The NHL is a joke
mintluster
Posts: 926
in Sports Talk
I hope the league folds and never comes back......nobody will miss it in America.
It's total crap anyway, a non-family sport that appeals to 20-25 year old drunk males.
All the fighting and 0-0 tie games.....what a bunch of crap, we are better off without the NHL.
It's total crap anyway, a non-family sport that appeals to 20-25 year old drunk males.
All the fighting and 0-0 tie games.....what a bunch of crap, we are better off without the NHL.
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But dont worry... you keep watching your "family sports" like football, basketball and baseball... so more violence, the use of steroids, and other drugs of course, and all the felons. Good ole family fun huh.
-Pull back the number of teams to 16. There just isn't enough talent (or fanbase) to support the number of teams currently out there.
-Hard salary cap. Make the ticket pricing low enough to get families back in the areas, and build your fan base, just like arena football has done. Arena football has a tremendous fan atmosphere.
-Eliminate the fighting altogether. Make any fight a 5 minute major, and eject any player who comes off the bench to participate, and suspend for the next game.
I know none of the above will ever happen...and it's unfortunate. I think hockey can be a lot of fun (so much more so in person than on TV), but the prices to watch a game for a family are just crazy.
I think they should go back to the original 6 teams plus keep six others that are great hockey cities.
Seeing players being traded so often puts a damper on the game as well.. Why would someone ever buy their favourite players jersey when odds are they'll be wearing a different one in a year or two. Steve Yzerman I think is so well loved not only because he's a great consistent player but because he's been with the same team since he first stepped onto NHL ice. I'm sure he's been offered a lot more cash by a lot of other teams but he stays put. If only there were more players like him.
You saying
<< <i>nobody will miss it in America >>
is a pretty ignorent thing to say. Take a long look at the top 10 teams in THIS LIST hmm it appears more people than you think care about hockey in the US eh?
For my $$ football, baseball and hoops all take a back seat when it comes to live entertainment.
Not a great TV sport..which is too bad. HD TV does make it easier to follow that damn little puck though.
Nancy boys need not apply
Tell a hockey fan you do not care for hockey. They scream and get all defensive. Very sensitive about their sport ...
One of the most exciting playoff series/games in ANY sport that i've ever watched was the 94 series between the Rangers and the Devils.
<< <i>When a football or baseball fan asks someone what team do they follow and get an answer of "I don't follow football/baseball", it is not a big deal. >>
No kidding.. If someone simply asked hey what hockey team do you follow and they got an answer "I don't follow hockey" it wouldn't be a big deal.
<< <i>Tell a hockey fan you do not care for hockey. They scream and get all defensive. Very sensitive about their sport ... >>
You're exaggerating. If mintluster simply stated that he didn't care for hockey no one would give a crap including me.. so he doesn't like hockey big deal. But him saying "nobody will miss it in America. It's total crap anyway, a non-family sport that appeals to 20-25 year old drunk males." sure it's going to stir the pot a bit with a hockey fan.
IF I posted the same sort statement regarding football or baseball on here I would be crapped on big time and you know it.
blah. I've had enough of this thread and enough of people posting things just to get a rise out of others to create some drama.
I do agree that for the NHL to draw more interest, they must break tradition and eliminate ties. For the new fan, there is probably nothing worse than spending 3 hours watching a game to finally see it end in a tie. Hell, I'm a die-hard fan and it frustrates me sometimes, especially if I actually go to the game.
Further, I enjoy hockey because it always seems to be more about the "team" and less about the individual. You rarely see players talking trash or worried about showing up the other team and its players. There's really only genuine celebrations after a score... No end zone dances, finger wagging or stare downs after a big play. It's usually just a congratulatory back-pat or stick-slap and then off to the game again.
Finally, there's not enough interest in the U.S. mainly because hockey isn't offered in most schools. Kids don't have anywhere to practice or teams to try out for. In the areas where it is available, hockey is generally big. I grew up in Michigan down by Detroit and hockey is bigger there than any other sport. When playoff time comes, it's not uncommon to see flags on nearly half of the cars you see. They're everywhere.
But hockey is available at nearly every level in most schools around there. They have Pee Wee leagues everywhere, so kids grow up learning about the sport and many love it.
So this 31 year old, semi-drunk American male does miss it. But so do many of the youngsters, women and old timers here in Michigan and my bet is it's a similar feeling in places like Colorado, New York, New Jersey, Boston, etc...
