Gary Bettman, NHL Teams And Rebuttals

This post is in rebuttal to the recent post by Chris Lucas over at Lucas On Sports regarding Gary Bettman and the NHL … while we at Ice Junkies agree with a few things in this post, there are some ideas thrown around that we need to interject our 2 cents worth. You can read the post by clicking here - What Gary Bettman Can Do To Save The NHL and you can follow Chris over at Twitter, he is @Hockeyskates The other driver of our rebuttal is the comment from “Chris in Canada” and his thoughts as to how he would make the NHL better also. So, sit back and enjoy – and thank you for taking the time.

It is annoying when Hockey purists complain about the league having teams in southern states just because they don't think they are "hockey states.” We at Ice Junkies believe if you want the league to grow, that has to be part of it. If you trimmed down the teams in the NHL you would not be able to see the difference between "good" players and "great" players. We would love to see another team in Canada … but it's ridiculous to say that the league has too many teams when you look at the standings this year and how close the race is for the playoff spots. The talent isn't being spread thin at all, in fact, if you had less teams it could be harder to find these gems because there would not be any room on NHL franchise rosters for young players or tough role players. You'd never see a guy like Darren McCarty, Georges Laraque, Steve Ott, Daniel Carcillo, etc … they would all be in the AHL. If you look at Anaheim and why they won the cup, they won it based on role players … by limiting the number of teams the league would lose that ability, like Travis Moen in Anaheim, would he have made it onto the roster? A player like Daniel Carcillo, who clearly has offensive skills, would never get to learn how to play in the NHL because nobody would want to take a chance on him when they are inundated with star caliber players. Also, when great players hit a slump, unless they have the seniority, in a league with less teams to absorb the field - they would be thrown back into the farm league and some of the great ones might never be "found" by allowing them to grow through the droughts - because no matter how you slice it ... AHL Hockey and NHL Hockey are day and night. Your stars in AHL could easily be flops in “The Show.” Look at the Busch League and Nextel Series in NASCAR.

Now, we do agree that having two teams in Florida is unnecessary when there are places in Canada begging for a team, but saying that Carolina (Stanley Cup winner), Phoenix (who has been great this year), Columbus (who actually has a decent following) don't deserve teams is, in our opinion, a clear display of bias and jealousy.

Regarding shortening the season, we do not support that idea in any shape or form, for us that's part of hockey. It's supposed to be the toughest sport on the planet and the length of a season is a part of it and to say "No one wants to watch in October when it really doesn’t matter until April and June!" proves to us that someone’s not quite as hardcore as they want to pretend. Anyone who says October doesn't matter isn't paying attention - teams know this and fans clearly care about October looking at attendance stats it's not like no one is coming to hockey games until the end of the season.

As much grief as Eklund gets around the Blog Universe, he does make some good points … and a couple days ago he discussed this exact point about tightening the NHL and the teams that are playing. You can read his post here (of course after you finish this one.) The Oil Rises. An NHL 1/3rd tighter, plus the Virtual Final Standings.

Let’s talk about the Commish now, We think Bettman has done one great thing and one terrible thing. The great thing being the salary cap structure and the new CBA (which many said he would never get) and the terrible thing is the agreement with Versus. With Versus the main problem is the lack of a real marketing push to spread the game into the mainstream (though the winter classic was brilliant) – Versus just does not have the market share to help the NHL expand its viewership and introduce this sport to new audiences. Frankly, you won’t grow the sport without ESPN and NBC. While the best way to generate a solid fan base is to have them experience the passion and excitement of the NHL in person, you won’t do that until people can see what they’re missing when they’re not even looking for it. Chicago is a great example of this. Now that the Hawks are back on local television, their attendance levels are finally climbing out of the gutter.

You can't put all the blame on Bettman either, though part of his role is to be the scapegoat, but the owners have a big say in how the sport develops and keep in mind that the NHL has actually gotten healthier under him (much like the NBA did). So while we are unhappy about some of the stuff he's done, he's at least made it so that the sport can continue.....it wasn't going to under the previous system.

Dan Boyle Re-signs Sending Brad Richards Out the Door

The Lightning re-signed Dan Boyle, a 31 year old puck-moving defenseman coming off a career year last season with 20 goals and 63 assists, to a 6-year deal worth $40 million. Boyle has suffered through a variety of injuries this season including a freak accident where his skate fell from his locker and severed a number of tendons in his wrist costing him 36 games. He's been healthy for less than a month and it didn't take long for the rumor mill to get rolling. Tampa's ownership questions left everything in the wind but apparently the new owners wanted Boyle to stay. So much so that they signed him to a deal that pretty much guarantees that one of the "big three," which is Brad Richards, Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St Louis, will be moved by tomorrow's deadline. Lecavalier is a Lightning for life, if they have any sense at all, and St Louis is most likely staying put leaving Richards and his $7 million a year the odd man out. My guess would be that he'll take his league worst plus/minus rating of -25 to Vancouver who is desperate for offense. At 27, Richards is in the prime of his career and, having only played for Tampa Bay in his entire career, he know has an opportunity to take his Stanley Cup ring and try to add to it in the heart of hockey country.

