The OAO NHL 2003-2004 Season Thread

[Red Baron 0]

The idea expanding to the south has been really risky, I'm surprised that L.A. has survived all these years, considering they haven't had a solid fan base, even with Marcel Dionne, Wayne Greztky and the 93 Stanley Cup run, L.A. is not a marketable franchise. Smart move though, as there is 800,000 Canadians living there, but then those 800,000 people don't like Hockey, and thats why they moved to L.A.

 

It would work, but Bettman expanded too much too soon.

[MrRant 0]

Yet still no team in Seattle.

[Vern Gagne 0]

The Devils are killing Hockey with their style of play. Sure, they've got 3 Stanly Cup championships since 1995. But, at what cost to the game.

You can only blame the Devils partially for that. I blame over expansion for putting too many unskilled players in the leauge. Let's face it, its easier to play positional hockey (the trap) then to turn fringe players into skilled scoring machines capabale of zooming up and down the ice ala the 80's Oilers. I also blame scouts for having a bizarre obsession with huge players that take up too much space on the ice.

*insert Vince McMahon joke*

 

 

 

I have to agree with Olympic on this one. Expansion killed the league. If anything there should only be one team in Florida, Carolina should not have a team, neither should Atlanta, San Jose, Anaheim, Nashville, Phoenix and Dallas.

 

I would say Columbus, but I am pretty surprised on how popular the sport is in the area, and the fans are pretty supportive.

 

Minnesota should always have a Hockey team, its basically Canada's province, thats not a province. The fans are loyal, and Mr. Bettman putting a team there was a smart move.

 

What they should do is move the goal line back two inches, so there is less space behind the net, and a bigger offensive zone to attack, and only a skill-ful team that can use the trap (New Jersey) and not just 2/3 of the league

I'm not disagreement about expansion hurting the league. Just saying the trap style of play is a factor has well.

 

Oh, and don't insult Minnesota like that.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Here's a question. If the league did decide to contract 4 teams. Who should they be?

[the max 0]

Phoenix, Nashville, Florida, San Jose.

[Vern Gagne 0]

What about Pittsburgh? Haven't they narrowly escaped bankruptcy at a few times in recent years.

[the max 0]

History, though. They were the home of two of the greatest players of this generation, plus won 2 Cups.

[Vern Gagne 0]

That's true. But, don't you have to look at reality at some point?

[fairtoflair7 0]

I like Islanders because they went from being the hottest ticket in sports in the 80's to loveable losers in the 90's. I kind of secretly root for them to get back to being a force. Although I still feel the sting from when they eliminated my Penguins (my fave team back then) from the 93' playoffs and ended any hope of a threepeat.

 

"Ferraro to Volek......GOALLLLLL...There will be a new Stanley Cup champion this year folks...."

[Slingshot Suplex 0]

Phoenix, Nashville, Florida, San Jose.

San Jose? Haven't they drawn good crowds for pretty much their entire existence?

[Red Baron 0]

Contracted four teams.

 

Florida, Carolina, Phoenix, Nashville

[CanadianChris 0]

Carolina, Florida, San Jose and Phoenix. Even though I'd hate to contract the former Whalers and (especially) the former Jets.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Florida, Carolina, Phoniex and Nashville.

 

Thank the Lord that McLean finally gave up trying to coach Columbus. Hopefully with him gone the team can start working towards the playoffs next season and at least salvage a somewhat respectable season out of this one.

[treble 0]

I'd get rid of the Ducks long before I'd get rid of the Sharks. In fact, they'd be one of the 4 teams I'd choose (don't need them in the same basic market as the Kings) along with the Hurricanes, Coyotes (I don't see why Gretzky was so intent on getting hockey to work in the desert), and probably the Penguins if they keep at this current rate.

[Guest Olympic Slam]

Phoenix, Nashville, Florida, San Jose.

San Jose? Haven't they drawn good crowds for pretty much their entire existence?

I love my Sharks so let me vent

 

Yep, we have a small but rabid fan base. I'd say we have the best fans in the leauge simply because we have no right being as good as we are. We're not like Detroit or Minnesota where we HAVE to like hockey. Considering the amount of entertaining diversions there are in Northern California (49ers, Raiders, A's, Giants, Warriors, Sacramento Kings, ect) its truly a miracle that hockey not only has a strong fan base, but we also draw really well. We still get no play on TV or on the radio. The last time the Sharks got any real press was when we beat Detroit TEN years ago. Again, its a miracle our fanbase is as strong as it is.

