no. goodbye.
- arothman

Premier League: big teams like Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea are perennial contenders because they have the most money and fans. That's the way it should be in the NHL as well.

Exactly. Enough is enough. Why should huge, passionate fanbases suffer at the expense of poop franchises like columbus and phoenix. Cause the NHL is an American league that's only about the money know, that's why. They better give us McDavid, but I bet he ends up in Arizona
- cesareborgia

Arizona, New Jersey, pick another dreg that doesn't deserve it! I fear he may end up playing in Jersey, so he'll be in the New York City market. That way, Gary can lead him around by the nose, to try to sell his wares to the big U.S. networks.

Lmao bro you're mad . How does it feel being your teams only fan?
- cesareborgia

Actually, the jackets have been one of the top teams this year in terms of Fanbase growth, as evidenced by more season ticket sales and higher TV ratings. Columbus has a high standard for sports, so we tend to not watch if a team sucks. Meanwhile, Toronto has been awful for decades but for some reason fans keep opening their pocketbooks for them. They're wising up now, with the consecutive sellout record being broken. How's that for facts?

Actually, the jackets have been one of the top teams this year in terms of Fanbase growth, as evidenced by more season ticket sales and higher TV ratings. Columbus has a high standard for sports, so we tend to not watch if a team sucks. Meanwhile, Toronto has been awful for decades but for some reason fans keep opening their pocketbooks for them. They're wising up now, with the consecutive sellout record being broken. How's that for facts?
- Roadkill90

Yeah the fact that people support the Leafs even though they suck, sucks.

But the bolded sentence...


You have no idea how hard you made me laugh. I thank you for that. It was a joke right? People don't watch the Jackets because they've always been poop, that's true. But also because your fanbase is small, not as interested in hockey, and a bunch of bandwagon jumpers.

A team with 10 part-time fans in Arizona definitely deserves to be as good as a team with 1,000,000 diehard fans that supports the entire league.

Oh man some people are just too funny.

Yeah the fact that people support the Leafs even though they suck, sucks.

But the bolded sentence...


You have no idea how hard you made me laugh. I thank you for that. It was a joke right? People don't watch the Jackets because they've always been poop, that's true. But also because your fanbase is small, not as interested in hockey, and a bunch of bandwagon jumpers.

A team with 10 part-time fans in Arizona definitely deserves to be as good as a team with 1,000,000 diehard fans that supports the entire league.

Oh man some people are just too funny.
- cesareborgia

We have something in common. You made me laugh too! Your assumption that all small market team's fanbases are woefully small and fair weather is stupid at best and arrogant and willfully ignorant at worst. Come to Columbus sometime for a Leafs/Jackets game. I have a feeling you'll change your tune.

We have something in common. You made me laugh too! Your assumption that all small market team's fanbases are woefully small and fair weather is stupid at best and arrogant and willfully ignorant at worst. Come to Columbus sometime for a Leafs/Jackets game. I have a feeling you'll change your tune.
- Roadkill90

Teams with more money/fans should be better. That's my point. Underdogs like Coumbus will still compete and sometimes win. But they should still be underdogs. When two big market teams play, that's a HUGE deal. That right there is entertainment

Leaf fans...you make me laugh. It's like they think they are good and can talk down to fans of other teams. You're not exactly Detroit with it's long, sustained success...in fact, you're kind of like the Browns of the NHL. Just own it. Accept the mediocrity as part of who you are.

As to Reilly, it sucks if he goes to UFA, but it's part of the system. The kid went to college and got better at his craft. *shrugs* I'd love to have him, but i'm not going to wish him any ill will for doing what is, probably, in his best interest financially.

Teams with more money/fans should be better. That's my point. Underdogs like Coumbus will still compete and sometimes win. But they should still be underdogs. When two big market teams play, that's a HUGE deal. That right there is entertainment
- cesareborgia

I believe the sport you're looking for is baseball.

I believe the sport you're looking for is baseball.
- vertigo1061

Most leagues do that actually. Because it's better. Bettman just wants to grow the game in poopy US cities.

Leaf fans...you make me laugh. It's like they think they are good and can talk down to fans of other teams. You're not exactly Detroit with it's long, sustained success...in fact, you're kind of like the Browns of the NHL. Just own it. Accept the mediocrity as part of who you are.

As to Reilly, it sucks if he goes to UFA, but it's part of the system. The kid went to college and got better at his craft. *shrugs* I'd love to have him, but i'm not going to wish him any ill will for doing what is, probably, in his best interest financially.
- vertigo1061

Columbus fans make me laugh too. Oh wait no they don't, because you never see one

Without the Leafs, this 30 team league doesn't exist. A city like Columbus with your 10 fans does not deserve a good hockey team.

