^ this

not sure if credible, it's ESPN, but CHI still sells out more seats on the average night than any other team, and they are 2nd last in the west. NYI are last in attendnace but 1st in their division.

http://www.espn.com/nhl/attendance
- Codes1087

Chicago probably locked in season ticket holders for several years after their cup run, and Islanders have had arena issues, but I look at teams like Buffalo who has been straight up awful for the past 5-6 years:

2013-14: 11th
2014-15: 13th
2015-16: 10th
2016-17: 15th
2017-18: 11th

Also for the record, the Islanders/NHL games are so insignificant that Barclay's Centre wanted them gone to open more dates for concerts/events as they are more profitable. Team owners that own their facilities don't care about 41 home dates of mediocre attendance when they sell out everything else

I remember the McDavid year when Buffalo and Arizona played each other late in the year and they were fighting over the bottom spot. Pretty pathetic hockey to watch, you could tell they were both trying to lose
- NorthNuck

I remember that. I think it was like 0-0 going into the third and when the other team scored (Arizona I think) Buffalo fans were cheering.

I remember that. I think it was like 0-0 going into the third and when the other team scored (Arizona I think) Buffalo fans were cheering.
- 93Nucks

Truely an embarassment for the NHL. There's conspiracy theories that they jury rigged the lottery so EDM would get it that year because they were legitimately bad as opposed to rewarding either BUF or ARI for tanking

Those teams try and accelerate their rebuilds all the time. Its just that their management is stupid and make bad decisions that flunk their team again.

Look at Florida. Talent out, grit in. Oh poop the team got worse.

Phoenix, signs tons of mid level UFAs, cash in prospects for useful players, still bad. Carolina's in a similar boat.

Buffalo, tanked intentionally, felt the heat on ticket sales, has tried to course correct spending assets and money to make their team better.

The Blues can't afford a long rebuild as they'll have an empty stadium.

The Ducks, Kings, Flyers, Stars, etc. can't afford to lose long term and be 4th, 6th, 8th, in their market.

Edmonton, got tired of the "rebuild" so they spent players and money to get "now" pieces, ended up back at the bottom. A lot of the panic this year is because the first batch of STHs, arena advertising and premium suites are up after this year and its tough to convince a company to pay 500k on a 3yr contract for their premium box to a team no one wants to watch.
- Lindenis#1

Some teams do try to accelerate, but thats because they feel they have the pieces, not because they are losing money.

Ducks, Kings, and Flyers all own their facilities. In 2014, for example, the Staples Center brought in $315 million in revenue and its regularly in the top 10 in the world, they could play in an empty arena and still be profitable. Ducks and Flyers rinks are the prime concert facilities in major cities, they do very well

Dallas and St.Louis have the arena management contract which earns them a cut of every event held, regardless if its hockey (Florida earned $5.96 million in revenue last year to manage BB&T Centre). Not as profitable as being the sole owner, but there is plenty of revenue coming in that is not hockey related.

per Jpat:

Baertschi-EP40-Boeser
Granlund-Horvat-Leivo
Roussel-Sutter-Virtanen
Eriksson-Beagle-Motte

(goldy/schaller)

per Jpat:

Baertschi-EP40-Boeser
Granlund-Horvat-Leivo
Roussel-Sutter-Virtanen
Eriksson-Beagle-Motte

(goldy/schaller)
- Codes1087

Virt is back in? Weird

Virt is back in? Weird
- NorthNuck

Green wants to shotgun (or an excuse to anyway)

Virt is back in? Weird
- NorthNuck

Goldy out again 😍😍😍🎉

I've liked the Gold Plan as the more reasonable option to give meaningful games to fans into April. I also support the idea of a playoff for losers where the results are the order - no more luck

Though rare, I think injuries and mid season surgeries would become more strategic in a system where the incentive is to win late in the season.
- WhiteLie

Can see why the owners didnt go for it, cant be a bottom feeder forever.

Green wants to shotgun (or an excuse to anyway)
- Codes1087

Glad I have beer in the fridge and don't have to go out shopping in -40 after work

Virt is back in? Weird
- NorthNuck

Heard Green this morning, Virtanen was never out, he just let the media run with their speculation. It was a pretty funny bit him trolling the media.

Heard Green this morning, Virtanen was never out, he just let the media run with their speculation. It was a pretty funny bit him trolling the media.
- Marwood

He was trolling Goblin, even better. The useless sap thought he might get to play again

He was trolling Goblin, even better. The useless sap thought he might get to play again
- CanuckDon

Millennials