Broadcasting teams set up microphones to capture crowd noise, hits against the board, and other "sounds of the rink", and they can control the audio mix to determine how much or how little of that the audience hears at home. There's really no way to tell for sure without being there or seeing how people in the stands are acting. That being said, it did sound quiet on television last night.
- Lash8

Wild took the crowd out of it early with Clutterbuck goal. After that I think any lack of enthusiasm in the crowed was mostly due to anxiety. The tension of a close game, the type many didn't expect, often seems to result is a nervous, tense calm.

Late in regulation, and in OT, when the action picked up and play was often end-to-end the crowd was goin nutz...at least as far as I could tell.

And then when Bick's scored...it was bedlam combined with relief.

Wild took the crowd out of it early with Clutterbuck goal. After that I think any lack of enthusiasm in the crowed was mostly due to anxiety. The tension of a close game, the type many didn't expect, often seems to result is a nervous, tense calm.

Late in regulation, and in OT, when the action picked up and play was often end-to-end the crowd was goin nutz...at least as far as I could tell.

And then when Bick's scored...it was bedlam combined with relief.
- ArlingtonRob

I hope this brings down peoples expectations a little. Did they expect the Hawks to be up 3-0 in the first? They should expect close games. Crow probably killed a lot of the buzz with that softie.

Martyr much?. The preposterous notion that if somehow the Blackhawks lose a few games or god forbid somehow lose the series, you're going to chalk it up to the "NHL offices" ordering officials to make a "series out of it" is utterly pathetic.

Dude, you're ridiculous, you should be ashamed to be this ridiculous. Get a grip, there are bad calls, non calls and missed calls in virtually EVERY NHL game. Chicago not strangers to this phenomenon.

Like it or not the Hawks are a good team, but they are not the greatest team of all time. Some Chicago fans talking like this is the 80's Russian olympic team against some college players. Chicago can be beaten and they can be beaten by the Wild without some martyristic conspiratards theory that the only way they can win is by way of the officials slanting the ice. Get real.
- MnGump

You are right with most of these points. This conspiracy crap based on 1 night and 1 obviously wrong call is not worthy of Hawk nation.

That is one poster - who has been dissed by most here - so please avoid over generalizing. Also, most here are not even comparing this year's team to the 10 squad yet so spare me the 80s Russian Olympic team garbage.

So any of us on here that went to the game last night can answer that for us. It did feel dead, although I had just got back from my daughters softball game and we were trying to get 2 kids to sleep. Anyone go to the game?
- droe411

the first period started like any game, obviously it was crazyballs for the anthem (the loudest I can remember it this year) but when Crawford let that goal in, the groans were followed by a horrible tense feeling of "not again"

other than that, it was kind of dead because it was not a very normal chicago game. i don't know how many shots the hawks had early on, but i remember looking at the scoreboard with a few minutes left in the 1st and thinking "there are only 8 shots between both teams?"

also, the place was not sold out - technically the tickets may have been sold but the building was not packed and that is after people were selling VERY good tickets way below face value last night.

So any of us on here that went to the game last night can answer that for us. It did feel dead, although I had just got back from my daughters softball game and we were trying to get 2 kids to sleep. Anyone go to the game?
- droe411

I was there and it didn't have the energy of other playoff games I've been to. This was my first playoff game at the UC and I've been in other cities, and this one seemed to lack the energy from my prior experiences. There were a decent amount of empty seats/no shows. Not many people around me seemed to understand the game. Fans were talking about how they hope it goes to a shootout and I just face palmed.

None of the season ticket holders seem interested in these games, as they're expecting the hawks to win. I got my tickets off craigslist for below face value for the game, which was shocking to me.

Chicago fans do suck for all sports around here in my opinion. The true fans get weeded out by ticket prices. Hopefully we can get more intense and show support to the one good sports team in Chicago.

the first period started like any game, obviously it was crazyballs for the anthem (the loudest I can remember it this year) but when Crawford let that goal in, the groans were followed by a horrible tense feeling of "not again"

other than that, it was kind of dead because it was not a very normal chicago game. i don't know how many shots the hawks had early on, but i remember looking at the scoreboard with a few minutes left in the 1st and thinking "there are only 8 shots between both teams?"

also, the place was not sold out - technically the tickets may have been sold but the building was not packed and that is after people were selling VERY good tickets way below face value last night.
- dr_boloney

The anthem was insane. I couldn't hear Jim for most of it even.

