As for attendance, this year has been awesome. There've been plenty of sell-out games and having attended last night's game, I was hugely disappointed by the turnout. I haven't seen that bad of a turnout in a long time, it was puzzling.

Our games against the Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets were way more packed, even our game against Saint Louis was. I think your classy Philly faithful really do a good job at driving the families away. They've learned by now that a Devils-Flyers game is not a good place to bring your kids, and they sell their tickets on StubHub to you-know-who.
- Marc87

lol

Weird day in here
- funmaster18

You better believe it.

As for attendance, this year has been awesome. There've been plenty of sell-out games and having attended last night's game, I was hugely disappointed by the turnout. I haven't seen that bad of a turnout in a long time, it was puzzling.

Our games against the Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets were way more packed, even our game against Saint Louis was. I think your classy Philly faithful really do a good job at driving the families away. They've learned by now that a Devils-Flyers game is not a good place to bring your kids, and they sell their tickets on StubHub to you-know-who.
- Marc87

Amazing that the Devils draw at an 86% clip then, isn't it? They're 24th in average attendance by volume and 22nd in percentage of capacity. Guess there's been some games that nobody went to mixed in with those sell outs.

I'm also sure that it was really Flyers fans that were chanting Rangers Suck, Flyers Swallow.

I think that when you look at relocation you have to ask yourself 2 things...

1. Does this team draw fans when they are winning?

2. Can ownership be found that can make the team profitable?

If you can answer No to either question then it's time to move the team.. For example. The Islanders have like 0 fan base like NJ... But they have involved ownership... and if they win, the fan base comes back... All they really need is a new stadium and to draw a few repectable UFAs.
- RooNosHockey

See, those questions can tell you relocation should be considered, but the questions to ask "is it time to move this team?" hinge more on the destination. Namely:

-Will it draw fans (i.e. will ticket sales be high)?
-Will it draw non-ticket revenue?
-Will these revenues remain high?
-Is an arena (of proper quality) already available? If not, will the city, state, or local business be open to funding the construction of one? It has to come out of somebody's pocket.

There have to be more questions, but the point is you have to be asking them about the destination. If the answers are no, you're only adding the cost of relocation to the money lost on that franchise.

I can already envision the whiny Philly media tweeting about trying to get into or out of Nome. And the fact that Dr. Pepper costs about $5+ a can and is from 1989.
- wilsonecho91

But, if somebody brought them cupcakes, they'd go on about it for decades

Toronto is already building a new arena in hopes to get another team, though the owner of the arena denies it... But no, there are no guarentees, but we know 1 thing... the Devils dont draw in Jersey... I can't speak to other cities, but it would benefit the league to try new locations for teams like New Jersey and Phoenix... Remeber the league shares revenues... So if these teams cant draw, it hurts every team..
- RooNosHockey

You're not taking too many things into account here. There's 10 or so teams whose attendance is worse, can't just RELOCATE THEM ALL!!! And believe it or not, the assets that the Devils organization owns is worth more to the NHL than 75% of other teams. Prudential Center itself is a top-10 grossing arena in the world. The revenue that the Devils bring in comes from the huge 5-6 block radius of buildings, restaurants, future hotels, parking lots, and the arena itself, which they entirely own. It's not just ticket stubs from poorly-attended games. Bettman knows this and knows how much of a potential gold mine Vanderbeek has invested into, which is why he won't advocate moving the Devils (sorry Rangers and Flyers fans), definitely not within the next 10 years.

As for attendance, this year has been awesome. There've been plenty of sell-out games and having attended last night's game, I was hugely disappointed by the turnout. I haven't seen that bad of a turnout in a long time, it was puzzling.

Our games against the Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets were way more packed, even our game against Saint Louis was. I think your classy Philly faithful really do a good job at driving the families away. They've learned by now that a Devils-Flyers game is not a good place to bring your kids, and they sell their tickets on StubHub to you-know-who.
- Marc87

Devils are 22nd in the league at filling an arena to capasity at 86%. Behind Tampa... There are 17 teams that fill thier arena to at least 99.9% every game. And 1 of those teams hasnt made the playoffs since the lockout...

Only 8 teams are worse, and only Dallas and Florida are playoff teams, and its understandable why they dont have the attendance... And your telling me Arena location is the main reason for this...

