I prefaced my post by admitting it was a horrible analogy. But you got it! My whole point was that some people can take or leave McDonalds, but some of us are hopelessly hooked for some stupid reason even though the product has become far more inferior over the years and most of the time tastes like poop. But the name is what keeps people like me going back. Name recognition is huge.
Same will happen with the NHL if they were to decertify or fold and start over, some will take it or leave it, many will continue to follow because of the name. Unless of course they change it to something different which in this case completely hoses up any modicum of a point I have been painfully trying to make.
- MnGump

All completely understood and in many ways I am in the same boat as you. I keep going back and for that matter will keep going back whether it is the NHL or McD's. However, if the NHL just threw a bunch of scabs on the ice, my expectations for my ticket prices would be reflective of the quality of play on the ice. If the prices weren't reflective, I would find a more acceptable avenue with a better price/quality ratio. In the case of McD's or the NHL, the thought is you get what you pay for. If/when that stops being the case, well you stop paying.

I for one am not naive enough to tell myself I won't be back to the NHL b/c well poop, I'm here right now. That is also why I haven't cancelled my tickets yet. But that being said, my cancellation letter would be there before the first puck dropped between two scabs and I'd drive down to Ft Myers to see the Everblades for my hockey fix (and wouldn't be paying the same prices mind you). And that is my point, we pay to see the best players play the best quality hockey in the world which is why we pay the prices we do.

Saskatoon?
- CaptainK

Well done.

I had forgotten about Wild Bill.

Not on Bettman's watch, though.

over 40% of teams in the red

and people wonder why the owners have drawn the line
- Dozzer

And the top 3 teams made as much as those 13 teams lost in total. So why do they need salary reductions and why are the salaries of the bottom feeders tied to the top teams.

Salary roll backs are not the solution to this league's problems, they are just the solutions that the owners can agree on.

But that never was the question.
The question is a "what if" scenario.
Would anyone want AHL quality players replacing NHLers? Absolutely not.

However, what if the NHL started replacing the NHLers with scabs. All of those guys would have to retire or go play in Europe.

Now you are left with the NHL (using AHL (i know not legal, but for the sake of the argument)), AHL using ECHL, and so on....

The highest caliber of hockey in NA would still be the NHL. It would still be 30 teams playing 82 games to make the playoffs and a chance to win the Stanley Cup.

Would people want to go to those games? Would people get use to it? Would people still pay current gate prices?
I think people would want to go after they get past their wannabe "boycott" phase. After a few weeks of equal competitive level, people would like it and be willing to pay top dollars are all they care is for their teams name to be written in that silver.
No one cares if Sydney, Ovy, Price, Kessle, or whoever other overpriced player gets their name written on that cup. It's not "I live Crosby so much, he's won a stanley cups...", It's "Oh Yeah? We the Habs have won 24! The Leafs haven't won in how many?
- l3ig_l2ecl

I would get used to it, but I would not pay those same prices. And that is my point.

I'm not saying I wouldn't watch or go, b/c I would. But I wouldn't pay the same prices. Again, to me it's all relative. We pay to see the product as it is now. If that product changes, then the question is would we pay the same amount to see an inferior product. And I'm sure this goes without saying but I'm not referring to team changes with regards to personel/free agency etc, strictly scab personel vs NHL caliber players

All completely understood and in many ways I am in the same boat as you. I keep going back and for that matter will keep going back whether it is the NHL or McD's. However, if the NHL just threw a bunch of scabs on the ice, my expectations for my ticket prices would be reflective of the quality of play on the ice. If the prices weren't reflective, I would find a more acceptable avenue with a better price/quality ratio. In the case of McD's or the NHL, the thought is you get what you pay for. If/when that stops being the case, well you stop paying.

I for one am not naive enough to tell myself I won't be back to the NHL b/c well poop, I'm here right now. That is also why I haven't cancelled my tickets yet. But that being said, my cancellation letter would be there before the first puck dropped between two scabs and I'd drive down to Ft Myers to see the Everblades for my hockey fix (and wouldn't be paying the same prices mind you). And that is my point, we pay to see the best players play the best quality hockey in the world which is why we pay the prices we do.
- uf1910

Being almost dinner time, and thinking about going to McDs......

I though I would share something I remember. Back in 2008, I moved from the US to Canada. I remembered getting a supersized meal at McDs for $7 when I moved to Quebec, it was about $11 for the same thing.
I tried for about 2 weeks to boycott it. Then some of my friends were going and I joined. Paid my $11. Now I go at lease once a month if not more.
Paying more for the same. It's about the same as paying the same for less.

Being almost dinner time, and thinking about going to McDs......

I though I would share something I remember. Back in 2008, I moved from the US to Canada. I remembered getting a supersized meal at McDs for $7 when I moved to Quebec, it was about $11 for the same thing.
I tried for about 2 weeks to boycott it. Then some of my friends were going and I joined. Paid my $11. Now I go at lease once a month if not more.
Paying more for the same. It's about the same as paying the same for less.
- l3ig_l2ecl

If the NHL brought in Scabs, the best players in the world would be playing in the AHL and Europe, and the Stanley cup would lose meaning as the best players in the world would no longer be competing for it.

Your team has less Stanley Cups than the Kenora Thistles.
- Atomic Wedgie

hook line a sinker. It was just an attempt to get some chatter going. Canucks also have less Cups than;

Montreal Hockey Club
Montreal Victorias
Winnipeg Victorias
Montreal Shamrocks
Ottawa Hockey Club
Montreal Wanderers
Quebec Bulldogs
Victoria Cougars
Seattle Metropolitans
Montreal Maroons
Ottawa Senators
Vancouver Millionaires
Toronto St Pats
Toronto HC

Did I miss anyone?

