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.
- John Jaeckel

Amen. It is an expensive sport. The cost of entry is an absolute prohibition for low income populations to participate. It is a ball and a free city park basketball court versus thousands in equipment, rink fees, travel expenses year after year.

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.
- John Jaeckel

....And to make the changes you mentioned requires a total league wide effort. Now things are left up to individual franchises to develop youth hockey etc. So there are 30 different owners doing what they feel best serves them, but necessarily what will be best for the entire league.

The initiative is there in some respects in certain cities but it is a scattered effort. Plus the league isn't bearing the cost for most of it.

The way to to diversify is to start at the youth level and grow the game to a larger segment of the population and that can be through roller hockey programs instead of on ice. That way it can start happening now with less cost.

Again this points to one directive from a leader in a position to do so and with the foresight to understand the status quo is not good enough.

Although the same ole is good enough for him to keep a very well paid position.

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.
- John Jaeckel

While this is true, the fact is that Hockey is a "niche" sport, and will always remain so for a number of reasons. Hockey will always remain behind Baseball, football and basketball in terms of the major sports. While they may be able to increase the fan base and the penetration into non-traditional hockey markets, it still pales in comparison to what the other major sports draw. A throw-away regular season baseball game in April/May outdraws a game 7 Hockey game in ratings by a 3 or 4 to 1 margin.

Hockey is not just expensive as a sport to participate in, it requires specialized skills and specialized venues. Every kid regardless of when they enter the sport possesses the basic ability to play baseball, basketball, football. They require the ability to run. A kid with no prior experience can walk onto his HS football team and be a star. The same cannot be said of Hockey. The ability to skate and consistent access to an Ice surface makes Hockey an unrealistic goal for most kids.

Amen. It is an expensive sport. The cost of entry is an absolute prohibition for low income populations to participate. It is a ball and a free city park basketball court versus thousands in equipment, rink fees, travel expenses year after year.
- Return of the Roar

As someone who has a kid that just graduated HS after years of playing hockey and two others in the pipeline, the costs are ridiculous. I am not wealthy at all, but do have a fair amount of disposable income to give my kids a chance that so many others do not. And on the flip side of that, there is the higher earner than myself who literally has his kid in every camp, clinic, event, skate, etc...chances maybe my kids don't get. So when I a bummed I need to scale back my kids camps/lessons I think of the kid who can't even get a pair of skates to take the ice. My kids have done great...none have very good genetics (for physical size)...for what me and their mother gave them physically so I am pretty happy for them. But what a lot of money. I'm scared to count it all up.

My oldest son became a goalie and he went through 4 sets of pads over the years (after the early days of hand me down stuff), sticks, took various lessons, did camps and clinics, did tryouts (which cost), made teams, traveled, tourney fees, hotel, eating out, he also had skate out gear as he would skate out in the summer or for Junior Varsity on occasion....my youngest son is following the same path (though a skater) and going into his major PeeWee year I guess since Mites we have done 25-30 tournaments while doing regular league games to go with all the accompanying costs. All those cost money, usually lots of it (a few have been local where hotels were not necessary). My middle child (girl) also plays, and while she's on a competitive girls U16 team (though she could be in U14) she really only does it for fun and to hang out with the girls.

This stuff is expensive, but the experiences ALL my kids are having are priceless. I have also coached all 3 of them at various levels which adds another fun dynamic to the mix at times....I wish EVERY parent could experience hockey season with their kids.

Ice rinks cost money though. I don't know the solution to be honest. There is only so far charitable contributions from local NHL teams seem to go.

Good size (6'2'' 207), good skater, very gritty player. An interesting case: his regular KHL statistics is nothing special. But as soon as playoffs come, he starts to play way better. And now he's 3+3 after 6 games at WHC as a 4th-liner.

from someone that watched him in WC: To me he and Telegin are better, than Kalinin and can be solid 3rd-liners in the NHL.