 

However, I warned everyone last year that trouble loomed. Taking into account the following:

- Silicon Valley (Computer capital of The U.S) was hit hard by the economic busts of late (lot's of lost jobs)

- California is bankrupt

- California is run by Democrats who have little interest in the wealthy keeping their wealth (i.e higher taxes----> less money for wasteful diversions like hockey)

- California has a hostile business environment

- Hockey is a distant #4 in sports around here

- The Sharks exploded last year and have to rebuild for the first time since 1997. I bet this pissed off many. I myself scaled back in my season tickets plan this year by half.

 

What does this all mean? Less money for Northern Californians to blow on hockey. Attendance has been down this season because of all of the above. Thankfully the team is playing well and I think that might be enough to bring back the disgruntled fans who gave up after last year. We just need the rich folks who blew their money on hockey to come back. I pray that Governor Arnold can get the budget in order without raising taxes AND bring back the Silicon Valley business. I said it during the Recall Election: The future of the Sharks depends on the Terminator.

 

As for contraction: I'd only get rid of the teams that are having trouble at the gates. I hate it when elitist fans say that City X shouldn't have a team simply because they don't like the idea of having a team there. Sports today is all about dollars and cents and if a team is still drawing well and making a profit, then the team should stay put. Welcome to reality, check your biases at the door.

 

Teams that could be contracted:

Pittsburgh - Sadly, this was my favorite team when I was younger as I was a HUGE Lemieux fan. The glory days are long gone (oh Ken Wregget where have you gone?) and people just don't give a hoot anymore. If they don't get a new arena (I heard it was a No Go recently) then they should be scrapped for parts or merged with another team like the Barons in the 70's.

 

Buffalo - Another sad story, but it's all about the $$$

 

Nashville - I've heard that the honeymoon is long over with the fans. The hockey fad is over and they lost big money last year on the whole "If we don't make the playoffs, you get a refund on your season ticket" disaster. This team needs to make the playoffs and knockoff a big name team like Detroit or Colorado simply to get back on the map. Their survival depends on it

 

Edmonton and Calgary - These two were in serious danger a few years back. I haven't heard much in awhile on their financial situation but they'll get special treatment from the leauge (rightfully so) when it comes to their survival. The only questions is whether or not the fans will finally get sick of missed playoffs or getting unceremoniusly bumped in the first round. They're not in any real danger because if they go, then the leauge goes with them. These two will be a major talking point during the upcoming strike. Revenue sharing, a salary cap and the like will focus with these two teams in mind.

 

Carolina - Even with the Cup run in 02' the fad is over (shock of shocks). I know I said no biases, but I think we'd all be happy if the Hurriwhalers just went away for good.

 

Mighty Ducks - I think the Stanley Cup run saved them from becoming forgotten. If they crash and burn this year then the fickle Southern California fans will give up on them for good and find something better to spend their hard earned cash on.

 

Ottawa - Their financial problems were pretty serious last year. The only Canadian team news I get is from the HNIC Hotstove over the Internet so I'm in the dark when it comes to their $$$ issues. Are the loveable Sens still in deep doo-doo? I can't think of a team that needs a Cup win more.

Edited January 3, 2004 by Olympic Slam

[the max 0]

Well, Buffalo was in hot water due to ownership. They have a new owner, who has good people working for him, and will now try to build around Drury, Afinogenov, and Briere on offense and Kalenin, Zhitnik, and Tallinder on defense with two excellent goaltenders in Noronen and Biron. They just need some more experience, which will come. Personally, I'd love to see them ditch the black/red/white and go back to blue/gold. No real reason or anything.

 

Ottawa has no money troubles anymore after Melnyk purchased the franchise. It's not like the old days when they'd win 9 games a year, they are legit contenders, have one of the deepest talent pools in the league, and just need to get hungry for the win now.

 

Pittsburgh I semi-agree with. I can see the whole "fans need to come out and see this team because...MARIO LEMIEUX SAID SO~!" but really, what reason do the fans have? Why go out and watch home team lose over and over and over and over again? They have no money, so they can't afford their best player (Fleury), their star is never healthy and has to recover from a barrage of injuries every year. So, why go out? Let them move...to Winnipeg~!

 

Nashville I agree with. They've done nothing, they have a few good players, but play in a bad market, right next to Columbus and the popular Blue Jackets.

 

Carolina I'd rather just see moved. Again though, it sort of falls into the Pittsburgh trap of "why should I support this team when they suck?" It'll be a few years so the jury is still out, but it relies a lot on Eric Staal.