<< <i>Yeah.. hockey is only one of the largest sports in the world... and all the fighting... violence... wait.. it has less violence than football, and fights are extremely low now. Go back to watching your "family sports". Just because where you are from... people dont care for hockey... but i believe places such as detroit, New York, Dallas, Colorado, Boston, New Jersey, Philly, i think they must like the game... to sell out arenas.
But dont worry... you keep watching your "family sports" like football, basketball and baseball... so more violence, the use of steroids, and other drugs of course, and all the felons. Good ole family fun huh. >>
For the Record: Football (we call Soccer) is the biggest sport in the world. And my comments were directed towards the NHL which is an American Hockey league.....nothing to do with Hockey in the rest of the world. There is the problem, Hockey is very popular in other countries around the world, but not in our country. This is the point of the whole labor dispute right now. NHL players want to have salaries like NFL, NBA, and MLB players...but the BIG PROBLEM THERE is that their league does not generate the revenues even close to the other sports. Not even close. You can't pay players 10 million a year when your league is in the red line EVERY year because of player salaries. To fix the revenue problems, they could start by creating a more family friendly sport. That is where the money is. People bringing their whole families to games. In the NHL there seems to be less emphasis on scoring and winning and more emphasis on beating people up and seeing how much blood can be splattered on the ice. People don't want to see that crap. Most people atleast don't. You do obviously, but you are part of a very small group, again, which is why your pathetic league lacks revenue to keep it afloat. Plus people hate games that end in ties. I went to a NHL game 8 years ago and wasted over 3 hours of my life watching them skate back and forth, nobody scoring (you can't see the damn net behind the goalies pads that are larger than his body). The game ended 0-0. I never went to another NHL game.
Here are my suggestions which will fix the NHL:
(1) A salary cap
(2) Increase the ring size (like in the Olympics) which can display more skills of talented players
(3) Make the goal slightly bigger and the goalie pads smaller
(4) Create penalties for fighting that are similiar to other big sports (the ones that make the money - less emphasis on fighting, more on winning and playing the ACTUAL game itself)
All of this will fix the NHL and it will begin making money and attracting a wider range of fans.
If you don't agree with these changes then you can't complain when the NHL makes no profit and cannot stay afloat.
<< <i>When a football or baseball fan asks someone what team do they follow and get an answer of "I don't follow football/baseball", it is not a big deal.
Tell a hockey fan you do not care for hockey. They scream and get all defensive. Very sensitive about their sport ... >>
It would not bother them if it was not true. The truth hurts.
When you are a current NHL fan you want it to stay the way it is and not change. A very greedy attitude considering how much the NHL is hurting for revenue and fans.
The NHL needs to think about it's future and not worry about what it's tiny little fanbase will think about it. Make the changes needed to keep your sport going and create more fans. Otherwise, go bankrupt and don't complain about it. It's really that simple.
<< <i>I do agree that for the NHL to draw more interest, they must break tradition and eliminate ties. For the new fan, there is probably nothing worse than spending 3 hours watching a game to finally see it end in a tie. Hell, I'm a die-hard fan and it frustrates me sometimes, especially if I actually go to the game >>
Exactly. Here is one (of several) problems to fix right now. They won't, but they should.
I think the best thing they can do is implement a salary cap and get ticket prices aggressive again. Nothing builds a sport like fans, and there are few events more intense in person than a hockey game.
I really think they need to get NHL franchises out of a majority of cities in America, and put some back in Canada. With no salary cap, and the dollar difference, the teams in Canada just couldn't compete. With the salary cap, making exceptions for Canadian teams to accomodate the dollar difference would get a lot more revenue in place.
Sports fans are always going to have the best ideas...but of course they'd never get implemented: they make too much sense!
Again, you must rarely watch hockey simply because there isn't much fighting anymore. The play isn't even as aggressive as football on most nights. Hitting in general has become a lost art in the NHL at times. I disagree with eliminating fighters anymore than they already do. Most of the fights that happen are no more than what happens in football on every play. Guys merely wrestle each other to the ground and then the ref separates them. There's plenty to limit fighting in todays current game. 1 fight, you're in the box. 2 and you're gone from the game. But fights have always been a part of the game. This is not what keeps fans from watching. In fact, I bet more people started watching hockey to see the fights, just like some people watch races to see the big crash. Hell, that's why I first started watching NASCAR and now I follow it closely.
The players, in general, are silly if they don't just shut their traps and let the salary cap be put in. Fact is, they can play internationally but it wont be for anywhere near as much money. It's sad to see great players like Yzerman and Chelios have to end their careers in a friggin' lock out season. The players union is stupid... Hockey was already struggling terribly and this will never help. Fools, I tell ya.
