Franchise Down: New Jersey Devils

[VodkaFish]

Can the Devils be successful in New Jersey if changes are made to the franchise?

[NJDevils17]

I voted yes, but I don't think any changes really need to be made.

The Devils are in good shape financially and have one of the newest arenas in the league. I think the ownership is good because they're always spending up to the salary cap.

Except for this season, the on ice product has been fine with the Devils not missing the playoffs since 1996. I really don't think the Devils are in any sort of trouble at all. They also have a tremendous TV deal (along with the Islanders and Rangers too) where their games will be broadcasted on MSG Plus until the mid to late 2020's.

I know everyone gets on the Devils about attendance. Yeah, it's not very high in the beginning of the season, but it seems after New Year's it really starts to pick up with them getting big crowds then. Attendance has been up since the move to the Prudential Center and I think it'll only begin to go up from there. A lot of people who were young fans of the Devils in the late 80s and early 90s are now starting to reach the age where they have jobs and careers now and could actually afford season's tickets or just being able to go more games in general.

[NJDevils17]

I don't quite understand as to why the Devils would be listed here. I haven't heard of news of financial trouble from them (at least not since the mid 90's when they were threatened to move to Nashville).

To those who voted no, I'm curious as to why you think the Devils wouldn't be successful in NJ.

[VodkaFish]

Originally Posted by NJDevils17

I don't quite understand as to why the Devils would be listed here.

http://www.hockeyfights.com/quickhit...of-nhl-markets

[NJDevils17]

Originally Posted by VodkaFish

http://www.hockeyfights.com/quickhit...of-nhl-markets

Thanks, I forgot to read the whole post!

[EDDUBBS]

I just don't get the Devils. There are too many teams in the North Jersey/New York area and the Devils need to go.

[NJDevils17]

Originally Posted by EDDUBBS

I just don't get the Devils. There are too many teams in the North Jersey/New York area and the Devils need to go.

Do you know how many people live there though?

Also, New Jersey is a solid hockey state. A lot of hockey leagues there which means there is certainly interest in the sport.

[Redtown]

Too many people live in the area for it not to be successful. With a new rink and a superstar they should at least break even you'd think. Winning is another issue since so much money is locked up in Kovy and nobody on the current team knows how to play with him.

[Ciccarelli]

Should be no problem for them to be successful. They have a new arena, a history of developing well their young players and a smart GM. Besides that with three Cups and the image of being the inventors of the defensive minded game-plan in the NHL they are a big part of the NHL and their recent history.

[Isles4life]

Despite their current struggles and some people's dislike for a subjectively boring style of play in past years, the Devils have really been one of the NHL's model franchises over the past 2 decades. They have always had a surprising number of empty seats in the stands, even when the team is having a lot of on-ice success. However they have a nice new arena and I don't see attendance as a critical issue for the Devils, more like a slight flaw for an otherwise mostly ideally-run franchise. The New York City metropolitan area is absolutely capable of supporting 3 NHL teams, as it has demonstrated in the past when the on-ice products show that they deserve support.

[Merlin401]

The Devils have a good fanbase of whiny suburban kids. I think they will be fine because their fanbase will slowly grow. Also Newark is slowly becoming a better city. Their building is great and their team is run superbly. They may not be competing with the Rangers anytime soon, but they aren't in danger IMO.

[NJDevils17]

I don't whine too much...only moderately!

[canuck2]

Years of playing the trap without a cup are taking it's toll.

Nobody in Canada can identify with a city less team. Where the he'll do they actually reside?

[Merlin401]

Originally Posted by canuck2

Years of playing the trap without a cup are taking it's toll.

Nobody in Canada can identify with a city less team. Where the he'll do they actually reside?

For the past few years they have been in Newark, NJ which is the biggest city in the state. It has a pretty crappy reputation as run-down and crime-infested, which has mostly been true but they have really been putting a lot of effort into rejuvenating the downtown with some success

[pesadillamal]

I think they are more up against it than people think. They jumped into the middle of three hockey cities here so they are really counting on young kids whose parents don't really like the sport. Most people born into a hockey family in the area are going to like the Rangers, Islanders, or Flyers. Time will tell if this works but the franchise has had great success and still does not have a very solid fanbase. I am not really sure what the crowds will look like if they go through a couple of losing seasons.

There is one more group of people they cater to though. Little peckerheads that don't know anything about hockey but want to be jerkoffs to their Ranger fan friends. Please don't unleash the bitter brigade on me. That is not an attempt to troll and is not directed at anyone on this site. I have seen this happen a few times with my own eyes.