No idea if we are one of the teams but I would hope we are. We are going to need cheap guys playing in a lot of spots. had only 6G in 46 and 7 in 52 the last 2 years. was better in playoffs 4G in 12 4G in 15 and 4g in 10 WC games.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3WYYO7Ypss


http://www.todaysslapshot...n-lyubimov-make-jump-nhl/


ROMAN LYUBIMOV Russia


BIRTHYEAR 1992-01-06 BIRTHPLACE Tver, RUS
AGE 24 NATION Russia
POSITION C/LW SHOOTS R
HEIGHT 188 cm / 6'2" WEIGHT 94 kg / 207 lbs

The ability to skate and consistent access to an Ice surface makes Hockey an unrealistic goal for most kids.
- TheTrob

This is very sad....but very true

As someone who has a kid that just graduated HS after years of playing hockey and two others in the pipeline, the costs are ridiculous. I am not wealthy at all, but do have a fair amount of disposable income to give my kids a chance that so many others do not. And on the flip side of that, there is the higher earner than myself who literally has his kid in every camp, clinic, event, skate, etc...chances maybe my kids don't get. So when I a bummed I need to scale back my kids camps/lessons I think of the kid who can't even get a pair of skates to take the ice. My kids have done great...none have very good genetics (for physical size)...for what me and their mother gave them physically so I am pretty happy for them. But what a lot of money. I'm scared to count it all up.

My oldest son became a goalie and he went through 4 sets of pads over the years (after the early days of hand me down stuff), sticks, took various lessons, did camps and clinics, did tryouts (which cost), made teams, traveled, tourney fees, hotel, eating out, he also had skate out gear as he would skate out in the summer or for Junior Varsity on occasion....my youngest son is following the same path (though a skater) and going into his major PeeWee year I guess since Mites we have done 25-30 tournaments while doing regular league games to go with all the accompanying costs. All those cost money, usually lots of it (a few have been local where hotels were not necessary). My middle child (girl) also plays, and while she's on a competitive girls U16 team (though she could be in U14) she really only does it for fun and to hang out with the girls.

This stuff is expensive, but the experiences ALL my kids are having are priceless. I have also coached all 3 of them at various levels which adds another fun dynamic to the mix at times....I wish EVERY parent could experience hockey season with their kids.

Ice rinks cost money though. I don't know the solution to be honest. There is only so far charitable contributions from local NHL teams seem to go.
- kwolf68

Well said kwolf. I have put 2 kids thru hockey thru the college level, coached, managed, etc. The experiences and lessons are priceless, adding up all the costs after the fact serves no purpose, the lessons, friendships and experiences are worth way more than the actual dollar amount.

Well said kwolf. I have put 2 kids thru hockey thru the college level, coached, managed, etc. The experiences and lessons are priceless, adding up all the costs after the fact serves no purpose, the lessons, friendships and experiences are worth way more than the actual dollar amount.
- TheTrob

No doubt. I bet if you go back and recollect your memories with your kids a majority of them will actually be away from the ice events.

The on ice stuff I remember the best is the funny poop. My oldest son's U16 Midget team a few years ago...we had a clown on this team and he ended up whacking a kid on another team, that kid retaliated and got a penalty so this kid on our team then "rode his stick" right in front of their bench. LMAO....he coulda gotten tossed in the bin himself, but that's what I remember of that game. I can't even remember if we won (think we lost 3-2)

This is very sad....but very true
- kwolf68

More NHL players than you realize played a lot of road hockey and also in the last 15 years roller hockey.

More NHL players than you realize played a lot of road hockey and also in the last 15 years roller hockey.
- Al

There is some cross over and inline hockey is WAY cheaper, but the player still needs to ice skate. Inline can certainly improve a players hands.

Finding access to ice that is affordable is a huge issue. I think that is why lacrosse is becoming popular. Similarities to hockey but it can be played on grass. A lot easier for high school athletic programs to afford. They have the fields already and they can make the kids families eat some of the equipment costs. You also don't have to bus kids to practice etc vs. hockey you have to get everyone to the rink.


Even if street/roller hockey are being played more often it is not quite the same unless you get a roller rink with boards etc. Another issue is hockey is a very organized sport maybe second to football in terms of needed organization and equipment. Basketball and soccer you can play with minimal actual structure and organization.

A lot of kids don't get exposed to hockey. Growing up the suburbs it was hard to even get a pickup game of street hockey organized. I think it is easier for parents to have their kid play a sport where running is the natural movement versus teaching them to skate in order for them to play.

Just my two cents.

There is some cross over and inline hockey is WAY cheaper, but the player still needs to ice skate. Inline can certainly improve a players hands.
- kwolf68

I dont like playing inline.

The skating is really not the same at all regards to pushing, turning, edgework, and obviously start/stop strength/explosiveness.

