Well, I guess I'll be shaving on Sept.15 for the last time for a while...though I will likely cut a duster for Movember...hopefully the lock out doesnt go any longer, it's tough to animorph a duster to a beard seamlessly.

Does anyone really give a (frank) about the NHL?
Seriously I'm a die hard Habs fan but I went form a hockey fan to Habs fan and now growing extremely tired of the NHL.

On most nights the entertainment value is zero to nil.
It cost a family of four a minimum of 400$ to see a game.
NHL is greedy
Players are greedy
NO consistency in the officiating
Zero consistency when it comes to discipline
New potential fans have no clue whats what when they first watch a game because what is called a penalty at one moment is not called the next.
How can this game grow? It needs to fold some teams that never had any business being there to begin with.
Go from the current 30 teams to 26 - The game will be better and thus attendance everywhere will be up as well.

for you to be first?
- bobbyisno1

If there is a lockout can I just look at your avatar for a few hours each week. It is as close as I can get to hockey if there is a lock out.

Does anyone really give a (frank) about the NHL?
Seriously I'm a die hard Habs fan but I went form a hockey fan to Habs fan and now growing extremely tired of the NHL.

On most nights the entertainment value is zero to nil.
It cost a family of four a minimum of 400$ to see a game.
NHL is greedy
Players are greedy
NO consistency in the officiating
Zero consistency when it comes to discipline
New potential fans have no clue whats what when they first watch a game because what is called a penalty at one moment is not called the next.
How can this game grow? It needs to fold some teams that never had any business being there to begin with.
Go from the current 30 teams to 26 - The game will be better and thus attendance everywhere will be up as well.
- Mats Naslund

Agreed. (I would go with 24 with both contraction and relocation)

Agreed. (I would go with 24 with both contraction and relocation)
- Beatle_john

Worst part of the NHL lately is that they are setting up to expand to 32 teams...gross.

Worst part of the NHL lately is that they are setting up to expand to 32 teams...gross.
- james

Yes, they want the big money from expansion fees, from Quebec City and Greater Toronto. They'll pocket that money and continue on the route of higher revenue sharing and most of the Canadian teams picking up the majority of the tab. It's disgusting!

Agreed. (I would go with 24 with both contraction and relocation)
- Beatle_john

How do you decide on which teams to eliminate/move? attendance? history? I don't see how you can get rid of NYI but their attendance has sucked forever. Nashville had issues but have truned it around. SJ sold out all season yet lost millions, should they be moved?

Or should we just take the "We're Canadian so (frank) the south" attitude and eliminate PHX, NASH, FLA, CAR, TBL, CBJ (cause really, who would care)

How do you decide on which teams to eliminate/move? attendance? history? I don't see how you can get rid of NYI but their attendance has sucked forever. Nashville had issues but have truned it around. SJ sold out all season yet lost millions, should they be moved?

Or should we just take the "We're Canadian so (frank) the south" attitude and eliminate PHX, NASH, FLA, CAR, TBL, CBJ (cause really, who would care)
- muffin_man

Tampa and Carolina have both won cups. How can you justify getting rid of them? When's the last time Montreal won a cup? Plus, I think you left out Dallas, they are pretty far south also.

How do you decide on which teams to eliminate/move? attendance? history? I don't see how you can get rid of NYI but their attendance has sucked forever. Nashville had issues but have truned it around. SJ sold out all season yet lost millions, should they be moved?

Or should we just take the "We're Canadian so (frank) the south" attitude and eliminate PHX, NASH, FLA, CAR, TBL, CBJ (cause really, who would care)
- muffin_man

Tampa and Carolina have both won cups. How can you justify getting rid of them? When's the last time Montreal won a cup? Plus, I think you left out Dallas, they are pretty far south also.

How do you decide on which teams to eliminate/move? attendance? history? I don't see how you can get rid of NYI but their attendance has sucked forever. Nashville had issues but have truned it around. SJ sold out all season yet lost millions, should they be moved?