I'm just saying, I think the Devils, Phoenix, Dallas, and Panthers are 4 teams that should be considered as relocation projects...

As for attendance, this year has been awesome. There've been plenty of sell-out games and having attended last night's game, I was hugely disappointed by the turnout. I haven't seen that bad of a turnout in a long time, it was puzzling.

Our games against the Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets were way more packed, even our game against Saint Louis was. I think your classy Philly faithful really do a good job at driving the families away. They've learned by now that a Devils-Flyers game is not a good place to bring your kids, and they sell their tickets on StubHub to you-know-who.
- Marc87

Gimme a break. Devils fans are just as classless... and your team is named after Satan for God's sake.. Not exactly a good Christian family name

I think that when you look at relocation you have to ask yourself 2 things...

1. Does this team draw fans when they are winning?

2. Can ownership be found that can make the team profitable?

If you can answer No to either question then it's time to move the team.. For example. The Islanders have like 0 fan base like NJ... But they have involved ownership... and if they win, the fan base comes back... All they really need is a new stadium and to draw a few repectable UFAs.
- RooNosHockey

You have to ask more questions about where you will be relocating.

Look at Winnipeg. If the Canadian dollar was still weak (I read that when the Jets moved to Phoenix the Canadian dollar was worth 68 cents) then Winnipeg wouldn't have a team now. It's the same reason that Quebec moved. Winnipeg also has some building issues they are facing-being in the smallest NHL arena means that they will likely need to build a new arena in the next decade or so.

Teams like Phoenix, Dallas, Los Angeles and Tampa have had much longer lasting monetary issues than a team like New Jersey has had, despite the spotty attendance in NJ.

Amazing that the Devils draw at an 86% clip then, isn't it? They're 24th in average attendance by volume and 22nd in percentage of capacity. Guess there's been some games that nobody went to mixed in with those sell outs.

I'm also sure that it was really Flyers fans that were chanting Rangers Suck, Flyers Swallow.
- Jsaquella

+1, and an extra +1 for the bolded part

Devils are 22nd in the league at filling an arena to capasity at 86%. Behind Tampa... There are 17 teams that fill thier arena to at least 99.9% every game. And 1 of those teams hasnt made the playoffs since the lockout...

Only 8 teams are worse, and only Dallas and Florida are playoff teams, and its understandable why they dont have the attendance... And your telling me Arena location is the main reason for this...

I'm just saying, I think the Devils, Phoenix, Dallas, and Panthers are 4 teams that should be considered as relocation projects...
- RooNosHockey

The Islanders should top any relocation list. Not only do they play in a lousy arena, with spotty attendance, the local government has shown almost no desire to help bridge gaps to build a new arena or repair the current facility.

Phoenix is in much the same situation. Dallas has been hurt by Tom Hicks stewardship, and has shown that fans will return and support a good team, provided the fear of having their pants yanked down is gone.

I thought it was pretty clear that I was insulting you.

The Devils don't have a ton of fans, we all know. What doesn't makes sense (among the numerous nonsensical things you've already said) is why you would be poop-talking to the fans that they do have, as if it's their fault? Or even the team's fault?
- bradleyc4

Let me ask a question, in all seriousness, does a city deserve to keep a team if there is very little fan base?

Meszaros is still limping pretty badly and is off limits to the media, says Panaccio

Best seats ever....for the worst game ever. I could see the white head on the giant zit on the back of bryz's neck. thats how close i was. I got a great look at grossmann , that guy is a beast. Homer really scored there. That manning kid has potential also, huge kid. I was right next to flyers tunnel, IMO i think coburn might be trying to play through an injury

. He was grimacing alot, and kept going back to locker room and coming back. Wow from the attendence you wouldnt know that was a devils/flyers game. Empty seats allover the place, do they ever sellout?? Lol Its a shame, such a beautiful building and such a weak fanbase.

The Islanders should top any relocation list. Not only do they play in a lousy arena, with spotty attendance, the local government has shown almost no desire to help bridge gaps to build a new arena or repair the current facility.

Phoenix is in much the same situation. Dallas has been hurt by Tom Hicks stewardship, and has shown that fans will return and support a good team, provided the fear of having their pants yanked down is gone.
- Jsaquella

I'm betting the Islanders end up in Brooklyn's new stadium.

