April 23, 2011
— DrewM Rangers v. Capitals a little after 3 eastern on NBC.
Capitals are up 3 games to 1 after the Rangers absolutely melted down in the 3rd period of game 4, so this is a potential elimination game.
If you sample hockey last year during the Olympics but haven't watched much since, this should be a fun game to watch (assuming the Rangers show up). The most dynamic player in the world is the Caps Alexander Ovechkin. I'm a Rangers fan and as much as he's killed the Rangers and probably will today or going forward if the Rangers survive but I love to watch him play. The reckless physical abandon combined with his off the chart skill is simply much watch stuff.
The Rangers best player is goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. Yes, he's a Scandi but he's one of the good ones. Plus, I bet the mononettes fficial&prmd=ivnsulo&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=CSSzTZqvBMW1twfI4enpDg&ved=0CCcQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=664">would be willing to vouch for him.
I predicted Rangers in 7 mostly with my heart, so I think they'll live to fight another day. We'll see.
If you're new to hockey and have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments. tmi3rd should be around to answer them along with some of the other hockey savvy morons.
Posted by: DrewM at
11:07 AM
| Comments (148)
Post contains 222 words, total size 1 kb.
Posted by: Paul at April 23, 2011 11:12 AM (ix2UW)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 11:13 AM (WRtsc)
Nothing else in sports compares with Stanley Cup hockey. Go Rangers!
Posted by: robviously at April 23, 2011 11:13 AM (pprkn)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 11:14 AM (WRtsc)
Posted by: Paul at April 23, 2011 03:12 PM (ix2UW)
Hahaha.
Posted by: robviously at April 23, 2011 11:14 AM (pprkn)
So you know sometimes you read something and wonder if one of the other morons was the one responsible for that?
The local hockey team had an event to raise money for breast cancer. Since the team name, as somebody here knows well, is the Mudbugs, they called the event "Bugs 4 Jugs 5K Walk".
So I can't help but wonder...
Posted by: Mama AJ at April 23, 2011 11:19 AM (XdlcF)
BTW, Sun News saying Yemen's president is agreeing to step down in 30 days.
We'll see . . .
Posted by: logprof at April 23, 2011 11:19 AM (BP6Z1)
Posted by: FlaviusJulius at April 23, 2011 03:16 PM (qIHlG)
Yeah, except hitting is legal (and encouraged), guys are moving over 30mph, goals are scored, and it's played by men.
Posted by: robviously at April 23, 2011 11:20 AM (pprkn)
Don't forget lesser lights like Matthieu Schneider, Scott Gomez and Scott Frasier.
As for Crosby...doubt it would happen. It'll be a decade plus before it's even on the table so who knows.
I'd like to see them move some of their young D-men for some more talent upfront. That and see how the kids (Anisimov and Stepan) develop at center. Also want to see how Chris Kreider pans out in camp this summer. Dude looks like a stud.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 11:20 AM (y07gN)
Posted by: logprof at April 23, 2011 11:20 AM (BP6Z1)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 11:20 AM (WRtsc)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 11:21 AM (WRtsc)
Yeah, except hitting is legal (and encouraged), guys are moving over 30mph, goals are scored, and it's played by men.
and falling to the ground crying when someone brushes past you gets your ass kicked by your own teammates, not a timeout and free kick.
Posted by: CuChulainn at April 23, 2011 11:22 AM (7XFKJ)
Posted by: Bill D. Cat at April 23, 2011 11:22 AM (npr0X)
Yeh, I remember you saying that, which is why I'm teasing you. Air Force moved us here, so we've only been here a couple years.
My husband is from Philly. Since last time he was overseas, the Phillies won the World Series, I gotta think the Flyers have a chance this year...