If the NHL brought in Scabs, the best players in the world would be playing in the AHL and Europe, and the Stanley cup would lose meaning as the best players in the world would no longer be competing for it.
- CaptainK

It also happened 13 times in the cup history.....

hook line a sinker. It was just an attempt to get some chatter going. Canucks also have less Cups than;

Montreal Hockey Club
Montreal Victorias
Winnipeg Victorias
Montreal Shamrocks
Ottawa Hockey Club
Montreal Wanderers
Quebec Bulldogs
Victoria Cougars
Seattle Metropolitans
Montreal Maroons
Ottawa Senators
Vancouver Millionaires
Toronto St Pats
Toronto HC

Did I miss anyone?
- LeftCoaster

Ya, every other team that has won the cup.

Even I as a Sabres fan think thats a low blow...leave the leafs alone at least they have 1
- Orphen22

They had a 53 year head start, I should hope they won more than the Canucks!

They had a 53 year head start, I should hope they won more than the Canucks!
- LeftCoaster

What about Tampa? Carolina?Ducks?

Ya, every other team that has won the cup.
- CaptainK

touche. I was thinking historical, such as Kenora, but I stand corrected.

Who is this Betteman guy you keep referring to?

Still waiting for you to give a single reference to when and where an owner or potential owner was blocked from moving an NHL franchise.
- Atomic Wedgie

Nothing gets put on the table for a vote if they know there is no point. It would only happen if a owner tried to follow through against the rest of the NHL desires.

Just in the last year, the NHL spoke of expansion in Seattle possibly. If they feel it's a great location, why don't they help a struggling team relocate there? The NHL would rather the $200 million instead including many of the owners who all get a piece.

What about Tampa? Carolina?Ducks?
- Symba007

Carolina was established in 1972, Tampa and Anaheim have one Cup each, one more than the Nucks. It could very easily be tied and I'm guessing it will be before all is said and done.

Carolina was established in 1972, Tampa and Anaheim have one Cup each, one more than the Nucks. It could very easily be tied and I'm guessing it will be before all is said and done.
- LeftCoaster

I miss the Whalers

Carolina was established in 1972, Tampa and Anaheim have one Cup each, one more than the Nucks. It could very easily be tied and I'm guessing it will be before all is said and done.
- LeftCoaster

Are they taking away their Cups?

Are they taking away their Cups?
- Canada Cup

(I'm laughing inside)

Are they taking away their Cups?
- Canada Cup

Kassian=The Package

Are they taking away their Cups?
- Canada Cup

(I'm laughing inside)
- LeftCoaster

That's enough for me

Kassian=The Package
- Symba007

I've heard!

Minnesota fans at the time were for whatever reason very apathetic. Even in the years surrounding their run for the Stanley cup attendance was low, profits were minimal.
- MnGump

Perenially crappy teams and terrible ownership from about the point in time at which the Barons and North Stars merged and the Gunds took over the team, ... those kinds of things tend to chase away fans.

You shouldn't be worried, but the owner of your team is an idiot.

If you claim that hockey is so popular in Buffalo, then ask yourself how much you would pay for hockey tickets? Here in Montreal, supply and demand dictates that you can buy a nose bleed ticket for over $100. I for one have bought many of them.
- l3ig_l2ecl

Hockey is indeed very popular here in Buffalo .

Why do you think there is a hard cap on season ticket sales here, somewheres around 16,500 if I'm right?

We live in New York state . As of October of 2012 New York State residents bare the highest tax burden once again at a whopping 12.8 % while unenjoyment creeps higher . Do the math.

We dont need an outsider from another country making an inference about our passion for hockey here in Buffalo. When the Canadians make the playoffs do they have 10,000 fans outside the arena in 20 degree temps watching the game on a big screen ? Your assumption is so far off its disgusting really.

Terry is doing the loyal fans here in Buffalo right. Live here and pay our taxes and then talk , okay ?

All completely understood and in many ways I am in the same boat as you. I keep going back and for that matter will keep going back whether it is the NHL or McD's. However, if the NHL just threw a bunch of scabs on the ice, my expectations for my ticket prices would be reflective of the quality of play on the ice. If the prices weren't reflective, I would find a more acceptable avenue with a better price/quality ratio. In the case of McD's or the NHL, the thought is you get what you pay for. If/when that stops being the case, well you stop paying.

I for one am not naive enough to tell myself I won't be back to the NHL b/c well poop, I'm here right now. That is also why I haven't cancelled my tickets yet. But that being said, my cancellation letter would be there before the first puck dropped between two scabs and I'd drive down to Ft Myers to see the Everblades for my hockey fix (and wouldn't be paying the same prices mind you). And that is my point, we pay to see the best players play the best quality hockey in the world which is why we pay the prices we do.
- uf1910

Right on. I would probably watch the games, but wouldn't actually pay to go unless the prices were in fact lowered considerably.

Hockey is indeed very popular here in Buffalo .

Why do you think there is a hard cap on season ticket sales here, somewheres around 16,500 if I'm right?

We live in New York state . As of October of 2012 New York State residents bare the highest tax burden once again at a whopping 12.8 % while unenjoyment creeps higher . Do the math.

We dont need an outsider from another country making an inference about our passion for hockey here in Buffalo. When the Canadians make the playoffs do they have 10,000 fans outside the arena in 20 degree temps watching the game on a big screen ? Your assumption is so far off its disgusting really.

Terry is doing the loyal fans here in Buffalo right. Live here and pay our taxes and then talk , okay ?
- BuffaloHardHat

I'm pretty sure Quebec has some of the highest taxes on the planet, NY State has nothing on them. Just saying. Having a rich owner doesn't equal success, it helps, but it simple means you've got a rich owner.