<< <i>People bringing their whole families to games. In the NHL there seems to be less emphasis on scoring and winning and more emphasis on beating people up and seeing how much blood can be splattered on the ice >>
Ok.. so you are talking about european soccer and i am talking about north american football. So.. lets start on soccer. That is a family sport? With brawls in the stands, the latest victim... a losing goalie who was killed by fans after the game... yes lets bring our 5 year old to that.
Football has more violence than hockey. And you are saying that it is a family sport? Congrats on going to 1 hockey game... i am sure there was blood splattered everywhere.
Does the NHL have problems... yup.. biggest problems is expanding to areas like anaheim, florida..ect. but tell me this.. what sport has had the longest lock out/strike? And just because the NHL isnt playing, how many other leagues in north america are... and selling out arenas?
<< <i><< When a football or baseball fan asks someone what team do they follow and get an answer of "I don't follow football/baseball", it is not a big deal.Tell a hockey fan you do not care for hockey. They scream and get all defensive. Very sensitive about their sport >>
<< <i>It would not bother them if it was not true. The truth hurts. >>
As for people who like hockey getting offended so "easily"... then why is it when someone like Joestalin makes a post like the eagles suck... everyone jumps on in there to defend their team. Talk about being a hypocrite.
And one last thing to think about... each time an NHL franchise goes for up for sale... if it was such a horrible sport destined to go bankrupt, then why are so many people right there to buy the team up? Vancouver just was sold, and in the recent past, Ottawa, Buffalo, Pittsburgh.
<< <i>(although college hockey is still pretty cool). Especially my hometown Bruins and the cruddy management that they have now that cares more about concession sales than winning. I've finally accepted the fact that the "Bobby Orr" days will never come back
College hockey is where it's at. Too bad your stuck in Boston and are forced to watch the HE action on weekends.
Very different scenario. Arguing over whose team is better is different than whose sport is better. Plus, it is Joe Stalin ...
My point was made during most of this thread .... hockey fans are very defensive about their sport. Think about a hockey fan you know, and how he/she is when someone makes a comment like "I don't follow hockey".
The comments most likely would be very different than "I don't follow football" ....
I would also like to add this: two of my good friends are hockey players. These guys are in shape, and have athletic talent. Hockey players may be the most talented of the four sports. Too bad the game sucks ...
<< <i>I hope the league folds and never comes back......nobody will miss it in America.
It's total crap anyway, a non-family sport that appeals to 20-25 year old drunk males.
All the fighting and 0-0 tie games.....what a bunch of crap, we are better off without the NHL. >>
Did you get beat up by a hockey player when you were a child? If you don't like the sport, then fine, don't watch it, but to wish for the demise of a professional sport that brings joy to millions of people is just spiteful and pathetic.
Personally I can't stand NBA basketball, but I simply choose not to watch. I don't wish for the league to fold.
If addressed and changed, the sport might begin to make some money......
They need to eliminate all of the fighting...it takes away from the actual play of the game
I have gone to probably 30 NHL games in my life and they do need to change the game. Hockey in the Olympics is much more entertaining. I like the larger style rinks.
I enjoy some fighting once in a while but the NHL is always being put into a negative light because of all the players hitting guys from behind, and high sticking them in the face. Then they end up in criminal court and it all looks BAD for the NHL because they tolerate and breed this culture and environment of violence and fighting within their game.
I say tone it down a bit. It will not hurt the game it will make it better. Stop letting teams send out goons who have only one purpose: to hurt the star players on the other team and knock them out of the game.
Someone mentioned that the fighting is not as bad as it used to be. I disagree. It is just as bad as it always was. And it is only recently, in the last 5 years, we have seen all of these big court cases involving NHL players paralyzing players on the ice....and then crying on TV asking for forgiveness.
It is sad...and sickening.
I will still watch the NHL but they need to clean up their act and make some changes to their sport if they hope to generate revenues like other big time sports in America.
I have watched hockey for 20+ years and fighting is way down from the early 90's. Fighting was rare in the 80's mainly because the game was handed to the skaters/scorers... In the early 90's, it was nothing to see 4-5 fights a game and I mean real fights, not just a wrestling match. During the last few NHL seasons, I have watched every Wings game and many others and it is not uncommon to see an entire game without even a scuffle, let alone an actual fight. The NHL has tried to cut down on fighting over the past few years, so ref's hand out fighting majors like candy to trick-or-treaters. Actual fisticuffs are a rarity in todays game though, with the exception of a few teams.
As far as seeing "all of the big court cases" recently, there have only been a couple of note that I can recall involving NHL players and one was a moron who tried to put out a "hit" on his agent and not "on the ice" related... Again, there is clearly more violence in football but nobody questions the rules for football?
