Hockey Night In DSP

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Dec 19, 2006 11:22 pm

Only a crazy dude would sign a contract that says "You now own this team but you have no control over it" which is essentially what the league gave Balsillie.

Good luck finding someone insane enough to take that deal Mario as I don't think any other owner in the NHL has such strict restrictions. And how is Mario going to keep his deposit? I guess it's different from state to state. but it's like buying a house, I put money down because obviously I am interested, but if the conditions are not met, the deal falls thru. Mario should be blaming G. Bettman and no one else.

Mario is frustrated because the situation with the city, a new arena or lack thereof, has been with him since he became an owner. Not only that, when you have three of the most exciting players in the NHL today and you still can't sell out, something is wrong.

Canada lost two franchises and the Nation desperately would love to have at least one back. People here want Hockey to succeed in the USA, but today's numbers in US arenas says it all and along with G. Bettman's arrogance, it makes one wonder, why can't a team be located in a country where Hockey is truly appreciated?

I was looking at Southern California, with the mass of people there and how well ANA is doing so far, they average about 15.000 fans with only three sell outs. NYI is telling their fans that if they buy a pack of four tickets, they get a chance to visit their locker room, autographs, while meeting some players including the one and only M. Bossy.

Bettman's got a huge problem and PITTS is just the scratch of the surface.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:48 am

Pretty interesting first-person narrative from a diehard Wings' fan about the pathetic state of the NHL national TV package in the U.S.:

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/w ... s_fiction/

P.S.: Kukla's Korner is one of many excellent hockey blogs out there.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:23 am

Campbell to evaluate larger nets:

http://www.680news.com/news/sports/arti ... t=s121929A

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 12:23 pm

pk500 wrote:Pretty interesting first-person narrative from a diehard Wings' fan about the pathetic state of the NHL national TV package in the U.S.:
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/w ... s_fiction/
P.S.: Kukla's Korner is one of many excellent hockey blogs out there. Take care,
PK

Poor guy, after enjoying Center Ice last season, he's got none this time around, it's got to kill him. This plus the pathetic schedule the NHL has for the Wings this week, 2 games in a stretch of six days, both with Columbus. Wing fans must be so excited, screaming yippie f**k ayou. I tell you what, even though the board of governors were quite close in their vote for a better schedule, for the sake of the sport, G. Bettman has to cut the divisional match ups from 8 to 6 and have teams travel across East-West more.

But then you get a selfish guy like L. Lamoriello who loves his matches with Philly and NYR, gets to see Crosby, Ovechkin and CO more than the fans are showing their appreciation for them, doesn't need to hop on a plane and it suits his team just fine. Ditto for B. Burke in the West, who at the helm of his team success also vote "NO" to any changes as he feels the travels ANA endures is longer than any other team in the NHL.

Everyone is for himself, no one really cares for the sport.
Kukla should move to Canada,

.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 12:36 pm

James:

Look at the Oilers' recent schedule: Played last Friday night at Colorado, had no games Saturday, Sunday -- brilliant, don't play when people have the most free time -- or Monday and played again last night against, you guessed it, Colorado.

Plus The Battle of Alberta doesn't mean as much anymore since Calgary and Edmonton play each other eight times during the regular season. By the time March rolls around, honestly I'm so sick and f*cking tired of seeing Colorado, Minnesota, Calgary and Vancouver it isn't funny.

NHL scheduling sucks a very fat, very swelled c*ck.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:16 pm

This entire Pittsburgh situation is blowing up in the NHL's face. The Isle of Capri deal was shot down by Pittsburgh lawmakers today, as the casino license instead was awarded to a group that said it would build a new arena but needs funds from taxpayers and the Penguins. Isle of Capri would have built a barn with no public money or Penguins' money.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=189123&hubname=

So the NHL tells a progressive, young, rich potential buyer who loves and plays hockey -- Balsillie -- to get f*cked because it feared he would move the Pens to Ontario, and now the team probably will move anyways.

