2025-2026 NHL Offseason

MayDay10 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

Ovi yesterday was a beast.  I am really hoping that they win game 7.  just can't have 2 teams in the finals who don't have snow.  Just doesn't seem right to me

no, but it's bettman's wet dream. 

I think he loves vegas there but i don't know about Tampa.  the last time they played in the finals the rating were low if I remember.

I just think he's still hoping to be vindicated for the disaster that has been hockey in the southern US. 

He has already been vindicated for that, and it hasn't been a disaster.

I think he would prefer Washington, for the market size.  Vegas and washington would be pretty ideal for the nhl as it has the Ovechkin storyline that can attract additional interest.  

he has? there have been wins and losses, but I don't know about vindication.   

Yes.  When he took over, the NHL was largely a just regional sport.  The Southern expansion grew the footprint throughout the US television market.  Participation in youth and amateur hockey has exploded as a direct result.  We just had a #1 overall pick from Arizona.  There have been issues, but they have occurred whether its Nashville (now look at Nashville), Atlanta, Phoenix, Sunrise, Pittsburgh, Ottawa, or Buffalo.  Yes, Atlanta "didnt work", but they saw the franchise value nearly double when the True North guy bought it, including a relocation fee split 29 ways.  

Of course these Southern markets arent (and likely never will be) Montreal or Toronto, but nobody else really is.... their attendance often does well predicated with marginal success.  With some bad teams, we even have seen Boston and Chicago have low attendance.  Detroit misses the playoffs for 1 year and have had trouble selling out (despite announcing sellouts for some reason), despite a great new venue.  

Overall, league revenues grow every year.  If things weren't good, the board of governors would have kicked Bettman to the curb long ago.  The league was already headed that direction before Bettman, he took over mid-season when Tampa Bay and Ottawa were playing their first games and San Jose already had a season under their belt  



I used to be a big complainer about the Southern teams.  Its over though.  Teams are where they are.  Probably would like the see the Panthers move to Quebec, because nobody would miss them.  

The thing that kills me with the current Bettman and Board of Governors is a complete lack of forsight, and being completely tone-deaf.  Suggesting the offsides challenge is "great", while expanding replays and silly rules... while ignoring trying to figure out ways to actually open up the game and make it exciting.  The current alignment is crap.   The points system is an inequitable joke.  Their US deal with NBC ensures as little exposure as possible for the league I think.... but it was good for Jeremy Jacobs' company.  They really can use new ideas worked in there.  I dont think Bettman has done an awful job (as many hockey fans do).... but its overdue time to move on from him

dankind said:

MayDay10 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

Ovi yesterday was a beast.  I am really hoping that they win game 7.  just can't have 2 teams in the finals who don't have snow.  Just doesn't seem right to me

no, but it's bettman's wet dream. 

I think he loves vegas there but i don't know about Tampa.  the last time they played in the finals the rating were low if I remember.

I just think he's still hoping to be vindicated for the disaster that has been hockey in the southern US. 

He has already been vindicated for that, and it hasn't been a disaster.

I think he would prefer Washington, for the market size.  Vegas and washington would be pretty ideal for the nhl as it has the Ovechkin storyline that can attract additional interest.  

Thin reed, but I've been to midseason Lightning games during mediocre seasons against nondivision rivals, and they have been as well attended as a lot of the Rangers games I went to during my five years as a Rangers season ticket holder. Of course, going to a game in Tampa is also a lot less expensive than going to a game at MSG. Hell, I remember during the 2004 cup run, if playoff games fell on a Tuesday, they still sold the $2 Tuesday seats for $2. That's how you build a dedicated fan base.

a guy I work with went to a Jets Panthers game and he said for $25, he got:

front row seat
voucher for 1 or 2 beers
popcorn or hot dog or something

and the place was still half empty. 

dankind said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

MayDay10 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

Ovi yesterday was a beast.  I am really hoping that they win game 7.  just can't have 2 teams in the finals who don't have snow.  Just doesn't seem right to me

no, but it's bettman's wet dream. 

I think he loves vegas there but i don't know about Tampa.  the last time they played in the finals the rating were low if I remember.

I just think he's still hoping to be vindicated for the disaster that has been hockey in the southern US. 

He has already been vindicated for that, and it hasn't been a disaster.

I think he would prefer Washington, for the market size.  Vegas and washington would be pretty ideal for the nhl as it has the Ovechkin storyline that can attract additional interest.  

Thin reed, but I've been to midseason Lightning games during mediocre seasons against nondivision rivals, and they have been as well attended as a lot of the Rangers games I went to during my five years as a Rangers season ticket holder. Of course, going to a game in Tampa is also a lot less expensive than going to a game at MSG. Hell, I remember during the 2004 cup run, if playoff games fell on a Tuesday, they still sold the $2 Tuesday seats for $2. That's how you build a dedicated fan base.

a guy I work with went to a Jets Panthers game and he said for $25, he got:

front row seat
voucher for 1 or 2 beers
popcorn or hot dog or something

and the place was still half empty. 

