[WayneCustom7]

Originally Posted by playstopause

There's a lot of shootouts goin' on.
Maybe the lock-out hurted the sport at the time it happened, but now, it's well put behind and hockey has greatly improved in quality. This lock out had to be done.
Lot more action + quality plays going on.

I love the new rules, although the odd hook is called even though the hook in no way impacted the players progress...but the league wants it that way, so its cool. The only thing they haven't been calling is the hit from behind, aside from that the game is way faster and more entertaining...so why does the US crowd, for the most oart not like the game of hockey?

[playstopause]

^
That's a good question.

Maybe because it's not their national sport?
I can understand why residents of states such as California and Florida don't give a flying f*ck about hockey when they can just run down the street and hit the beach.
It is our national sport and it has a very long tradition (of success) over here.
One thing that doesn't help imo, is that they added too much expansion teams, trying to "seduce" the american market... resulting in a lack of very skilled players ("stars") because they're spreaded troughout a league that has too many teams.

[Unknown Doodl3.2]

Originally Posted by playstopause

^
That's a good question.

Maybe because it's not their national sport?
I can understand why residents of states such as California and Florida don't give a flying f*ck about hockey when they can just run down the street and hit the beach.

You'd be surprised how much support hockey gets in tampa... probably one of the biggest crowds after montreal's 82 game sell out

[playstopause]

Look no further: that's because half of our population is down there during winter!

[WayneCustom7]

Originally Posted by Unknown Doodl3.2

You'd be surprised how much support hockey gets in tampa... probably one of the biggest crowds after montreal's 82 game sell out

But Tampa is only one place, its the others that I am wondering about. (besides before Tampa won the cup, how was the attraction then?)

[Unknown Doodl3.2]

I think playstopause hit the nail on the head with that one... I was there for the december 30th game against the canadiens in tampa... the fans were pretty much split fifty fifty that night and it was a sell out crowd...

[playstopause]

Originally Posted by WayneCustom7

But Tampa is only one place, its the others that I am wondering about. (besides before Tampa won the cup, how was the attraction then?)

Maybe they just expanded just for the sake of expanding, without having market studies done etc. (i doubt it, but hey, we never know).

I think it's just a crazy idea to have hockey teams in Nashville + Columbus and other places. Too much expansion teams (thank you, Mr Betman).
I mean, come on. U.S.A is the country of football, baseball and basketball. Hockey? You don't want to add it on top of that.

[Kevan]

Originally Posted by playstopause

Maybe they just expanded just for the sake of expanding, without having market studies done etc. (i doubt it, but hey, we never know).

There's a helluva lot more than a simple market study that goes into a new team being added, or even moved.
I remember all the stuff they told us when the Nordiques moved to Colorado. It takes a lot more than a fat checkbook to get a team.

Originally Posted by playstopause

I think it's just a crazy idea to have hockey teams in Nashville + Columbus and other places. Too much expansion teams (thank you, Mr Betman).

Columbus is actually a great place for a team. You should see how insanely nutty they go for *college* football. Leafs fans could learn a lesson or two.
You're right though: Bettman isn't the brightest bulb on the tree.

Originally Posted by playstopause

I mean, come on. U.S.A is the country of football, baseball and basketball. Hockey? You don't want to add it on top of that.

Mirror check. Canada also has basketball and baseball teams.

(Gotcha)

NHL Update:
- Rangers allowed (2) short-handed goals all season.
- CBJ scores (2) short-handed goals in one period vs. Rangers on 2.24.07.

[Unknown Doodl3.2]

we have 16 SHG this season

[playstopause]

Originally Posted by Kevan

There's a helluva lot more than a simple market study that goes into a new team being added, or even moved.

Of course, you're right and i'm aware of that. I was trying to keep it short there. It just feels to me they just expanded to get more $$$ without an in-depth analize of the market they were goin' into. There's just a limit to "stretching" a league. It's like they went: "this city is big enough, let's add a team!"

Columbus is actually a great place for a team. You should see how insanely nutty they go for *college* football.

Are they sports fans in general?
Otherwise, football and hockey are 2 things. Imo, it doesn't mean they'll be all over hockey even if they're heavily into football.

You're right though: Bettman isn't the brightest bulb on the tree.

Mirror check. Canada also has basketball and baseball teams.
(Gotcha)

Yes... one pro basketball team and one pro baseball team.
Unless you include sub-leagues and all.
Otherwise, it's 2 very different markets.
I don't know how to put it, but people here seems to have hockey "in their blood". Huge partisans. Like soccer in europe.