NHL Off-Season Thread...

[Guest Rrrsh]

I understand that, but he was wrong on that point.

[starvenger 0]

Well, the CBC didn't waste any time...

 

Hockey-less CBC lays off 50 workers

Network says it has no work for Cherry, Cole Prospect of long stoppage has TSN, Sportsnet worried

 

CHRIS ZELKOVICH

SPORTS MEDIA COLUMNIST

 

The impact of the NHL lockout was felt instantly by Canada's sports broadcasting industry.

 

Two hours after the lockout was announced yesterday, CBC laid off 50 members of its hockey crew. They included on-air staff Don Cherry, Bob Cole, Harry Neale, Kelly Hrudey, Greg Millen and Brian Burke as well as production staff and administrators.

 

"Unfortunately, without hockey we could not find work for the people affected," said CBC Sports executive director Nancy Lee, who said most expected the announcement but admitted that some did not.

 

"Like so many organizations affiliated with hockey, today's announcement has a serious impact on CBC."

 

Neither TSN nor Rogers Sportsnet have announced layoffs, though it's expected contract technical staff will be out of work.

 

Canada's sports broadcasters expect to take a hit, though most say the true impact won't be felt until the new year.

 

"We are quite prepared for the fall," says TSN president Phil King, whose channel has scheduled only five Maple Leafs games before January. "Long-term is uncharted territory."

 

While rights holders would get rebates on the millions they've spent for games, those savings would soon be negated by millions in lost ad revenue.

 

Because fall is the busiest time on the sports calendar with the World Series, Grey Cup and much more on tap, none of Canada's sports channels will have any problem replacing hockey.

 

But they will all have trouble replacing the audiences and revenue that only hockey can produce. If the playoffs are lost, the ultimate cost would be in the tens of millions of dollars.

 

"Hockey is No.1 in Canada," says ad buyer Sunni Boot of Optimedia Canada. "As we move closer to playoffs, the numbers (hockey) generates, the passion cannot be duplicated with any substitute programming."

 

That means plans to carry more NBA, American Hockey League and junior hockey games will fill air time but not network coffers. And they won't produce the large lead-in audiences for the sports news shows, which could result in rebates to advertisers.

 

Potentially taking the hardest hit would be the CBC, which relies on the playoffs to produce the network's highest ratings and largest ad revenues.

 

Lee says CBC's Saturday night hockey slots will be turned over to the entertainment department with no plans to air classic games as it did during the last NHL work stoppage.

 

It is believed that the CBC, like most of the rights holders, loses money on its regular-season NHL games and cashes in during the playoffs.

 

Also facing a potential hit is MOJO Radio.

 

While it would reclaim some of the $12 million it recently spent for Leafs games, its evening ratings would plummet. Station manager J.J. Johnston said recent changes to diversify its lineup were accelerated because of the lockout.

 

Also facing big losses are digital channels Leafs TV and the NHL Network. Leafs TV had hoped to boost subscriptions with a dozen Leaf games this year.

 

"We will have some challenges," says executive producer John Shannon, who plans to fill the void by airing games involving Toronto farm teams and more U.S. college hockey.

 

But lost revenue and ratings are only part of the equation.

 

"You don't know what the reaction of the fans will be after three weeks of no hockey," Sportsnet president Doug Beeforth said last week. "Will they be totally turned off to the point they won't watch sports?"

 

Most agree that's not likely to happen.

 

"The fans will come back," said Lee.

 

"It's hockey, it's Canada."

[The Czech Republic 0]

We need a book about the recent woes of the NHL (1995-present), if one hasn't been written yet. For a title, I propose Bettman and Robbin': The Truth About The Napoleonic Regime Of The National Hockey League.

[Lightning Flik 0]

Bettman and Robbin would so have to be about the NHLPA. As this all screws the fans more so than anything else.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Whatever the topic may be, that title should be used.

[the max 0]

Bumping with me typing up an ESPN the Magazine article. It's by EJ Hradek, and he has some pretty good ideas about the game. The article is called "IF WE RAN THE GAME" and there's 7 ideas.