Meszaros is still limping pretty badly and is off limits to the media, says Panaccio
- Jsaquella

Guess we won't be seeing him anytime soon.

Best seats ever....for the worst game ever. I could see the white head on the giant zit on the back of bryz's neck. thats how close i was. I got a great look at grossmann , that guy is a beast. Homer really scored there. That manning kid has potential also, huge kid. I was right next to flyers tunnel, IMO i think coburn might be trying to play through an injury

. He was grimacing alot, and kept going back to locker room and coming back. Wow from the attendence you wouldnt know that was a devils/flyers game. Empty seats allover the place, do they ever sellout?? Lol Its a shame, such a beautiful building and such a weak fanbase.
- EastBeast18

carefull. I've been taking a verbal beating for saying this all day...

Gimme a break. Devils fans are just as classless... and your team is named after Satan for God's sake.. Not exactly a good Christian family name
- Hextall271

really they are named after the Jersey Devil, which is a mythical creature in the area..

carefull. I've been taking a verbal beating for saying this all day...
- RooNosHockey

might be time for a username switch. dont forget to change your location this time though

Devils are 22nd in the league at filling an arena to capasity at 86%. Behind Tampa... There are 17 teams that fill thier arena to at least 99.9% every game. And 1 of those teams hasnt made the playoffs since the lockout...

Only 8 teams are worse, and only Dallas and Florida are playoff teams, and its understandable why they dont have the attendance... And your telling me Arena location is the main reason for this...

I'm just saying, I think the Devils, Phoenix, Dallas, and Panthers are 4 teams that should be considered as relocation projects...
- RooNosHockey

Read my post right above yours for more in-depth reasons the Devils will not relocate anytime soon. The short version: what the Devils bring to the NHL table isn't just some poor attendance money, it's the arena they own, and a huge urban redevelopment plan they're involved in.

Poor attendance is an obvious reason for you guys to give to advocate a relocation but there's a lot more to the equation than that.

Meszaros is still limping pretty badly and is off limits to the media, says Panaccio
- Jsaquella

Let me ask a question, in all seriousness, does a city deserve to keep a team if there is very little fan base?
- nastyflyergirl

Very little, sure. I don't think NJ qualifies, however.

Read my post right above yours for more in-depth reasons the Devils will not relocate anytime soon. The short version: what the Devils bring to the NHL table isn't just some poor attendance money, it's the arena they own, and a huge urban redevelopment plan they're involved in.

Poor attendance is an obvious reason for you guys to give to advocate a relocation but there's a lot more to the equation than that.
- Marc87

So the NHL should stay in Jersey because people eat in the resturants near the stadium... Woot. Woot. That makes me feel better. Whew... At least the resturants, Gym's, Tanning salons, and Laundries are full. Who care if anyone cares about the team...

No wonder Kovalchuk chose Jersey over LA... No-body cares about the team... He can remain int he shadows without people recognising him...

As for attendance, this year has been awesome. There've been plenty of sell-out games and having attended last night's game, I was hugely disappointed by the turnout. I haven't seen that bad of a turnout in a long time, it was puzzling.

Our games against the Canucks and the Winnipeg Jets were way more packed, even our game against Saint Louis was. I think your classy Philly faithful really do a good job at driving the families away. They've learned by now that a Devils-Flyers game is not a good place to bring your kids, and they sell their tickets on StubHub to you-know-who.
- Marc87

I was onboard until this. IF a Flyers/devils game is what you say than that is an indictment on your fans for not buying the tickets to keep the barbarian invaders out. Oh wait I'm stuck in fiction mode and all verklempt , I'll leave you guys to yourselves, talk amongst yourselves talk amongst yourselves.

Read my post right above yours for more in-depth reasons the Devils will not relocate anytime soon. The short version: what the Devils bring to the NHL table isn't just some poor attendance money, it's the arena they own, and a huge urban redevelopment plan they're involved in.

Poor attendance is an obvious reason for you guys to give to advocate a relocation but there's a lot more to the equation than that.
- Marc87

I think NJ should stay right were they are. Its beautiful there. No reason to move the team imo.