Posted by: Mama AJ at April 23, 2011 11:23 AM (XdlcF)
Posted by: CuChulainn at April 23, 2011 11:23 AM (7XFKJ)
This is the rangers' problem...not enough talent and not enough go forward, go for the kill mentality.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 11:24 AM (y07gN)
Posted by: The Phoenix Coyotes at April 23, 2011 11:24 AM (toqoX)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 11:25 AM (WRtsc)
Posted by: The Atlanta Thrashers at April 23, 2011 11:27 AM (WRtsc)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at April 23, 2011 11:30 AM (W7Ddq)
Tell me you've discovered Silver Star Smokehouse on Benton Road by now...
Pass it all the time, but haven't been in. Will grab some take out there eventually...
Posted by: Mama AJ at April 23, 2011 11:30 AM (XdlcF)
I hate this time of year. Stupid hockey. I get less attention from hubby IYKWIMAITYD.
Posted by: dagny at April 23, 2011 11:30 AM (lq6sz)
Oh well.
Great play by Ovie to pass there.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 11:32 AM (y07gN)
Posted by: jimmytheleg at April 23, 2011 11:33 AM (z+By6)
Posted by: Anon Y. Mous at April 23, 2011 11:34 AM (CrMEH)
Posted by: The Atlanta Thrashers at April 23, 2011 11:37 AM (WRtsc)
$7.5/year and worth every penny!
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 11:42 AM (y07gN)
The Rangers always get the NHL's best players. . . long after they're the best players. Guy Lafluer, Wayne Gretzky, Pat Lafontaine, Eric Lindros, Jaromir Jagr, Pavel Bure, did I miss any?
Gomez was already mentioned.
Robitaille, arguably.
Kaspiritis.
Sean Avery, if he was ever good to begin with.
Posted by: FireHorse at April 23, 2011 11:43 AM (uUo97)
Posted by: The Atlanta Thrashers at April 23, 2011 11:43 AM (WRtsc)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 11:47 AM (FfyYt)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 11:48 AM (FfyYt)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 11:48 AM (WRtsc)
Posted by: swamp_yankee at April 23, 2011 11:49 AM (ZIpcL)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 11:50 AM (WRtsc)
Posted by: swamp_yankee at April 23, 2011 03:49 PM (ZIpcL)
--And those American teams need lots of Canadian players to do it! 
Posted by: logprof at April 23, 2011 11:52 AM (BP6Z1)
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 11:53 AM (y07gN)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 03:50 PM (WRtsc)
--The National Post did a breakdown in 2006. Carolina actually had more Canadian players than Edmonton. Personally, I think that's more important. Last year Winnipeg got to host the Cup for a while since Toews plays for the Blackhawks.
Posted by: logprof at April 23, 2011 11:53 AM (BP6Z1)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 11:56 AM (WRtsc)
The Rangers always get the NHL's best players. . . long after they're the best players. Guy Lafluer, Wayne Gretzky, Pat Lafontaine, Eric Lindros, Jaromir Jagr, Pavel Bure, did I miss any?
Gomez was already mentioned.
Robitaille, arguably.
Kaspiritis.
Sean Avery, if he was ever good to begin with.
Posted by: FireHorse at April 23, 2011 03:43 PM (uUo97)
Would you throw Drury into this mix? He's definitely dropped off as a Ranger, even though it wasn't immediate and even though I still miss him as a Sabres fan.
Posted by: robviously at April 23, 2011 11:57 AM (pprkn)
Nah, Messier was still an elite player when he went to NY the first time. He was definitely on the downside when he came back the second time after a couple of years in Vancouver.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 11:57 AM (y07gN)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 11:59 AM (FfyYt)
I think the problem with Drury is that he got such a big contract. He's not a top line, elite scorer. He's a strong two way, character guy who has a well earned reputation for making big plays.
If he were cheaper and didn't come with unrealistic expectations he'd be fine.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 11:59 AM (y07gN)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 03:56 PM (WRtsc)
--Yup.
It may be worth your while to look into the whole Glendale-Goldwater Insititute brouhaha. As a bonus, Darcy Olsen is hot.
Posted by: logprof at April 23, 2011 11:59 AM (BP6Z1)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 12:00 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 12:02 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: forest at April 23, 2011 12:03 PM (sHmvf)
I think the problem with Drury is that he got such a big contract. He's not a top line, elite scorer. He's a strong two way, character guy who has a well earned reputation for making big plays.
