NHL Off-Topic thread

[Jeffrey Smith]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

These Leafs throwback jerseys are dirt.🤮


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

NHL proposing moving the 2021 draft to 2022 since the 2021 class will have little to no games played, no scouting, and have to wait until July to know who's even drafted (and then guys having to wait until at least October to see if they even made their NHL team)

So 2022 would have 2 drafts basically back to back, each with a different draft class.


TSN used the best pic ever for Bettman in their article

Spoiler

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

Rangers were the first team to announce a partnership with the PWHPA (Pro Womens Hockey Players Association)

Leafs now the first Canadian team to do so. Dont think you could ask for 2 better teams to get on board. Biggest Canadian and American team.

https://twitter.com/PWHPA/status/1358083120252264448?s=19

I hope we so see some major change. CWHL didn't work out, and NWHL hasn't gained the support of these players. With NHL teams on board with the PWHPA, hopefully we can finally get that goal of a WNHL with players getting livable wages. They could easily schedule doubleheaders in partnership with the NHL, or even AHL since AHL does have mainly weekend games too.

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

The league is looking at October 13th as the start date for the 2021-2022 season.

I'd be fine with no ASG next season so it gives them some extra days to work with in the schedule. Who knows if they could even have fans for it either. And I hope they dont go to the Olympics either.

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

As if things couldn't get any crazier.

Brian Burke out from Sportsnet.

The reason? He's been hired as the Pens president! And even crazier? Hextall named Pens GM!



Also, Mikko Koivu retires. His Jackets career will especially be one of those "I forgot he played for them" moments. 15 years in Minnesota, 7 games with Columbus. Too bad he couldn't just retire with the Wild.

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

NHL looking at changing the draft lottery again.

They keep going back and forth on what they say. First it's that they need a change because the worst teams shouldn't always get top picks, now it's all about how the worst teams aren't getting the top pick.

NHL more than other sports I find its harder to tank since any team can win on any given night and theres a cap floor so you can't just do what some teams in baseball do and spend all of 40m on salary.

I'd just do no draft lottery and rank teams in the draft based on average finish of the last 2 seasons. Avoid what happened in the NBA where the Warriors, a top team, dealt with injuries and got a top pick from being bad in 1 season. And sure, teams could tank multiple seasons and get a higher average slot, but that's on the team. If you're an owner comfortable with putting out a bad team with short term big contracts to reach the floor, go ahead. Fans will show you how they feel by way of reduced ticket sales and lower tv ratings.

[nikethebike]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

NHL looking at changing the draft lottery again.

They keep going back and forth on what they say. First it's that they need a change because the worst teams shouldn't always get top picks, now it's all about how the worst teams aren't getting the top pick.

NHL more than other sports I find its harder to tank since any team can win on any given night and theres a cap floor so you can't just do what some teams in baseball do and spend all of 40m on salary.

I'd just do no draft lottery and rank teams in the draft based on average finish of the last 2 seasons. Avoid what happened in the NBA where the Warriors, a top team, dealt with injuries and got a top pick from being bad in 1 season. And sure, teams could tank multiple seasons and get a higher average slot, but that's on the team. If you're an owner comfortable with putting out a bad team with short term big contracts to reach the floor, go ahead. Fans will show you how they feel by way of reduced ticket sales and lower tv ratings.

Talkin sens here?


Personally I'm fine with a lottery but it shouldn't be possible to win too many places in my opinion. Perhaps bottom two or three should have the chance to get the first pick.

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

Talkin sens here?


Personally I'm fine with a lottery but it shouldn't be possible to win too many places in my opinion. Perhaps bottom two or three should have the chance to get the first pick.

You cant draft 1st twice in a 3 year span, that should be another rule.

As for the Sens, their issue simply stems from Melnyk. Theres lots of problems on and off(which still is technically on, since it deals with their arena as well) the ice.

