Official™ NHL Season 2006-2007 Games Discussion

Krieger99 · Post by **Krieger99** » Sun Jan 14, 2007 7:41 am

I never expected the Flames to be 4-0 (5-0 if you count the Florida game) without Iginla in the line-up. Lombardi is such an exciting player to watch. He has incredible speed.

Post by **Minstrel** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:02 am

And welcome everyone to the Masoleum on Madison! If you've ever wondered what it would be like to see a hockey game televised when there is no crowd in the building? Turn on "Versus" right now and it's as close as you can get. It's that classic always sizzling Hawks-Blue Jackets rivalry.

I bet everyone drew straws for who was unfortunate enough to have to cover this one. We always say it's fittingly named 'The United Center' because the place has all the atmosphere of an empty hangar and is about as cavernous.

Stillblind · Post by **Stillblind** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:10 am

They should of give tickets away to at least make it look like people cared about this game. I remember when i was living down in South Florida the Panthers used to give you tickets if you bought a combo at Miami subs. I ate a lot of subs that season.

Post by **Minstrel** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 2:27 am

The problem isn't the crowd you can see, as it seems to be a decently attended game, but all the tix you see on tv are $175 and the majority of that is as we call them "corporate fans", season tickets bought by companies and given to workers/clients etc. The problem is that the upper seats where the "real fans" sit I'm sure is almost empty and those are the people that make all the noise.

And of course it goes without saying that the Wirtzford Dynasty will NEVER just GIVE away tickets, they won't even allow the broadcast of home games to the local area. This one gets covered because the National rights superceed the local ones so they can't say anything about it.

Post by **batdad** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 4:37 am

Sorry for the long post. But I hate seeing the Habs have no pride and desire. Even though I hate the Habs, almost as much as the Leafs, they are a storied franchise and it sucks to see the state they are in right now.

Watched Canucks-Habs tonight. I hope this is premature and the Habs get things together. However, I saw a team play against the Canucks tonight that just not give a rat's a**. Not just the usual suspects (Kovalev, Samsonov, et al) but Koivu, Souray, Markov, Higgins, and basically the entire team.
Yes this may have been the Canucks best game of the season from top to bottom in the lineup, but man was Montreal brutal. Souray and Kovalev especially and they were booed every time they touched the puck by Habs fans. Sometimes, Montreal fans are actually knowledgeable.

Back to the point...Carbonneau scratched Samsonov and Rivet tonight. They are not hurt or ill. I get the Samsonov scratch, as he is at best, a 1 in 5 game player. Rivet however to me, other than Koivu is the heart and soul of that franchise. Even if he makes the occasional blunder...he still plays his heart out.
Carbonneau then gave Kovalev tons of ice in the 2nd period even though he was clearly not interested in being there. And then benched him for most of the third (3 minutes of ice time). Not dressing Rivet, and leaving Souray on the ice when he had been absolutely horrendous, and not playing the heck out of Koivu and Ryder...two guys who usually care, makes me wonder. Me thinks Carbonneau could be losing a grip on the Habs. Too much old school? I think Guy has no idea what to do with his team.
Clearly, neither did Bob Gainey.

And to close ... Jan Bulis was very happy with a goal and an assist against his old team. Now he will disappear for 3 weeks and do nothing. But clearly the Canucks wanted this one for the coach. Morrison said as much on the radio today. A good sign, the Canucks like their coach. Not so sure about the Habs. Maybe Carbonneau's EHM ratings were right the first time. Of course the Habs fans will not be all over Juni to change them back now will they?

Stillblind · Post by **Stillblind** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:48 am

Just wondering everyone's opinion of bigger nets in the NHL. The NHL is wondering if this should be done for more scoring?

Post by **batdad** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:52 am

Blech.

Post by **Minstrel** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 3:28 am

Stillblind wrote:Just wondering everyone's opinion of bigger nets in the NHL. The NHL is wondering if this should be done for more scoring?

We were kicking this around a bit in this thread too: http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/vi ... php?t=2041

Krieger99 · Post by **Krieger99** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:13 am

Stillblind wrote:Just wondering everyone's opinion of bigger nets in the NHL. The NHL is wondering if this should be done for more scoring?

The NHL has the perfect amount of scoring. If they make bigger nets, just watch attendances around the league go down the toilet. I don't understand why the NHL is trying to take away the physical aspect of the game as well. The key to selling the game in the US is to keep the physicallity, instead of turning it into basketball on ice. Everybody loves hits and fights.