If he were cheaper and didn't come with unrealistic expectations he'd be fine.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 03:59 PM (y07gN)
July 1st, 2007, is still referred to as "Black Sunday" in Buffalo as the day when Danny Briere signed with Philly and Chris Drury signed with the Rangers.
Drury actually agreed to a contract extension early in the 2006-2007 season but our moron owner (at the time) got cold feet and never sent it over for him to sign. The team later said they'd match any offer he got as a FA but he wisely said to hell with that and signed with a team that wanted him more.
Posted by: robviously at April 23, 2011 12:04 PM (pprkn)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 12:05 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: The Rogue Economist at April 23, 2011 12:07 PM (987xA)
Do kids still do that? I can't remember if it was some school event or something. For some reason all the kids were there. Few things can remind me of that pure first flush of puppy love than having the lights go down and the slow music come on (maybe some lionel richie) and my skinny 13 year old ass clumsily stomping over (on account of the roller skates) to a small pack of girls leaning against the wall and asking Lisa, the shy one in the middle, to couples skate. And she said yes and I took her hand and led her out on the rink. Nothing more than holding hands and skating in circles for a few minutes, but that filled me with more romantic longing than any hollywood starlet ever could now.
It's actually one of the first memories I have of feeling like a real man -- taking her by the hand and leading her out on the rink. She glances back at her pack of friends, tucks her hair behind her ear, then smiles up at me. Made me feel ten feet tall.
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 12:10 PM (QcFbt)
Drury was the guy who killed the Rangers in the 07 playoffs (7.7 fucking seconds).
But you guys now have the best owner in sports and a strong team to start with.
I bet you get a Cup before the Rangers.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:11 PM (y07gN)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 12:13 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 12:15 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: sartana at April 23, 2011 12:17 PM (7Xm5b)
Posted by: Ben at April 23, 2011 12:18 PM (DKV43)
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:19 PM (y07gN)
Posted by: sartana at April 23, 2011 04:17 PM (7Xm5b)
I'm more interested in winning the S.E. Cupp
Posted by: swamp_yankee at April 23, 2011 12:21 PM (ZIpcL)
Off-topic- what the HELL was that in Pittsburgh today? It's tough to win that fourth game, but they just rolled over today. That's almost as bad as watching Vancouver gargle the last two games away.
As I said, if you look at our playoff record, we almost never finish playoff series at home. We won the cup in Detroit and lost the cup the year prior in pittsburgh. We beat the capitals two years ago in an away game 7, but got bounced last year against montreal in a home game 7.
It's just kinda the way it is. I fully expect the pens to win in Tampa on monday.
Posted by: Ben at April 23, 2011 12:22 PM (DKV43)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 12:22 PM (FfyYt)
Yeah, that went south after a good 1st period. Hopefully they just go back to the pounding they were handing out in game 1, and even if it goes to 7 they should win. The bolts are working their top guys like rented mules, and their goalie is older than me. Don't see the legs holding up.
Posted by: forest at April 23, 2011 12:23 PM (sHmvf)
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:23 PM (y07gN)
Part of the Rangers problem isn't just that they over pay people, but their GM treats his team the same way a 16 year old kid does playing an NHL video game. He just tries to sign the big name players or the players who are hot, instead of looking for players that fit their system and that can play well with the players already on the team.
Posted by: Ben at April 23, 2011 12:25 PM (DKV43)
I imagine before the TV close-up it was easier to just flail wildly -- it would look great for the crowd and nobody risked a real injury. Clearly there is some degree of theater to the fights.
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 12:26 PM (QcFbt)
Would you throw Drury into this mix?
No, but I wouldn't argue the point if you did.
(He had a better team in Buffalo, so it's not all on him.)
Posted by: FireHorse at April 23, 2011 12:26 PM (uUo97)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 12:27 PM (FfyYt)
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 12:27 PM (QcFbt)
forest. I think so do, but today's game was an epic debacle. The defense just had a meltdown. Michaelek has his worst game as a penguin and there was very little back checking.