Brilliant.

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:38 pm

PK, this whole fiasco IS going to blow in Bettman's face whether he likes it or not. From Canada's point of view, the good old NHL sold out a long time ago with the departure of the franchises in Quebec & Winnipeg, in the end it is just a matter of delivering the flowers.

Should the Pens relocate, there's talk about Kansas City. But if Bettman is so determined in reviving rivalries, how about Quebec City? They would need a new arena but you wouldn't have to move them out of the East and the rivalry with Montreal would be one HOT ticket to sell. But if you really want to think outside the box, how about Windsor, Ontario. A Wings-Pens rivalry will replace the non-existant one we have with the current once every three year match ups. But NO he probably doesn't like another team in Canada, because we appreciate Hockey too much, so go figure.

Naples39 · Post by **Naples39** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 2:55 pm

I'll third the trashing of the NHL schedule, though it doesn't look like it's gonna change anytime soon. I used to be excited when the Flyers played the Devils. Now it's "The Devils? Again?"

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 8:06 pm

Well, if the Penguins move it had better be to f*cking Canada. I have nothing personal against Kansas City or any other US location, but a move to Canada is the only way I would continue to follow the Pens. Otherwise, I'm done with the NHL for life as there is no f*cking way I'm rooting for the Kansas City Penguins. Hell, if the Penguins move I would actually get to see them on TV since they wouldn't be blacked-out in my market.

Since PITG got the license it looks bleak for the Pens. We in PA have done everything possible to f*ck up this situation. First slimeball Rendell was going to *give* away the licenses and now we can't even get the gaming control board to accept a "free" (ignoring for a moment the costs of gambling that everyone seems to ignore and also setting aside the notion for a moment that this whole gambling concept is just a tax on the poor, minorities, and people really bad at math) arena. Man, those kickbacks must have been HUGE.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:54 pm

Here are the results of last week's vote on ESPN:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/toplines/index

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:52 pm

So just a few days after the commissioner states that under no circumstances the Pens are to be moved out of PITTS, making Balsillie to pull out of a potential deal, this was spoken yesterday from Bettman's office:

"The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation." Great genius.

Sad thing, is that G. Bettman has a contract with the league until 08 making three million a year and is unable to fix a problem that started long ago when Mario reluctantly became an owner and the current pathetic schedule. Every time I see Bettman on TV, I feel like wringing his little neck.

Interesting read of the day:

http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news ... a1e725d872

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:55 pm

10spro wrote:"The future of this franchise in Pittsburgh is uncertain and the Penguins now will have to explore all other options, including possible relocation." Great genius.

Even more genius that the NHL is issuing a press release which will be used as evidence against it if Balsillie files a suit for unfair negotiations.

This becomes more comical by the day.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 3:48 pm

Pretty funny new NHL ad with Ovechkin:

http://uncutvideo.aol.com/videos/eaa450 ... 2f?index=0

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:45 am

What's on your team's Christmas wish list? I could not agree more with the Oilers':

http://www.canada.com/topics/sports/hoc ... 8e&k=81927

Take care,
PK

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 1:34 pm

Something to sharpen the 'Nucks aim would be nice as their vision towards the GOAL is lousy this season. I miss Bert & Jovo. Funny what it's written about Phoenix & St Louis. Personally I wish for a new commissioner.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 2:59 pm

A small ray of hope for PITTS' fans. If I were Bettman I would make sure he doesn't impose any further restrictions. It's him that owes Balsillie an apology.

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/stor ... ockey/home

rubba19 · Post by **rubba19** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:44 pm

Potential new NHL divisions and schedule for 07-08?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=189350&hubname=

Not sure about this one. Atlanta in the west?

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 11:49 pm

Well at least they are thinking about changes, because the current schedule just plain sucks. I think they need to drop some teams, but this alignment actually seems to open them up for expansion instead. Get rid of the dead weight where the fan interest doesn't exist as fewer teams also increases the overall quality of hockey in the league as players have less options to choose, and the talent pool isn't spread so thin.

