You Don't See Them Brawl

[itsJ.Millertime]

[quote=jkidd;807980].

The attendance doesnt matter. They sell the tickets, and people just dont show up... that doesnt matter one bit to the NHL brass.

Don't be so sure on that. I doubt any of the owners are all to happy to look out and see half the seats EMPTY and realize all the revenue they're losing in consessions and merchandise sales. And the fact the attendance is so much worse than last year this early does not bode well for the stertch of games from 20-60

.TV ratings arent best because they're not on a marquee channel. Compare the number of households that get OLN/VS compared to ESPN... its not comparable. FSN is huge for carrying hockey games in most markets.

While your right oln/vs is not a major channel they are the ONLY one that will take on this sport right now. And don't you think if the NFL,MLB or NBA (or even nascar) had signed on with them it would become readily available throughout the country?
And don't forget the HORRIBLE ratings NBC pulled in during the playoffs. In succesive weeks their broadcasts were beaten by seniors golf, NCAA womens gymnastics, a rained out nascar race and the WNBA. Now that's weak! And the telecast of the 7th game drew a rating 30% worse than 2 years before. And NBC is a major network don't forget.

To answer Humps question I would say 2 more years after this one if things keep going as they are. IMO you'll see minor league clubs defect 1st as they'll be the 1st to take a beating (as many already have) without the corporate sponsorship the nhl enjoys. Then nhl owners seeing an increase in attendance as theirs continue to dip or stays woefully low will pressure clown bettman to change things which will lead to him stepping down in favor of a real hockey man.
I can see this happening but who knows what leverage idiot bettman holds over these owners. From the looks of things it's alot.

[AvsFanatic]

Originally Posted by Arankys

cant understand why some of you bought center ice

Really. You can watch poker on every other channel for free. I'm going to lobby for fights in poker. Here is my list so far.


1)Chip leader is an absolute bully at the table. Raising peeps blinds, check raising, re-raising al the time, runnning over the table, that kind of thing. Someone has to step up and enforce the table. Commence fighting.

2)You lose to any type of a 4 outer on the turn and river. Kick his asssssss.

3)Two-outer on the river, calls for an instant beating.

4)Anyone getting caught bluffing, better be ready to throw'em.

5)If you win allin with a suckout, You might just get knocked out.

6)If you bet or fold out of turn, the dealer has the option to fight you.


Thats what I have so far, I'll keep thinking.


ESPN wouldn't have the balls to allow it, but maybe Spike would.

[spiderarms]

What does it tell you when HOCKEY FIGHT FANSs rants and vents on this thread reach 79posts from 1:00PM yesterday to NOW?
While during the same time period from yesterday, the "YOU SEE THEM BRAWL" section, one of the most popular threads on this website, HOME OF THE NEW NHL, has just 113 posts? IT TELLS YOU THE NEW NHL HAS ALOT OF UNSATISFIED CUSTOMERS AND WE ARE ALOT LARGER THAN MOST OF YOU ARE GIVING US CREDIT FOR!!!

[Humpzilla]

Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Rangers

Roy- OUT
Cairns- OUT
Armstrong- IN

Orr- IN
Hollweg- IN

Does this not say it all about the NHL season thus far? Orr is in; Roy is out!?!?

[NewNHLHater]

Roy is out by coaches decision. It's pretty obvious the coaches don't even care for fighting anymore. There is obviously way to much code of etiquatte in the NHL nowadays. Fighters having to ask other fighters to fight, other guy says no you pout all the way back to the bench. Fighters not willing to run a star player or goalie to start something when their team need momentum.

[spiderarms]

Originally Posted by NewNHLHater

Roy is out by coaches decision. It's pretty obvious the coaches don't even care for fighting anymore. There is obviously way to much code of etiquatte in the NHL nowadays. Fighters having to ask other fighters to fight, other guy says no you pout all the way back to the bench. Fighters not willing to run a star player or goalie to start something when their team need momentum.

Doesn't a 9-2 beating deserve some type of retribution? Well there wasn't even a wimper according to this site's posters. This is all happening faster than I thought it would.
I figured fighting would be down from last year by a smaller percentage with the final nail in the coffin being next year. At the rate it is going, THIS YEAR MAYBE THE YEAR!
I'm convinced that the final legislation will be an automatic game misconduct for fighting.
I expect that next year.