Fleury didn't play to well either. I expect them to bounce back in game six.
On the upside, it is so much fun watching the flyers get beatin by a team that is essentially an AHL team with two good players and a awesome goalie.
Posted by: Ben at April 23, 2011 12:27 PM (DKV43)
That's a very good team in red. Yeah, the Rrangers are making them look better today but they have a ton of talent. A ton.
And there it is.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:28 PM (y07gN)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 12:29 PM (FfyYt)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 12:29 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: sartana at April 23, 2011 12:30 PM (7Xm5b)
He could easily do the Grant Furh..."you guys go nuts on offense, I'll take care of the 2-1s coming back the other way" thing.
Hell he does it now it's just there's no offense benefit on the other end.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:31 PM (y07gN)
Hockey question -- how real are the fights? I know they are often very real, with real injuries and concussions -- but other times it looks a bit WWE, like they are trying to look like they are fighting without actually hurting each other.
I imagine before the TV close-up it was easier to just flail wildly -- it would look great for the crowd and nobody risked a real injury. Clearly there is some degree of theater to the fights.
They are as real as it gets. It can sometimes look odd because people forget they are standing on ice with a blade that isn't much thicker than a knife. So they get tired quicker and have to focus on balance and landing punches.
If you're asking are they planned, then in a way yes, sometimes they are. There are certain situations where a coach will tell aplayer to go out and fight. For example, if you're down 3+ goals, you usually do that to get your team fired up. I'd say most are spontaneous though.
I suggest you go to hockey fights dot com and watch fights.
Keep in mind there is a code among players though. You stop hitting the other guy when he gives up or goes down. And sometimes the ref comes in to stop the fight when it becomes clear both men are exhuasted and cannot throw anymore punches.
Posted by: Ben at April 23, 2011 12:31 PM (DKV43)
Posted by: logprof at April 23, 2011 12:31 PM (BP6Z1)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at April 23, 2011 12:32 PM (W7Ddq)
They are not staged in terms of predetermined outcomes but they aren't always personal. I've seen guys beat the living shit out of each other during a game and then laugh about it right after. Sometimes the guys really don't like each other but even if they do, they are letting it fly, come what may, when they drop them.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:33 PM (y07gN)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 12:34 PM (WRtsc)
One other thing...if you want to know how real the fights are, go look at the hands of a guy who fights on a regular basis. They are gnarley and torn up. I have no idea how they do it.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:36 PM (y07gN)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at April 23, 2011 12:41 PM (W7Ddq)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 12:44 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at April 23, 2011 12:44 PM (W7Ddq)
I actually like the idea of playing him with the grinders. They get chances, create rebounds but don't have enough skill to bury them. Maybe Gabby can clean up some trash.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:46 PM (y07gN)
And to suggest part is theater and a "show" doesn't imply it's fake or staged at all. Even the UFC guys will talk about the pressure they feel to put on a good show. The crowd likes punches -- even wild, flailing ones -- more than slower, controlled wrestling.
No offense meant. I played baseball which regularly features bench clearing brawls where nobody gets hurt. Not too many fights in real life with 30 dudes in a scrum and nobody gets hurt, but amazingly that is the norm in baseball.
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 12:46 PM (QcFbt)
He has a fast guy cutting the middle and he passes to the stationary guy further back.
Come on guys, these are set plays you practice.
Heh, Edie O and Pierre just said same thing.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:50 PM (y07gN)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 12:52 PM (FfyYt)
That said, I'm hoping the Blackhawks can sustain their comeback.
Posted by: Crazee at April 23, 2011 12:55 PM (xsoRi)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 12:56 PM (WRtsc)
Heh.
Nah, this was never going to be a Cup run year. I'd have like them to have won a series or at least not cough up an all time hairball like game 3 but this is a young and flawed team.
They are solid in goal and on D. They simply have to keep developing the forwards and bring in some vet help up front.
I want to see how guys like Anisimov and Stepan improve after a year. Also Callahan and Dubinski are still young and improving.
