RACE TO THE CUP
- Thread starter LeScrapper
- Start date
Carolina and Buffalo are both looking real good. Even in their loss, I'd say Buffalo played just as good as Carolina (or close to it). I think the Sabres need better goaltending, though. Hasek is out for good, right?
Edmonton and Anaaheim both look like they're streaking teams, Buffalo and Carolina are actually good, consistent teams. I'm very interested to see who wins the finals.
Edmonton and Anaaheim both look like they're streaking teams, Buffalo and Carolina are actually good, consistent teams. I'm very interested to see who wins the finals.
They need to fix their marketing skills. It was already at a downfall, and the lockout killed it. I am still a big hockey fan, but when the NHL lets an 8th seed team take out a 1st, 2nd, and possibly sweep in the Western Conf. Finals, that is not good marketing IMO. Let alone let OLN buy out exlusive rights since no other station was willing to take the risk (scared of low ratings). Thre are still so many things wrong with the NHL that I dont see them having a big fan base for another 4 or 5 years. I think they realize this and are starting from the ground up, where it started, Canada.
I agree, their marketing is crap. I remember during the playoffs before the lockout, announcers, analysts, etc. kept reminding us "this may be the last NHL season", but then come some of the lamest commercials I have ever seen for sports.. I couldn't imagine anyone wanting to "switch-over" to hockey after watching that bullshit. I was almost embarrased to be a hockey fan, and it's the only sport I "really" care about.
I don't think the NHL will ever be popular in the states again (never has been in my lifetime). Americans just don't like hockey. If Canada had a bigger population, I think the NHL could abandon the states altogether and move to Canada, but too much of their profit comes from the US only because our population is so big.
As far as the eighth seed beating all the teams, I don't see anything wrong with it. Except for the fact that Edmonton plays dirty and cheats whenever they can. (Anyone see Roloson get "knocked over" last night?) But I think eliminating the possibility of a tie makes teams out to be better than they really are. For example, when there's a tie, it reflects the game: they played a somewhat even game, and they both get a point. But now teams get a point just for making it into OT even if they lose (I know it's been this way, but that's not the whole point). And now with a shootout, one team has to win...even if they don't deserve it. Maybe a team is able to make it to a shootout and they just happen to have one or two players that excel in one-on-one's, but are mediocre in every other aspect of the game. They can win the shootout and get the two points, but come time for playoffs, that team won't be able to use the breakaway specialist and their team won't be as good as its record shows it to be. That will lead to things like all the lower seeds beating the higher seeds in the Western Conference (in the case of Edmonton and Detroit, I think it's just because Detroit is old as dirt. And they just resigned Chris Chelios, who's like 45 years old).
And I don't know why I though Hasek was on Buffalo. Must be the colors.
I don't think the NHL will ever be popular in the states again (never has been in my lifetime). Americans just don't like hockey. If Canada had a bigger population, I think the NHL could abandon the states altogether and move to Canada, but too much of their profit comes from the US only because our population is so big.
As far as the eighth seed beating all the teams, I don't see anything wrong with it. Except for the fact that Edmonton plays dirty and cheats whenever they can. (Anyone see Roloson get "knocked over" last night?) But I think eliminating the possibility of a tie makes teams out to be better than they really are. For example, when there's a tie, it reflects the game: they played a somewhat even game, and they both get a point. But now teams get a point just for making it into OT even if they lose (I know it's been this way, but that's not the whole point). And now with a shootout, one team has to win...even if they don't deserve it. Maybe a team is able to make it to a shootout and they just happen to have one or two players that excel in one-on-one's, but are mediocre in every other aspect of the game. They can win the shootout and get the two points, but come time for playoffs, that team won't be able to use the breakaway specialist and their team won't be as good as its record shows it to be. That will lead to things like all the lower seeds beating the higher seeds in the Western Conference (in the case of Edmonton and Detroit, I think it's just because Detroit is old as dirt. And they just resigned Chris Chelios, who's like 45 years old).
And I don't know why I though Hasek was on Buffalo. Must be the colors.
