I believe that last years Final was the second most-watched final on record.

these are the average number of viewers for the Final series:
2016: 3.3M
2015: 5.6M
2014: 4.7M
2013: 5.8M
2012: 3M (only Devils/LAK with worse ratings than this year )
2011: 4.6M
2010: 5.2M

some nice points in here:
http://www.forbes.com/sit...y-cup-final/#36b58e5dcf4f

"The problem has been compounded by the fact that both Pittsburgh and San Jose are small market teams. Much like with the MLB playoffs, ratings for the NHL Final tend to live and die depending on the market. The last five previous Final round have featured at least one team (if not both) from the large market cities of Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, or New York, and last year’s Final matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning was a record-breaker, averaging a record viewership of 5.6 million per game throughout."
- maria_wyeth

That 5.6M tells me how far the NHL has to go. IIRC, the NFL draft, round 1 draws triple that number. The Eastern Seaboard network had that on in April and I nearly fell off the chair when they had the letters, in succession, NHL on he screen.

That 5.6M tells me how far the NHL has to go. IIRC, the NFL draft, round 1 draws triple that number. The Eastern Seaboard network had that on in April and I nearly fell off the chair when they had the letters, in succession, NHL on he screen.
- blackhawk24

Hockey won't ever be more popular than a distant fourth in US sports - it's doubtful they can even appreciably close the gap.

They need to rationalize the league. Contraction? Possibly. Relocation? Certainly. Concentrate your franchises where the markets promise the best chance for profitability - and it's not likely to include Raleigh-Durham, Phoenix, Miami, probably not Vegas, perhaps not Anaheim. Unlike the big 3 sports, the league can't afford to subsidize weak, small market teams for the sake of national geographic coverage.

Move some teams to Canada - Quebec, the Toronto area - I don't know how many more teams Canada can support. Do your best for NBC, but stop pretending that a fan base is going to grow in some of these areas.

Think out of the box - instead of being the first into Sin City, maybe be the first into Europe somehow? Scandinavia, certain countries behind what used to be the Iron Curtain - perhaps the growth effort should be in France, Germany, England. Somehow bring Europe into the League.

i think the hawks in are in tighter bind than the leafs.

Percy + cowen (for his buyout) for shaw.
- Tumbleweed

The problem with that is that Bickell will likely need to be bought out too. In the 17/18 season the Hawks would have $750,000 in dead cap space from Cowen and $1.5 million from Bickell.

I've never understood hedge funds - and only half understand how currency hedging works - but if player salaries have to be paid in US dollars, why haven't the Canadian teams used currency hedging to smooth out the exchange rate bumps in the road?

Or have they?

This would be better...

@MurphysLaw74

Spoke to two NHL executives today that believe the Carolina Hurricanes could be relocated to Las Vegas & expansion put on hold for now.
- DarthKane

If that happens, I wouldn't be shocked if the AHL club out in Charlotte moves west before the season starts.

I'm disappointed, I thought he would be back for sure.

@ep_transfers

Rumour: Dennis Rasmussen (F) | Chicago Blackhawks -> Luleå HF | eliteprospects.com/t.php?id=274202 #SHL
- DarthKane

I'm not shocked. There was speculation out there that Moose was going to head back to Sweden. Additionally, it strengthens the idea that McNeill should be in the mix for a roster spot when fall rolls around.

Hockey won't ever be more popular than a distant fourth in US sports - it's doubtful they can even appreciably close the gap.

They need to rationalize the league. Contraction? Possibly. Relocation? Certainly. Concentrate your franchises where the markets promise the best chance for profitability - and it's not likely to include Raleigh-Durham, Phoenix, Miami, probably not Vegas, perhaps not Anaheim. Unlike the big 3 sports, the league can't afford to subsidize weak, small market teams for the sake of national geographic coverage.

Move some teams to Canada - Quebec, the Toronto area - I don't know how many more teams Canada can support. Do your best for NBC, but stop pretending that a fan base is going to grow in some of these areas.