 

1: GET OVER THE CAP FIXATION: The league can't expect players to go from no economic restrictions to a salary cap, just like that. A luxury tax is a reasonable compromise. The players, meanwhile, will have to swallow a reduction in team payroll. We propose a $34M high-end trigger (average payroll was approximately $44M last season) with one exemption (20% of total payroll up to a max of $6M). Teams exceeding the threshold up to $39M will pay a 50% tax on each dollar; above $39M costs you 100% on each dollar. The tax money would be distributed equally to all clubs below the threshold. On the flip side, a payroll floor needs to e established, say at $27M. You don't hit that number, you don't get to share revenue. This way the NHL gets economic balance--and fans will know their teams can stay competitive. Neither side will love it, which is why it works.

 

2: HOW ABOUT SOME REAL REVENUE SHARING? Hockey needs a system in which all 30 teams contribute a percentage of revenues to a central fund, with the money redistributed equally to each club. The owners propose a plan where only the top 10 revenue-producing teams contribute. But why penalize only teams that are successful? In our plan, based on league revenue numbers, each team would get nearly $26M, with all teams contributing a percentage of their gate, in-arena revenues and local TV to broadcast, sponsership and special games dough. That would make for 30 stronger franchises, and a stronger---and more unified---league.

 

3: NEW PLAYERS SHOULD SUFFER IN SIX-FIGURE SILENCE: In sports labor wars, unions are quick to cave on rookie rights to gain other concessions. The NHL's new CBA should be no different. Players will have a $500K cap in the first year, $600K in the second year and $700K in the third. They can have signing and performance bonuses, but those too should be capped. A big problem with the current CBA is that rookies get substantial bonuses that are easy to reach. Under the old deal, a rookie could max out at $9M over three years. As we see it, the most an entry-level player will be able to make over three years is $3.6M. That's a lot less, but then again, the season will be shorter (see No. 7)

 

4: CLUBS SHOULD GET ARBITRATION TOO: The current system, in which only players can request mediation and only the ones who know they're likely to win do so, has driven salaries sky high. No wonder owners would like to eliminate arbitration altogether. But that would create another problem---long contract impasses that would keep key players on the sidelines. Give teams the right to arbitration, so they'll have an apparatus to occasionally push salaries down when warranted. It will also take market pressure to re-sign players out of the equation. See how easy this all is?

 

5: GET RID OF THE QUALIFYING SYSTEM: This system, which forces a team to offer a 10% raise to any player making less than the average league salary if it wants to keep his rights, has created a steady pull on salaries from the bottom of the pay scale over the past 10 years. But it's not fair to make a team give a raise to a guy who might not deserve it. Players, remember, are still protected from slaving away at unfair wages, they can always file for arbitration. The owners were dumb to agree to qualifying in 1994, but neither they nor the fans should continue to suffer for their stupidity.

 

6: LOWER THE AGE FOR UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENCY: NHL teams have control of their players from ages 18-31; we say make it 18-29. Considering the other concessions we're proposing, owners can afford to loosen their grip. In fact, they should welcome the change. Yes, stars would hit the market earlier, but with more players available, the laws of supply and demand dictate that the average salaries for these UFA's would drop. With our new luxury tax in place, the clubs will be better off if there's a large number of free agents competing for the same dollars.

 

7: ADMIT THAT LESS IS MORE: Everyone (fans included) knows it: an 82 game regular season is too long. Players just can't be consistant playing three times in four nights. And while owners will lose revenues with a shorter schedule, they'll also lose expenses (travel, building operations, salaries). We propose a 70-game slate in which division rivals face off seven times and conference opponents not in the same division play three. The final 12 will be against nonconference foes. Fans get a better product, and the players are fresher come spring. Even Gary and Bob should see why that's smart business.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments? I agree with some of it, not all of it, but at least it's something. I like the revenue sharing and smaller schedule ideas a lot.

[Lightning Flik 0]

The small schedule will happen when the NHL gets back. I think both sides realize there's no way they can play that many games.

 

Other than that, I agree with most of it. It's a very solid foundation of fixing many of the problems. I especially like the luxury tax concept because he is right, since neither side would like it, it would stand to reason that it would work.

[Brush with Greatness 0]

Though they share a lot of the same idea's, I think Brian Burke's proposal is far superior and much more thought out. I don't know, maybe this ESPN guy just decided to lift a few or Burke's ideas that he liked. As it is, Burke's proposal has been the best that I have seen and I would like to see it taken to both the players and management. Don't forget that Burke at one time was part of the NHL head office.