I hope this brings down peoples expectations a little. Did they expect the Hawks to be up 3-0 in the first? They should expect close games. Crow probably killed a lot of the buzz with that softie.
- droe411

And the Hawks at the UC, despite a fine record, played many very close games. Looking at the splits for home and away games, the Hawks were a better road team.

That's not to say I expect the games in Minneapolis to be "easier", just that I'm not surprised the Hawks played a nail biter in game 1...

...and I won't be shocked if game 2 is another low scoring tense affair.

Man 'o man they are rough on the ticker...

Wild took the crowd out of it early with Clutterbuck goal. After that I think any lack of enthusiasm in the crowed was mostly due to anxiety. The tension of a close game, the type many didn't expect, often seems to result is a nervous, tense calm.

Late in regulation, and in OT, when the action picked up and play was often end-to-end the crowd was goin nutz...at least as far as I could tell.

And then when Bick's scored...it was bedlam combined with relief.
- ArlingtonRob

So that at least sounds similar to what it seemed like on TV. It's always hard to tell whether it's quiet or if the crowd microphone is off, but if it's loud enough, the other microphones around the stadium will pick up crowd noise, even up in the press box.

You are right with most of these points. This conspiracy crap based on 1 night and 1 obviously wrong call is not worthy of Hawk nation.

That is one poster - who has been dissed by most here - so please avoid over generalizing. Also, most here are not even comparing this year's team to the 10 squad yet so spare me the 80s Russian Olympic team garbage.
- tredbrta

Fair enough. I guess my point was that the Wild are not as good a team on paper as Chicago, but they do have some quality players that do match up well against some of Chicagos players. Obviously not as many quality players depthwise, but quality players nonethelesss. Honestly I don't think the Wild have a very good chance of challenging the Hawks for the series win, especially with so many rookies and veterans without playoff experience. That is where Heatley and Pommer would have really helped their cause. Regardless, I think they'll give the Hawks all they can handle based on last nights game.

Prove it differently I don't have x-ray vision. Stating a claim and saying disprove it does not make it true
- rollpards19

I was there and it didn't have the energy of other playoff games I've been to. This was my first playoff game at the UC and I've been in other cities, and this one seemed to lack the energy from my prior experiences. There were a decent amount of empty seats/no shows. Not many people around me seemed to understand the game. Fans were talking about how they hope it goes to a shootout and I just face palmed.

None of the season ticket holders seem interested in these games, as they're expecting the hawks to win. I got my tickets off craigslist for below face value for the game, which was shocking to me.

Chicago fans do suck for all sports around here in my opinion. The true fans get weeded out by ticket prices. Hopefully we can get more intense and show support to the one good sports team in Chicago.
- aoskilanec

Count me as one of those. I was priced out of the ticket market years ago, the random midsummer ball game being the exception.

I support the home team via my DirecTV bill.

Fair enough. I guess my point was that the Wild are not as good a team on paper as Chicago, but they do have some quality players that do match up well against some of Chicagos players. Obviously not as many quality players depthwise, but quality players nonethelesss. Honestly I don't think the Wild have a very good chance of challenging the Hawks for the series win, especially with so many rookies and veterans without playoff experience. That is where Heatley and Pommer would have really helped their cause. Regardless, I think they'll give the Hawks all they can handle based on last nights game.
- MnGump

We all know that winning isn't always the result when comparing talent alone. Effort and attention to detail can make or break a playoff series in any sport.

A less talented team can outwork an opponent to win a 7 game series...we've all seen it.