Fighting has always been a part of hockey, so most purist don't find fighting to be a problem. It's similar to a player running over the catcher blocking the plate in baseball or sliding wide of second to break up the double play. Is it necessary to do so? No. Is it dangerous? Yes, but it has been a part of the game since the beginning and purists don't feel the need to eliminate it.
Fighting in the NFL is not tolerated and when it happens, big fines and suspensions come right afterwards, which is why you never see fighting in the NFL. It is a rare event, not an every night event like the NHL.
The NHL had that criminal case with the guy who hit the other player with the stick in the face and knocked him out, and then there was the one where the guy got paralyzed because of that idiot hitting him from behind. The list goes on with these cases.
The scenes with the hockey players bleeding while stripping their clothes off and punching each other (while everyone else, including the Refs are watching it) is what drives people away from wanting to watch this sport. And that is an easy thing to fix, if they really cared about getting the revenues they want so bad. Otherwise don't complain when the league goes belly up and bankrupt.
At this point they need to worry about fixing the NHL and making it more marketable to a wider range of fans. Everything else should be a low priority.
I remember watching the playoffs in the NHL in the early 90's so I could see Mario Lemiuex (spelling?) perform some of his miracles on ice with his skills. In a playoff game the other team sent out a goon who slashed Lemiux's hand and put him out of the playoffs. The goon got suspended for a game I believe...but it didn't matter, the damage was done and hockey's best player was out of the playoffs. If you do not see the problem with this type of environment in the NHL then you are crazy.
Imagine if the NFL let that happen to it's quarterbacks (which is why penalties are so stiff for roughing the QB and late hits). There would be none left in the NFL worth a damn. They would all be disabled and knocked out of the playoffs every year.
It was the 1992 playoffs Mario receives a slash from New York Rangers Adam Graves. Ron Francis steps up leads Pittsburgh past New York. Mario returns Penguins go on to win the Cup.
Flashback
January 1991 San Francisco is on the way to a third straight SuperBowl appearance . The Giants Leonard Marshall takes out Joe Montano with a blindside hit knocking him out of the game and playoffs. Steve Young comes in Roger Craig coffs up the ball to LT . Giants go on to win the game and Super Bowl
Your correct much less violence in football
<< <i>Don't even try to compare the NFL to NHL as far as violence goes.
Fighting in the NFL is not tolerated and when it happens, big fines and suspensions come right afterwards, which is why you never see fighting in the NFL. It is a rare event, not an every night event like the NHL. >>
Well first, you are correct. The NFL punishes it's players for fighting because it is against the rules "in the NFL". You keep insinuating that there are often fights in the NHL, but apparently your definition differs from mine. I watched every Wings game last year including their playoff games. I would say out of the approximate 90 games, they had maybe 10 real fights. I don't count wrestling matches as fighting and that's mostly what happens in hockey right now.
<< <i>The NHL had that criminal case with the guy who hit the other player with the stick in the face and knocked him out, and then there was the one where the guy got paralyzed because of that idiot hitting him from behind. The list goes on with these cases. >>
No, the list does not go on as you insinuate anymore then it goes on in any other sport. You're speaking of 2 incidents in a 10+ year span. Hell, I'll help you out and state I can recall 2 others or note but that's still only around 1 large incident about every 3 years. That's nothing, and the other incidents are no different than Clemens hitting Piazza intentionally with a fastball or Chauncey Billups undercutting Richard Jefferson. Hell, there's dirty hits and chop blocks in football all of the time. Guys still continually lead with their helmet (spearing).
Imagine if the NFL let that happen to it's quarterbacks (which is why penalties are so stiff for roughing the QB and late hits). There would be none left in the NFL worth a damn. They would all be disabled and knocked out of the playoffs every year.
They're stiff penalties, eh? If you slash a guy in hockey, you're out of the game for AT LEAST 2 minutes. If you rough a quarterback or put on a tough late hit, usually the player stays on the field while his whole team is penalized 15 yards. So in essence, the NHL discourages dirty play MORE than the NFL.
The NHL really does have a lot of problems beyond just the current CBA issues and a lost season.
Geeee, we haven't heard this before this week now have we?
I hope the NHL disolves and they start a new better league.
Does any one associated to the game care? Players or owners? Fans??
Bottom Line When players become owners (see Mario & Wayne) they're making too much money!
The league & the owners are right...bring in the replacements and we'll forget all about these overpaid prima donnas!
JMO....Bob
EDIT: I would love to hear some of the old time players speak out.
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