 

 

A WORKING SOLUTION

 

1. Phase in agreement over two years

 

Burke argues the CBA, whatever form it takes, should not go into effect immediately.

 

"I argued vehemently against transitional rules, but now I'm convinced we're going to need them, so you're going to need to phase-in [a new CBA] over two years."

 

2. Commit to a 12-year contract

 

While Burke concedes that a 12-year contract is a long deal, he believes his system will work if the players are guaranteed their percentage of the designated hockey revenue, in combination with an "escrow portion of that and a portion of what the league has for revenue purposes." [see point #3 below]

 

3. Escrow:

 

* Seven per cent of player payroll

* Ten per cent of designated hockey revenue (DHR)

* Arena construction fund

 

"The arena construction fund is something that they've done in the NFL with stadiums and I think the players will be in a lot better shape if we didn't have debt service on all our buildings."

 

4. Agree to share revenues of $200 million with $75 million coming from playoff pool

 

"I'm proposing revenue sharing be considered at $200 million, which is more than any of the other proposals I've seen," said Burke. "Only $75 million of that would be from the playoff pool. I think that should come from some of the wealthier teams."

 

5. Avoid luxury tax by establishing a payroll threshold at $38 million and payroll minimum of $33 million

 

"I don't like the term 'luxury tax'; players aren't a luxury," said Burke. "I'm not coming off the idea of a salary cap; I think it's the best system in pro sports. I think it has worked miracles in the National Football League. But if you have to go to something else, this might work."

 

Burke's numbers of a $38 million payroll threshold and a $33 million minimum are not set in stone.

 

"They're [flexible] numbers," explained Burke. "You would have to figure out what the hockey revenues are and [adjust] the players' percentage to come up with that."

 

6. Set overage fees at:

 

* 1st million = $0.50 on the dollar

* 2nd million = $1 per dollar

* 3rd million = $2 per dollar

* 4th million = $3 per dollar

* 5th million or more = $5 per dollar

 

Burke characterized the union's luxury tax proposal akin to "changing a side-view mirror on a bus that's going off a cliff."

 

"It will have absolutely no impact on spending. This is a realistic, ramped up tax that should have an effect on what clubs spend."

 

7. Reward good business behaviour by charging fees to repeat offenders

 

Under Burke's proposal, teams that exceed the payroll threshold year after year would be charged a fee, with that money distributed to teams that stay within the threshold.

 

"If a team repeatedly is up there and is inflationary, in my mind, the tax rate should change. You should reward good behaviour on the business front."

 

8. Guarantee players 55 per cent of DHR

 

Under Burke's plan, 55 per cent of the DHR would include "the income streams that are normally allocated to players in systems like this in the NBA and NFL."

 

9. Build trust with joint audit controls:

 

* 1st offence = $1 million fine

* 2nd offence = $5 million fine

 

Burke argues the league and union need to agree on a joint audit system similar to the NFL's in order to build trust between the two sides.

 

Under Burke's plan, any team that tries to hide money would be slapped with a million-dollar fine, while a second offence would see the fine rise to $5 million.

 

10. Establish four-year entry-level system with a maximum $250,000 in rookie bonuses

 

Burke helped negotiate the entry-level system part of the CBA ten years ago, but he feels that it is "ridiculous in terms of the bonuses that rookies can earn."

 

"That's money that should go to veteran players," argued Burke. "Tack a year on [the entry-level system] and cap what they can make in rookie bonuses."

 

11. Allow unrestricted free agency at age 29

 

Burke feels that unrestricted free agency should drop from 31 to 29 years of age.

 

"I'm sure that people will say that's not enough of a move, but I think unrestricted player movement has led to a loss of confusion of identity with players in the NFL and in Major League Baseball."

 

12. Amend qualifying offers to restricted free agents:

 

* The team with the rights to a player only has to match 75 per cent of the offer from another team to players over 26 years old

* 50 per cent for players 26 years old and under

 

Under the current CBA, the qualifying rate for restricted free agents is 100 per cent, depending on the player's salary. Burke thinks this is a "highly inflationary practice."

 

Under his plan, players over 26-years-old would get qualified at 75 per cent, while players under 26 would get qualified at 50 per cent.

 

"This means that once a player gets to a certain level and stops performing, he doesn't stay there forever and the team doesn't lose the rights to him."

