sharks will need to figure out what other teams have not...limiting penguins shots and quality chances...35-40 sogs per game will have this series going to the pens

Paul Martin had such a solid game too...KEEP YOUR STICK ON THE ICE!

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.
- bogiedoc

I think high-definition televisions have really made an improvement on this issue.

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.
- bogiedoc

Casual sport fans want scoring and highlight reel plays on a more frequent basis. The NBA officiating is on par with the NHL as far as inconsistency, but points are scored on nearly every posession. To me, it comes down to increasing scoring to the levels of the 1980s, or viewership will not increase. Also, making the sport more affordable at the youth level will help grow the "die-hard/passionate" fan base. I am sure that 75% of posters here played as a kid or have their kids in hockey. Making the game more affordable at the youth level will help increase fan numbers. There is a reason "Futbol" is the most popular sport in the world...all you need is a ball and an open space....Even though there is even less scoring than in the NHL, soccer is so successful because MILLIONS of people played in their youth around the world.

I think high-definition televisions have really made an improvement on this issue.
- Hank_Greenberg

You still can't see the puck actually going into the net on many/most of the goals.

Casual sport fans want scoring and highlight reel plays on a more frequent basis. The NBA officiating is on par with the NHL as far as inconsistency, but points are scored on nearly every posession. To me, it comes down to increasing scoring to the levels of the 1980s, or viewership will not increase. Also, making the sport more affordable at the youth level will help grow the "die-hard/passionate" fan base. I am sure that 75% of posters here played as a kid or have their kids in hockey. Making the game more affordable at the youth level will help increase fan numbers. There is a reason "Futbol" is the most popular sport in the world...all you need is a ball and an open space....Even though there is even less scoring than in the NHL, soccer is so successful because MILLIONS of people played in their youth around the world.
- EnzoD

yep...add those to the list...

You still can't see the puck actually going into the net on many/most of the goals.
- StLBravesFan

this is the most frequent complaint i hear...unable to track the puck and actually see the play and puck go into the net...the puck is not visible with all that chaos on ice....remember the highlight puck tracker they tried 20 years ago...that bombed.

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.
- bogiedoc

I think one of the biggest things going for the NHL is it is a digital sport...Always looks great on the internet and HD TV has helped a lot.

But unlike other major sports there isn't the uniformity with camera positioning for telecasts....That should have changed already. But individual teams still have too much control of their product.

this is the most frequent complaint i hear...unable to track the puck and actually see the play and puck go into the net...the puck is not visible with all that chaos on ice....remember the highlight puck tracker they tried 20 years ago...that bombed.
- bogiedoc

You can't see a line drive scream past 3rd base in real time either...But my previous post mentions the problems with camera angles etc. concerning TV coverage.

You can't see a line drive scream past 3rd base in real time either...But my previous post mentions the problems with camera angles etc. concerning TV coverage.
- Al

I think cameras should be closer to ice level. I like the in-zone camera's behind the net for sustained offensive zone time. A closer look at the gameplay would help people realize(appreciate) the speed, skill and physicality of the sport. Put a camera where Pierre stands instead of having him there LOL. Or an overhead camera like the NFL has started using would be pretty cool. The current camera angle from the 200 level of arenas doesn't do the sport justice on TV, IMO.

I think cameras should be closer to ice level. I like the in-zone camera's behind the net for sustained offensive zone time. A closer look at the gameplay would help people realize(appreciate) the speed, skill and physicality of the sport. Put a camera where Pierre stands instead of having him there LOL. Or an overhead camera like the NFL has started using would be pretty cool. The current camera angle from the 200 level of arenas doesn't do the sport justice on TV, IMO.
- EnzoD

There are challenges because buildings are different but something needs to be done.
Some games that are televised on HNIC for instance looks so much different than a usual telecast.

But this like so many other things would require a mandate, for a level of consistency, coming from the league.

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.
- bogiedoc

Yep I've heard these reasons too but I think if the team you follow is a good team fans can get past some of these reasons for not watching. For me watching a baseball game or even a football game is like watching paint dry in comparison to watching a hockey game and I like baseball and football.

Yep I've heard these reasons too but I think if the team you follow is a good team fans can get past some of these reasons for not watching. For me watching a baseball game or even a football game is like watching paint dry in comparison to watching a hockey game and I like baseball and football.
- jhawk159

But you want fans to watch even if the team they follow ISN'T very good.

They apparently keep watching baseball, football, basketball (pro and college for the latter two) - enough to justify multi-BILLION dollar TV contract - compared to a couple hundred million dollars going to hockey.

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

Where would you guess the penguins acquired Mike Sullivan from?

Make sure you enjoy enjoy the head case mind (frank)ing hall of famer who still coaches your blackhawks when you find out the answer.

Bill Daly saying the cap may remain fairly flat. That's bad for most teams but especially bad for the Hawks.

If it does stay flat, it would be nice to allow another compliance buyout. And the free agency salaries this year are going to look very tame. Stamkos for $8.5M AAV, MAX!!

Where would you guess the penguins acquired Mike Sullivan from?

