Still Boycotting?

[Boston Garden]

I'm curious if anyone is still not going to games, buying merchandise, ect.? I assume most if not everyone here is watching on TV, granted in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter if the tiny portion of hockey fans on this site don't buy or watch NHL crap, the NHL has seemingly come back stronger after another lockout.

I bring this up because I looked up how much Bruins tickets were going for out of curiosity; and they were starting around $150 face value for the worst seats in the house. Whereas pre-cup (and bandwagon) you could go day of game and get tickets for $20 tops.

TV ratings haven't been better recently as well. I'm thinking (hoping) that things start to come back to earth next season. Perhaps, the shortened season acted as an interest boon for the league.

Is this the new normal now? Is league interest going to keep ascending? Or are the lockouts going to catch up with the league, prompting another game overhaul like a decade ago?

It's a hfboards type of league and we're just living in it I suppose.

[FightingIsGood]

Originally Posted by Boston Garden

I'm curious if anyone is still not going to games, buying merchandise, ect.? I assume most if not everyone here is watching on TV, granted in the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter if the tiny portion of hockey fans on this site don't buy or watch NHL crap, the NHL has seemingly come back stronger after another lockout.

I bring this up because I looked up how much Bruins tickets were going for out of curiosity; and they were starting around $150 face value for the worst seats in the house. Whereas pre-cup (and bandwagon) you could go day of game and get tickets for $20 tops.

TV ratings haven't been better recently as well. I'm thinking (hoping) that things start to come back to earth next season. Perhaps, the shortened season acted as an interest boon for the league.

Is this the new normal now? Is league interest going to keep ascending? Or are the lockouts going to catch up with the league, prompting another game overhaul like a decade ago?

It's a hfboards type of league and we're just living in it I suppose.

I broke my boycott and went to the Pens game Friday night. Up until then, I had sold every season and playoff ticket I owned. I still haven't purchased any merch and don't watch the games live on TV.

[Phila26Flyers]

I went to one game that was a free ticket, but I haven't spent a dime on the NHL. I hardly watched a game either, but there were other factors at play as well.

[63Impala]

Yes, have been since before the lockout. I have watched 2 non winter classic games on NBC total and only the merchandise I bought is NHL 12 and NHL 13. Thats more because I love hockey video games then wanting something NHL related. I do watch quite a bit of game streams on first row though if you consider that "supporting", mostly for background noise when browsing the web.

Havent bought a NHL jersey since 3rd grade and have never been to a live game.

This season, I have watched more NBA games then NHL games... Lebron James>>> 97% of current hockey players in terms of entertainment. Orr and Datsyuk are the only players worth a dime in todays game.

[chilly666]

no games, no merchandise...have watched on tv which i said i would do all along

[Sputnik]

As long as the Ducks were playing I was following the league but it's been years I haven't been in hockey as I was used to.

Fighting and old time hockey were the things which brought me into it and even if I started to follow hockey rather late compared to the posters in here, I can clearly see the difference between the game now and the late 90s (and even the early 2000s!!!).
Simply, I don't like this product and my interest has diminished accordingly.

To sum it up, **** YOU BETTMAN!

[Boston Garden]

Just to clarify, my post isn't meant as a slight towards posters here that still go...more just seeing if anyone was still bitter (like myself) at how the league is prospering post-lockout. I can only hope the lockouts bite them in the ass, it's sad that a lockout can apparently be a "good" business move.

[Phila26Flyers]

Originally Posted by Sputnik

As long as the Ducks were playing I was following the league but it's been years I haven't been in hockey as I was used to.

Fighting and old time hockey were the things which brought me into it and even if I started to follow hockey rather late compared to the posters in here, I can clearly see the difference between the game now and the late 90s (and even the early 2000s!!!).
Simply, I don't like this product and my interest has diminished accordingly.

To sum it up, **** YOU BETTMAN!

This is along the lines of how I feel. I'll always be a Flyers fan, but I don't have the will to invest as much time and money into them as I used to, simply because the product doesn't entertain me as much as it used to. I certainly don't begrudge anyone for continuing to support the league, though. For example, DYB FLYERS was one of the more vocal Flyers fans who spoke against those promising they were done supporting the NHL. That's totally cool. But where I'm at with it is the NHL just doesn't entertain me like it used to. Even the playoffs aren't as entertaining as they used to be. I couldn't justify spending my money and free time on it even if I wanted to.

I'm also not going to be the guy that complains about the state of the NHL in every thread. That is incredibly annoying.

[BobNystromOwnsU]

No merchandise, and I live too far away to go to any games most seasons anyways. I watched only Isles games this season and had to buy Center Ice to do that. I've also watched a couple of playoff games since the Isles were eliminated.

[Tucker_316]

I've been watching as much Hockey as I always have on tv. I haven't bought any merch this year though, nor have I gone to see any games at the Bell Centre. But that has more to do with my way of life atm, having my wife here with me now and saving up dough for some future plans.

[NJDevils17]

I went to one game this season, but had I not been at school for most of the season, I would have gone to more. I've been watching hockey still almost every night like I have since 2001 or so.

I was at the NHL Store in NY two days ago and I purchased a Vancouver Millionaires t-shirt. Besides that, I bought a David Backes Blues shirt, and an Atlanta Thrashers road jersey since the lock-out has ended.

*puts up flame shield*

[FlyersEnforcer]

I went to one game that was a free ticket (Jay Rosehill vs Shawn Thornton fight) , other than that just TV as I stated I would. I did buy a sweet $50 counterfeit jersey though (fight strap included)

Edit: I did buy Flyers related items on ebay, such as a flyers flask, and flyers coasters made out of an actual hockey puck, thought that was pretty cool. Don't know if that counts.

[R.Middleton]

Probably watched only five coyote games on TV. Just doesn't entertain me anymore like it used to and the kids that play the game aren't likable and respectable.

[havoc00]

I buy zero merchandise, never go to games. Hardly even watch a full game anymore honestly. Sometimes In the dead of winter ill watch my home team the flyers but thats about it.

[shaud19]

I have not gone to any games or bought and merchdise but I watch all the NHlL games I can so I'm not complety clueless ( just mostly ) for the threads on here. I refuse to buy NBC Sports Network for something that should be on a normal channel. I know it's not changing anytime soon but I wish the playoff games were on free stations like most NFL and MLB playoffs game are. I have not boycotted the league much.