The official NHL thread

[RATTdrools]

Wow, you're completely retarded on many subjects. Please stop posting.

You and your micro penis need to FUCK OFF and stop posting you worthless moron!

[Aerosmith87]

Don't shit up this shit - it's shitty enough

[chungasrevenge]

Probably fake, but close to what's going to happen...

[Earl Skakel]

The real question is that if the NHL Lockout fell in the forest would anyone hear it? These guys on both sides are fucking idiots. In my opinion this is where the NHL ranks in terms of popularity in the US:
1-Pro Football
2-Pro Baseball
3-Pro Basketball
4-College Football
5-College Basketball
6-UFC
7-Pro Wrestling
8-Boxing
9-Nascar
10-Women's Tennis
11-Men's Tennis
12-Golf
13-NHL

You might argue it's ahead of 10-12 but either way both sides should look at this list and go we can't afford our 3rd work stoppage in under 20 years as maybe with baseball people came back but in the US hockey is no guarantee of fans flocking back unless they start juicing the pucks and allow more fights to get the casual fan back.

Earl

[Aerosmith87]

Probably fake, but close to what's going to happen...

You seem real confident somethings gonna happen! I've felt that way at least 2-3 times already, so I don't know if I can believe anything at this point. The season is very close to being totally axed - So I don't know if that will work toward getting a deal done or what. Time is running out fast and I sense no urgency since the last time things were close.

[pieceofme]

The real question is that if the NHL Lockout fell in the forest would anyone hear it? These guys on both sides are fucking idiots. In my opinion this is where the NHL ranks in terms of popularity in the US:
1-Pro Football
2-Pro Baseball
3-Pro Basketball
4-College Football
5-College Basketball
6-UFC
7-Pro Wrestling
8-Boxing
9-Nascar
10-Women's Tennis
11-Men's Tennis
12-Golf
13-NHL

You might argue it's ahead of 10-12 but either way both sides should look at this list and go we can't afford our 3rd work stoppage in under 20 years as maybe with baseball people came back but in the US hockey is no guarantee of fans flocking back unless they start juicing the pucks and allow more fights to get the casual fan back.

Earl

Pro-Wrestling is a sport?
You're talking about the WWE right?

I thought it was more of a comedy/drama series.

[Earl Skakel]

The real question is that if the NHL Lockout fell in the forest would anyone hear it? These guys on both sides are fucking idiots. In my opinion this is where the NHL ranks in terms of popularity in the US:
1-Pro Football
2-Pro Baseball
3-Pro Basketball
4-College Football
5-College Basketball
6-UFC
7-Pro Wrestling
8-Boxing
9-Nascar
10-Women's Tennis
11-Men's Tennis
12-Golf
13-NHL

You might argue it's ahead of 10-12 but either way both sides should look at this list and go we can't afford our 3rd work stoppage in under 20 years as maybe with baseball people came back but in the US hockey is no guarantee of fans flocking back unless they start juicing the pucks and allow more fights to get the casual fan back.

Earl

Pro-Wrestling is a sport?
You're talking about the WWE right?

I thought it was more of a comedy/drama series.

No no pro wrestling is obviously sports entertainment but I was just listing it as more another entertainment option the NHL is behind. I guarantee you more people in the US could tell you who HHH or The Undertaker are than Crosby or Ovechkin.

Earl

[NeverSurrender]

Tennis, my fucking ass. i know I'm just a regular guy, and don't run in the uber-stuck up world of Tennis, but who gives a fuck about Tennis? I don't know one single tennis fan.

And fuck the NHL, what other sport besides baseball has minor leagues all over the country. My SPHL team gets 3,000 4,000 a game in Florida.

The NHL is in decline, but people in America seem to like hockey.

[Gibsonite]

The real question is that if the NHL Lockout fell in the forest would anyone hear it? These guys on both sides are fucking idiots. In my opinion this is where the NHL ranks in terms of popularity in the US:
1-Pro Football
2-Pro Baseball
3-Pro Basketball
4-College Football
5-College Basketball
6-UFC
7-Pro Wrestling
8-Boxing
9-Nascar
10-Women's Tennis
11-Men's Tennis
12-Golf
13-NHL

You might argue it's ahead of 10-12 but either way both sides should look at this list and go we can't afford our 3rd work stoppage in under 20 years as maybe with baseball people came back but in the US hockey is no guarantee of fans flocking back unless they start juicing the pucks and allow more fights to get the casual fan back.