Leafs are Manchester United
Columbus is Hull City

Most leagues do that actually. Because it's better. Bettman just wants to grow the game in poopy US cities.
- cesareborgia

Without the top 5 teams, the NHL would shrink to 16 teams. Without the big revenue generators, there would be no Arizona, Columbus, Florida, Carolina.........

Columbus fans make me laugh too. Oh wait no they don't, because you never see one

Without the Leafs, this 30 team league doesn't exist. A city like Columbus with your 10 fans does not deserve a good hockey team.

Leafs are Manchester United
Columbus is Hull City
- cesareborgia

Poor Toronto fan mad that his team is perpetually terrible. Riddle me this, how is it that you can spend as much money as you do under the cap and still be as bad as you are? It's really got to grind your gears that a team like Columbus can be just so much better than your team by spending less and having fewer fans. Gosh darn. I guess God just likes us better. *shrugs*

Poor Toronto fan mad that his team is perpetually terrible. Riddle me this, how is it that you can spend as much money as you do under the cap and still be as bad as you are? It's really got to grind your gears that a team like Columbus can be just so much better than your team by spending less and having fewer fans. Gosh darn. I guess God just likes us better. *shrugs*
- vertigo1061

I'm so mad and jealous of your prestigious team and your many, many cup wins.


It grinds my gears that there is a salary cap and revenue sharing. Either pick one, or the other. The greedy American owners don't care about the game, they care about a team with 10 fans (like Columbus) being able to make the playoffs. The reason you guys have a team is because big teams give you the money. Your pathetic fanbase cannot even support your team. Disgraceful.

I'm so mad and jealous of your prestigious team and your many, many cup wins.


It grinds my gears that there is a salary cap and revenue sharing. Either pick one, or the other. The greedy American owners don't care about the game, they care about a team with 10 fans (like Columbus) being able to make the playoffs. The reason you guys have a team is because big teams give you the money. Your pathetic fanbase cannot even support your team. Disgraceful.
- cesareborgia

Yup. Me, Vertigo, the other 8 fans, and the illustrious Leafs are the only reason the Jackets exist. Not the owner of a Fortune 500 company with hometown pride who fronted ALL the money to get this franchise started. Get your facts straight troll

I'm so mad and jealous of your prestigious team and your many, many cup wins.


It grinds my gears that there is a salary cap and revenue sharing. Either pick one, or the other. The greedy American owners don't care about the game, they care about a team with 10 fans (like Columbus) being able to make the playoffs. The reason you guys have a team is because big teams give you the money. Your pathetic fanbase cannot even support your team. Disgraceful.
- cesareborgia

Also : "For a bottom-15 team to collect a full revenue sharing cheque, it must reach at least 80% capacity in home attendance (last year that meant averaging about 14,000 per game) and show revenue growth that exceeds the league average. Missing either threshold means a cut in the share." Stop me if I'm making you look like an idiot

Also : "For a bottom-15 team to collect a full revenue sharing cheque, it must reach at least 80% capacity in home attendance (last year that meant averaging about 14,000 per game) and show revenue growth that exceeds the league average. Missing either threshold means a cut in the share." Stop me if I'm making you look like an idiot
- Roadkill90

It's funny because you think you actually have a point

If you're gonna respond, please try and do so in an intelligent and relevant manner.

It's funny because you think you actually have a point

If you're gonna respond, please try and do so in an intelligent and relevant manner.
- cesareborgia

http://www.forbes.com/sit...and-who-doesnt-have-them/
In case some of the words in there are too big for you to understand, it basically says only 3 teams turn a profit. So by your logic, there should only be 3 teams in the league, none of which have won a cup since 1994. Good luck with that

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2012/09/18/nhl-lockout-is-all-about-the-benjamins-and-who-doesnt-have-them/
In case some of the words in there are too big for you to understand, it basically says only 3 teams turn a profit. So by your logic, there should only be 3 teams in the league, none of which have won a cup since 1994. Good luck with that
- Roadkill90

Putting words in my mouth to try and prove your frail argument. Nice

Unsustainable teams like FLA and ARZ and CLB should not exist. These cities do not have a fanbase that can support them. All they do is dilute the league of talent. Ideally there'd be around 20-24 teams.

Remove one of either the cap or revenue sharing, preferably both. Bigger teams deserve to have more talent. Yankees in MLB. Real Madrid in La Liga. This doesn't mean they're guaranteed a cup, but teams with large fanbases deserve to be competitive every year.

Although, being a CLB fan, I can't be angry at you for siding with Bettman

Putting words in my mouth to try and prove your frail argument. Nice

Unsustainable teams like FLA and ARZ and CLB should not exist. These cities do not have a fanbase that can support them. All they do is dilute the league of talent. Ideally there'd be around 20-24 teams.

Remove one of either the cap or revenue sharing, preferably both. Bigger teams deserve to have more talent. Yankees in MLB. Real Madrid in La Liga. This doesn't mean they're guaranteed a cup, but teams with large fanbases deserve to be competitive every year.

