I cannot believe that Phadoof is going to get 7 million for 7 years. That is just plain stupid.
- rtang415

1 Million a year - sounds cheap to me.


insert red font..

1 Million a year - sounds cheap to me.


insert red font..
- powerenforcer

*fixed*

Only EO can do that. We have other ways to make it pretty bad, but that takes a much bigger history than I see on this person.
- stashu

Its ok. We give as good as we get most times. He was amusing in a cat playing with a mouse kinda way. BTW. We were the cats.

I am curious to know why the NHL is so determined to make the Penguins "The Team". Can't look anywhere without seeing Crosby's mug. Anyone else notice this?
- PhilMeister89

Its the least common moron theory Meister. I guess its the NHL trying to grow the game here in the states. Its the common misconception that all we want to see is stars. My theory anyway.

I am curious to know why the NHL is so determined to make the Penguins "The Team". Can't look anywhere without seeing Crosby's mug. Anyone else notice this?
- PhilMeister89

It's part of the wider cult of personality that drives mass media. At least since Gretzky, the NHL wants to market a face, and Crosby is the closest thing to a "new Gretzky" they believe they have, so they'll milk it do death. And unlike the other major sports leagues, there are not enough real fans (in the US) to drive monster NFL-like ratings, so they believe they have to push star-hype in order to attract interest outside of the hardcore fan base.

I cannot believe that Phadoof is going to get 7 million a year for 7 years. That is just plain stupid.
- rtang415

Link?

They have a history on us? Crap.
- Ogilthorpe2

Oh yeah. Ask a ref one day. He can post your ban history. Its pretty amusing. Well, for some of us anyway.

Link?
- EKolb13

It is the talk of the day on the Leafs blog and Eklund is reporting it also. Even the Leaf bloggers can't believe they are going to pay him that kind of money.

Its the least common moron theory Meister. I guess its the NHL trying to grow the game here in the states. Its the common misconception that all we want to see is stars. My theory anyway.
- Elbows15

Realistically, pushing star power is probably the best way to "grow the game" on the purely commercial level, like it or not. Take the NFL Super Bowl, for instance. Does anyone really think it's become a quasi-national holiday in the US because 150 million people analyze safety depth in a cover2? Nope, it's become an "in" thing to do, and people tune in whether they understand and appreciate the game of football or not.

Its the least common moron theory Meister. I guess its the NHL trying to grow the game here in the states. Its the common misconception that all we want to see is stars. My theory anyway.
- Elbows15

I think to a point they have grown it over the last 8 years. I just think it's time to change the approach.. People know who Crosby is now and people know what hockey is now. Now plant seeds and help it prosper.

Link?
- EKolb13

Add to it that he is also the Captain and ought to be in his teammates faces with the way they have been playing but is not. This is going to be a case of a player only looking out for himself making sure he gets enough to compensate his ego.

Realistically, pushing star power is probably the best way to "grow the game" on the purely commercial level, like it or not. Take the NFL Super Bowl, for instance. Does anyone really think it's become a quasi-national holiday in the US because 150 million people analyze safety depth in a cover2? Nope, it's become an "in" thing to do, and people tune in whether they understand and appreciate the game of football or not.
- Tugboat

Gambling plays a large part in football's popularity Tug. A huge part.

I think to a point they have grown it over the last 8 years. I just think it's time to change the approach.. People know who Crosby is now and people know what hockey is now. Now plant seeds and help it prosper.
- PhilMeister89

You're preaching to the choir here Meister. But then I have been a fan of the game for a long time, I go back to the Original 6 days.

Realistically, pushing star power is probably the best way to "grow the game" on the purely commercial level, like it or not. Take the NFL Super Bowl, for instance. Does anyone really think it's become a quasi-national holiday in the US because 150 million people analyze safety depth in a cover2? Nope, it's become an "in" thing to do, and people tune in whether they understand and appreciate the game of football or not.
- Tugboat

I understand this theory and agree to a point. Definitely having a name like Crosby to throw around to the mainstream works. And it has. But again, he covers one market for hockey. People will buy in when you have something to offer them in their market. Here in Kansas City for instance. People love sports. Football is generally king, followed by Baseball but Soccer (believe it or not) is becoming a HUGE thing in this town. I for one don't care for it but they have pushed the crap out of it here and people bought in. It doesn't seem like there is much determination to bring hockey to new areas... Not necessarily an NHL team but... something... anything....

Gambling plays a large part in football's popularity Tug. A huge part.
- Elbows15

Wait until legalized betting on Fantasy Football happens. That will be a huge can of worms for the NFL to deal with because of all the shenanigans that could happen.

It is the talk of the day on the Leafs blog and Eklund is reporting it also. Even the Leaf bloggers can't believe they are going to pay him that kind of money.
- rtang415

Careful Tanger. Its a vortex over there. It will suck you in. Seriously though, Their refs are pretty cool and lot of their posters are pretty funny.

