For those speculating as to whether Campbell will/won't stay in FL

Jimmy Murphy
‏@MurphysLaw74
Per NHL source #Bruins will target D Brian Campbell in free agency. But source close to Campbell says he wants 1 yr big $ deal w/contender.
- pdx2ord

You know this guy was overpaid 10-12 million, at least, over the last 8-9 years and in his last year's he's crawling around behind the vending machine looking for a few more nickels.

Al,

I just read a fascinating piece about the ratings woes that Rogers Cable is currently going through.

To appease their advertisers in April, Rogers offered free spots to make up for failures to reach promised audience targets. That is unprecedented.

And the latest story about NBC pressuring the NHL to threaten Tampa to suspend a watch party - attended by 8,000 fans - paints me a picture of what NBC thinks about its current arrangement with the NHL.

Someone on here recently - and it may had been you - told me the game was being watched now more than ever - I disagree with that thought.

The NHL is hurting right now - and very badly. Can you imagine how much worse they will be should Rogers and NBC pull the plug on their deals?? I am sure there is language in both contracts that would allow them to back out if minimum viewership is not met.

I have been saying for a couple of years now that the NHL MUST take a big step forward - and eliminate all the obstruction in the game that slows it down and gives lesser talented teams and advantage and a false sense of parity. This concept is driving DOWN the viewership of the game - not increasing it.

The NHL is the only sport on the planet that rewards less talented teams that can minimize star players and star teams. Every other sports organization on the planet embraces their stars and even gives them preferential treatment.

The NBA, for example, for over 40 years has had what seems to be different sets of rules for how you can defend star players. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and now Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are the promoted stars in their league. They could and can do almost anything they want on the court - and they are hands off for the most part. And their league and its TV deals have never been stronger.

In the NFL, the quarterbacks and receivers are all hands off, scoring is up, and viewership and profitability have never been higher. There are direct correlations to both.

MLB has always been able to juggle star pitchers shutting down hitting with home run hitters as equally watchable. Their profits are strong.

The NHL is the only league that lets thugs and unskilled players to constantly bend rules to oppress shots on goal and space in front of the nets in the offensive zone.

The Board of Governors meet with thumbs up their behind to talk about the shortage of scoring, and all they can come up with is goalie equipment and goalie height - while the 800 pound elephant in the room - obstruction - is ignored. They don't even have to make new rules - just force their officials to ENFORCE the rules on the books, and scoring - and even more important - scoring chances - both INCREASE. It's really that simple!!!!!!

No one wants to watch most goals being scored by third and fourth line players off of deflections - that is just the nature of people that watch sports. They want to see the stars of the league succeed - and that's whether or not they are fans of that team. The bore fest the NHL has become in the last three years is palpable by most people watching from home. They zoom in on fans during games played by less skilled teams that overly sell out in the d-zone - the crowds get quiet, and the fans start looking at other things on their phones. I see it at different games - A LOT!!!!! If they are bored there, imagine what the fans think at home. And it is showing up in the ratings. People are watching other - more interesting things. The networks are seeing it - and are not encouraged.

What baffles me the most is HOW the NHL extended Bettman's contract!!!!! He has done NOTHING to positively influence the NHL in his run as commissioner - the fans detest him, money is not being made - why wasn't he relieved of his position????
- dahawks8819

I've been waiting years for this, jmho, I believe the free hand/arm should not be extended, put on the body to impede in any way, honestly if the refs would just follow the rules and call penalties when they incur I'd be happy but they follow the NHL's script in trying to keep games close

For those speculating as to whether Campbell will/won't stay in FL

Jimmy Murphy
‏@MurphysLaw74
Per NHL source #Bruins will target D Brian Campbell in free agency. But source close to Campbell says he wants 1 yr big $ deal w/contender.
- pdx2ord

Campbell's defensive game is as soft as ever and his wheels aren't what they used to be. He's still a decent power play QB, but worth no more than 3.5M IMO.

Very good post.............I did post an article in April showing Canadian numbers down SIXTY ONE percent. Here's one: https://ca.sports.yahoo.c...ptors-rise-194358148.html

A more recent one drawing on older data: http://spectorshockey.net...ggling-in-the-tv-ratings/


A lot of great points in your post but the highlighted are very important. Without getting too log winded indeed offense sells in any sport, save for English soccer, which after auto racing I believe is the most watched sport in the world.

I'm not to be included as advertisers long knew as I'm old and you ain't gonna sway me with most anything new. What they've done to baseball, football and basketball has ruined those sports for me.