While inline is beneficial for developing hand speed primarily to puck/ball handling, inline develops a lot of bad tendencies for shooting/release due to the much lighter puck or roller ball

Just heard:

Hawks may go hard after Shipachyov and Vesey.

Also, depending on where the cap settles, there could be some "BIG SURPRISES" coming.

....And to make the changes you mentioned requires a total league wide effort. Now things are left up to individual franchises to develop youth hockey etc. So there are 30 different owners doing what they feel best serves them, but necessarily what will be best for the entire league.

The initiative is there in some respects in certain cities but it is a scattered effort. Plus the league isn't bearing the cost for most of it.

The way to to diversify is to start at the youth level and grow the game to a larger segment of the population and that can be through roller hockey programs instead of on ice. That way it can start happening now with less cost.

Again this points to one directive from a leader in a position to do so and with the foresight to understand the status quo is not good enough.

Although the same ole is good enough for him to keep a very well paid position.

- Al

The next two weeks will tell the TV story - and I'm sure we already know the answer:

Sharks vs. Warriors - not head to head exactly, but on alternate nights.

Let's see how skewed the ratings are.

bhawks2241 ... good comments. All my kids play or played lacrosse as well. So there is some crossover.

I dont like playing inline.

The skating is really not the same at all regards to pushing, turning, edgework, and obviously start/stop strength/explosiveness.

While inline is beneficial for developing hand speed primarily to puck/ball handling, inline develops a lot of bad tendencies for shooting/release due to the much lighter puck or roller ball
- FourFeathers773

90% - 99% - 99.99% of all young hockey players will never come close to a pro ice hockey contract

The goal should be to develop them as fans - and inline might be able to help.

Just heard:

Hawks may go hard after Shipachyov and Vesey.

Also, depending on where the cap settles, there could be some "BIG SURPRISES" coming.
- John Jaeckel

I wouldn't be surprised about Shipachyov but I would be surprised about Vesey.

As a Blackhawks fan losing some of our fan favourites has become a tradition in the off season. I'm at the point where I don't worry about it anymore and just accept that it will happen. I don't like it, but there's nothing that us fans can do about it. That's the price of success.

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

I think Stamkos gets 10M minimum..and that's down from my prediction that he'd garner more then Kane/Toews (since he's actually likely to hit UFA where they didn't).

bhawks2241 ... good comments. All my kids play or played lacrosse as well. So there is some crossover.
- kwolf68

Lacrosse is booming.

I played in college then coached grades 1-6. Kids love the game and it doesn't have the cost barriers hockey does. PLUS, it is already gaining traction in the inner cities.

The other thing it has going for it is it is essentially a North American game.

Just heard:

Hawks may go hard after Shipachyov and Vesey.

Also, depending on where the cap settles, there could be some "BIG SURPRISES" coming.
- John Jaeckel

Hawks have 1LW spot ready for Vesey and he probably couldnt find a better spot to walk into in the NHL, playing next to Toews and on a power play unit with guys like Panarin and Kane.

I was harping that Chicago was going to take a big swing at him if he was going to walk away from Nashville

Just heard:

Hawks may go hard after Shipachyov and Vesey.

Also, depending on where the cap settles, there could be some "BIG SURPRISES" coming.
- John Jaeckel

I've been hinting at Vessey, not that I know anything but just had a feeling

I wouldn't be surprised about Shipachyov but I would be surprised about Vesey.

As a Blackhawks fan losing some of our fan favourites has become a tradition in the off season. I'm at the point where I don't worry about it anymore and just accept that it will happen. I don't like it, but there's nothing that us fans can do about it. That's the price of success.
- DarthKane

Just what I heard. Very good source.

Just what I heard. Very good source.
- John Jaeckel

I'm not doubting anything, and I'm sure they will try. Just saying that landing Vesey would be a very big catch for Stan and company. There will be a lot of competition to sign Vesey and it won't be easy.

Just what I heard. Very good source.
- John Jaeckel

Whats the timing on being able to sign them? Vesey has to wait until August or something right? What about shippy?

I'm not doubting anything, and I'm sure they will try. Just saying that landing Vesey would be a very big catch for Stan and company. There will be a lot of competition to sign Vesey and it won't be easy.
- DarthKane

If the Hawks could sign Vadim Shipachyov, I would tether something to Bickell to trade him out and then trade Anisimov

That creates $8.5 mil in cap space right there