Think out of the box - instead of being the first into Sin City, maybe be the first into Europe somehow? Scandinavia, certain countries behind what used to be the Iron Curtain - perhaps the growth effort should be in France, Germany, England. Somehow bring Europe into the League.
- StLBravesFan

I agree with everything you write here and the general approach you are suggesting but I want to add a slightly divergent suggestion, which is the NHL investment in the three California team may be paying off long term dividends. There is a surprising amount of youth & recreational hockey in this state and I think those players are growing up into NHL fans. You could perhaps make an argument that southern Cal doesn't need two teams but I do think looking at the growth trends of youth and rec hockey would be a good data point for assessing the longer term viability of some of the leagues current cities and others under consideration.

Vegas is an exceptional case because it is a destination city. A Las Vegas team may never be the greatest home town fans but they should be a good draw. I could see some good travel packages being offered all around the NHL for away games in Vegas.
I'd rather the Coyotes move there than an expansion team but it seems like we're beyond that decision point.

I agree with everything you write here and the general approach you are suggesting but I want to add a slightly divergent suggestion, which is the NHL investment in the three California team may be paying off long term dividends. There is a surprising amount of youth & recreational hockey in this state and I think those players are growing up into NHL fans. You could perhaps make an argument that southern Cal doesn't need two teams but I do think looking at the growth trends of youth and rec hockey would be a good data point for assessing the longer term viability of some of the leagues current cities and others under consideration.

Vegas is an exceptional case because it is a destination city. A Las Vegas team may never be the greatest home town fans but they should be a good draw. I could see some good travel packages being offered all around the NHL for away games in Vegas.
I'd rather the Coyotes move there than an expansion team but it seems like we're beyond that decision point.
- matt_ahrens

I wouldn't be surprised if Vegas is a temporary destination for a team until Seattle lands an NBA team, which will lead to a new building in downtown Seattle - exactly what the NHL wants.

I'm not shocked. There was speculation out there that Moose was going to head back to Sweden. Additionally, it strengthens the idea that McNeill should be in the mix for a roster spot when fall rolls around.
- EKB13

Kind of feel bad that the kid never really got an "extended look." If McNeill can come in and play a solid defensive game, win faceoffs, and play PK, then I think we may have another Ben Smith. Hopefully, if Shaw is still around, he can take some notes from his game.

Seems like a much better business decision. Then, move AZ to Montreal.
- pdx2ord

Las Vegas is a pretty normal road trip for people in the Phoenix metro area, why not move AX to LV and then Carolina to Montreal?

I'm not shocked. There was speculation out there that Moose was going to head back to Sweden. Additionally, it strengthens the idea that McNeill should be in the mix for a roster spot when fall rolls around.
- EKB13

I'd like to see McNeill get a shot, he's been a loyal soldier plying his trade in the minors for a long time. He doesn't need to be a superstar to be successful, just a physical bottom 6 (likely 4th line) winger.

I wouldn't be surprised if Vegas is a temporary destination for a team until Seattle lands an NBA team, which will lead to a new building in downtown Seattle - exactly what the NHL wants.
- EKB13

Why go into a city where your winter competition will control the building, and you will be a distant 4th in town again?

If they won't build an arena without an NBA commitment, the NHL will start out as a se one class citizen - and it won't get better from there.

Las Vegas is a pretty normal road trip for people in the Phoenix metro area, why not move AX to LV and then Carolina to Montreal?
- matt_ahrens

I never heard anything about the possibility of a 2nd NHL team in Montreal discussed. Then again, I've been busy the last 6 weeks. Did I miss something about that?

Well, in keeping with the theme of Scotty Bowman's influence, Kruger was strongly suggested to the Hawks at the 2009 draft by Scotty Bowman—who'd seen the grades Detroit had on him, when Detroit's scouting in Sweden was head and shoulders above everyone.

Kruger's first full season, they played him at 2C a lot with Hossa on his right flank.