For three decades I had action on the noon and 3:00 football games but now can't even watch a whole game. You touch a receiver or hit a player too hard there is a flag and a 4 hr game. Baseball, the greatest game at one time IMO, allowed these freaks to juice their bodies, juice their bats, added a DH and brought the fences in for home run fests. These people can't even lay down a bunt and rarely display any fundamentals. The NBA rules allows two guys to isolate on the wing and play 1 on 1 and when a team game is used a whistle blows.

But ratings are through the roof!!

Although I may not agree with all aspects of allowing more offense making the game better I do think changes can be made to make the game more exciting.

#1 is making the ice international size, making it 100 feet wide. A wider surface will single handedly allow stars to shine (operate) more than any other change. But try and sell that to owners, taking out 3-4-5 rows of seats at the glass.

We can go on and on but ice size cures a lot off scoring ills.

Next is bringing in and keeping the casual fan, those are the ones missing from the ratings drop in Canada, and to do that you need to sell the stars. As much as I abhore people like McD he's born to sell ice cubes to eskimos. People like him need to run this league. Things people like him do to make money, see MLB, NBA and NFL, will drive guys like me away but the league/sport will advance as the other major league sports have.

As far as this year in a micro sense two top teams like the Blues and Hawks playing in round one knocks a premier team out early. Start times are a female dog too when they have the Hawks-Blues starting/ending late to accomodate East Coast games lose the casual fan.
- Mr Ricochet

Interesting idea in bold - definitely saw how fans (maybe not purists) loved the 3-on-3 and I would imagine it was because of how the opened up ice freed the players to show more passing, scoring, speed, and defensive talent. It was very exciting to watch and showcased the skills of the top players. If moving everyone back 3-5 rows meant more money overall over a longer period, they just might do it.

McD did the right thing by creating faces of the franchise to market (even if he might have been kicking himself a few times on one of his choices). It has worked, and worked very well - just look at the top-selling sweaters in the NHL as proof. His cutesy "get to know the players" skits, "one goal" videos, etc. may make purists' eyes roll, but I'll admit it was one of the things that sucked me into to loving this team. I just don't see the NHL promoting players individually like that.

I wish we had the playoff format of the NBA with conference seedings - 1 plays 8, 2 plays 7 etc. Largely ensures that the best teams with the biggest stars progress, yet also sets David v. Goliath type upsets which are also exciting for fans (man, I loved watching my unheralded Blazers hold their own against Curry and GSW and so did many BB fans in general).

It sounds like there are more kids playing hockey in the US than ever, and the sport, even as it is played now can quickly convert other sports' fans. Me, for one, and look at that Twitter guy from St. Louis and the number of people subsequently pulled in. Now, they just have to figure out how to keep them interested.

Sincerely think both you and DH8819 (his were also very solid ideas) should send your thoughts to 1901 Madison and/or well-respected hockey writers to get them in front of the league.

Al,

I just read a fascinating piece about the ratings woes that Rogers Cable is currently going through.

To appease their advertisers in April, Rogers offered free spots to make up for failures to reach promised audience targets. That is unprecedented.

And the latest story about NBC pressuring the NHL to threaten Tampa to suspend a watch party - attended by 8,000 fans - paints me a picture of what NBC thinks about its current arrangement with the NHL.

Someone on here recently - and it may had been you - told me the game was being watched now more than ever - I disagree with that thought.

The NHL is hurting right now - and very badly. Can you imagine how much worse they will be should Rogers and NBC pull the plug on their deals?? I am sure there is language in both contracts that would allow them to back out if minimum viewership is not met.

I have been saying for a couple of years now that the NHL MUST take a big step forward - and eliminate all the obstruction in the game that slows it down and gives lesser talented teams and advantage and a false sense of parity. This concept is driving DOWN the viewership of the game - not increasing it.

The NHL is the only sport on the planet that rewards less talented teams that can minimize star players and star teams. Every other sports organization on the planet embraces their stars and even gives them preferential treatment.

The NBA, for example, for over 40 years has had what seems to be different sets of rules for how you can defend star players. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and now Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are the promoted stars in their league. They could and can do almost anything they want on the court - and they are hands off for the most part. And their league and its TV deals have never been stronger.

In the NFL, the quarterbacks and receivers are all hands off, scoring is up, and viewership and profitability have never been higher. There are direct correlations to both.

MLB has always been able to juggle star pitchers shutting down hitting with home run hitters as equally watchable. Their profits are strong.

The NHL is the only league that lets thugs and unskilled players to constantly bend rules to oppress shots on goal and space in front of the nets in the offensive zone.