The Rats suck! And they have a shitty fan base. That building is way too big for that shitty team, too. It was built with zero foresight.

There is some decent youth hockey and high school hockey in the area, though, but I think even most of those kids root for the Bolts.

I said Panthers. No idea why. I meant Lightning. I think it was the Lightning. anyway, the point is moo. 

like a cow's opinion. 

KC138045 said:

mrussel1 said:

MayDay10 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

Ovi yesterday was a beast.  I am really hoping that they win game 7.  just can't have 2 teams in the finals who don't have snow.  Just doesn't seem right to me

no, but it's bettman's wet dream. 

I think he loves vegas there but i don't know about Tampa.  the last time they played in the finals the rating were low if I remember.

I just think he's still hoping to be vindicated for the disaster that has been hockey in the southern US. 

He has already been vindicated for that, and it hasn't been a disaster.

I think he would prefer Washington, for the market size.  Vegas and washington would be pretty ideal for the nhl as it has the Ovechkin storyline that can attract additional interest.  

The storyline of a Putin sympathizer and supporter playing for a team based in DC?  Yeah I guess irony is interesting...  

He's Russian.  No big shocker that he supports Putin.  I'm sure Bobrovsky, Panarin and other Russian born players support Putin as well.

Now can we please leave politics out of this thread?  Thanks!

negative... supporting Putin is not about supporting politics.  He's a moral pariah on this Earth. Sorry if it bothers you, but I'll bring it up every time Ovechkin is brought up.  He's a pos.  

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

MayDay10 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

Ovi yesterday was a beast.  I am really hoping that they win game 7.  just can't have 2 teams in the finals who don't have snow.  Just doesn't seem right to me

no, but it's bettman's wet dream. 

I think he loves vegas there but i don't know about Tampa.  the last time they played in the finals the rating were low if I remember.

I just think he's still hoping to be vindicated for the disaster that has been hockey in the southern US. 

He has already been vindicated for that, and it hasn't been a disaster.

I think he would prefer Washington, for the market size.  Vegas and washington would be pretty ideal for the nhl as it has the Ovechkin storyline that can attract additional interest.  

Thin reed, but I've been to midseason Lightning games during mediocre seasons against nondivision rivals, and they have been as well attended as a lot of the Rangers games I went to during my five years as a Rangers season ticket holder. Of course, going to a game in Tampa is also a lot less expensive than going to a game at MSG. Hell, I remember during the 2004 cup run, if playoff games fell on a Tuesday, they still sold the $2 Tuesday seats for $2. That's how you build a dedicated fan base.

a guy I work with went to a Jets Panthers game and he said for $25, he got:

front row seat
voucher for 1 or 2 beers
popcorn or hot dog or something

and the place was still half empty. 

The Rats suck! And they have a shitty fan base. That building is way too big for that shitty team, too. It was built with zero foresight.

There is some decent youth hockey and high school hockey in the area, though, but I think even most of those kids root for the Bolts.

I said Panthers. No idea why. I meant Lightning. I think it was the Lightning. anyway, the point is moo. 

like a cow's opinion. 

It was because they were playing the Jets.

"what's a winnipeg?"

Sounds like a pansy pirate name.

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

MayDay10 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

Ovi yesterday was a beast.  I am really hoping that they win game 7.  just can't have 2 teams in the finals who don't have snow.  Just doesn't seem right to me

no, but it's bettman's wet dream. 

I think he loves vegas there but i don't know about Tampa.  the last time they played in the finals the rating were low if I remember.

I just think he's still hoping to be vindicated for the disaster that has been hockey in the southern US. 

He has already been vindicated for that, and it hasn't been a disaster.

I think he would prefer Washington, for the market size.  Vegas and washington would be pretty ideal for the nhl as it has the Ovechkin storyline that can attract additional interest.  

Thin reed, but I've been to midseason Lightning games during mediocre seasons against nondivision rivals, and they have been as well attended as a lot of the Rangers games I went to during my five years as a Rangers season ticket holder. Of course, going to a game in Tampa is also a lot less expensive than going to a game at MSG. Hell, I remember during the 2004 cup run, if playoff games fell on a Tuesday, they still sold the $2 Tuesday seats for $2. That's how you build a dedicated fan base.

a guy I work with went to a Jets Panthers game and he said for $25, he got:

front row seat
voucher for 1 or 2 beers
popcorn or hot dog or something

and the place was still half empty. 

The Rats suck! And they have a shitty fan base. That building is way too big for that shitty team, too. It was built with zero foresight.

There is some decent youth hockey and high school hockey in the area, though, but I think even most of those kids root for the Bolts.

I said Panthers. No idea why. I meant Lightning. I think it was the Lightning. anyway, the point is moo. 

like a cow's opinion. 

It was because they were playing the Jets.

"what's a winnipeg?"

Sounds like a pansy pirate name.

come on. I expected better than that. 