Or should we just take the "We're Canadian so (frank) the south" attitude and eliminate PHX, NASH, FLA, CAR, TBL, CBJ (cause really, who would care)
- muffin_man

Also, if I remember correctly, Florida was is the finals against Colorado in 1996. You obviously have never been to a game in the south. It's a good atmosphere down there. Aren't the Kings and Ducks pretty far south also? Oh yeah, a team close to Mexico just won the Stanley cup. Also the Ducks won a cup recently.

Also, if I remember correctly, Florida was is the finals against Colorado in 1996. You obviously have never been to a game in the south. It's a good atmosphere down there. Aren't the Kings and Ducks pretty far south also? Oh yeah, a team close to Mexico just won the Stanley cup.
- jsg0173

How about we put the end of Revenue Sharing to the test and see which teams move or fold. Most of those teams, save the Islanders, will be the ones gone. The Islanders get mucho donnairo's from their T.V. contract, with MSG, and are being courted by Brooklyn. I'm sure they have an exit strategy that has them in nearby Brooklyn, keeping all of that nice MSG money, thanks to the Rangers. Goodbye, Florida, Columbus, Phoenix, and Dallas. The U.S. economy is about to make you victims of the pending debt crisis, that will envelop your economy, within two years. You can thank the socialists and public sector unions, for that gift to you.

How about we put the end of Revenue Sharing to the test and see which teams move or fold. Most of those teams, save the Islanders, will be the ones gone. The Islanders get mucho donnairo's from their T.V. contract, with MSG, and are being courted by Brooklyn. I'm sure they have an exit strategy that has them in nearby Brooklyn, keeping all of that nice MSG money, thanks to the Rangers. Goodbye, Florida, Columbus, Phoenix, and Dallas. The U.S. economy is about to make you victims of the pending debt crisis, that will envelop your economy, within two years. You can thank the socialists and public sector unions, for that gift to you.
- PrinceLH

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think th NHL has revenue sharing. I think come September 15, we will have a much better idea of everything. Believe me, I'm not a fan of our government, I just want to see hockey this fall! Everyone from the north bashes the southern teams, however most of the players are Canadian or European. I know a few of them, they always say "I love it here!" most never leave the area when they retire. They all move to Cary or Pinehurst. Come visit a game here! You will be treated with respect and a thank you for coming down, especially in the spring during tail gate season, it's warm and fun! I wish I could get there more!

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think th NHL has revenue sharing. I think come September 15, we will have a much better idea of everything. Believe me, I'm not a fan of our government, I just want to see hockey this fall! Everyone from the north bashes the southern teams, however most of the players are Canadian or European. I know a few of them, they always say "I love it here!" most never leave the area when they retire. They all move to Cary or Pinehurst. Come visit a game here! You will be treated with respect and a thank you for coming down, especially in the spring during tail gate season, it's warm and fun! I wish I could get there more!
- jsg0173

Don't get me wrong. I love the Southland. I actually believed the south was right, politically. It's laid back and beautiful. I've visited many of your great southern states. You are the one's that'll get rid of the Democrats and restore balance in your economy. Not bashing the south at all.

What I'm trying to say, is there is too much money being sent to small market teams, mostly in southern states, that can't make a go of it. You are incorrect about Revenue Sharing. Most of the big market teams, which include many of the Canadian teams, have been pouring tens of millions of dollars into revenue sharing for years now. Teams like Florida and Phoenix have lived on this for way to many years. Atlanta had to finally give it up, because they still couldn't make a go of it, even with massive amounts of Revenue Sharing. The NHLPA wants to increase revenue sharing and most of us, in large markets have had enough. Here in Toronto, an average ticket costs in the neighbourhood of $250.00 apiece. In Florida, you can get 4 tickets, 4 Hot Dogs, 4 Soda for $99.00. That same deal would cost about $1100.00 in Toronto. See why the fans up here are pissed about what's going on? I would love to see the southern teams thrive, but the way the league is constructed, it does not work. The real fair thing to do, would be to put a similar cap on ticket prices, where there was a floor and a ceiling, that all teams had to meet. You would see less problems between the haves and havenots, if they could ever institute a salary cap and a cap on ticket prices.