They really need to do something about Gaborik. He's a bust but I doubt he's movable. Like I said earlier, they have some spare D to move they might be able to turn into a serviceable forward.
Besides, I give Slats a lot of credit for basically turning Scott Gomez into Ryan McDonnah and Brandon Prust.
There's hope and the problem is clear. Let's see what he can do to turn it around. If he thinks the answer is an old and concussed Brad Richards, we're fucked.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 12:58 PM (y07gN)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 01:02 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at April 23, 2011 01:03 PM (FI38b)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 01:06 PM (FfyYt)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 01:08 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: Paul at April 23, 2011 01:11 PM (ix2UW)
The baseball brawls were jokes, I had to do a couple. It's just a code thing, you have to run on the field when everybody else does. Nobody ever told me. Nobody ever talked about the rules, it's just ... how it works. Most of the guys were like me and waiting for the others guys to rush out first so we can jog behind and make sure we don't get hit. Half the time you don't even see what started it, you're just sitting there and everybody runs out, so you have to too.
In basketball the fights were way more serious, personal and intense. I was a bit of chesty punk who'd get in people's faces. Took a # of elbows to the head, and threw more than a few myself in the heat of the moment.
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 01:13 PM (QcFbt)
831 year old Nolan Ryan beating the shit out of a 20 something Robin Ventura.
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 01:16 PM (y07gN)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 01:20 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at April 23, 2011 01:21 PM (FI38b)
Gotta get the ownership issued straightened out first. This franchise has a long history of being owned by people who can't afford it.
Posted by: Mallamutt, RINO President for Life at April 23, 2011 05:12 PM (OWjjx)
Tell me about it...
Posted by: Shannow the lifelong Sabres fan at April 23, 2011 01:22 PM (gndRo)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 01:23 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 01:24 PM (QcFbt)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 01:28 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: DrewM. at April 23, 2011 01:30 PM (y07gN)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at April 23, 2011 01:31 PM (FI38b)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 01:31 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 01:33 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 01:35 PM (WRtsc)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 01:38 PM (FfyYt)
Posted by: Big T Party at April 23, 2011 01:46 PM (FfyYt)
There are economic studies that look at metro GDP and market capacity of various cities to see who can support various teams and leagues. MLB requires, by far, the largest economic base to support a team.
Here's one study.
The over-extended cities are: Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincy, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, SF/Oakland, St. Louis, Tampa.
Of course, some of these metro areas - Phoenix, Nashville, Tampa, Denver, Charlotte -- are growing. While others are stagnant or shrinking.
The study doesn't factor in fan interest or intensity, of course. it's just doing a raw #s comparison.
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 01:54 PM (QcFbt)
GO BOLTS!! Avoided elimination to force game #6 after two major meltdowns. 
Re: the Nolan Ryan vs. Ventura epic...I was actually in the stands for that one as I'd spent the summer as a research assistant at the Super Collider (right before Congress pulled the plug on it :::rolls eyes::
.
Took a bunch of pics with my dinky little camera but the benches cleared pretty quickly so most of 'em came out as a pile of uniforms around the mound. The crowd was sooo ticked at Ventura and damn proud of Ryan.
The newspaper headline the next morning was "Don't Mess with Tex" with a huge pic of Ryan with Ventura in a headlock. hehehe The young whippersnapper didn't realize that Ryan spent his off seasons working on his Texas cattle ranch so Ventura was no more threat than a young calf. :::snerk:::
Posted by: Kirin at April 23, 2011 02:09 PM (Z/722)
BTW, yes, Lundqvist definitely meets this (mostly lurking) moronette's high standards for eye candy. 
Yeah, Tampa is a bit over-extended sports wise at the moment, but we are still growing.
Since I was originally from the Midwest and raised in a hockey-crazy Blackhawk fan family, I was thrilled when Tampa got the Lightning. Watched them through all the lean years and rejoiced when they finally won the Stanley Cup then got ticked at hockey in general when the following season was cancelled. Am slowly working my way back to enthusiasm for the sport again.