The Board of Governors meet with thumbs up their behind to talk about the shortage of scoring, and all they can come up with is goalie equipment and goalie height - while the 800 pound elephant in the room - obstruction - is ignored. They don't even have to make new rules - just force their officials to ENFORCE the rules on the books, and scoring - and even more important - scoring chances - both INCREASE. It's really that simple!!!!!!

No one wants to watch most goals being scored by third and fourth line players off of deflections - that is just the nature of people that watch sports. They want to see the stars of the league succeed - and that's whether or not they are fans of that team. The bore fest the NHL has become in the last three years is palpable by most people watching from home. They zoom in on fans during games played by less skilled teams that overly sell out in the d-zone - the crowds get quiet, and the fans start looking at other things on their phones. I see it at different games - A LOT!!!!! If they are bored there, imagine what the fans think at home. And it is showing up in the ratings. People are watching other - more interesting things. The networks are seeing it - and are not encouraged.

What baffles me the most is HOW the NHL extended Bettman's contract!!!!! He has done NOTHING to positively influence the NHL in his run as commissioner - the fans detest him, money is not being made - why wasn't he relieved of his position????
- dahawks8819

I totally agree! For one cross-checking has gotten out of hand. If they just called that it would make the game so much better and eventually it would stop. Call a penalty when it is a penalty and the game would get 100% better!

In an earlier thread I mentioned that the Canucks would be a team to overpay for Brouwer:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...metown-vancouver-canucks/

In an earlier thread I mentioned that the Canucks would be a team to overpay for Brouwer:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/h...metown-vancouver-canucks/
- DarthKane

If that happens, I would hate to see what kind of a hack he would become.

Al,

I just read a fascinating piece about the ratings woes that Rogers Cable is currently going through.

To appease their advertisers in April, Rogers offered free spots to make up for failures to reach promised audience targets. That is unprecedented.

And the latest story about NBC pressuring the NHL to threaten Tampa to suspend a watch party - attended by 8,000 fans - paints me a picture of what NBC thinks about its current arrangement with the NHL.

Someone on here recently - and it may had been you - told me the game was being watched now more than ever - I disagree with that thought.

The NHL is hurting right now - and very badly. Can you imagine how much worse they will be should Rogers and NBC pull the plug on their deals?? I am sure there is language in both contracts that would allow them to back out if minimum viewership is not met.

I have been saying for a couple of years now that the NHL MUST take a big step forward - and eliminate all the obstruction in the game that slows it down and gives lesser talented teams and advantage and a false sense of parity. This concept is driving DOWN the viewership of the game - not increasing it.

The NHL is the only sport on the planet that rewards less talented teams that can minimize star players and star teams. Every other sports organization on the planet embraces their stars and even gives them preferential treatment.

The NBA, for example, for over 40 years has had what seems to be different sets of rules for how you can defend star players. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and now Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry are the promoted stars in their league. They could and can do almost anything they want on the court - and they are hands off for the most part. And their league and its TV deals have never been stronger.

In the NFL, the quarterbacks and receivers are all hands off, scoring is up, and viewership and profitability have never been higher. There are direct correlations to both.

MLB has always been able to juggle star pitchers shutting down hitting with home run hitters as equally watchable. Their profits are strong.

The NHL is the only league that lets thugs and unskilled players to constantly bend rules to oppress shots on goal and space in front of the nets in the offensive zone.

The Board of Governors meet with thumbs up their behind to talk about the shortage of scoring, and all they can come up with is goalie equipment and goalie height - while the 800 pound elephant in the room - obstruction - is ignored. They don't even have to make new rules - just force their officials to ENFORCE the rules on the books, and scoring - and even more important - scoring chances - both INCREASE. It's really that simple!!!!!!

No one wants to watch most goals being scored by third and fourth line players off of deflections - that is just the nature of people that watch sports. They want to see the stars of the league succeed - and that's whether or not they are fans of that team. The bore fest the NHL has become in the last three years is palpable by most people watching from home. They zoom in on fans during games played by less skilled teams that overly sell out in the d-zone - the crowds get quiet, and the fans start looking at other things on their phones. I see it at different games - A LOT!!!!! If they are bored there, imagine what the fans think at home. And it is showing up in the ratings. People are watching other - more interesting things. The networks are seeing it - and are not encouraged.

What baffles me the most is HOW the NHL extended Bettman's contract!!!!! He has done NOTHING to positively influence the NHL in his run as commissioner - the fans detest him, money is not being made - why wasn't he relieved of his position????
- dahawks8819

Someone on here recently - and it may had been you - told me the game was being watched now more than ever - I disagree with that thought.