Make sure you enjoy enjoy the head case mind (frank)ing hall of famer who still coaches your blackhawks when you find out the answer.
- 6628

Ah, yes. Forgot he was a player development coach for the Hawks.

Bill Daly saying the cap may remain fairly flat. That's bad for most teams but especially bad for the Hawks.

If it does stay flat, it would be nice to allow another compliance buyout. And the free agency salaries this year are going to look very tame. Stamkos for $8.5M AAV, MAX!!
- DMChi2010

Doesn't really surprise me. Would have been beneficial if it increased, but this story seemed pretty predictable in a way. Looks like Chicago will have to explore every possible trade opportunity...which I'm sure they are doing right now. I could see Stamkos getting more from some other team.

Bill Daly saying the cap may remain fairly flat. That's bad for most teams but especially bad for the Hawks.

If it does stay flat, it would be nice to allow another compliance buyout. And the free agency salaries this year are going to look very tame. Stamkos for $8.5M AAV, MAX!!
- DMChi2010

Either another compliance buyout, or increase the cap floor. It really isn't fair to the owners that spend that the cap doesn't increase, but to the owners that only spend to the floor they benefit each year the cap remains flat. That is no way to run a business. I hope both Gary and Bill leave, what a pair of failures.

Where would you guess the penguins acquired Mike Sullivan from?

Make sure you enjoy enjoy the head case mind (frank)ing hall of famer who still coaches your blackhawks when you find out the answer.
- 6628

Warts and all, I'll take the three Cups while Q's been here with the core vs the Pens two appearances and one Cup with their Core in the same time period.

Granted, I get your'e not a huge Q fan, which is fine and this is Sullivan's first year with the Pens. He's done a great job.

Point is, for me anyway, is if you'd have told me that 19, 88 and crew would go on to win three Cups since 2009 and that Sid and Geno would still be stuck on one I'd have called you crazy.

Still have the players' accelerator to push the cap up a bit, but if the cap remains flat this pretty much ends any bid to keep Shaw or sign another player to fill the 1LW spot. Going to need to coach up some rookies to fill the void, and accept that the dynasty is officially over.

Probably also need to accept this will likely be Panarin's last year in a Hawk uniform. Between the NMCs in place and the static cap number, there just won't be any room to sign him without moving a player of equal value elsewhere on the roster.

Seeds of a strike now being fertilized.

One bright spot is that expansion rules now reported to no longer have the requirement to expose any percentage of an existing team's salary.

EDIT: if the accelerator is 5% of the $71.4MM cap, and the players approve it, the new cap could be $74,970,000, which would allow the Hawks room to sign some more players this year, and maybe keep Panarin. Sad thing about this scenario is that the players are essentially providing revenue sharing, while the teams are not.

Still have the players' accelerator to push the cap up a bit, but if the cap remains flat this pretty much ends any bid to keep Shaw or sign another player to fill the 1LW spot. Going to need to coach up some rookies to fill the void, and accept that the dynasty is officially over.

Probably also need to accept this will likely be Panarin's last year in a Hawk uniform. Between the NMCs in place and the static cap number, there just won't be any room to sign him without moving a player of equal value elsewhere on the roster.

Seeds of a strike now being fertilized.

One bright spot is that expansion rules now reported to no longer have the requirement to expose any percentage of an existing team's salary.

EDIT: if the accelerator is 5% of the $71.4MM cap, and the players approve it, the new cap could be $74,970,000, which would allow the Hawks room to sign some more players this year, and maybe keep Panarin. Sad thing about this scenario is that the players are essentially providing revenue sharing, while the teams are not.
- Return of the Roar

If that does kick in, they should be able to keep Shaw, and probably could resign Ladd if he's take a one year deal.

When you consider
-the number of free agents looking for high salaries this off-season
-the number of teams up against the cap (esp those prepared to spend to the cap)
-several owners content to stay near the cap floor
-a flat trending cap

Points to only one thing -salaries trending downward. This leaves the Hawks in a bad position relative to many other teams because the Hawks have already overpaid their players.

When you consider
-the number of free agents looking for high salaries this off-season
-the number of teams up against the cap (esp those prepared to spend to the cap)
-several owners content to stay near the cap floor
-a flat trending cap

Points to only one thing -salaries trending downward. This leaves the Hawks in a bad position relative to many other teams because the Hawks have already overpaid their players.
- 67hawks

And it makes the pricey deals already given to the players on NMCs even less attractive to other teams.

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.
- bogiedoc

As far as points 1 and 3, I think hockey would be one of the major sports most improved by the in coming virtual reality technology, if it becomes something more than a novelty. In my mind the NHL should be driving this technology forward, hockey is just not an easy sport for many people to watch on tv and I always hear the casual fan suggest that they enjoy it so much in person, so this kind of tech could really help boost 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.

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

Bettman tries to run the NHL like the NBA, but he is on the wrong side of North American cultural dynamics.

I agree that rules adjustments would help the marketability of the game, but it's like bailing out a lifeboat with a thimble.

The larger issue is the game remains (in the larger markets and most potential expansion markets) pretty much devoid of non-white players and coaches.

I have said it here many times before: until the game expands culturally, it will have a difficult time expanding geographically and economically. Because the culture is and has been changing the other way for a long time.