2007 NHL DRAFT !

NHL.COM ^ | 6/22/07 | none

[airborne]

Sorry, but I just got home.

Should have posted it earlier!

[airborne]

HOCKEY PING!

Here’s the live link for up to the minute picks -http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app?service=page&page=DraftStats

[Rodney King]

hmm... didn't know anybody cared anymore. When I was a kid I went to a Whalers - Blackhawks game. Amoung other things, I got lost and a cop found me and put me on his shoulders... but anyway, there was a fight on the ice in front of me. One guy bled all over the ice, and I remember staring at the ice the rest of the game (I was like 6 I think). I later grew up a ranger fan, and remember when Tie Domi was on the team. Great stuff.

Now they have basically banned fighting, and surprise surprise, nobody watches hockey anymore.

[airborne]

Actually, what hurt hockey was a couple things.

The too rapid expansion that so diluted teams, compromising quality for quantity.

And the lack of willingness to make a TV deal that was financially good for the networks.

Things are just starting to get better, IMHO.

[Rodney King]

And the lack of willingness to make a TV deal that was financially good for the networks.

I'm sure you know the details better than I do, but that seems like sort of a chicken and egg thing. Is hockey bad because of a bad TV deal, or is the TV deal bad because nobody likes hockey?

[airborne]

The NHL signed a deal with Versus because it meant more money, but it also meant less people would see the games.

IMO,it would have been better in the long run to cut a deal with ESPN, to get more people tuning in.

I heard a few people saying this year that they couldn’t get Versus to watch the playoffs.

[buccaneer81]

Just arrived home from Nationwide. Had a good time, although I can’t say I agreed with the first pick my Blue Jackets made.

[buccaneer81]

I heard a few people saying this year that they couldn’t get Versus to watch the playoffs.

Too many cable systems put Versus into an upper tier package. Bad move.

[secret garden]

TFTP. We’re in mourning here about losing Vokoun. He had a guaranteed no trade clause and $5M starting July 1. Stupid Balsillie has made a mess of our club and he still hasn’t turned in a complete application to buy.

[airborne]

The Pens got lucky with picking up Angelo Espisito.

[buccaneer81]

The Pens are going to be a real power over the next several years.

[buccaneer81]

TFTP. We’re in mourning here about losing Vokoun

What's happening to you guys is a damn shame. You're going to lose the team. I feel for you.

We drive down to Panama City a couple of times a year and always enjoy staying at the Hilton next to The Gaylord Center. We'll miss the Preds.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I used to live on Columbus. Where is this arena at. Is it downtown. Where is it in relation to the Ohio Center?

[Alberta's Child]

Point #16 in the article in the linked thread summarizes the television problem in the NHL.

Click Here

One of the basic problems with hockey is that it simply doesn't translate well to a televised format. The game is too fast, the puck is too small, etc.

[buccaneer81]

One of the basic problems with hockey is that it simply doesn't translate well to a televised format. The game is too fast, the puck is too small, etc.

I disagree, but then, I've been watching games on TV for 40 years.

Conversely, there is a universe of difference between the televised vs. live experience.

[Alberta's Child]

I fell in love with hockey by seeing a few games in person, and ever since then I’ve never enjoyed watching hockey on TV nearly as much.

[secret garden]

It could’ve been worse. You could’ve picked up a 6 ft. 160lb defenseman. :-(

[buccaneer81]

I used to live on Columbus. Where is this arena at. Is it downtown. Where is it in relation to the Ohio Center?

The Arena is on the site of the former Ohio Penitentiary. Behind (to the west of) the Nationwide Insurance complex.

The Arena District is great. Twenty or more bars, restaurants and clubs, plus hundreds of condos starting at $300,000.

Next up: a new ball park for the Clippers is under construction a block from the arena and a 20 story luxury residential building next to it.

[buccaneer81]

I saw that. He's gonna have to eat a lot of biscuits and gravy:)

On the plus side, remember that Gretzky wasn't much bigger back in the day.

[ConservativeStatement]

Bettman was booed mightily during the opening proceedings.