I said it and I believe there is no doubt more people watch the game on TV than ever before but in context there are also more people living here too. The game has never been televised to the degree it is today. Up until a few years ago all road games were not televised by some franchises.

I also said, to put things in perspective the ratings for the NBA Draft Lotto show will outdraw every Cup game...That's not the Draft selection show but the Draft Lottery show.

I disagree with your notion the games aren't worthy of being watched...It's much more than that and it's past the time a McD type takes Bettman's job.

I could make a strong case the NBA game is at its lowest point since Bird and Magic came into the league. The quality of play is poor, with all the young kids leaving college early. The NBA has turned into a 3 pt shooting contest on many nights but people still watch.

Hockey, as great as it is-But is still small time compared to others and is run that way.

Hockey is a great game, fast, skilful and it looks better than ever on TV and on the net...But there needs to be a new plan and a different person at the top who can see the bigger picture.

Until then the sport will do what it has done for the past 10 years...Muddle along and be happy with a small progression.

I've been waiting years for this, jmho, I believe the free hand/arm should not be extended, put on the body to impede in any way, honestly if the refs would just follow the rules and call penalties when they incur I'd be happy but they follow the NHL's script in trying to keep games close
- BetweenTheDots

I have been saying forever...No major sport tweaks its rules in the playoffs as much as the NHL. That holds the sport back, no doubt. When most people are watching and there is more national exposure than ever, the game doesn't show as well as it should.

Interesting idea in bold - definitely saw how fans (maybe not purists) loved the 3-on-3 and I would imagine it was because of how the opened up ice freed the players to show more passing, scoring, speed, and defensive talent. It was very exciting to watch and showcased the skills of the top players. If moving everyone back 3-5 rows meant more money overall over a longer period, they just might do it.

McD did the right thing by creating faces of the franchise to market (even if he might have been kicking himself a few times on one of his choices). It has worked, and worked very well - just look at the top-selling sweaters in the NHL as proof. His cutesy "get to know the players" skits, "one goal" videos, etc. may make purists' eyes roll, but I'll admit it was one of the things that sucked me into to loving this team. I just don't see the NHL promoting players individually like that.

I wish we had the playoff format of the NBA with conference seedings - 1 plays 8, 2 plays 7 etc. Largely ensures that the best teams with the biggest stars progress, yet also sets David v. Goliath type upsets which are also exciting for fans (man, I loved watching my unheralded Blazers hold their own against Curry and GSW and so did many BB fans in general).

It sounds like there are more kids playing hockey in the US than ever, and the sport, even as it is played now can quickly convert other sports' fans. Me, for one, and look at that Twitter guy from St. Louis and the number of people subsequently pulled in. Now, they just have to figure out how to keep them interested.

Sincerely think both you and DH8819 (his were also very solid ideas) should send your thoughts to 1901 Madison and/or well-respected hockey writers to get them in front of the league.

- pdx2ord

As far as this year in a micro sense two top teams like the Blues and Hawks playing in round one knocks a premier team out early. Start times are a female dog too when they have the Hawks-Blues starting/ending late to accomodate East Coast games lose the casual fan.

As far as I'm concerned the new format was another forced idea that wan't thought through. I never like it.

I've been waiting years for this, jmho, I believe the free hand/arm should not be extended, put on the body to impede in any way, honestly if the refs would just follow the rules and call penalties when they incur I'd be happy but they follow the NHL's script in trying to keep games close
- BetweenTheDots

I think using the international size ice surface would solve this since non skilled players would be to big a liability on a large ice surface. This will probably never happen.

Deboers pregame speech..."we're bigger, we hit harder and we're better looking"..lol

TSN reporting former Hawk Tom Lysiak has passed away.

Someone on here recently - and it may had been you - told me the game was being watched now more than ever - I disagree with that thought.

I said it and I believe there is no doubt more people watch the game on TV than ever before but in context there are also more people living here too. The game has never been televised to the degree it is today. Up until a few years ago all road games were not televised by some franchises.

I also said, to put things in perspective the ratings for the NBA Draft Lotto show will outdraw every Cup game...That's not the Draft selection show but the Draft Lottery show.

I disagree with your notion the games aren't worthy of being watched...It's much more than that and it's past the time a McD type takes Bettman's job.

I could make a strong case the NBA game is at its lowest point since Bird and Magic came into the league. The quality of play is poor, with all the young kids leaving college early. The NBA has turned into a 3 pt shooting contest on many nights but people still watch.

