Pending ratifications of course. I know hockey isn't the most popular sport on here....but for those of us that love hockey this is finally some good news!! Now there's something to look forward to in the fall other than the NFL!
Snider smash!
Pending ratifications of course. I know hockey isn't the most popular sport on here....but for those of us that love hockey this is finally some good news!! Now there's something to look forward to in the fall other than the NFL!
New Blood
I'm not really a hockey fan, but it will be semi-exciting seeing where all the high priced free agents go. It's basically a rebuilding off-season for everyone, so anyone could bring home the Stanley Cup this season.
(Hopefully the Dallas Star with a newly signed Mike Modano)
[i]"What we do in life, echoes in eternity"[/i]
Aren't there a bunch of guys in Europe now. Also, I'd imagine that a lot of casual fans are gone now pretty much for good as they've probably found replacements in terms of entertainment. What percent of players do you think are gonna come back and play and how many are finished/gone elsewhere?
Also, did anyone see Chelios in the celebrity softball game?
King Of Swing
Yes, a lot are in Europe and other leagues, but they can pretty much leave those contracts their signed to, if they want. I'm from the Detroit area, and everyone around here has not lost interest in hockey...there more excited because they've been deprived for months. We are excited to see Yzerman and Chelly (among others) last stands on the ice as professionals.
[SIZE=1]
After an eight month hiatus, the king of...well...er..something is back!
12 - Division Titles
9 - Champion Series'
5 - Pennant
3 - World Series
Tigers for 2006 Playoffs
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Snider smash!
Yeah...most have opt out clauses if the NHL was to start back up. Some stars may go the Europe to make more money, but ultimately they'll be in the NHL if they want to play against the best players and have the biggest challenge. I just hope Yzerman and other great older stars comeback....would hate to see their careers end without any real goodbye.Originally Posted by liveandletdie
New Blood
Do we still consider the NHL part of the Big 4? (along with MLB, NBA, NFL) Or is it now the Big 3, with NHL becoming more of a NASCAR, PGA, soccer type thing?
Don't get me wrong, for the most part I can appreciate all sports, but the NHL has lost alot of fans, and it will take a big star and some major entertaining to get the non-superfans back.
[i]"What we do in life, echoes in eternity"[/i]
Registered User
Hockey isn't a big sport in the USA because USA doesn't produce the best players, Canada does. MLB NFL and NBA clearly consist mainly of Americans as the best players. Canadians like Hockey so much because it is the sport that we are better at then anyone in the world, but Canadians can't compete with the talent in the other major leagues obviously.
Snider smash!
In the U.S. I think many wouldn't consider the NHL one of the big sports.....but I think that will change a fair bit once fans realize that their teams have a shot every year at winning (much like in the NFL) and they'll come back....maybe not at first...but over time. I hope that's what happens at least.
Registered User
I honestly believe that hockey has a ton of untapped potential. I think the main reason many Americans don't care about hockey is they don't understand the rules. Most people would say it is because the games aren't as exciting as they used to be and scoring is down. I disagree with that becuase I see how soccer is the most popular sport in Europe and a majority of games have 2-3 goals scored in 90 minutes. Hockey has 4-5 goals per game in 60 minutes. Europeans understand and appreciate the strategy of soccer, which is what is missing in the United States with hockey. Hockey is fast-paced and hard hitting but at the same time requires skill and finesse. I believe that if more people understood the game, that they would appreciate the game and it would become far more popular.
But, as a diehard hockey fan myself, I am thrilled that the NHL is back and can't wait for them to drop the puck!!! It's been a long hard year without it.....
I think that also many kids in areas like Phoenix, L.A., Miami, etc. care less because in the winter they cannot just go out to the local pond and fool around for a few hours. Public rinks suck because they are always so schedule oriented. No fast skating, No rough stuff, and on and on. It's not as much a Canadian sport as it is northern sport. Also they need to find better owners, The Bruins are mediocre to awful since this new ownership took over, you used to see B's stuff (hats, jerseys, stickers) everywhere. Not so now. They keep on going the cheap route and are killing thier fan base. It's like the Yankee's getting a new owner who decides that he'll make do with a 50 million dollar payroll. It may work for a while but in the end people will get tired of the same story year after year and stop spending money for thier product.
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