Tampa and Carolina have both won cups. How can you justify getting rid of them? When's the last time Montreal won a cup? Plus, I think you left out Dallas, they are pretty far south also.
- jsg0173

You beat a crappy 8th place Oilers team with no starting goaltender... CONGRATS!

Winning one Stanley Cup... and then a few years later having one of the lowest ticket prices and not selling out every night just shows how badly these teams need to go. Teams like Toronto who haven't made the playoffs in god knows how long are still selling out every night with ridiculously high ticket prices and a crazy waiting list for season tickets.

Carolina, one of the florida teams (if not both), Phoenix, Columbus and Anaheim. Texas seems to be trying to grow the game thru minor hockey programs so I would give Dallas a bit more time.

That would be 6 right there... I would consider moving the Islanders if possible... and relocating Dallas in a few years if they can't raise ticket prices while managing a decent turn out. Quebec would be first choice, 2nd team in Toronto area (Hamilton).. and then Seattle. Only relocation areas that would currently make fiscal sense.

Stop diluting the league with lesser talent... guys like Paul bissionette(sp).. these crap grinders who can barely skate playing 5 minutes a night making league minimum can go toil away in the minors somewhere.

That should be the start of creating a better product on the ice... and prevent these crap organizations that are losing money every year and the owners that have a team in a real hockey market making profits don't have to pick up the tab to cover the losses of these other teams. Its quite simple really....

Also, if I remember correctly, Florida was is the finals against Colorado in 1996. You obviously have never been to a game in the south. It's a good atmosphere down there. Aren't the Kings and Ducks pretty far south also? Oh yeah, a team close to Mexico just won the Stanley cup. Also the Ducks won a cup recently.
- jsg0173

You missed the point so badly its scares me for your children

Just because a team wins the stanley cup does not mean you need to keep them if they are losing money year after year. It would be nice to see it equal for ticket prices but hat will never happen. No more expansions cause they don't have enough talent to do that. I agree move the teams that can't fiill the stands or are losing money. Quebec could have 1 one, Hamilton could have one and Toronto would not be affected but it may hurt Buffalo not really sure. Just get a gdman deal done and get back to rumors.

Eklund: Are the NHL and NHLPA Talking in Secret to Work out a Deal?
- Eklund

pretty sure anything that happens in this league is secret from you Ek but that's still cool.

You missed the point so badly its scares me for your children
- muffin_man

*thinks of the children*

Time to grow a lock-out Beard I guess.........
- billyberg10

way ahead of you

You missed the point so badly its scares me for your children
- muffin_man

Opinions vary. I don't think I missed the point, how do you know I have children?

You beat a crappy 8th place Oilers team with no starting goaltender... CONGRATS!

Winning one Stanley Cup... and then a few years later having one of the lowest ticket prices and not selling out every night just shows how badly these teams need to go. Teams like Toronto who haven't made the playoffs in god knows how long are still selling out every night with ridiculously high ticket prices and a crazy waiting list for season tickets.

Carolina, one of the florida teams (if not both), Phoenix, Columbus and Anaheim. Texas seems to be trying to grow the game thru minor hockey programs so I would give Dallas a bit more time.

That would be 6 right there... I would consider moving the Islanders if possible... and relocating Dallas in a few years if they can't raise ticket prices while managing a decent turn out. Quebec would be first choice, 2nd team in Toronto area (Hamilton).. and then Seattle. Only relocation areas that would currently make fiscal sense.

Stop diluting the league with lesser talent... guys like Paul bissionette(sp).. these crap grinders who can barely skate playing 5 minutes a night making league minimum can go toil away in the minors somewhere.

That should be the start of creating a better product on the ice... and prevent these crap organizations that are losing money every year and the owners that have a team in a real hockey market making profits don't have to pick up the tab to cover the losses of these other teams. Its quite simple really....
- kneughter

[quote=jsg0173]

Where is Atlanta now? Edmonton was solid that year, obviously they beat the one seed in the west. Honestly though, I wish Atlanta still had a team, this is thhe second team they have lost.

I don't care enough to read about it anymore, I'm just coming to HB 10+ times a day by habit. Pretty good NFL game last night...