Man, I left the door open for this:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

MayDay10 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

Ovi yesterday was a beast.  I am really hoping that they win game 7.  just can't have 2 teams in the finals who don't have snow.  Just doesn't seem right to me

no, but it's bettman's wet dream. 

I think he loves vegas there but i don't know about Tampa.  the last time they played in the finals the rating were low if I remember.

I just think he's still hoping to be vindicated for the disaster that has been hockey in the southern US. 

He has already been vindicated for that, and it hasn't been a disaster.

I think he would prefer Washington, for the market size.  Vegas and washington would be pretty ideal for the nhl as it has the Ovechkin storyline that can attract additional interest.  

Thin reed, but I've been to midseason Lightning games during mediocre seasons against nondivision rivals, and they have been as well attended as a lot of the Rangers games I went to during my five years as a Rangers season ticket holder. Of course, going to a game in Tampa is also a lot less expensive than going to a game at MSG. Hell, I remember during the 2004 cup run, if playoff games fell on a Tuesday, they still sold the $2 Tuesday seats for $2. That's how you build a dedicated fan base.

a guy I work with went to a Jets Panthers game and he said for $25, he got:

front row seat
voucher for 1 or 2 beers
popcorn or hot dog or something

and the place was still half empty. 

The Rats suck! And they have a shitty fan base. That building is way too big for that shitty team, too. It was built with zero foresight.

There is some decent youth hockey and high school hockey in the area, though, but I think even most of those kids root for the Bolts.

I said Panthers. No idea why. I meant Lightning. I think it was the Lightning. anyway, the point is moo. 

like a cow's opinion. 

Back in the 90's, during the Puppa days, you could sit on the glass for $10 during the week.  Attendance was weak.  They played at the Expo center on I-4 and it was a total dump.  They moved to the dome around the time they first made the playoffs and sold that sucker out for a playoff game.  Before the outside game stuff, I think it held the record for NHL attendance for a while.  The team has done a good job of building its fan base, but the reality is that they've been competitive since the Hamrlik days and became good once they landed the Big 3.  And they haven't fallen off since.  

I used to go to those games at the Florida State Fairgrounds dump and hit up Ybor on the drive back home. I even went to one of the preseason games with Manon Rhéaume in net. Saw a killer NIN show there, too.

I just meant the general viewing public.  Ovechkin is a household name, an aging NHL legend who might have his only crack at a Stanley Cup.  There are also people, like above who strongly dislike him.  Tampa Bay really doesnt have any juice like that.  

dankind said:

mrussel1 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

dankind said:

MayDay10 said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

HughFreakingDillon said:

fife said:

Ovi yesterday was a beast.  I am really hoping that they win game 7.  just can't have 2 teams in the finals who don't have snow.  Just doesn't seem right to me

no, but it's bettman's wet dream. 

I think he loves vegas there but i don't know about Tampa.  the last time they played in the finals the rating were low if I remember.

I just think he's still hoping to be vindicated for the disaster that has been hockey in the southern US. 

He has already been vindicated for that, and it hasn't been a disaster.

I think he would prefer Washington, for the market size.  Vegas and washington would be pretty ideal for the nhl as it has the Ovechkin storyline that can attract additional interest.  

Thin reed, but I've been to midseason Lightning games during mediocre seasons against nondivision rivals, and they have been as well attended as a lot of the Rangers games I went to during my five years as a Rangers season ticket holder. Of course, going to a game in Tampa is also a lot less expensive than going to a game at MSG. Hell, I remember during the 2004 cup run, if playoff games fell on a Tuesday, they still sold the $2 Tuesday seats for $2. That's how you build a dedicated fan base.

a guy I work with went to a Jets Panthers game and he said for $25, he got:

front row seat
voucher for 1 or 2 beers
popcorn or hot dog or something

and the place was still half empty. 

The Rats suck! And they have a shitty fan base. That building is way too big for that shitty team, too. It was built with zero foresight.

There is some decent youth hockey and high school hockey in the area, though, but I think even most of those kids root for the Bolts.

I said Panthers. No idea why. I meant Lightning. I think it was the Lightning. anyway, the point is moo. 

like a cow's opinion. 

Back in the 90's, during the Puppa days, you could sit on the glass for $10 during the week.  Attendance was weak.  They played at the Expo center on I-4 and it was a total dump.  They moved to the dome around the time they first made the playoffs and sold that sucker out for a playoff game.  Before the outside game stuff, I think it held the record for NHL attendance for a while.  The team has done a good job of building its fan base, but the reality is that they've been competitive since the Hamrlik days and became good once they landed the Big 3.  And they haven't fallen off since.  

I used to go to those games at the Florida State Fairgrounds dump and hit up Ybor on the drive back home. I even went to one of the preseason games with Manon Rhéaume in net. Saw a killer NIN show there, too.

Nice.. me too, although I was going the other way into North Tampa.  Are you from Cleveland too?  I saw you posting pro-Cavs stuff.  I was 18 years in Cleveland (Strongsville), 10 in Tampa and now 15 in Virginia (including DC, but never liked one DC team).  I like all the Tampa teams.