Earl

Pro-Wrestling is a sport?
You're talking about the WWE right?

I thought it was more of a comedy/drama series.

No no pro wrestling is obviously sports entertainment but I was just listing it as more another entertainment option the NHL is behind. I guarantee you more people in the US could tell you who HHH or The Undertaker are than Crosby or Ovechkin.

Earl

True,but most of them live in trailers and can't afford to go to an NHL game anyways

[Earl Skakel]

Tennis, my fucking ass. i know I'm just a regular guy, and don't run in the uber-stuck up world of Tennis, but who gives a fuck about Tennis? I don't know one single tennis fan.

And fuck the NHL, what other sport besides baseball has minor leagues all over the country. My SPHL team gets 3,000 4,000 a game in Florida.

The NHL is in decline, but people in America seem to like hockey.

I think more people in the US can name Venus and or Serena Williams than Crosby or Ovechkin. Even men's tennis probably gets better ratings than hockey. Don't get me wrong, I'm a hockey fan and would watch it over all those I listed with the possible exception of a good UFC card but most of the US probably doesn't even know there is a lockout!

Earl

[Earl Skakel]

[/quote]

True,but most of them live in trailers and can't afford to go to an NHL game anyways

[/quote]

True true but they probably can still watch the games with the rabbit ears pointing north!

Earl

[NeverSurrender]

Tennis, my fucking ass. i know I'm just a regular guy, and don't run in the uber-stuck up world of Tennis, but who gives a fuck about Tennis? I don't know one single tennis fan.

And fuck the NHL, what other sport besides baseball has minor leagues all over the country. My SPHL team gets 3,000 4,000 a game in Florida.

The NHL is in decline, but people in America seem to like hockey.

I think more people in the US can name Venus and or Serena Williams than Crosby or Ovechkin. Even men's tennis probably gets better ratings than hockey. Don't get me wrong, I'm a hockey fan and would watch it over all those I listed with the possible exception of a good UFC card but most of the US probably doesn't even know there is a lockout!

Earl

Ridiculous statement. So if there are 15 NHL games in one night, and one big tennis match, and that one big tennis is watched more than all those NHL games in one night?

The quote wan't about what gets better TV ratings, it was about what is more popular. Not a chance tennis is more popular than hockey in America. Remember, my reply said hockey, not the NHL. Nobody gives two fucks about tennis in America.

[Kid-Wicked]

League Sport Country Season Games Average attendance Total attendance

Major League Baseball Baseball United States / Canada 2011 2,420 30,352 73,451,522

Nippon Professional Baseball Baseball Japan 2010 846 25,626 21,679,596

National Hockey League Ice hockey United States / Canada 2011–12 1,230 17,455 21,470,155

National Football League American football United States 2011 254 67,358 17,124,389

National Basketball Association Basketball United States / Canada 2011–12 990 17,274 17,100,861

Bundesliga Association football Germany 2011–12 306 45,116 13,805,496

Premier League Association football England / Wales 2011–12 380 34,601 13,148,465

La Liga Association football Spain 2011–12 380 30,275 11,504,567
Football League Championship Association football England / Wales 2011–12 552 17,738 9,791,690

Serie A Association football Italy 2011–12 380 23,459 7,765,082

can't find the tv numbers but aren't baseball and basketball way down in viewership?

[Earl Skakel]

Tennis, my fucking ass. i know I'm just a regular guy, and don't run in the uber-stuck up world of Tennis, but who gives a fuck about Tennis? I don't know one single tennis fan.

And fuck the NHL, what other sport besides baseball has minor leagues all over the country. My SPHL team gets 3,000 4,000 a game in Florida.

The NHL is in decline, but people in America seem to like hockey.

I think more people in the US can name Venus and or Serena Williams than Crosby or Ovechkin. Even men's tennis probably gets better ratings than hockey. Don't get me wrong, I'm a hockey fan and would watch it over all those I listed with the possible exception of a good UFC card but most of the US probably doesn't even know there is a lockout!

Earl

Ridiculous statement. So if there are 15 NHL games in one night, and one big tennis match, and that one big tennis is watched more than all those NHL games in one night?

The quote wan't about what gets better TV ratings, it was about what is more popular. Not a chance tennis is more popular than hockey in America. Remember, my reply said hockey, not the NHL. Nobody gives two fucks about tennis in America.