Changing the conversation...a fan found what everyone is thinking is a way to circumvent the ENTIRE CAP for the two player shots each team has the ability to use it for:
This was in Lyle Richardson's Spector trade rumors as comment I am providing the link and the actually conversation, because Lyle will say it's ok and it is important and you will probably not want to goo to the link, bcause you hate me...

http://spectorshockey.net...one-byfuglien-may-1-2013/


Here is the actual post that Lyle is checking into if there is anything in the new contract to prevent thsi loophole from happening:

Hey Lyle, I have a question for you, yesterday when you posted about the possiblity of one team trading a player to another with some compensation to be bought out by the other team, it got me thinking, with this new CBA, what would stop a team from trading away a player to a friendly GM, have him buy out the contract and then resign them for a cheeper cap hit? For example say the flyers call LA and say “hey we will give you a 2nd round pick if you buy out the last 2 years Briere's contract for us(2 years 6.5 m cap hit), and then we can resign him for less(2 years 1 m cap hit). LA gets a 2nd, Briere gets every dime hes owed plus an additional 2m for the new contract and the flyers have him at a 1 m cap hit for next year… hows that for salary cap circumvention. would also open the possibility for 2 teams to make an arangement to trade their best players to one another to be bought out and resigned for reasonable cap hits. Example. Pit trades Crosby to Was for Ovechkin, Pit buys out Ovechkin, Was buys out Crosby, and they both resign with thier former teams for 10 year 10 M(1 M cap hit). I'm also unclear if the player gets every cent of their contract but even if they only get 2/3 then you can still save by giving them a contract for the 1/3 that was left plus a bonus. Anyway its an interesting idea though!

Reply
Lyle Richardson says:
May 1, 2013 at 2:08 pm
Hi, Tristan, interesting question. The new CBA hasn’t been released yet (the league is still functioning under a memo of understanding with the PA), but given your example, I can’t see anything which would prevent a team from trading a player to another club, that player being subsequently bought out, and then signed by their former club. It’ll be interesting to see if that’s addressed in the new CBA, because if it isn’t, that would be the first big hole allowing cap circumvention.

Response to Wiz' post directly above.

Are NHL teams allowed to include cash in a trade like other sports? Without looking at the actual numbers, say Hossa has $40M left on his deal. Trade Hossa and $45M to NYI for a pick and let the Isles use a compliance buyout. The Isles essentially sell a pick for $5M. Does Bettman have "best interests of the game" power to veto trades like Selig does? This is a very interesting possibility.

Response to Wiz' post directly above.

Are NHL teams allowed to include cash in a trade like other sports? Without looking at the actual numbers, say Hossa has $40M left on his deal. Trade Hossa and $45M to NYI for a pick and let the Isles use a compliance buyout. The Isles essentially sell a pick for $5M. Does Bettman have "best interests of the game" power to veto trades like Selig does? This is a very interesting possibility.
- NewToHockey

As far as I know, the answer is No.

I was there and it didn't have the energy of other playoff games I've been to. This was my first playoff game at the UC and I've been in other cities, and this one seemed to lack the energy from my prior experiences. There were a decent amount of empty seats/no shows. Not many people around me seemed to understand the game. Fans were talking about how they hope it goes to a shootout and I just face palmed.

None of the season ticket holders seem interested in these games, as they're expecting the hawks to win. I got my tickets off craigslist for below face value for the game, which was shocking to me.

Chicago fans do suck for all sports around here in my opinion. The true fans get weeded out by ticket prices. Hopefully we can get more intense and show support to the one good sports team in Chicago.
- aoskilanec

So may Jamokes around us ignoring the wait for a whistle rule a few of us regulars called security. Idiots think they are watching the game at home and making a run to the fridge or something.

He hit Suter like 3 times pretty hard last night, I thought he played really well
- rollpards19

Heard Mike Russo the Minny beat writer on the radio at noon say that Suter was basically playing with one arm by the end of the game and really was having trouble making a crisp pass. I didn't notice that but it might have been one of Bollig's hits that did it.