 

13. Reduce regular-season games to 70 from 82

 

"I believe we play too many games. I think we should play 70 regular-season games and I think the product would be better, injuries would drop and I think our fans would be rewarded for that."

 

14. Revise salary arbitration by:

 

* Adopting baseball's hi/low system

* Allowing clubs to bring a player to arbitration

* Permitting a team or player to file only once every 3 years

 

Burke argued that salary arbitration has to be amended if it stays in the new CBA. He believes salary arbitration has to adopt Major League Baseball's model where the arbitrator picks either the player or owner proposal, and not decide on a dollar figure somewhere in between.

 

Burke also believes that clubs should be able to bring a player into arbitration and that teams and players should only be allowed to file once every three years.

 

"Guys that file every year [make it a] highly inflationary process," states Burke.

 

15. Set a drop-dead date for player signings

 

Burke wants to adopt the NFL model where players that aren't signed by the start of the season are out for the year.

[Guest Rrrsh]

I think both are great. If the two are combined, most of teh problems are ebing adressed.

 

 

There is only 1 major point that was adressed by neither proposal, Contarction and/or Relocation. The 6 teams who are losing the 75% of the league total loss (according to Author Levitt report which no one is disputing) should be moved or contarcted. Simple.

[Red Baron 0]

Which are the 6 teams?

[JustJoe2k5 0]

I think to have good attendance you need a good team and that is one thing the Carolina Hurricanes haven't had. When they had their run to the Stanley Cup finals in '02 the arena was packed and the state was excited about '03 and beyond. What do the Carolina Hurricanes do the next season? Finish last in their division and in the entire NHL, after that the additional fans gave up on the team and only the hardcore hockey fans were left. The arena is still pretty full on some nights but if Carolina had a team worth watching I am sure they could get alot more. I would think North Carolina has a fairly solid hockey following as we have quite a few minor league teams around here and I suppose they draw good crowds if they are still going. As for the six teams losing the most, Carolina, Phoenix, Florida, and Atlanta come to mind.

[Guest Rrrsh]

I was under the Assumption it was Washignton, Pittsburg, Florida, Carolina, Anahiem and Pheniox.

[Prophet of Mike Zagurski 0]

I'm not sure if I posted this before

 

Hockey Attendance Fiqures

[Guest Rrrsh]

Yah, Nashville might be there instead of Anahiem, now that I think of it.

[treble 0]

Pretty surprising that the Panthers outdrew the Sharks, although I guess that could partially be because the Panthers' arena is bigger.

[Lightning Flik 0]

I just watched TSN's Hot Seat concerning the NHL and NHLPA. I gotta say that I'm just blown away by what was revealed.

 

The NHL's rep pretty much has gone out on the limb stating they will bring in replacement players next season.

 

The NHLPA's rep pretty much stated that they don't give a damn about the regular player and only gives a damn about the stars.

 

I was blown away by the stupidity of both, but even more so that the NHLPA's rep with what he stated, as that has killed off what support fans were willing to give to the players.

[the max 0]

Transcripts:

 

http://tsn.ca/news_story.asp?id=101548 - Bill Daly

 

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=101547 - Ted Saskin

[nl5xsk1 0]

After reading the two transcripts, I've come to the following conclusions:

 

a) I side even more with the owners than I did before. (I don't get the impression that the PA is interested in the players as a whole, but only the elite superstars. I have a lot more compassion for the guy making the league minimum than the guy making $5 - $10 million.)

 

b) I'm more likely to go see a Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens game, made up entirely of replacement players, than I am to go see the random NHL players in some pickup game. As much as I like Thornton, Boynton, Raycroft, etc, I'm more a fan of the Bruins than a fan of the individual players.

 

c) This lockout, if it extends too long, will effect my love of the NHL. I'm already sick & tired of this bullshit, and will learn to appreciate minor league & college hockey more and more. Soon, I really won't care if the NHL ever comes back.

[the max 0]

I'm really fucking bored, so I looked up the players currently playing in Europe. Have a look see at some of these lineups.

 

This is from TSN, since ESPN doesn't care.

 

NHLers Playing in Europe During the Lockout, courtesy IIHF

 

 

North America's loss is definitely Europe's gain with the NHL lockout.