What's ridiculous about it? I'm saying that most of the US sports watching population in my opinion could name a tennis player over a hockey player. If The Stanley Cup Finals went up directly against The US Open Final I think tennis would get the higher rating sadly especially if it were women's tennis which seems to be more popular than the men's side.

You and I are in the same boat with tennis, I don't like it either but I do think it's more popular than hockey overall. I think more people play tennis than play hockey but I'm guessing. I would love it if hockey were the most popular sport in the US but I just don't see it as being as popular as you do. Now me being in Los Angeles minor league hockey is hit or miss here as Long Beach folded and attendance always sucked but Ontario does quite well.

Earl

[NeverSurrender]

When you show me in Florida they have 4,000 people for a very low minor league in tennis, I will agree with you.

Nobody likes Tennis. Nofuckingbody.

[Earl Skakel]

When you show me in Florida they have 4,000 people for a very low minor league in tennis, I will agree with you.

Nobody likes Tennis. Nofuckingbody.

Well, just because it's popular where you live doesn't mean everywhere else it has that same appeal. I mean if nobody likes tennis which I don't watch by they way why are there probably 10 x's more tennis courts in this country than hockey rinks?

Earl

[pieceofme]

When you show me in Florida they have 4,000 people for a very low minor league in tennis, I will agree with you.

Nobody likes Tennis. Nofuckingbody.

Well, just because it's popular where you live doesn't mean everywhere else it has that same appeal. I mean if nobody likes tennis which I don't watch by they way why are there probably 10 x's more tennis courts in this country than hockey rinks?

Earl

One reason could be the cost of a tennis court is substantially cheaper than a hockey rink. And thats just to build. Then there's the maintenance.

[NeverSurrender]

When you show me in Florida they have 4,000 people for a very low minor league in tennis, I will agree with you.

Nobody likes Tennis. Nofuckingbody.

Well, just because it's popular where you live doesn't mean everywhere else it has that same appeal. I mean if nobody likes tennis which I don't watch by they way why are there probably 10 x's more tennis courts in this country than hockey rinks?

Earl

How many people do you know who go watch Tennis? Let me know. You know anybody who packs up with friends for a road trip to the Benson and Hedges Open?

Fuck no.

[Earl Skakel]

When you show me in Florida they have 4,000 people for a very low minor league in tennis, I will agree with you.

Nobody likes Tennis. Nofuckingbody.

Well, just because it's popular where you live doesn't mean everywhere else it has that same appeal. I mean if nobody likes tennis which I don't watch by they way why are there probably 10 x's more tennis courts in this country than hockey rinks?

Earl

How many people do you know who go watch Tennis? Let me know. You know anybody who packs up with friends for a road trip to the Benson and Hedges Open?

Fuck no.

Well, you got me on that one and like I said before I'm much more a hockey guy than tennis. I originally posted in this thread because I wanted to show that the NHL both owners/players should wake up that they are due a very rough ride back in the fans hearts when they do come back. Hope you guys had a Happy Xmas!

Earl

[Earl Skakel]

When you show me in Florida they have 4,000 people for a very low minor league in tennis, I will agree with you.

Nobody likes Tennis. Nofuckingbody.

Well, just because it's popular where you live doesn't mean everywhere else it has that same appeal. I mean if nobody likes tennis which I don't watch by they way why are there probably 10 x's more tennis courts in this country than hockey rinks?

Earl

One reason could be the cost of a tennis court is substantially cheaper than a hockey rink. And thats just to build. Then there's the maintenance.

That's a good point and my point was that tennis is a bit more popular than we give it credit for or else there wouldn't be so many courts across the land. Too much turkey for me today boys, hopefully we have hockey soon so we don't have to bring up tennis again!!

Earl

[Tymaster]

florida, tampa, nashville, phoenix and columbus.

Downtown Columbus was completely revitalized by the CBJ. They need the Blue Jackets. Columbus is now one of the most thriving cities in the US and that as a A LOT to with Nationwide Arena and the thriving dining/shopping/residential area built around it. Is attendance where it "needs" to be? Probably not, but one playoff season with zero playoff victories will do that. Columbus can not lose the NHL. It's an absolute.

[WOLF]

florida, tampa, nashville, phoenix and columbus.

Downtown Columbus was completely revitalized by the CBJ. They need the Blue Jackets. Columbus is now one of the most thriving cities in the US and that as a A LOT to with Nationwide Arena and the thriving dining/shopping/residential area built around it. Is attendance where it "needs" to be? Probably not, but one playoff season with zero playoff victories will do that. Columbus can not lose the NHL. It's an absolute.