[nikethebike]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

I would not like that rule. All number one picks aren't guaranteed money.
Edmonton had a bunch but still hasn't been able to become a stable stanley cup team.

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

More controversy with the Coyotes

https://twitter.com/KatieJStrang/status/1362049352567562244?s=19

Basically sounds like theres LOTS of possible controversial things going on within that organization. They've already been caught violating draft combine rules, the whole incident where they knowingly drafted a guy with a racist past, and now sounds like they have a toxic workplace, possible sexual misconduct, unethical business practices (I believe it had to do with them misusing money that was from revenue sharing which was supposed to go to developing hockey in their community) among other things.

And the Coyotes are looking into taking legal actions against this report.

For all the times the NHL has gone to bat for this franchise, sooner or later they need to realize enough is enough. But from what Friedman has said, Bettman views teams moving as a bad look for the league (but apparently losing money, having half empty arenas, having arena issues and now all this stuff isn't as bad a look?)

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

Interesting notes from HNIC tonight.

Bringing up news about a US TV deal. ESPN seems to be stepping up their offer for TV rights. It won't be full rights, but could be partnership with NBC.

[nikethebike]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

Interesting notes from HNIC tonight.

Bringing up news about a US TV deal. ESPN seems to be stepping up their offer for TV rights. It won't be full rights, but could be partnership with NBC.

Yay! Bring back the ESPN hockey theme!

[Majingir]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

Yay! Bring back the ESPN hockey theme!

ESPN/NBC combo deal would be best scenario for the NHL. They NEED to have a deal with at least 2 major US networks. Even if it's slightly less money, simply getting the extra exposure and coverage from double the networks would be big for them.

Both ESPN/NBC could have a partnership with TSN since NBC already has one, and ESPN owns part of TSN, so they could even use TSN hockey talent and shows for their coverage. ESPN airing That's Hockey would be a good idea.

[slickdtc]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

Yeah, it’s nice to have a “home” for hockey, but the NFL doesn’t restrict their deal to just one network. Of course, they have much more leverage...

I like the idea of being with NBC with some featured games and stuff on ESPN/ABC.

[pietasterp]

Re: NHL Off-Topic thread

More controversy with the Coyotes

https://twitter.com/KatieJStrang/status/1362049352567562244?s=19

Basically sounds like theres LOTS of possible controversial things going on within that organization. They've already been caught violating draft combine rules, the whole incident where they knowingly drafted a guy with a racist past, and now sounds like they have a toxic workplace, possible sexual misconduct, unethical business practices (I believe it had to do with them misusing money that was from revenue sharing which was supposed to go to developing hockey in their community) among other things.

And the Coyotes are looking into taking legal actions against this report.

For all the times the NHL has gone to bat for this franchise, sooner or later they need to realize enough is enough. But from what Friedman has said, Bettman views teams moving as a bad look for the league (but apparently losing money, having half empty arenas, having arena issues and now all this stuff isn't as bad a look?)

Don't worry, I have it on good authority the fate of that franchise will be decided in two weeks' time....

Sorry, had to get one more of those in there. It's the joke that keeps on giving.

In all seriousness, that franchise move has been a disaster from day 1. That having been said, I sort of agree with Bettman that moving franchises around is bad for the league, and I believe that, given a stable franchise, hockey could do reasonably well in Phoenix area. There are so many transplants and snowbirds, who incidentally are there during the hockey season, and when they were briefly competitive (bookending the 2000's), they did draw okay (although moreso the early 2000s run).

I'm not saying I'd put a franchise there today if I were starting from scratch, but given that it's already there, and that Seattle has gotten their own franchise, I'm not sure where else I'd put it (especially as they have to relocate to the Central to balance the divisions). Maybe move Denver to the Central and move Arizona to Portland? A natural Portland-Seattle rivalry would be good for a league lacking in rivalries at the moment. Actually, that's just a pro-sports-wide problem right now, but that's a different thread....