseason games as well.

I like to attend them, but I'm sure if they are left open for the publi to buy I could get them cheaper then what I do now even with the season ticket holders discount.

[Resolute 14]

At least this year the pre-season schedule makes for potentially good entertainment value. Get to see Gaudreau, check. Get to see Bennett (hopefully), check. My mom wants to see the Jets and doesn't care about when, where or how? Cheap pre-season tickets on resale, check!

[Mike Teavee]

Leafs preseason games can be exciting. Last year's preseason game against the Sabres, they got into a brawl with Kessel swinging his stick and Scott and Clarkson jumping off the bench.