Nick Against the World (54 Viewers)

[Max]

++ [ originally posted by Andy ] ++


It will be hard to bring back those fringe fans, the passive fans who favor other sports instead, however there will always be those fans who like their city team if they're playing well. That's why I am hoping the NHL will change the rules to make the sport more exciting....perhaps expanding the goals, reinstating the shootout, taking away the two line pass rule, etc.

Honestly, the NHL will go for a dump in the next ten years, mark my words. Hockey will always be the top sport in Canada and the north-eastern part of the United States for the most part, except for maybe Boston. I was in Boston two years ago during the playoffs and it happened to be Game 7 in the Boston vs. Montreal series. That same night, the Red Sox were playing the Devil Rays, and in this bar, four TVs were tuned into the ball game, while one tiny television in the corner had the hockey game on. There's little passion in the United States regarding hockey especially after missing a season. Unfortunately, it's going to take drastic changes to attract some American fans back, even if it means rule changes I guess.

I've attended several AHL (that's the league below NHL in case you're wondering but I'm sure you know) games for the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens farm team, who I hate) this past year. The league has implemented the larger blue line, the no-touch icing, and the shoot-out. In addition, they have ditched the two-line pass rule, making the game faster and more inticing, giving teams who play "trap" style hockey a difficult time. Almost every single game was a sell-out, which is good in a financial sense for the team and league, but IN MY OPINION, these rule changes have tarnished the game. I'm totally for a faster, more open style of play because I absolutely cannot stand that ridiculous trap that the Devils always knocked the Leafs out with and undeservedly won a Stanley Cup (a little biased ). But I do not agree with this shoot-out. Out of the twelve regular season games I was at, four of them went to shoot-outs. There's a complicated point system that goes along with that, but I think a tie is a tie. Just because some people (not just Americans) need to have a winner, I don't think it's necessary to stretch the rules out that far.

I know, I know, people say it's for the "good of the league and the game", but personally, I think that statement is a crock of shit.

 

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[IncuboRossonero]

Atlanta and Martinsville....two cities I have never been to..nor do I plan to...but if it means a free trip to the U.S. ... Why not.

Personally, the trap does not bother me as much as the fact that the game has gotten too physical to the point that talented players with finesse cannot shine. I never found the game boring . What I actually found the dumbest hockey move in 20 years was Fox's strategy to make it more appealing with the glowing puck. If you need a glowing puck to follow the game then stick to NASCAR or Tractor pulling. I also don't care whether the league gets more viewers at home...though I grew up with a decent Rangers team and a past its prime Islanders team I am and have been a Canadiens fan. The fact that a few inbreds call the game 'boring' and would rather watch a truck pulling another truck does not bother me.

 

[Bjerknes]

++ [ originally posted by Max ] ++


Honestly, the NHL will go for a dump in the next ten years, mark my words. Hockey will always be the top sport in Canada and the north-eastern part of the United States for the most part, except for maybe Boston. I was in Boston two years ago during the playoffs and it happened to be Game 7 in the Boston vs. Montreal series. That same night, the Red Sox were playing the Devil Rays, and in this bar, four TVs were tuned into the ball game, while one tiny television in the corner had the hockey game on. There's little passion in the United States regarding hockey especially after missing a season. Unfortunately, it's going to take drastic changes to attract some American fans back, even if it means rule changes I guess.

You're also forgetting about Michigan...really the hockey capital of the world. Hockey in Michigan is like soccer on the streets of Rio, it's loved that much. The Mid-West is always going to keep hockey as one of the top sports.

I never understood why the people of Boston have such a passion for baseball...I guess years and years of losing grows on them. Although I'm certain there are a lot of hockey lovers in and around that city. Has to be with BC and the Bruins..

I've attended several AHL (that's the league below NHL in case you're wondering but I'm sure you know) games for the Hamilton Bulldogs (Montreal Canadiens farm team, who I hate) this past year. The league has implemented the larger blue line, the no-touch icing, and the shoot-out. In addition, they have ditched the two-line pass rule, making the game faster and more inticing, giving teams who play "trap" style hockey a difficult time. Almost every single game was a sell-out, which is good in a financial sense for the team and league, but IN MY OPINION, these rule changes have tarnished the game. I'm totally for a faster, more open style of play because I absolutely cannot stand that ridiculous trap that the Devils always knocked the Leafs out with and undeservedly won a Stanley Cup (a little biased ). But I do not agree with this shoot-out. Out of the twelve regular season games I was at, four of them went to shoot-outs. There's a complicated point system that goes along with that, but I think a tie is a tie. Just because some people (not just Americans) need to have a winner, I don't think it's necessary to stretch the rules out that far.