My belief always has been (and remains) that Kruger has some underrated setup skill. I believe the Hawks feel the same. But make no mistake. His primary role is always going to be that of a defensive, shutdown center and PK guy.
- John Jaeckel

Loved that 3rd line in the playoffs with Ladd - Kruger - Hossa; they had D and O.

Why go into a city where your winter competition will control the building, and you will be a distant 4th in town again?

If they won't build an arena without an NBA commitment, the NHL will start out as a se one class citizen - and it won't get better from there.
- StLBravesFan

I believe that the NHL would love to be in Seattle. It creates a regional rival for Vancouver, and has some sort of established hockey fan base in the area through the WHL teams around Seattle.

The catch is that Bettman, et al prefer cities with a downtown stadium in the city to avoid the past problems with the Coyotes and Glendale. On the other side of the coin, the developer that holds the necessary land in downtown Seattle to build said stadium is interested in sharing a facility with an NHL team, but will not start building until he can return the Sonics to the NBA first.

I believe that's why Seattle didn't make the cut for the expansion discussion. Further, I believe that if the NBA returns a franchise to Seattle, the conversation for an NHL team in Seattle might get fast-tracked and come to fruition fairly quickly.

FWIW,

This is mostly my opinion, but some of it is based on things I have heard.

There are things that go on between the team and the players that no one really knows about except a small handful of people and never gets out—until after the fact—especially if/when a "popular" player is traded.

So I can't categorically say anyone is untouchable except maybe Toews.

I can't see them trading Keith. Sure, there is stuff out there about his personality. has been for years. But the guy is close to a generational talent and really is the engine of this team IMO as far as the style of play Q wants up and down the ice.

In my opinion, he (along with Toews) is the least replaceable guy on the team. He will likely anchor Team Canada's blue line in the World Championships. A Norris winning d-man is just that valuable. As is a #1 center with off the charts leadership qualities, top FO guy in the league, plays in all situations. Those guys just don't fall in your lap. And you need those guys to win playoff hockey games.

A high scoring winger? Different story. A guy like Seabrook? Not easily replaced, but . . . A #1 goalie? Ultimately, replaceable.

Contracts and NMCs have to be factored in, but the only guy with a contract that is really hard to deal is . . . Hossa.

Gonna be interesting I think and just as likely nothing significant could happen this summer. But it feels like something is brewing as far as things being explored.

The big questions? Are there dance partners? Are those entities offering up assets that really make sense for the Hawks, i.e., 2-3 promising young players for a highly paid Hawk veteran? Do the Hawks trust their scouting enough to pull the trigger on what will be viewed as a controversial deal? Do the Hawks know some things they don't want the rest of us to know (right now)?
- John Jaeckel

JJ, I'm not saying they SHOULD trade 88, but if they did, what would they need in return to actually make the team better? You said all year he and Crawford were the two most important players in 15-16.

I never heard anything about the possibility of a 2nd NHL team in Montreal discussed. Then again, I've been busy the last 6 weeks. Did I miss something about that?
- EKB13

I was just replying to pdx's suggestion. I haven't heard anything new on the idea but it does make sense. Or maybe Toronto gets a second team, more people there. In Montreal they could have the Habs be the French-Canadian and the other more English-speaking Canadian.

I agree with everything you write here and the general approach you are suggesting but I want to add a slightly divergent suggestion, which is the NHL investment in the three California team may be paying off long term dividends. There is a surprising amount of youth & recreational hockey in this state and I think those players are growing up into NHL fans. You could perhaps make an argument that southern Cal doesn't need two teams but I do think looking at the growth trends of youth and rec hockey would be a good data point for assessing the longer term viability of some of the leagues current cities and others under consideration.

Vegas is an exceptional case because it is a destination city. A Las Vegas team may never be the greatest home town fans but they should be a good draw. I could see some good travel packages being offered all around the NHL for away games in Vegas.
I'd rather the Coyotes move there than an expansion team but it seems like we're beyond that decision point.
- matt_ahrens

Ok - keep your damn Ducks - what do I know.
:

I still have a hard time seeing the viability of Vegas - week-end hockey trips maybe get a couple hundred from Chicago on a charter - but not thousands. They're still going to have to fill the building with locals.

