NHL in decline

[Insidious Von]

This season was a milestone for me, I watched zero hockey games. With the USA building infrastructure for the 2026 World Cup, football has supplanted hockey in popularity. Hockey is seen as an elitist sport across North America, Wayne Gretzky promoting gambling sites is a slap in the face to the NHL. It's not a lost cause, hockey can begin to right the ship by putting Gary Bettman and Ron McLean out to pasture. Ba Ba Booey (life long time Islanders fan) could do a better job at promoting hockey to Americans, Ron McLean gives me the skives every time he appears. I would love it if he was replaced by Harnareyan Singh.

 

[Insidious Von]

He's the best item to happen to the NHL in a very long time, they better not fuck him up.

 

[Ref]

I am on the opposite side.

I think the game has evolved and it is a very entertaining product. The play-offs have been exciting to watch and every team except for maybe Washington and the Leafs, had a legitimate chance of winning the cup this year. Parity means that many fans can enjoy watching their team when it counts.

I do agree that Ron McLean is past his "best before" date, however the other talking heads on the Rogers intermissions are knowledgeable hockey people and are not afraid to speak their mind. I would prefer that our cable system would allow us to watch the US telecast as I find they provide some creative and interesting camera work (behind the net views during a powerplay are fantastic!).

Bettman has done a good job of building the game. He has been around since 1993 and the game has grown in both countries.

Football (or soccer) should be much more popular than it currently is. It is the one sport that all kids play at a very young age and it still surprises me that it has not grown in popularity. Hopefully the World Cup will bring more exposure to the North American audience.

 

[NotADcotor]

Needs more goons and more Don Cherry.

Some old time Eddie Shore hockey.

Forget tentacles and tanks, this is what excites Japanese office ladies and school girls. Expand that fan base

 

[tml]

If you think the NHL is in decline look at the lineup of cities who want an NHL franchise. Also look at what the NHL is getting for expansion franchises.

 

[DesRicardo]

Have more things like this and I'll watch every game.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1797376781831553478

 

[The Oracle]

Bettman has done a good job of building the game. He has been around since 1993 and the game has grown in both countries.

As a Sens fan I can confidently say that we wouldn't have a team if it wasn't for Gary...

 

[Sonic Temple]

This season was a milestone for me, I watched zero hockey games. With the USA building infrastructure for the 2026 World Cup, football has supplanted hockey in popularity. Hockey is seen as an elitist sport across North America, Wayne Gretzky promoting gambling sites is a slap in the face to the NHL. It's not a lost cause, hockey can begin to right the ship by putting Gary Bettman and Ron McLean out to pasture. Ba Ba Booey (life long time Islanders fan) could do a better job at promoting hockey to Americans, Ron McLean gives me the skives every time he appears. I would love it if he was replaced by Harnareyan Singh.

Wouldn't say its on the decline (expanding to new markets - not sure why they can't bring a team to Quebec or even further East) - but agree with you on Gary and Ron - useless twats imho.

 

[jalimon]

Football (or soccer) should be much more popular than it currently is. It is the one sport that all kids play at a very young age and it still surprises me that it has not grown in popularity. Hopefully the World Cup will bring more exposure to the North American audience.

Nah soccer is getting more and more popular. many teams do better attendance avg then hockey team. In Quebec 14 indoor soccer facility were built in just over 12 months. I coach youth soccer for 7 years now. Kid's inscription are booming. Hockey as become too expensive. And you can be good but a prick will nearly scrap your head off just to prove he is a 'physical player'.

i am done with hockey too. Like American football... too violent.

 

[Insidious Von]

As a Sens fan I can confidently say that we wouldn't have a team if it wasn't for Gary...

Wrongo Signiorino Oracolo, the Sens wouldn't have a team without Toronto money.

 

[shack]

As a Sens fan I can confidently say that we wouldn't have a team if it wasn't for Gary...

And just the fact that he's lasted so long means that even if he's not perfect, he's doing a lot of things well. The league and the owners have clearly prospered during his tenure.

 

[Vinson]

 

[Indiana]

That chick flashing her tits helped with exposure

 

[tml]

That chick flashing her tits helped with exposure

Ya, but she's milking it.

 

[Toronto Passions]

It’s the final week of June. They need to figure this thing out finishes earlier. This is crazy.

Phillip

 

[K Douglas]

I am on the opposite side.

I think the game has evolved and it is a very entertaining product. The play-offs have been exciting to watch and every team except for maybe Washington and the Leafs, had a legitimate chance of winning the cup this year. Parity means that many fans can enjoy watching their team when it counts.

I do agree that Ron McLean is past his "best before" date, however the other talking heads on the Rogers intermissions are knowledgeable hockey people and are not afraid to speak their mind. I would prefer that our cable system would allow us to watch the US telecast as I find they provide some creative and interesting camera work (behind the net views during a powerplay are fantastic!).

Bettman has done a good job of building the game. He has been around since 1993 and the game has grown in both countries.

Football (or soccer) should be much more popular than it currently is. It is the one sport that all kids play at a very young age and it still surprises me that it has not grown in popularity. Hopefully the World Cup will bring more exposure to the North American audience.

I'm ore in the middle between you and IV. No doubt the added offense and the skill level has made the product more exciting to watch. But its still missing the passion, the playing for the love of the game and to win as opposed to a fat pay cheque. I also miss the physicality - open ice checks, the mucking it up and fighting that brought emotion and fire to the game. And they gotta stop with these chintzy calls.

 

[K Douglas]

It’s the final week of June. They need to figure this thing out finishes earlier. This is crazy.

Phillip

Agreed. I think I'd cut the schedule down to 80 games and have the first round of the playoffs the best of 5. Have it wrapped up by the end of the first week of June.

 

[Toronto Passions]

Agreed. I think I'd cut the schedule down to 80 games and have the first round of the playoffs the best of 5. Have it wrapped up by the end of the first week of June.

If feels like they could work the schedule better than this. When I was a kid it used to finish in May…. How did this become June?

Philip

 

[jalimon]

If feels like they could work the schedule better than this. When I was a kid it used to finish in May…. How did this become June?

Philip

Mostly because the first 2 rounds were 3 out of 5 and not 4 out of 7.

The NHL wanted more games are those playoff games are generating a lot of revenue I guess.

 

[tml]

It’s the final week of June. They need to figure this thing out finishes earlier. This is crazy.

Phillip

Keep in mind they had a lot of attention in the last week or so. The NBA had finished, no NFL, MLB only in mid season. That kind of attention might make them extend the season even further.