 

Over 180 NHL players have signed deals to play in European leagues, including Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund agreeing to skate with Modo of the Swedish league.

 

Modo is building a powerhouse, also signing Canucks twins Daniel and Henrik Sedin, Niklas Sundstrom of the Montreal Canadiens, Pierre Hedin of the Toronto Maple Leafs and superstar Peter Forsberg of the Colorado Avalanche.

 

While the majority of the NHL players have lockout clauses that permit them to return to North America if and when the labour impasse is over, Forsberg has indicated he will play the entire season with Modo.

 

Austria

 

Villach: Jason Krog, Anaheim.

 

Belarus

 

Dynamo Minsk : Konstantin Koltsov, Pittsburgh.

 

Czech Republic

 

Ceske Budejovice: Radek Martinek, N.Y. Islanders; Vaclav Prospal, Anaheim.

 

Karlovy Vary: Martin Strbak, Pittsburgh.

 

Kladno: Ivan Huml, Boston; Frantisek Kaberle, Atlanta; Tomas Kaberle, Toronto; Jaromir Jagr, N.Y. Rangers.

 

Liberec: Jiri Fischer, Detroit; Ales Kotalik, Buffalo; Radim Vrbata, Carolina; Vaclav Nedorost, Florida.

 

Litvinov: Tomas Kurka, Carolina; Martin Rucinsky, Vancouver; Martin Skoula, Anaheim; Jiri Slegr, Boston.

 

Olomouc: Jaroslav Svoboda, Dallas.

 

Pardubice: Jan Bulis, Montreal; Milan Hejduk, Colorado; Ales Hemsky, Edmonton.

 

Plzen: Martin Straka, Los Angeles; Jaroslav Spacek, Columbus; Milan Kraft, Pittsburgh; Martin Cibak, Tampa Bay.

 

Slavia Prague: Zigmund Palffy, Los Angeles; Josef Stumpel, Los Angeles; Josef Vasicek, Carolina; Tomas Kloucek, Atlanta.

 

Sparta Prague: Jan Hlavac, N.Y. Rangers; Karel Pilar, Toronto; David Vyborny, Columbus; Josef Melichar, Pittsburgh; Petr Nedved, Phoenix.

 

Trinec: Michael Rozsival, Pittsburgh; Radek Bonk, Montreal; Pavel Brendl, Carolina; Branislav Mezei, Florida Panthers.

 

Vitkovice: Martin Prusek, Ottawa; Marek Malik, Vancouver; Pavel Kubina, Tampa Bay; Vaclav Varada, Ottawa.

 

Vsetin: Rostislav Klesla, Columbus; Roman Cechmanek, Los Angeles; Branko Radivojevic, Philadelphia.

 

Zlin: Martin Erat, Nashville; Roman Hamrlik, N.Y. Islanders; Petr Cajanek, St. Louis.

Znojmesti Orli: Patrik Elias, New Jersey; Karel Rachunek, N.Y. Rangers; Tomas Vokoun, Nashville.

 

Finland

 

Espoo: Ryan Malone, Pittsburgh

 

HIFK: Marek Zidlicky, Nashville; Jarkko Ruutu, Vancouver; Lasse Pirjeta, Pittsburgh

 

HPK: Jani Rita, Edmonton; Riku Hahl, Colorado.

 

Jyväskylä: Duvie Westcott, Columbus.

 

KalPa: Kimmo Timonen, Nashville; Sami Kapanen, Philadelphia; Adam Hall, Nashville.

 

Karpat Oulu: Michael Nylander, NY Rangers

 

Lukko: Esa Pirnes, Los Angeles; Tomi Pettinen, Los Angeles.

 

Pelicans: Pasi Nurminen, Atlanta.

 

Tappara: Ville Nieminen, Calgary.

 

France

 

Epinal: Steve Gainey, Dallas.

 

Mulhouse: Steve Montador, Calgary; Steve Reinprecht, Calgary

 

Germany

 

Adler Mannheim: Jochen Hecht, Buffalo; Sven Butenschon, N.Y. Islanders; Cristobal Huet, Montreal.

 

Frankfurt: Stephane Robidas, Chicago.

 

Hamburg: Jim Dowd, Montreal.

 

Kassel: Nick Schultz, Minnesota

 

Ingolstadt: Marco Sturm, San Jose; Andy McDonald, Anaheim.