 

So, I guess I was wrong about San Jose. I only really see them on TV every once in a while and it's never really...like...full, so I assumed that all the hockey in California had run its course. I was wrong.

[DerangedHermit 0]

Buffalo's not in dire straits since Tom Golisano bought the team. He's got deep pockets. I'd like to see the blue and gold with the updated two sabres logo.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Columbus, has a really good following and needs to start opening up their pockets for a few bigger names in the offseason.

[the max 0]

Not really, as they have the homegrown talent. Rick Nash is going to be great, as is Nikolai Zherdev.

 

They have Andrew Cassels and Geoff Sanderson to provide veteran leadership, plus one of the more underrated goaltenders in the league in Marc Denis.

 

The only name that I would open up the strings for if I were Columbus would be to try and offer something for Scott Mellanby. He's rugged, he'd be their gritty top-line rightwinger that can score when needed to.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Not really, as they have the homegrown talent. Rick Nash is going to be great, as is Nikolai Zherdev.

 

They have Andrew Cassels and Geoff Sanderson to provide veteran leadership, plus one of the more underrated goaltenders in the league in Marc Denis.

 

The only name that I would open up the strings for if I were Columbus would be to try and offer something for Scott Mellanby. He's rugged, he'd be their gritty top-line rightwinger that can score when needed to.

They need size terribly as Shelley's the only big hitter they have.

 

Denis is a quality goalie and if they could just score 3 goals a night they would easily make it deep into the playoffs with him in net. The team as a whole needs to pick up the aggression level as well.

 

EDIT: And letting Whitney go was a colossally stupid move.

Edited January 3, 2004 by Mad Dog

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Why the hell would you contract my Sabres with their shiny new billionaire at the helm?

 

Leave my poor ass team alone!

 

Someone has to beat Toronto.

[nl5xsk1 0]

If we're talking about getting rid of 4 teams, I'd contract Pittsburgh and Phoenix. Pittsburgh has been so "unhealthy" for so long, I feel like they've lost their fanbase. It'll take more than a nice shiny new arena (and one good player, Fleury) to win back an entire fanbase. Phoenix is just a bad place for a hockey team - at least Florida gets retirees from places that like hockey (e.g. New York, New England). I don't think that Arizona has that same luxury. I'd also combine some teams. Have the Panthers fold, send their players to a contraction draft, and then have the Lightning play half their games in Tampa and half in Sunrise. If/when it's obvious that one market is more supportive, have that market get more games. Same in California, fold the Ducks but have the Kings play some games in the Pond.

 

Of course, there are many other changes that would help hockey more than contraction:

1) Go back to the oldschool OT-points rules. None of this "1 point for tying at the end of regulation" crap. Too many teams stop going for the win with 5 minutes left just to ensure the one point for a regulation tie. I would make one overtime change, though, and that's extending the OT to 10 minutes. (4-on-4 hockey isn't bad, I'd keep that for the OT as well)

2) Start calling the hooking and grabbing that have been ruining the game for the last 10 years. I don't care if it means 40 minutes of power play each game for the first month or so, once players realize that it'll be called, they'll stop doing it.

3) Make the necessary rules changes that will make the trap obsolete. (remove the redline, change the 2 line pass rule, whatever). I love hockey but find myself getting bored watching a game when one of the teams is a trap team.

4) Let the players police themselves. There were so much less carelessness with sticks back when players had to worry about a Probert, or a Baumgartner, or a Grimson getting retribution. Fighting isn't bad for the game.

5) Salary cap - both maximum amount allowed to spend, and a minimum amount that team has to spend.

6) Fire Bettman, and replace him with someone that loves hockey. I'd rather see someone in the office that's making moves for the good of the game, rather than just for TV, etc.

[Red Baron 0]

3) Make the necessary rules changes that will make the trap obsolete. (remove the redline, change the 2 line pass rule, whatever). I love hockey but find myself getting bored watching a game when one of the teams is a trap team.

 

5) Salary cap - both maximum amount allowed to spend, and a minimum amount that team has to spend.

 

6) Fire Bettman, and replace him with someone that loves hockey. I'd rather see someone in the office that's making moves for the good of the game, rather than just for TV, etc.

3).