But - Vegas already has a strong youth / junior hockey program going, so maybe it ultimately works out there. And - yes to a relocation vs. expansion.

The problem with that is that Bickell will likely need to be bought out too. In the 17/18 season the Hawks would have $750,000 in dead cap space from Cowen and $1.5 million from Bickell.
- DarthKane

Well, we can switch it for a pick...

I was just replying to pdx's suggestion. I haven't heard anything new on the idea but it does make sense. Or maybe Toronto gets a second team, more people there. In Montreal they could have the Habs be the French-Canadian and the other more English-speaking Canadian.
- matt_ahrens

Yeah, I was thinking Quebec and automatically typed Montreal. Wasn't Quebec City seriously proposed?

Wasn't Quebec City seriously proposed?
- pdx2ord

They were the other finalist along with Vegas.

lucic wants 6 for 6 = 36 mildo at 28 years old...

kings can afford it...but i would not...

they are stuck with a dustin brown at 5.8 per for the next 6 years...what the hell were thinking giving him kind of contract...

Hockey won't ever be more popular than a distant fourth in US sports - it's doubtful they can even appreciably close the gap.

They need to rationalize the league. Contraction? Possibly. Relocation? Certainly. Concentrate your franchises where the markets promise the best chance for profitability - and it's not likely to include Raleigh-Durham, Phoenix, Miami, probably not Vegas, perhaps not Anaheim. Unlike the big 3 sports, the league can't afford to subsidize weak, small market teams for the sake of national geographic coverage.

Move some teams to Canada - Quebec, the Toronto area - I don't know how many more teams Canada can support. Do your best for NBC, but stop pretending that a fan base is going to grow in some of these areas.

Think out of the box - instead of being the first into Sin City, maybe be the first into Europe somehow? Scandinavia, certain countries behind what used to be the Iron Curtain - perhaps the growth effort should be in France, Germany, England. Somehow bring Europe into the League.
- StLBravesFan

Never was a fan of some of these expansion cities. And Vegas is a big symptom of the problem plaguing this league FO. As much as I would embrace a combo of contraction and relocation, neither seems probable, the former being highly improbable.

Europe seems like too much a travel situation, time zone wise. A lot of schedule challenges and probably would need four or more teams. I like the thought of fan travel though. Many a times I was able to arrange work trips around Cubs and Hawks games in NA, there are lotsa options in Europe too. Hello, Sweden, Finland....

On re-lo, specifically to Canada, Toronto or Hamilton plus Quebec City would be great. And all the likely US suspects you cited moving would be fine with me.

looks like the sharks are going to have pull another out of their a$$ to win this won...down 2 zip in the 3rd...

Hockey won't ever be more popular than a distant fourth in US sports - it's doubtful they can even appreciably close the gap.

They need to rationalize the league. Contraction? Possibly. Relocation? Certainly. Concentrate your franchises where the markets promise the best chance for profitability - and it's not likely to include Raleigh-Durham, Phoenix, Miami, probably not Vegas, perhaps not Anaheim. Unlike the big 3 sports, the league can't afford to subsidize weak, small market teams for the sake of national geographic coverage.

Move some teams to Canada - Quebec, the Toronto area - I don't know how many more teams Canada can support. Do your best for NBC, but stop pretending that a fan base is going to grow in some of these areas.

Think out of the box - instead of being the first into Sin City, maybe be the first into Europe somehow? Scandinavia, certain countries behind what used to be the Iron Curtain - perhaps the growth effort should be in France, Germany, England. Somehow bring Europe into the League.
- StLBravesFan

Hockey will always be 4th for a lot of reasons. Whatever "growth" in the fan base they may realize will be minuscule in terms of relating to actual dollars. The concentration should be on being in cities where they can consistently fill the building and on maintaining the fan base that they currently have at the very least.