I couldn't believe it when Hamrlik was called for boarding on a completely clean hit with the Flames down by one with a minute remaining. There's no need for those kind of garbage calls in hockey. The instigator rule also needs to be taken out. When a goon on the one team delivers a dirty hit on another teams' star player, the goon on the other team should be allowed to proceed to beat the living **** out of that guy for what he did.

Post by **Shadd666** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 1:41 pm

Stillblind: no use for bigger nets!

What do they want? Soccer nets maybe?

Krieger: yes, physical play has an impact in "selling" hockey

You mentionned it fir the US, but it's the same way in Europe, even if european leagues are less physical in their style of play than north-american ones... We all love big hits!

And it's part of the game since the beginning, so it would be stupid to remove it, and would just kill a part of the hockey identity. So shame on the guys that thought about removing hits and physical play, as they are killing the game they are supposed to support and promote!

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 4:22 pm

One big problem I think why Hockey doesn't sell well in States are the fights.
Our neighbors already got their share of fisticuffs and brawling with WWE and TNA.

They are also way toooo much teams in the League. 2 teams in Florida, i think it's a bit excessive. The money is in the States but the fans base is in Canada and in Northern States, like NY (NY is so big that there is fans for anything!!) Massashusett or Minnesota. That's why I prefer the Penguins in Winnipeg than in Kansas City...

Poker tournament got more TV audience thant NHL... hell yeah!!

Bring back the Whalers!!! ^^

Post by **batdad** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 5:54 pm

I heard an item on the radio the other day...not sure who it was maybe Ferraro or McGuire. Not fans of either, but they made an interesting point. If you count the number of viewers of hockey in both Canada and the USA, it actually has more viewers than the number of people in Canada and the USA watching basket brawl. So tell me again...why does hockey have such an inferiority complex about itself. darn Canada, always wanting to be liked by the USA. Was it Cuban who mentioned this? Cannot recall. We have more viewers than the freaking NBA for the NHL and we worry...Come on...promote the sport. Feel good about yourselves hockey people, give yourself a hug.

Post by **Minstrel** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:29 pm

Great point batdad, and also maybe if Gary heard that he could pull his head out of rear about modelling the league after the ever glorious NBA

There ain't much that should be emulated there, folks. And that's why I say the biggest problem in the league is having a non-hockey guy as Commish.

Post by **Shadd666** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:35 pm

I agree with ya Minty: an non-hockey guy as commish is bad

Are the commish elected in some way? Or are they in duty till death or retirement?

Post by **batdad** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:39 pm

The owners hired Bettman. I believe his contract ends in 2010 after Olympics. Who wants to fact check for me? Too lazy..Spent 2 hours in the car for a normal 20 minute trip. Between Olympic LRT construction and the whole 2 cm at the most of snow we got...Driving in Vancouver sucks right now. Too many idjits who can't drive...You think they would know how by now. More snowy street days since December than I can ever recall.

flea · Post by **flea** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:14 pm

Well, I was a big NBA fan some years ago and I can tell u that its a lot more popular around the world than the NHL!!! And now, with lots of international players playing over there even more!!!
I can also tell u guys that over here in Europe they bring the NHL around two times in the news in a whole year: first: when a big, big fight happens....and second when the Stanley Cup is decided!!!
Thats about all!!

Iam not defending the NBA, as a matter of fact, I dont like it anymore, with more and more rappers or streetbangers playing on a court and thinking they are the greatest in the world (...and then when the World Champs comes around they loose more than they win), but as right now, the NBA still sells a looooooot more than the NHL around the globe, I can assure u that!!

Even more, on my last trip to Switzerland, where hockey is number one, there are a looooot of people who doesnt even know that Carolina has won the Cup last year.....sad, but true....and I can imagine lots of other countries in Europe like France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, UK, Spain, Portugal, etc. where the knowledge of the NHL is pretty bad or unexistant.

I really cant say in the states, as I dont live there, but around here the NBA is still a couple of spots ahead of the NHL...

That doesnt mean that the NBA is better than the NHL, just a lot more popular, sadly.

Post by **batdad** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:25 pm

Europe was not my point. I know more people follow the NBA over there than the NHL. However, the NHL should be focused on its traditional markets, and realize that it has a great product already. Europe is not a traditional NHL market. Hockey yes, NHL no. However, it would be more successful to promote the NHL in Europe than it is in the USA. So do it. Leave the USA out of it. They can come on board if they want.
Use the stars to market the game. Anyone seen a commercial with Ovechkin about the game? Not often. An Ovechkin, Crosby hilite reel commercial? Forget about the traditional basketball and football markets..Who cares? The game is popular in North America, and Europe period. Market it, get the guys who have quit the game in traditional markets like Chicago, Pittsburg, Washington back. Make the Hawks do something to make their team competitive. Washington and Pitt seem on their way.
Forget about people who follow other sports, and win back the big guys. The game is fine as it is. It is exciting, fast, tactical and fun. The NHL needs to realize that they have a great game, that the people who criticize it and say it sucks, never watch it and do not get it at all. They never will. Go after the younguns, and get back the older guys who have quit because of the fact noone cared about them.

flea · Post by **flea** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 7:32 pm

Good points batdad!!!