Fair enough. I guess my point was that the Wild are not as good a team on paper as Chicago, but they do have some quality players that do match up well against some of Chicagos players. Obviously not as many quality players depthwise, but quality players nonethelesss. Honestly I don't think the Wild have a very good chance of challenging the Hawks for the series win, especially with so many rookies and veterans without playoff experience. That is where Heatley and Pommer would have really helped their cause. Regardless, I think they'll give the Hawks all they can handle based on last nights game.
- MnGump

That is true. You have great quality players - Parise and Suter along with Brodin, Coyle etc... will be a great rival for years to come with your organizational depth. When Coyle, Granlund and Zucker come into their own look out. Also like that your core seem so far to play it clean (unlike VC and SL).

You can have Heatly though - guy hasn't had a good playoff in years if ever.

Potential is there for a close series. Lots of ifs for Hawks. Potential is also there for a not so close series if Crow and the Hawks depth comes through.

As far as I know, the answer is No.
- EKolb13

I thought the new CBA does include a limited allowance for cash and/or assumption of salary?

I thought the new CBA does include a limited allowance for cash and/or assumption of salary?
- tredbrta

You can retain some of players cap hit, but you can't include cash in a deal.

You can retain some of players cap hit, but you can't include cash in a deal.
- DarthKane

Correct.

From Capgeek.com:

RETAINED SALARY TRANSACTIONS

Teams can retain a percentage of a contract’s remaining cap hit, salary and bonuses in trades. The following stipulations apply:

-No more than 50 per cent of the salary/cap hit can be retained

-Salary/cap hit cannot be retained on more than three contracts in one season

-The aggregate cap hits retained cannot exceed 15 per cent of the upper limit

-A contract can be traded only twice where salary/cap hit is retained

Correct.

From Capgeek.com:

RETAINED SALARY TRANSACTIONS

Teams can retain a percentage of a contract’s remaining cap hit, salary and bonuses in trades. The following stipulations apply:

-No more than 50 per cent of the salary/cap hit can be retained

-Salary/cap hit cannot be retained on more than three contracts in one season

-The aggregate cap hits retained cannot exceed 15 per cent of the upper limit

-A contract can be traded only twice where salary/cap hit is retained
- EKolb13

I know.

I have wondered about this and what the effects are of sound adjustments in each building. Just watching on TV, it seemed dead for a playoff game and there were opportunities for the crowd to get behind the Hawks when they were carrying the play in 2nd and 3rd periods. Then i would flip to STL game on intermission/breaks and that atmosphere was night and day. It's sad if that's the effect of success and higher ticket prices that the average blue collar fan can't afford but I hope its not the case.

I remember someone talking about how they can adjust the sound and the UC is such a large building that the sound you hear at home doesn't give it justice. I don't know, could've just been BS. Sure sounded laid back though last night on NBCSN feed
- Sconnie

I wouldn't blame the building....Sloppy game and so mnay whistles.

Blackhawks dodge big bullet, take Game 1 in OT win over the Wild - My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/12VC8OR

That is true. You have great quality players - Parise and Suter along with Brodin, Coyle etc... will be a great rival for years to come with your organizational depth. When Coyle, Granlund and Zucker come into their own look out. Also like that your core seem so far to play it clean (unlike VC and SL).

You can have Heatly though - guy hasn't had a good playoff in years if ever.

Potential is there for a close series. Lots of ifs for Hawks. Potential is also there for a not so close series if Crow and the Hawks depth comes through.
- tredbrta

.....Also no Pominville and Slater played a bout 1/3 the amount of minutes as d normally last night.

Blackhawks dodge big bullet, take Game 1 in OT win over the Wild - My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/12VC8OR

the first period started like any game, obviously it was crazyballs for the anthem (the loudest I can remember it this year) but when Crawford let that goal in, the groans were followed by a horrible tense feeling of "not again"

other than that, it was kind of dead because it was not a very normal chicago game. i don't know how many shots the hawks had early on, but i remember looking at the scoreboard with a few minutes left in the 1st and thinking "there are only 8 shots between both teams?"

also, the place was not sold out - technically the tickets may have been sold but the building was not packed and that is after people were selling VERY good tickets way below face value last night.
- dr_boloney

Sold out and capcity in the seats but not as amny standing as has been the case lately.

Blackhawks dodge big bullet, take Game 1 in OT win over the Wild - My Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/12VC8OR