Posted by: Kirin at April 23, 2011 02:17 PM (Z/722)
Posted by: forest at April 23, 2011 02:35 PM (sHmvf)
From 200-2009 growth rates:
Some grew:
Raleigh 41%
Austin 36%
Phoenix 34%
Charlotte 31%
Atlanta 29%
Orlando 27%
Dallas 25%
Houston 24%
Nashville 21%
Tampa 15%
Denver 17%
Some shrank:
New Orleans -10%
Buffalo -4%
Cleveland -3%
Pittsburgh -3%
Hartford -1%
Some of the big midwest cities are gonna be hard pressed to hold onto their teams in the next 10-20 years if these population trends continue.
Posted by: Clubber Lang at April 23, 2011 02:51 PM (QcFbt)
Posted by: jainphx at April 23, 2011 03:54 PM (t4h7F)
Posted by: LETS go RED wings at April 23, 2011 04:35 PM (GzhjM)
Posted by: jmp at April 23, 2011 04:38 PM (oc2Cr)
Posted by: jmp at April 23, 2011 04:40 PM (oc2Cr)
There are economic studies that look at metro GDP and market capacity of various cities to see who can support various teams and leagues. MLB requires, by far, the largest economic base to support a team.
Here's one study.
The over-extended cities are: Buffalo, Charlotte, Cincy, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, SF/Oakland, St. Louis, Tampa.
Of course, some of these metro areas - Phoenix, Nashville, Tampa, Denver, Charlotte -- are growing. While others are stagnant or shrinking.
The study doesn't factor in fan interest or intensity, of course. it's just doing a raw #s comparison.
Posted by: Clubber Lang
That is the reason why the NHL, NBA, and NFL have put teams in those growing areas, and why Phoenix will probably keep the Coyotes. The Coyotes going back to Winnepeg does nothing for the NHL. It does not put more eyes on TV, will not put more butts in the seats, and will not bring in the necessary corporate dollars.
Several years ago a Winnapeg business writer did a story on how much corporate support a team needs, and he figured it would take more than twice every advertising dollar in Winnapeg to support the team. Granted, Winnapeg could and would probably sell out every game, but not all of the money needed to run a team comes from ticket sales. Plus, the population trends favor Phoenix. Winnapeg's metro area population is about 707,000. Phoenix/Glenndale is about 3,110,000.
Clearly the future is Phoenix
Posted by: MrCaniac at April 23, 2011 04:50 PM (eKuOw)
Posted by: Swiftsure at April 23, 2011 07:35 PM (/HToh)
at the risk of offending any Anaheim Ducks fans
Does. Not. Compute. Go ahead, offend them (if you can find them).
It'd be something if the Blackhawks roared back from 0-3 to with this series.
Since I hate the 'Nucks with the passion of a thousand fiery suns, yes, it would be something. Something awesome!!! Ginger tears = good times!
Hey, what's the real estate market like in Winnipeg right now? What can you buy on a below-average NHL player's salary?
I think you're about to find out.
I really feel bad for Phoenix fans losing their team, but they were already someone else's team to begin with. Moving teams sucks for the fans, but we have Bettman in charge, expanding the league in non-hockey cities (among his many pinhead moves as Commish) and this is what happens. The Kings had a minor league team in Phoenix (the Roadrunners) before the Yotes got there and I don't remember the city crying out for an NHL team in the desert. It made me sick when the owners recently extended Bettman's contract. Get a hockey guy in that job, for crying out loud.
Also, any Sharks fans here? Because I was appalled at the acres of empty seats at HP Pavilion a couple of games when the Kings were leading in the third. Anyone who pays any attention to hockey knows how quickly momentum and the score can change (plus my poor Kings apparently have a gift for blowing a lead, no matter how commanding it might seem at any given time) so how the heck do you leave before the game is over, especially in the playoffs? Terrible fans.
Posted by: Melinda (lone West Coast represent, apparently) at April 24, 2011 11:54 AM (zjBaN)
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Posted by: tmi3rd at April 23, 2011 11:11 AM (WRtsc)