NHL Considering Adding 2 Games

Here is a juicy one that has been talked about for a while, and hopefully, will be seriously considered, if not for next season - then 2010! Just read this on Yahoo Rumors:

One of the topics of conversation at the NHL board of governors meeting last weekend was stretching the regular season to 84 games, allowing each team to have a home and road game against every other league opponent. Under the current 82-game matrix, the Boston Bruins do not play a single match this season against the teams from the Northwest Division the Boston Globe reported. NHL Players Association executive director Paul Kelly has said the players would consider adding two games to the regular season, but also said the preseason should be trimmed at the same time. Boston goalie Tim Thomas said he understands the idea behind the 84-game schedule, noting that every fan in North America wants the opportunity to see Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby. But Thomas wasn't sure about the logistics of whacking preseason games to make room.

Another consideration I would like to throw into the mix would be a discussion on changing Overtime from a 4 on 4 format to a 3 on 3. I think that would open up a ton of ice for fast passing hockey along with killer break aways. Don't make it a sudden death match - but at the end of 5 minutes if it is still tied go into a shoot out.

Just my 2 cents ... I would love to see the Sharks play Tampa Bay and Florida and Atlanta every year.

Buffalo And Ticket Prices

According to Phil Mushnick @ the NY Post - his article yesterday says it all.

"The Buffalo Sabres this season will switch to variable ticket pricing based on the date and opponent, similar to what the Mets do with their gold, silver and bronze designations.

Thus, the same cheapest Sabres seat that costs $20 for some games will cost $68 for others; the better seats that cost $90 for certain games will cost $203 for others. Because it's impossible to predetermine the value of games, the plan is a cosmetically beautified exercise in price gouging.

Whatever became of the NHL's on-ice "Thank You, Fans" campaign? Must've melted away."

Relly nothing more to say to that ... I am not going to cast stones quite yet seeing how the season has not started quite yet, but seriously, Buffalo ... Now that you have gone and canibalized your roster, dont get all greedy with ticket pricing!

Absolute Hockey - WHO?

Link to the story - Former Coach Buys Lightning

Did anyone know the Tampa Bay Lightning were up for sale? Evidently Absolute Hockey did ... 'cause they just purchased the franchise, leasing rights to the St Pete Times Forum and "ajacent properties." Here is a short on the topic -

"The NHL team says a group called Absolute Hockey Enterprises has signed a
purchase agreement with current owner Palace Sports and Entertainment."

Sources tell TSN Doug MacLean will be the Chairman and CEO of the Lightning while Jay Feaster will stay on as GM and John Tortorella will remain as head coach. Absolute Hockey also includes Jeff Sherrin and Oren Koules. Team spokesman Jay Preble said Jeff Sherrin is a Coral Springs real estate developer and Koules a TV and movie producer mostly knows for the Saw trilogy and the sitcom 2 and a half men. Doug MacLean coached the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup final in 1996. He was fired in April as the Columbus Blue Jackets president and GM.

The Lightning won the Stanley Cup in 2004.

They made WHO the Captain???

Today - in NY, Garth Snow introduced Bill Guerin as the new captain of the Isle's for next season. WHAT???

Here is his comment from the announcement - "I'm completely surprised, but thrilled about this tremendous honor," said Guerin. "I want to thank the organization for the vote of confidence and I will not take this captaincy lightly. Thank you Garth. Thank you, Charles. I'm excited about joining a team with such a wonderful history. I speak for all four of us when I say this is a group of players that wants to be here and play as team."

I can say from seeing his preformance from the last half of last season with the Sharks that Bill Gurein should be shown the DOOR instead of the letter "C" he will be wearing on his jersey next year.

We'll see what Snow has up his sleeve ... is it something in Guerin we dont see, or is it the copius amount of BS the Guerin has been able to slather on about during his one on one's with Snow!

Here's Your Sign!

Looks like Kansas City is doubling down on their hand ... news reports are saying that just east of KC in Independence, MO the city council is looking at plans to build a $50 Million hockey arena for a team to play in the CHL. Story Here - http://www.joplinglobe.com/statenews/local_story_181233937.html

With play beginning in 2009 the new minor league team would be a well thought out addition to the NHL team that MIGHT be relocated to Kansas City. Seems that the main issue right now is the Pred's lease through 2028. Del Biaggio seems to have the midas touch and has kept the attention of Nashvilles owner Leipold long enough, I have not heard much regarding Balsille's courtship.

Having the Pred's move to Kansas City would be a strong move for the NHL - there is a market ripe for the pickings. My fear is that, like some other sports franchises, they would quietly sneak into KC under the cover of darkness and start practicing, play some games, and then wonder where all the fans are. If they were to ask me, I would say that before the ink dries on the contract Del Biaggio should be collecting commercial air time slots in KC faster than a sailor collects phone numbers during fleet week.

I think a change is good, especially in a league that has so much more potential than it is currently showing. Personally I think the NHL should have a larger following than the NBA, MLB and NFL put together - but thats just me in my pollyanna world. However, when the WNBA shows a larger following and more network broadcast time I hang my head in shame and curse the NHL for allowing OLN, Versus and the like to talk them out of the spotlight. When ESPN could have lit them up brighter than South Beach Miami on a Friday night. *These analogies are getting fun*

Well it is 10am on Sunday, 2 hours before the feeding frenzy begins. I can only imagine what it is like around the league, in owners offices, with the General Managers and Coaches crunching numbers and pulling their hair out by the roots to get that ONE player that will help them get to the Cup!

Preparing for the 2007/2008 NHL Season!

Its to early to start a countdown - that would just depress us! However - Free Agency starts in 4 days ... July 1!!! Are YOU ready?