I agree entirely. Although the shootout is just as unfair sometimes as the shootout in football, it will give the people a winner...and a winner is what the people want. That's just the American attitude I suppose. Now concerning the other rule changes I am totally infavor of implementing a larger blue line and doing away with the two-line pass rule. Just those two changes will open up the rink and the game will become faster and more appealing. Moreover, as you said they will kill those crappy trapping teams because the system will not work anymore.

However, I am NOT in favor of eliminating the touch up icing rule. If the NHL would impose a no touch icing system we would lose out on those exciting foot races towards the goal line in which the attacker sometimes has a chance of winning the puck, thus keeping the play alive. Just stopping the play due to no touch icing just creates more stoppages and that is not what we want.

Anyways, hopefully the NHL will make these changes and thus attract old, and new, fans back to the game.

 

[Bjerknes]

++ [ originally posted by IncuboRossonero ] ++
Atlanta and Martinsville....two cities I have never been to..nor do I plan to...but if it means a free trip to the U.S. ... Why not.

Personally, the trap does not bother me as much as the fact that the game has gotten too physical to the point that talented players with finesse cannot shine. I never found the game boring . What I actually found the dumbest hockey move in 20 years was Fox's strategy to make it more appealing with the glowing puck. If you need a glowing puck to follow the game then stick to NASCAR or Tractor pulling. I also don't care whether the league gets more viewers at home...though I grew up with a decent Rangers team and a past its prime Islanders team I am and have been a Canadiens fan. The fact that a few inbreds call the game 'boring' and would rather watch a truck pulling another truck does not bother me.

I also do not like the more physical aspect of the game in recent years as that just takes away from players such as Gretzky, Datsyuk, Modano...the real stars of the game.

The glowing puck was just some dumb idea by Fox to make it easier for the "hard of seeing" or the just plain imbecile average Joe who doesn't even know the difference between the Blue and Red Lines..

 

[Max]

++ [ originally posted by IncuboRossonero ] ++
Atlanta and Martinsville....two cities I have never been to..nor do I plan to...but if it means a free trip to the U.S. ... Why not.

Personally, the trap does not bother me as much as the fact that the game has gotten too physical to the point that talented players with finesse cannot shine. I never found the game boring . What I actually found the dumbest hockey move in 20 years was Fox's strategy to make it more appealing with the glowing puck. If you need a glowing puck to follow the game then stick to NASCAR or Tractor pulling. I also don't care whether the league gets more viewers at home...though I grew up with a decent Rangers team and a past its prime Islanders team I am and have been a Canadiens fan. The fact that a few inbreds call the game 'boring' and would rather watch a truck pulling another truck does not bother me.

But Nick, the fewer the viewers, the less cash the NHL gets. It hurts the league and its teams. No television cash rolling in or no sell-outs because of high ticket prices means that the league may fold a few years down. I think if the league wants to get better, it has to eliminate some teams. Thirty teams, three of which are located in California, one in the middle of the desert, one in the country music/hillbilly capital of the world, it's quite ridiculous. These teams get hardly any attendance, and they are robbing the league of talent. Several good players are dispersed throughout the league in different teams, and all of these teams are watered down by mediocre players who can only fight and take out someone. Up-and-coming youngsters with loads of talent are going to get killed, like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. If the league wants to be more competitive and return to its "glory days" they have to kill some teams. There would be some real classy hockey, less hitting, and the odd fight to catch the attention of some viewers.

 

[Bjerknes]

I concur with that as well.

Teams such as Phoenix have no business in hockey being located in a friggin desert filled with retirees and others such as Atlanta and Minnesota who already had their chance in the hockey market but failed and are failing once again just leave me perplexed as to what the hell Bettman was thinking. Nashville is just a joke, however I do have sympathy for the Hurricanes; a team in a rapidly growing region which will undoubtedly bring in new fans.