Hockey, as great as it is-But is still small time compared to others and is run that way.

Hockey is a great game, fast, skilful and it looks better than ever on TV and on the net...But there needs to be a new plan and a different person at the top who can see the bigger picture.

Until then the sport will do what it has done for the past 10 years...Muddle along and be happy with a small progression.
- Al

Al,

The problem is they can't afford to muddle around anymore. If they can't hit the minimum viewership agreements with their networks, sponsors will bail, followed by the networks bailing, followed by the owners trying to force the players salaries lowered, followed by laughter from the union, followed by yet another - and this time more lengthy - lockout.

And when this happens, there will likely be contraction of 4-6 teams, which the players union will NOT take kindly to.

This is where the NHL is heading if they don't get this figured out - and quickly.

TSN reporting former Hawk Tom Lysiak has passed away.
- HamiltonHawk

oh man..that sucks..

Deboers pregame speech..."we're bigger, we hit harder and we're better looking"..lol
- Glenman12

hasn't helped with their start..down 2 zip...fortunate it aint 3 or 4...but we all know what happens to early 2 goal leads...

San Jose....

San Jose....
- EnzoD

Further confirmation the rest of the league has caught up to the Hawks. Could anyone honestly see the Hawks getting by San Jose? And then the Penguins??????

Is Mike Sullivan available for coaching next year?

Further confirmation the rest of the league has caught up to the Hawks. Could anyone honestly see the Hawks getting by San Jose? And then the Penguins??????

Is Mike Sullivan available for coaching next year?
- DMChi2010

Bettman special, this SC final is. Missed trips, interference on the Pens.....

Further confirmation the rest of the league has caught up to the Hawks. Could anyone honestly see the Hawks getting by San Jose? And then the Penguins??????

Is Mike Sullivan available for coaching next year?
- DMChi2010

One period is confirmation of that?

One period is confirmation of that?
- StLBravesFan

Just let me be a negative nelly, okay?

Shark's PP is lethal. Paul Martin is a really good 4D. Two outstanding plays stepping up and denying the Pens at his defensive blue line...one was a 4v2

Al,

The problem is they can't afford to muddle around anymore. If they can't hit the minimum viewership agreements with their networks, sponsors will bail, followed by the networks bailing, followed by the owners trying to force the players salaries lowered, followed by laughter from the union, followed by yet another - and this time more lengthy - lockout.

And when this happens, there will likely be contraction of 4-6 teams, which the players union will NOT take kindly to.

This is where the NHL is heading if they don't get this figured out - and quickly.
- dahawks8819

Yep-Can't tread water forever.

Al,

The problem is they can't afford to muddle around anymore. If they can't hit the minimum viewership agreements with their networks, sponsors will bail, followed by the networks bailing, followed by the owners trying to force the players salaries lowered, followed by laughter from the union, followed by yet another - and this time more lengthy - lockout.

And when this happens, there will likely be contraction of 4-6 teams, which the players union will NOT take kindly to.

This is where the NHL is heading if they don't get this figured out - and quickly.
- dahawks8819

Hence, rebuilding the Toronto Maple Leafs quickly into a contender is a top priority. They drive ratings across Canada, followed by the Habs. Nobody has been watching the last 2 seasons.

Having good teams in Buffalo, Nashville, Columbus and Arizona is a sexy idea but ultimately nobody among the big spending sponsors really cares. The teams that drive the NHL financial bus are the Hawks, Rangers, Leafs, Canadiens, Bruins, Flyers and Penguins. Those teams need to be playing late in the year.

I have been saying forever...No major sport tweaks its rules in the playoffs as much as the NHL. That holds the sport back, no doubt. When most people are watching and there is more national exposure than ever, the game doesn't show as well as it should.
- Al

Why hockey will never come close to the other sports in broad appeal and hence revenue growth.

1. Watching guys chase and bang for a 3 inch piece of black rubber that is hard to track.
2. Rules to complicated and nuanced. Confusion on what actually is a penalty and why.
3. Tactically a difficult game to understand in real time. Can't see the whole ice.
4. Still has a the "goon" perception: no sport suspends its players as much as the NHL.
5. Best players only play 25-30% of a game.
6. Season way to long!! 2 plus months of playoffs ending in June after 82 games is absurd.
7. Team recognition is poor: TB Lightening, Columbus Bluejackets, San Jose Sharks...people just don't care.
8. Identified as a canadian winter sport and one you can't just go out and play in your backyard or the park.

These are a few of the criticisms I have heard from non fans and casual fans over the years.