 

Iserlohn: Mike York, Edmonton.

 

Great Britain

 

Cardiff: Rob Davison, San Jose.

 

Italy

 

Asiago: Rico Fata, Pittsburgh.

 

Bolzano: Jamie Lundmark, N.Y. Rangers.

 

Cortina: Matt Cullen, Carolina.

 

Milano: Craig Adams, Carolina.

 

Latvia

 

Riga 2000: Karlis Skrastins, Colorado; Sergei Zholtok, Nashville; Darby Hendrickson, Colorado.

 

Norway

 

Valerenga: Anders Myrvold, Detroit.

 

Poland

 

Podhale Nowy Targ: Krzysztof Oliwa, New Jersey.

 

Russia

 

AK Bars Kazan: Denis Arkhipov, Nashville; Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta; Alexei Morozov, Pittsburgh; Sergei Varlamov, St. Louis.

 

CSKA Moscow: Alexander Frolov, Los Angeles; Nikolai Zherdev, Columbus; Anton Volchenkov, Ottawa.

 

Dynamo Moscow: Maxim Afinogenov, Buffalo; Andrei Markov, Montreal; Artem Chubarov, Vancouver; Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit; Alexander Khavanov, St. Louis.

Khimik Voskresensk: Slava Kozlov, Atlanta; Vitaly Vishnevski, Anaheim.

 

Lada Togliatti: Dmitri Afanasenkov, Tampa Bay; Dainius Zubrus, Washington; Ivan Novoseltsev, Phoenix; Viktor Kozlov, New Jersey; Jussi Markkanen, Edmonton; Alexander Semin, Washington.

 

Lokomotiv Yaroslav: Igor Korolev, Chicago; Kiril Safronov, Atlanta; Denis Shvidki, Florida; Petr Schastlivy, Anaheim.

 

Met. Magnitogorsk: Sergei Gonchar, Boston; Petr Sykora, Anaheim; Dmitri Kalinin, Buffalo; Andrei Nazarov, Phoenix.

 

Salavat Yulaev: Andrei Zyuzin, Minnesota.

 

Severstal Cher.: Oleg Kvasha, N.Y. Islanders.

 

Sibir Novosibirsk: Alexander Karpovtsev, Florida.

 

SKA St. Petersburg: Alexei Semenov, Edmonton; Alexander Khavanov, St. Louis; Garth Snow, N.Y. Islanders.

 

Slovakia

 

Kosice: Jiri Bicek, New Jersey; Ladislav Nagy, Phoenix.

 

ZM Olimpija: Brian Willsie, Washington; Matt Pettinger, Washington

 

Skalica: Miroslav Zalesak, San Jose; Josef Balej, N.Y. Rangers.

 

Slovan Bratislava: Lubomir Visnovsky, Los Angeles.

 

Dukla Trencin: Marian Hossa, Ottawa; Pavol Demitra, St. Louis; Marian Gaborik, Minnesota.

 

Zilina: Ronald Petrovicky, Atlanta.

 

Zvolen: Vladimir Orszagh, Nashville; Richard Zednik, Montreal.

 

Martin (2nd Div): Radovan Somik, Philadelphia.

 

Switzerland

 

Ajoie: Jeff Halpern, Washington

 

Ambri-Piotta: Kim Johnsson, Philadelphia.

 

Davos: Niklas Hagman, Florida; Joe Thornton, Boston; Rick Nash, Columbus.

GCK: Andy Sutton

 

Kloten: Olli Jokinen, Florida.

 

Langnau: Martin Gerber, Carolina; Tim Connolly, Buffalo.

 

Lugano: David Aebischer, Colorado; Alex Tanguay, Colorado.

SC Bern: Daniel Briere, Buffalo.

 

Thurgau: Marc Savard, Atlanta.

 

Zug: Niko Kapanen, Dallas.

 

Sweden

 

Bjorkloven: Richard Jackman, Pittsburgh.

 

Boden: Andrew Peters, Buffalo.

 

Byrnas: Josef Boumedienne, Washington Capitals

 

Djurgarden: Daniel Tjarnqvist, Atlanta; Nils Ekman, San Jose; Marcus Nilson, Calgary; Mariusz Czerkawski, NY Islanders.