Well, I have to say that the NHL has recovered some terrain over here, but its still probally too less!!!
But, good point: focus on what u have already!!!

I like the game as it is right now!!! Ok, I miss the good old checking hockey, but the "new NHL" has also his good points!!!!
Why alterate it with bigger nets or other stupid new rules??? Focus on the young people who will grow up watching Crosby and Ovechkin!!!
And yes....bring more NHL commercials!!!!

Post by **Shadd666** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:01 pm

flea wrote:I can also tell u guys that over here in Europe they bring the NHL around two times in the news in a whole year: first: when a big, big fight happens....and second when the Stanley Cup is decided!!!

Man! Consider yourself lucky if you have "so many" news of the NHL!

Last time the french news talked about the NHL was when the Rangers won the Cup in 1994, because it has been 54 years after their last title! Since then? Nothing. Yeah, it's over a decade of silence about the NHL here. But you know every single soccer result within 24 hours, even if you don't want to!

holydogg · Post by **holydogg** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 8:14 pm

Since Huet rock the house, you didn't have more news in the hexagon??

Pour une fois qu'un maudit français fait de quoi de bon

Post by **Minstrel** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:10 pm

It's pretty simple as far as this traditional market goes; Wirtz doesn't care and until someone can actually make the top level decisions in this town who does care the fans won't either. Before the Jordan Era the Hawks were the hottest ticket in town but that won't change until the owenership does. Period. Today's not-so-fun fact: The Chicago Wolves routinely outdraw the Hawks, why? Because they spend four times what the Hawks do on sales and marketing. How's that por a pathetic indictment of how behind the time the Wirtzford Dynasty is? There is tons of hockey interest in this town but most fans have been forced to give up on their NHL team.

BTW Holydogg I realize that it's a thing between you and Shadd but you both need to keep in mind this is an english language only Forum, k?

Post by **Shadd666** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:32 pm

Minstrel wrote:BTW Holydogg I realize that it's a thing between you and Shadd but you both need to keep in mind this is an english language only Forum, k?

No worries

He was just saying that it's not so usual that a french guy is doing something good

holydogg: no, we don't have any news, even since Huet's making great things in the NHL...

Even when Tony Parker was the first french player to become NBA champion, that wasn't really mediatized...

They just mentionned it at the news during 30 seconds, nothing more

Here media only cares of soccer and Formula 1

flea · Post by **flea** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:15 pm

Oh, thats weird!!! I thought that Tony Parker would be quite a lot in the french media because of the titles he won with the Spurs....and also because he's is (or was) dating Eva Longoria

It appears that Tony appears more here in the media that in France

But well, I was talking to a friend about that last day....its just sad that the NHL is only mentioned here when there is a bit fight!!!
Like this its just normal that most of the people here in Spain think that the NHL is all about fighting!!!!

Really, I would prefer that they dont mention it at all instead of this way!!!

Stupid media!!!

Post by **Shadd666** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 10:39 pm

flea wrote:I thought that Tony Parker would be quite a lot in the french media because of the titles he won with the Spurs....and also because he's is (or was) dating Eva Longoria

Just to show you how few they talk about him, i didn't know anything about his dating

(but afterall, i absolutely don't care of it!

)

Yeah, stupid medias indeed... If they want to mediatize fights, why don't they buy the rights of the WWE?

If they want to talk about hockey, they'd better start to learn what hockey before talking...

Of course, fights and big hits are and must stay a part of hockey. But hockey is by far more than that!

In France i can see people crying that there's less and less goals scored in soccer... Even in the medias! But no-one think about having a look at another sport, where there's more goals, like hockey, or handball, which is a bit popular here as team France world 2 or 3 World titles... But no, they still deal with soccer and seem happy to have to complain

flea · Post by **flea** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 11:19 am

Yeps, thats right, around here it seems that hockey is only big fights!!! Ignorants!!!

Oh, I absolutely love the french handball team!!!
They always have a great national team and the french liga is one of the best in Europe, togheter with Spain and Germany, and lots of french players are playing over here in Spain.

One of my alltime favorite handball players is Jackson Richardson!!! What a great player!!!