I don't particularly like what I read, but then again it's too early to tell. But if you're going to do this, then at least go back to the top 8 making the playoffs from each conference in point order, with the top team winning their divisions in each conference getting a first round bye. You should get something for winning your division.

And also, Detroit should be moved to the East Bettman.

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:18 pm

rubba19 wrote:Potential new NHL divisions and schedule for 07-08?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=189350&hubname=

Not sure about this one. Atlanta in the west?

Yeah, I thought that was strange., Is Atalanta on Eastern time or Central time?

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 1:55 pm

Feanor wrote:
rubba19 wrote:Potential new NHL divisions and schedule for 07-08?

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=189350&hubname=

Not sure about this one. Atlanta in the west?
Yeah, I thought that was strange., Is Atalanta on Eastern time or Central time?

Eastern. Hey, Atlanta used to play in the NFC West and NL West, so the NHL isn't the first league that needs a shot of accuracy serum from Rand McNally.

Take care,
PK

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 11:41 pm

Classic quote from Steve Nash about the punch Carmelo Anthony threw at Mardy Collins:

“Typical NBA punch,” Nash said. “In hockey, your own team would beat you up for that.”

Spoken like a true Canadian!

Take care,
PK

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 2:14 pm

Huge win for the Blues organization last night against the Sabres. It was like we won the cup after Guerin scored in OT. It felt like hockey again back in St. Louis, the crowd was into it the whole game and it was one of our better crowds of the season. The refs pretty much let both teams play and it was a great game, up and down, fast paced action. Best game i've seen in a long time.
The Blues are now on a 3 game winning streak but more importantly it was a huge game for management with a bigger crowd on hand because of the holiday season, plus the fact that the Sabres were in town didn't hurt i'm sure. Hopefully this game will get the fans to start coming back.

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 2:51 pm

Same sensation for the Coyotes in their 2-0 victory over Anaheim. Maybe even bigger. Shutout, well-played game, shut down the No. 1 team in the league.

Good to see Phoenix and St. Louis off the schneid -- just as long as they don't get too much off the schneid like Columbus and Chicago and threaten the Oil!

Nice to see a big crowd in the United Center for the reinstatement of the traditional rivalry between Toronto and Chicago. Why the f*ck the NHL can't see how screwed up the current schedule system is based on crowds like this is beyond me.

Think Chicago fans want the Hawks to play traditional rivals the Leafs more than once every three years? Of course not -- they'd rather see Columbus or Nashville eight times per season.

Take care,
PK

Feanor · Post by **Feanor** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 7:10 pm

What do you guys think of the bigger nets idea? Apparently, goals per game are down to 5.8 this year from 6.1 last year. If it just keeps on sliding down to 5.0 or even lower and 50 goal gus become extinct again, then that's not going to be good for the game.

I heard the PTI guys claiming bigger nets would automatically invalidate the records, but I don't agree with that at all. The NHL record books have Terry Sawchuk next to Martin Brodeur despite the latter wearing five times as much padding and nobody minds. And other sports change their rules to favour the offense all the time. I don't see anything wrong with at least looking at making the nets bigger and giving shooters some more twine to aim at.

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Sun Dec 24, 2006 9:26 pm

Feanor wrote:What do you guys think of the bigger nets idea? Apparently, goals per game are down to 5.8 this year from 6.1 last year. If it just keeps on sliding down to 5.0 or even lower and 50 goal gus become extinct again, then that's not going to be good for the game.

I heard the PTI guys claiming bigger nets would automatically invalidate the records, but I don't agree with that at all. The NHL record books have Terry Sawchuk next to Martin Brodeur despite the latter wearing five times as much padding and nobody minds. And other sports change their rules to favour the offense all the time. I don't see anything wrong with at least looking at making the nets bigger and giving shooters some more twine to aim at.

NO!!!!