 

Farjestad: Christian Berglund, Florida; Sheldon Souray, Montreal; Zdeno Chara, Ottawa.

 

Frolunda: Christian Backman, St. Louis; Per-Johan Axelsson, Boston; Samuel Pahlsson, Anaheim; Sami Salo, Vancouver.

 

Leksand: Michael Ryder, Montreal.

 

Linkoping: Kristian Huselius, Florida; Brendan Morrison, Vancouver; Mike Knuble, Philadelphia; Henrik Tallinder, Buffalo.

 

Lulea: Niclas Wallin, Carolina; Tomas Holmstrom, Detroit.

 

Malmo: Brett McLean, Colorado

 

Mora: Shawn Horcoff, Edmonton; Daniel Cleary, Phoenix; Andreas Lilja, Nashville; Marcel Hossa, Montreal Canadiens.

 

This may be the best team in the world right nowMoDo: Henrik Sedin, Vancouver; Daniel Sedin, Vancouver; Mattias Weinhandl, N.Y. Islanders; Pierre Hedin, Toronto; Markus Naslund, Vancouver; Niklas Sundstrom, Montreal; Peter Forsberg, Colorado.

 

Sodertalje: Dick Tarnstrom, Pittsburgh; Niclas Havelid, Atlanta.

 

Timra: Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary; Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit; Fredrik Modin, Tampa Bay.

 

 

 

 

So, yeah, there you go. Nothing earth-shattering, but I'm tired of saying "Bill Daly" "lockout" "no NHL hockey this season" Maybe this will give you something cool to look at.

[HarleyQuinn 0]

I was bored as well and tabulated how many players scored 50 goals or more during a season. This was partially done as a result of the whole GAA and such earlier in the thread. As you can see, it seems that the NHL is starting to turn into the 60's/70's scoring wise compared to the 80's level of high scoring. Also interesting to see the resurrgence of scoring from 1992-1995 despite the low number of 50+ers in 1990 and 1991 as well as the years after.

 

1944: 1 Scorer at 50 Goals or More

1960: 1 Scorer at 50 Goals or More

1961: 1 Scorer at 50 Goals or More

1965: 1 Scorer at 50 Goals or More

1966: 1 Scorer at 50 Goals or More

1968: 1 Scorer at 50 Goals or More

1970: 2 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1971: 3 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1972: 3 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1973: 4 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1974: 4 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1975: 6 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1976: 3 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1977: 2 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1978: 4 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1979: 9 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1980: 8 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1981: 10 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1982: 7 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1983: 8 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1984: 9 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1985: 6 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1986: 5 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1987: 8 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1988: 6 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1989: 8 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1990: 4 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1991: 4 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1992: 14 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1993: 9 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1995: 8 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1996: 4 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

1997: 4 Scorers at 50 Goals or More(Dramatic Dropoff begins)

1999: 1 Scorer at 50 Goals or More

2000: 3 Scorers at 50 Goals or More

2001: 1 Scorer at 50 Goals or More

2002: 1 Scorer at 50 Goals or More

[Guest Sylvan Grenier]

Pretty surprising that the Panthers outdrew the Sharks, although I guess that could partially be because the Panthers' arena is bigger.

San Jose had a higher gate than Florida, and filled more of their arena, but the Panthers had a higher average figure somehow.

 

 

My question is why some teams have fewer than 41 home games, but no team has more than 41? Where are these extra games? It doesn't add up, unless Colorado played the Canadiens in Quebec City as they've done now and then so it doesn't count for home figures.

[Red Baron 0]

Wasn't Colorado's first games in Japan this year?

 

Or am I crazy

[Guest Olympic Slam]

Pretty surprising that the Panthers outdrew the Sharks, although I guess that could partially be because the Panthers' arena is bigger.

San Jose had a higher gate than Florida, and filled more of their arena, but the Panthers had a higher average figure somehow.

Yep, the Shark Tank is tiny. The attendance capacity has topped at 17,439 for awhile now.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Wasn't Colorado's first games in Japan this year?

 

Or am I crazy

JAPAN?!?!?

 

 

Dammit Bettman!

[HarleyQuinn 0]

Another interesting tidbit concerning scoring, this from the 2003-2004 season.

 

There were 70 players who scored between 20-29 goals. There were only 17 players who scored between 30-39 goals and only 3 players scored between 40-49 goals.