Teams that should be cut: Phoenix, Nashville, Atlanta, Florida Panthers.

 

[Max]

++ [ originally posted by Andy ] ++
I concur with that as well.

Teams such as Phoenix have no business in hockey being located in a friggin desert filled with retirees and others such as Atlanta and Minnesota who already had their chance in the hockey market but failed and are failing once again just leave me perplexed as to what the hell Bettman was thinking. Nashville is just a joke, however I do have sympathy for the Hurricanes; a team in a rapidly growing region which will undoubtedly bring in new fans.

Teams that should be cut: Phoenix, Nashville, Atlanta, Florida Panthers.

Actually Andy, you'd be surprised. The Panthers get a good turnout at most of their games. As for the Hurricanes, it's a franchise battling with the Carolina Panthers in the NFL. North Carolina is a potential hockey hot-spot, but it may take a while.

In my opinion, some of the teams that should go include Phoenix (that's a given), Atlanta, Columbus, Nashville, and Minnesota. The teams I would hate to see go, but may have to are Pittsburgh (God I love them), Buffalo, and although I hate to say it, St. Louis. It's a dying game, and the latter franchises I have mentioned all have a rich history, but other sports have been dominating in the past decade.

 

[Bjerknes]

God I hope Lemiuex can sort out the Pittsburgh problem; their history is so rich that it would be a shame to see them get the boot. Same thing with the Blues, wouldn't want to lose a rival like that.

I did not know about the Panthers. I was assuming their poor performances over the years had kept their already low fanbase out of the arena. Good thing I'm wrong though.

 

[Martin]

I see this thread is all about hockey now... they should cancel the league again

 

[swag]

I actually like hockey. But it lost something for me when the North Stars moved to Dallas. That was the jump the shark moment for me for the league, representing in a small degree the beginning of the end.

Of course, it's not like baseball where I wished the strike would never end. But it's definitely a fun game to watch -- well before Fox had to demonstrate to their viewers that they think their hockey fans are idiots.

 

[JCK]

Robert, thank you

 

[Slagathor]

++ [ originally posted by Andy ] ++
I bet half of the people on this forum don't even know what meteorology is...

I looked into doing that when I was about 14 years old cause it really interested me. Sadly, there were only two options in Holland at that point in time:

1) I could major it in at an expensive private university in Amsterdam
2) I could join the Royal Navy and get my degree there

I'm from a poor family so #1 was in NO WAY achievable and #2 - I didn't (and probably still don't) qualify for the navy because I have an eyesight problem. Distance view (-3) and contact lenses ---> not what they're looking for on.

So you're studying it or? If you already typed it somewhere, I apologise but I haven't seen it

 

[The Pado]

++ [ originally posted by Jeeks ] ++
Robert, thank you

Anything for a friend, my friend.

 

[The Pado]

Jaecole, as soon as you get to Martinsville, drive South a bit and go to Greensboro. I will meet you there and we'll find some jocks to beat down

Greensboro is about 75 minutes drive for me, and probably even shorter from Martinsville.

Atlanta is a big city that I have no love for. Big concrete expanse with all the night life in the outlying suburbs. More Africans than rednecks in Atlanta. Martinsville has rednecks but also refined southerners who like a good race (if you could ever consider NASCAR to be a "good" race).

 

[Slagathor]

++ [ originally posted by Andy ] ++

[random hocky stuff]

Check this out Was working on the Dutch flag at 100x100 (always gotta have it ready ) and figured I'd do the stars&stripes as well

 

[Slagathor]

Borderless:

Any other flag requests?

 

[JCK]

++ [ originally posted by Erik ] ++


Check this out Was working on the Dutch flag at 100x100 (always gotta have it ready ) and figured I'd do the stars&stripes as well

While you're at it, do a bunch of other flags.

 

[Slagathor]

No. Not that I have something exciting planned for the remainder of the afternoon but I can't be arsed to. Maybe if you very politely ask one particular flag I'll do it.

 

[JCK]

++ [ originally posted by Erik ] ++
No. Not that I have something exciting planned for the remainder of the afternoon but I can't be arsed to. Maybe if you very politely ask one particular flag I'll do it.

I'm not a flag guy myself, but a Jamaican flag would be nice. Yes thank you

 

[Slagathor]

Bordered or not?