 

All you have to do, is push back the goal line 2 inches each side. Yes the trap can still be used, but like I said, a good team, like New Jersey, can really issue the trap, since they are experianced. A team like Toronto, or 2/3 of the league would get burried trying to use it, because of the smaller offensive zone now is making it harder to score. Before the redline was moved up, there were more offense in the league. This experiment went sour by doing this.

 

5.)

 

Salary Cap isn't a a neccesity, but it doesn't help that Hockey has a stable schedual, like Football and the lesser extent baseball. But its the solution, until a major U.S. deal, and massive Revenue sharing sets in place, then take away the salary cap.

 

6.)

 

I think any hockey fan will agree that Bettman was a dumb idea. A person with a great history, and knows the game very well should run it, and is pretty popular with the American people, to help the league out. (I would say Herb Brooks, but R.I.P.) A person like Bobby Orr, should run the league

[The Czech Republic 0]

6) Fire Bettman, and replace him with someone that loves hockey. I'd rather see someone in the office that's making moves for the good of the game, rather than just for TV, etc. I think any hockey fan will agree that Bettman was a dumb idea. A person with a great history, and knows the game very well should run it, and is pretty popular with the American people, to help the league out. (I would say Herb Brooks, but R.I.P.) A person like Bobby Orr, should run the league

Agreed. Bettman is a Napoleonic creep. (Props to Dennis Miller n that one)

 

Bobby Hull is running the new WHA, and if that doesn't work, then he's the kind of person that should run the NHL.

 

Also a problem, so many teams has resulted in games on the schedule that the fans couldn't give a shit about. Last Sunday, the Hawks beat the Wings 3-0 in their final meeting in Chicago this year. Already. In December. The Original Six aren't getting enough games against each other anymore, which is foolish when you think about it, because a Hawks game against Boston or Toronto is going to draw a hell of a lot more than one against the Nashville Predators or the Columbus Blue Jackets. It's really bad for Detroit and Chicago, who lost the Leafs not only from their division, but their conference as well.

[Slingshot Suplex 0]

Why does nobody seem to like the Sabres current jersey?

 

I like them quite a bit.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Why does nobody seem to like the Sabres current jersey?

 

I like them quite a bit.

1. They're ugly.

2. There's no sabre.

3. Red/White/Black are overused as a color combo. (Chicago was first so there.)

4. The old ones were that much better.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

They really need to go back to having white as home. I still get so damned confused watching games because of that.

[The Czech Republic 0]

They really need to go back to having white as home. I still get so damned confused watching games because of that.

I'm hoping it's a one year thing because like you said it's annoying as hell and just looks bad for a lot of teams.

 

 

I think Toronto should try to skirt the rule by wearing their alternates at every home game so that they're always wearing white with a blue leaf, just a different variation on said leaf.

[Guest Olympic Slam]

They have got to move the nets back to their old positions as there's way too much dead space behind the net and in the corners behind it. The thinking in 98' or whenever they moved them forward, was that they'd be creating more Wayne Gretzkys capabale of dishing the puck to guys in the slot with regularity. I don't know about the rest of you, but it seems like there's been a huge decrease in the number of goals and plays like that since the nets were moved up. Maybe it's because the Sharks (the team I watch 98% of the time) has never been overly skilled until recently, but there's almost never any Gretzkyish plays from behind the net anymore. The leauge is so defensively oriented now that there are few teams and players dumb enough to fall for for those behind the net passes anymore. It's been a failure I'm afraid. We can also agree that adding 90 more players to the leauge with the Thrashers, Jackets and Wild didn't help matters when it came to adding more skill and precision to the game.

[CanadianChris 0]

They have got to move the nets back to their old positions as there's way too much dead space behind the net and in the corners behind it. The thinking in 98' or whenever they moved them forward, was that they'd be creating more Wayne Gretzkys capabale of dishing the puck to guys in the slot with regularity. I don't know about the rest of you, but it seems like there's been a huge decrease in the number of goals and plays like that since the nets were moved up. Maybe it's because the Sharks (the time I watch 98% of the time) has never been overly skilled until recently, but there's almost never any Gretzkyish plays from behind the net anymore. The leauge is so defensively oriented now that there are few teams and players dumb enough to fall for for those behind the net passes anymore. It's been a failure I'm afraid. We can also agree that adding 90 more players to the leauge with the Thrashers, Jackets and Wild didn't help matters when it came to adding more skill and precision to the game.

That's not going to help matters any. I guarantee that scoring isn't down because they moved the nets forward...that's just a coincidence.

 

The best realistic way to increase offense right now would be to eliminate the red line, but they've been talking about doing that for years with no results.