How Would You Save The NHL?

[Zero Hunter]

As far as ratings go for NHL... here is the NHL on NBC's ratings and how it slowly was rebounding after the strike in 2004.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratings_for_The_NHL_on_NBC

What could sadly happen is the NHL may suffer a big blow... because ratings went from 1.2 on games in 2005 to a 5.7 for the 2011 Stanley Cup final.

That stupid deal they signed with Vrs. was such a horrible move for the league. Most people don't even get that network. They should have sucked it up and just come to some deal with ESPN, but again the NHL is not know for making good descions.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

That stupid deal they signed with Vrs. was such a horrible move for the league. Most people don't even get that network. They should have sucked it up and just come to some deal with ESPN, but again the NHL is not know for making good descions.

Exactly ... ESPN is in more homes and gets more exposure with the ABC deal. Even if ESPN was offering a few million less , I would have went with ESPN because Vrs. channel hasn't really got what Disney can do for you.

[Rabidwolfdog]

Depending on where you live, college hockey is easily available on TV. Ilive in Minnesota & I can see 2 or 3 different WCHA games at once on Fridays & Saturdays.

Not here its all NCAA football , day in day out , they event have High School Football from the whole state of NJ rather then College hockey. Ive been watching old games from the 80s

[marvell2100]

Is hockey too regional of a sport? All other major sports have appeal around the country. Hockey seems more suited for the cold weather cities. I agree about the TV deal they currently have. I didn't even know if I had VS or not or where to find it. And no big promotion about upcoming matchups. They have a serious problem promoting their product.

[Vibranium]

NBC currently has the NHL...and there is no Versus anymore, it has been changed into NBC Sports...they are trying to passive aggressively take on ESPN

[Kusanagi]

Just a moment of clarification VS has become NBC Sports and gets a wider distribution than it did as VS. Still not as good as ESPN, but not as bad as it was, and includes games on standard NBC.

Or at least it did, no telling what their contract is going to look like after the lockout.

[marvell2100]

NBC currently has the NHL...and there is no Versus anymore, it has been changed into NBC Sports...they are trying to passive aggressively take on ESPN

Just a moment of clarification VS has become NBC Sports and gets a wider distribution than it did as VS. Still not as good as ESPN, but not as bad as it was, and includes games on standard NBC.

Or at least it did, no telling what their contract is going to look like after the lockout.

I don't know if they could have pulled it off but they should have tried to do like the NFL and have their games spread out over various networks.

[Vibranium]

Just a moment of clarification VS has become NBC Sports and gets a wider distribution than it did as VS. Still not as good as ESPN, but not as bad as it was, and includes games on standard NBC.

Or at least it did, no telling what their contract is going to look like after the lockout.

that happened last time as well...they signed this big deal with ESPN/ABC and got fronted a lot of money, and then season cancelled..that is part of the reason why the NHL is basically blacklisted by ESPN, they barely cover it

and they just signed a 6 or 7 year deal during last season with NBC and lo and behold, another lockout

[J. Robb]

The NHL seems so bent on self-destruction, I'm ready to just let it die and hope something better takes its place.

[MRP]

The NHL seems so bent on self-destruction, I'm ready to just let it die and hope something better takes its place.

Bring back the WHA!

-M

[Mark Parnell]

I'm with you on the whole 72 games. I would keep the 8 teams per conferences making it to the playoffs. I dunno. I love the playoffs. The more, the merrier. Owners would obviously hate it, because the playoffs doesn't make as much money for them as the regular season games.

What I find sad is that a team like Phoenix is continuously putting together a strong roster, but has very little fan support, whereas teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs put together a mediocre team, year after year, and the fans just don't stop supporting them. UGH.

I'll be honest, I don't understand know nor care about what caused the lockout. As a fan, I just want to see an entertaining product. 2 lockouts within a decade is just ridiculous.

I have to correct you, owners make a lot of cash in the playoffs. Plays are paid during the regular season not during the playoffs ( excluding bonuses)

[Deep_Sleeper]

I have to correct you, owners make a lot of cash in the playoffs. Plays are paid during the regular season not during the playoffs ( excluding bonuses)

Ok, that makes sense. I had a nagging feeling I confusing something.

Thanks.