 

This means that out of the hundreds of hockey players playing in the NHL only 90 players in the whole league scored more then 20 goals...WTH?

[the max 0]

The Minnesota Wild are *gasp* PUTTING THE FANS FIRST?! SOMEONE CALL THE OWNERS!!

 

http://www.wild.com/fans/010/078/

 

WILD FAN FAIR TO BE HELD AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER

ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 FROM 5:00 TO 8:00 PM

Commemorative “Fans First” Pucks provided to first 2,500 fans

 

Wild Radio Producer Kevin Falness Previews The Wild Fan Fair

 

    SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild announced today that Wild Fan Fair, an interactive family event, will be held at Xcel Energy Center on Saturday, October 16 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.  Wild fans are encouraged to enter through Gate 1 of Xcel Energy Center.

 

The Wild Fan Fair free to the public!

 

Level-by-level details of the open house are listed below:

 

Arena Floor

Interactive Games

Hockey games

Moonwalk

Obstacle Course

9 hole Miniature Golf

Autographs - Northwest end of arena floor

5:00 - 6:00 Head Coach Jacques Lemaire and Goalie Coach Bob Mason

6:00 - 7:00 NHL Alumni - Murray Oliver, Dave Langevin, Steve Christoff

7:00 - 8:00 Assistant Coaches Mario Tremblay and Mike Ramsey

Minnesota Wild Locker Room Tours

Fishing Lodge

Meet Doug Risebrough, President and General Manager - 5:00 - 6:30 & 7:00 - 8:00

Meet Wild Radio Network Studio Host Kevin Falness and tour the NHL Tonight studios

 

100 Level

Hockey Lodge - “Fans First” discount available for all fans throughout the Lodge

Sales and Service Booth - Sign up for open skating at the Xcel Energy Center

Silent Auction

 

Iron Range Bar and Grill - Meet Pam Wheelock, Executive Vice President and CFO and Matt Majka, Executive Vice President  - 5:00 - 8:00. Enjoy discounted beverages while watching the Wild host the Avalanche in Game 6 of the first round of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs

 

Hockey Unplugged

5:30 - 6:00 Assistant Coaches Mike Ramsey and Mario Tremblay

6:30 - 7:00 President and General Manager Doug Risebrough and Head Coach Jacques Lemaire

 

Suite Level

Suite 25 - Tour an event suite

 

Club Level

Headwaters - Live Music

Bacardi Bar - Enjoy discounted beverages while watching the Wild play the Avalanche in Game 7 of the first round of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs

 

200 Level

Phillips Old Time Hockey Lounge - Enjoy discounted beverages while watching the Wild take on the Canucks in Game 6 of the second round of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs

 

Press Box

Let’s Play Hockey auditions

5:30 - 6:00 

Select fans will have the chance to audition to do Let’s Play Hockey at an upcoming Wild game.

 

Check out a broadcast booth set up for a Wild game 

Fantasy Broadcast Booth - Select fans will have the chance to call with a Wild broadcaster Richard Park’s overtime goal from Game 6 of the 2003 Stanley Cup playoffs

 

Meet Wild broadcasters

5:00 - 6:00 Mike Greenlay and Matt McConnell

7:15 - 8:00 Bob Kurtz and Tom Reid

 

Food and Beverages

Discounted food and beverages available throughout the Xcel Energy Center - Visit concession stands at sections 102, 116, and C8 along with the Fishing Lodge, Iron Range Grill, Headwaters, Bacardi Bar, and Philips Old Time Hockey Lounge.

 

-- WILD --

 

 

I say kudos to them, even if they're charging money. It's still hockey.

[Lightning Flik 0]

If the Oilers Organization were doing something like that, I'd definitely attend.

 

And no offense, but is it just me, or as this drags on, the PA just killing themselves? I mean, I honestly am losing what little support I'm willing to give them the more this drags on.

[the max 0]

Will anyone watch if they bring in replacement players?

[Lightning Flik 0]

I will as I'm a fan of hockey. Sure, it hurts that I won't get to see the stars of the NHL, but hey. You never know. Maybe we'll get a crop of new stars that will make up for the loss.

 

So if that's what happens, I'm ok with it.

[The Czech Republic 0]

In this day and age of the NHL, you root for uniforms, not players, because they've become so transient. I'll take the replacements.