Agreed. The issue with the BJ's is that they have been horribly mismanaged on the hockey side, more so than anything else. From the beginning, with Doug Maclean, to now, with Scott Howson, it's been a shit show. Particularly at the draft table. Guys like Rick Nash then got tired of not being properly supported, and after year's of patience, even THEY want out.

[Tymaster]

florida, tampa, nashville, phoenix and columbus.

Downtown Columbus was completely revitalized by the CBJ. They need the Blue Jackets. Columbus is now one of the most thriving cities in the US and that as a A LOT to with Nationwide Arena and the thriving dining/shopping/residential area built around it. Is attendance where it "needs" to be? Probably not, but one playoff season with zero playoff victories will do that. Columbus can not lose the NHL. It's an absolute.

Agreed. The issue with the BJ's is that they have been horribly mismanaged on the hockey side, more so than anything else. From the beginning, with Doug Maclean, to now, with Scott Howson, it's been a shit show. Particularly at the draft table. Guys like Rick Nash then got tired of not being properly supported, and after year's of patience, even THEY want out.

They managed to get the city of Columbus and Franklin County to pay off the arena for them. They'd be foolish to leave.

[Kid-Wicked]

They managed to get the city of Columbus and Franklin County to pay off the arena for them. They'd be foolish to leave.

they lost over 13 million last year. attendance went up 4%.

if the rink is paid for, where's the money?

[Blizzard of Cos]

They managed to get the city of Columbus and Franklin County to pay off the arena for them. They'd be foolish to leave.

they lost over 13 million last year. attendance went up 4%.

if the rink is paid for, where's the money?

Exactly. It's in the owners pocket. And you fools who think a sports team is the glue that holds your community together sell yourselves short. Fuck the NHL.

[Bob Sacamano]

The real question is that if the NHL Lockout fell in the forest would anyone hear it? These guys on both sides are fucking idiots. In my opinion this is where the NHL ranks in terms of popularity in the US:
1-Pro Football
2-Pro Baseball
3-Pro Basketball
4-College Football
5-College Basketball
6-UFC
7-Pro Wrestling
8-Boxing
9-Nascar
10-Women's Tennis
11-Men's Tennis
12-Golf
13-NHL

You might argue it's ahead of 10-12 but either way both sides should look at this list and go we can't afford our 3rd work stoppage in under 20 years as maybe with baseball people came back but in the US hockey is no guarantee of fans flocking back unless they start juicing the pucks and allow more fights to get the casual fan back.

Earl

Golf and NASCAR should be top 5.

[Earl Skakel]

The real question is that if the NHL Lockout fell in the forest would anyone hear it? These guys on both sides are fucking idiots. In my opinion this is where the NHL ranks in terms of popularity in the US:
1-Pro Football
2-Pro Baseball
3-Pro Basketball
4-College Football
5-College Basketball
6-UFC
7-Pro Wrestling
8-Boxing
9-Nascar
10-Women's Tennis
11-Men's Tennis
12-Golf
13-NHL

You might argue it's ahead of 10-12 but either way both sides should look at this list and go we can't afford our 3rd work stoppage in under 20 years as maybe with baseball people came back but in the US hockey is no guarantee of fans flocking back unless they start juicing the pucks and allow more fights to get the casual fan back.

Earl

Golf and NASCAR should be top 5.

My rankings aren't perfect but more done to show that the NHL in the US at least is so far back in most people's minds that the Lockout will push it behind Honey Boo Boo if they screw around much longer. I just think it's criminal that such a great sport is so undervalued here but part of me thinks the league and the players have nobody to blame but themselves for their horrible self promotion. You bring up Nascar and that's a sport that I watch even though I don't have a ton of interest in solely because of how they market the individual drivers like the NHL should do with the players so people will then care about the teams they play on.

Earl

[Aerosmith87]

Apparently the NHL put a new proposal on the table. We'll see how this one pans out

[NeverSurrender]

Apparently the NHL put a new proposal on the table. We'll see how this one pans out

SPHL game online tonight, and in person tomorrow night!! I wont be paying attention, please report back.

[Aerosmith87]

Apparently the NHL put a new proposal on the table. We'll see how this one pans out

SPHL game online tonight, and in person tomorrow night!! I wont be paying attention, please report back.

Lucky for you! USA already lost 2-1 to Russia in the WJC.