Although, being a CLB fan, I can't be angry at you for siding with Bettman
- cesareborgia

Still didn't address my point. Most teams in the NHL are not turning a profit so by your definition they aren't sustainable. And your point that large market teams deserve more talent holds no water. If all the big market teams kept all the talent, an overwhelming majority of teams would be mired in mediocrity or worse. Less parity = less entertainment. Nobody wants to watch the same 4 or 5 teams win over and over. And the only reason I insulted your intelligence is because you insulted mine.

Still didn't address my point. Most teams in the NHL are not turning a profit so by your definition they aren't sustainable. And your point that large market teams deserve more talent holds no water. If all the big market teams kept all the talent, an overwhelming majority of teams would be mired in mediocrity or worse. Less parity = less entertainment. Nobody wants to watch the same 4 or 5 teams win over and over. And the only reason I insulted your intelligence is because you insulted mine.
- Roadkill90

All I want is for the cap to be removed. Small market teams will still have a chance, look who won the cup the season before the cap was implemented.

Most leagues do that actually. Because it's better. Bettman just wants to grow the game in poopy US cities.
- cesareborgia

Most leagues do what?

Columbus fans make me laugh too. Oh wait no they don't, because you never see one

Without the Leafs, this 30 team league doesn't exist. A city like Columbus with your 10 fans does not deserve a good hockey team.

Leafs are Manchester United
Columbus is Hull City
- cesareborgia

This is an inane post, just like most of them from this gentleman are. Columbus had great attendance at the beginning of the franchise until everyone realized how one of your fine Canadian TV/media analysts royally screwed up the franchise.

I've been a fan since the beginning of the CBJ, and I was a fan of the AHL Cleveland Barons a long time before that. I remember nights when the AHL Barons were considered almost an NHL franchise because it was filled with great players who could not get into a six team league that was a blip on anyone's radar outside of Toronto, New York, Boston, Detroit, Montreal and Chicago.

There is a fanbase large enough to support the team. The only problem we have in Central Ohio is that there are other things to do in the winter; unlike Toronto who has many people paying massive ticket prices to watch a second-rate franchise their own fans on this site hate on every day. Must not have much else to do these days up there.

BTW for such a massive market as Toronto is they sure do not support their Baseball and NBA franchises when they lose. So have fun enjoying the tank and the 10-year rebuild. Let us know how it feels in two years when your 1/3 empty arena is filled with Habs fans watching your team get crushed again.

And while you complain about all the cash you supposedly spend to support other teams, I wonder if you really would like a 6-10 team NHL, which is exactly what you are in essence proposing. Whether you like it or not the NHL is a much bigger sport in the US and Canada and the Leafs make more $$$ because there other so called 'small' market teams in the league. You really think any network in the US would even think about any significant TV deal with a 6-12 team NHL?

Enjoy living in the past sir, and thanks for your opinion.

Columbus fans make me laugh too. Oh wait no they don't, because you never see one

Without the Leafs, this 30 team league doesn't exist. A city like Columbus with your 10 fans does not deserve a good hockey team.

Leafs are Manchester United
Columbus is Hull City
- cesareborgia

Losers
Even
After
Forty-eight
Seasons

Keep talking buddy your team is awesome!

This is an inane post, just like most of them from this gentleman are. Columbus had great attendance at the beginning of the franchise until everyone realized how one of your fine Canadian TV/media analysts royally screwed up the franchise.

I've been a fan since the beginning of the CBJ, and I was a fan of the AHL Cleveland Barons a long time before that. I remember nights when the AHL Barons were considered almost an NHL franchise because it was filled with great players who could not get into a six team league that was a blip on anyone's radar outside of Toronto, New York, Boston, Detroit, Montreal and Chicago.

There is a fanbase large enough to support the team. The only problem we have in Central Ohio is that there are other things to do in the winter; unlike Toronto who has many people paying massive ticket prices to watch a second-rate franchise their own fans on this site hate on every day. Must not have much else to do these days up there.

BTW for such a massive market as Toronto is they sure do not support their Baseball and NBA franchises when they lose. So have fun enjoying the tank and the 10-year rebuild. Let us know how it feels in two years when your 1/3 empty arena is filled with Habs fans watching your team get crushed again.

And while you complain about all the cash you supposedly spend to support other teams, I wonder if you really would like a 6-10 team NHL, which is exactly what you are in essence proposing. Whether you like it or not the NHL is a much bigger sport in the US and Canada and the Leafs make more $$$ because there other so called 'small' market teams in the league. You really think any network in the US would even think about any significant TV deal with a 6-12 team NHL?

Enjoy living in the past sir, and thanks for your opinion.
- jkumpire

I didn't read most of your post, but did you try and compare the City of Toronto to Columbus?

Losers
Even
After
Forty-eight
Seasons

Keep talking buddy your team is awesome!
- K-man25

You're a Blue Jackets fan