I understand this theory and agree to a point. Definitely having a name like Crosby to throw around to the mainstream works. And it has. But again, he covers one market for hockey. People will buy in when you have something to offer them in their market. Here in Kansas City for instance. People love sports. Football is generally king, followed by Baseball but Soccer (believe it or not) is becoming a HUGE thing in this town. I for one don't care for it but they have pushed the crap out of it here and people bought in. It doesn't seem like there is much determination to bring hockey to new areas... Not necessarily an NHL team but... something... anything....
- PhilMeister89

KC has been mentioned from time to time for an NHL franchise. Tried it once but it didn't work. Realistically, do you think that area could support a NHL team. Would there be enough interest?

Does everyone here cry when Kane or Toews get hit? This is hockey. That is like saying Shaw or Sharp (who is pretty stick happy behind the play and isn't afraid to spear a player) are "D-bags who frequently cross the line because they are not good enough to get by on skill alone".
- HawkFan27

Its not really like that though, because Shaw and Sharp have proved they can get by on skill. Jackman has not, hes a d bag

Careful Tanger. Its a vortex over there. It will suck you in. Seriously though, Their refs are pretty cool and lot of their posters are pretty funny.
- Elbows15

I go there for laughs. Right now it's like 25-30 bloggers all banging their heads against a wall trying to figure out if they should fire Carlyle or blow the team up.

KC has been mentioned from time to time for an NHL franchise. Tried it once but it didn't work. Realistically, do you think that area could support a NHL team. Would there be enough interest?
- Elbows15

Immediately? If it were successful than yes. We have the arena for it, and people love their sports here. We have a CHL (central hockey league) team that does pretty good. We have a small hockey crowd here as far as fans of the game. I don't necessarily think an NHL team is the answer though. People can go to a game and still not understand what the f is going on. I spent a little bit of my childhood growing up in St Paul, MN. Hockey is the culture and getting people to feel that way about hockey is how the game grows. When we moved to St Paul was the year the north stars moved to dallas. No pro team the duration of my family living there but High School hockey was filling pro arenas. That is nuts.

I go there for laughs. Right now it's like 25-30 bloggers all banging their heads against a wall trying to figure out if they should fire Carlyle or blow the team up.
- rtang415

Hell I even post in there from time to time. Who am I to talk. I feel for them though. They get trolled a lot. But some of them are damn funny. Atomic Wedgie is hilarious.

Gambling plays a large part in football's popularity Tug. A huge part.
- Elbows15

Of course it does, and the 16 game, once per week schedule adds to that, since each game is always The Big Game and can be more competently capped. But gambling doesn't account for the broader phenomena of tailgating, non-fans styling in team jerseys etc.... I don't know how many people I've met who say they're going to watch a Super Bowl just "to see the commercials", which to me is bizarre, but hey, that's their thing...

Immediately? If it were successful than yes. We have the arena for it, and people love their sports here. We have a CHL (central hockey league) team that does pretty good. We have a small hockey crowd here as far as fans of the game. I don't necessarily think an NHL team is the answer though. People can go to a game and still not understand what the f is going on. I spent a little bit of my childhood growing up in St Paul, MN. Hockey is the culture and getting people to feel that way about hockey is how the game grows. When we moved to St Paul was the year the north stars moved to dallas. No pro team the duration of my family living there but High School hockey was filling pro arenas. That is nuts.
- PhilMeister89

Thanks for the response. Hockey is Mn is like football in Texas. Its a damn shame they moved the North Stars out of Minny. Personally, I think Seattle or Portland would be better fits for a franchise in the US. Those are long time hockey markets.

Of course it does, and the 16 game, once per week schedule adds to that, since each game is always The Big Game and can be more competently capped. But gambling doesn't account for the broader phenomena of tailgating, non-fans styling in team jerseys etc.... I don't know how many people I've met who say they're going to watch a Super Bowl just "to see the commercials", which to me is bizarre, but hey, that's their thing...

- Tugboat

Two words Tug. Pete Rozell. He made the NFL what it is today. The guy was a branding genius.

I understand this theory and agree to a point. Definitely having a name like Crosby to throw around to the mainstream works. And it has. But again, he covers one market for hockey. People will buy in when you have something to offer them in their market. Here in Kansas City for instance. People love sports. Football is generally king, followed by Baseball but Soccer (believe it or not) is becoming a HUGE thing in this town. I for one don't care for it but they have pushed the crap out of it here and people bought in. It doesn't seem like there is much determination to bring hockey to new areas... Not necessarily an NHL team but... something... anything....
- PhilMeister89

Hey Meister, many years ago I was in Overland Park for about two years, and I do remember that they were really into their sports scenes, coming out in droves to both Arrowhead and what was then called Royals Stadium. I don't think I met ANY hockey fans there though. No cultural narrative for it, at least not then.