[Arankys]

there should a daily thread for this just like possible fights it will make it easier on everybody

[itsJ.Millertime]

And the "potential" dwindles even further as Brookbank is scratched from the Bruins lineup despite DJ King being dressed. I love this "new" nhl more and more every day.

[headhunter55]

What ever happened to Gladiator 2? That was actually some good ****.

To answer alot of your questions/statements I think only the fans can change it. I mean are these ****ing guys ****ing blind? I mean what the heck are these piece of ****s thinking that changed this great game. I gave my buddy the Montreal/ Flyers game (thank ****ing god I wasnt there- I might have ended up at UPENN on suicide watch) and he said that the only time the place went nuts was during a 40 year tribute tape of a huge brawl. I mean a ****ing old tape is the best part of a game.....A ****ing tape Gary? Gary are you there????????????

[itsJ.Millertime]

[quote=spiderarms;808399]

Doesn't a 9-2 beating deserve some type of retribution? Well there wasn't even a wimper according to this site's posters. This is all happening faster than I thought it would.

Yeah that was a joke. When I saw the score I though to myself "well there should be a couple nice clips on HF to see but then I saw a boxscore and to my surprise there was none. I don't knowwhy I would be surprised though at this point.

I figured fighting would be down from last year by a smaller percentage

Me too, I wonder where all those guys that said fighting would be UP and rivalries would return are now?

I'm convinced that the final legislation will be an automatic game misconduct for fighting.
I expect that next year

. I really don't think you'll see that. bettmans an idiot but he knows how much fans like fights and to do a rule like that would kill any chance of fights. No he'll keep things the way they are. So many fans are clueless and still think there's a chance for fights (just check the "possible fights" thread) and then are gloating when the 1 fight every 10 games happens. This is exactly what he wants but it's not working. For every "new" fan or old time fan that's willing to accept this crap theres 10 that wont. Just look at the TV ratings and the EMPTY seats to see where this is going.

[headhunter55]

"I'm convinced that the final legislation will be an automatic game misconduct for fighting.
I expect that next year"

Millertime, I dont think that is unrealistic. How it is now is very close- especially the $10,000. I'll say five years. Mark my word.

[itsJ.Millertime]

Originally Posted by headhunter55

"I'm convinced that the final legislation will be an automatic game misconduct for fighting.
I expect that next year"

Millertime, I dont think that is unrealistic. How it is now is very close- especially the $10,000. I'll say five years. Mark my word.

I'm not saying it's unrealistic, I could see it happening. I just don't think it will.

I DO think you'll see buttman out in 2 more years though. This "new" hockey is NOT working. As much as some of the people on this site want to say it is all you need do is look at the crowds at games not just in the nhl but the minors to see how bad things are.

IMO you'll see owners getting frustrated over the dwindling crowds and TV ratings andforce bettman to stand down in favor of a real hockey man. I don't know if things will ever go back to the "glory days" of the 80's but at this point anything would be better than this garbage!

[Smashing Machine]

I hate to keep bringing up a non fight, but Exelby vs Brookbank SHOULD have happened last night.

The Thrashers were dominating, showing no signs of collapse..even in a league where teams can kick a field goal, Exleby played like it was a tie. Hitting and smart physical plays, other than the bogus penlty for tapping Brookbank earlier in the game.

Boston did what a team SHOULD do in that situation, they gave their muscle..Brookbank..ice time.

Exelby in one shift flatted two Bruins, then Brookbank.

NOTHING happened.

If Brookbank asked him to go, it must have been a whisper. If Brookbank was worried about the PIM package, and getting the doghouse..why was he put out there ?
Atlanta announcers are very good and honest about the fights and fighters. They noticed just as any fight fan would that Brookbank was on the ice when Exelby was on the ice hitting anyone that moved in a B uniform.
They even said..well Exelby might be too tired to fight after a shift where he flattened a few players.

Like anyone, this was very disapointing.

And I agree with the only ways to fix the league, but it's an uphill climb. Fighting obviously is being phased out. I do fear it will be cause for ejections in the future, and the linesman will be instructed to not let them go, fines and suspensions will be increased, fighting will die.

I have not paid one cent to the NHL since the lockout, and I will not. I browse games, and last nights 3rd period was the first blip of NHL hockey where I expected a fight. And because of the way things are, I have put higher expectations on rugged players. Boulton worked his ass off the off season to stay with the club. And he hasn't played yet.

I hate it , but for many of us..this is the only hockey we got. No way in hell i'd "pay" for it though. No way.

[KnucklesNilan]

Originally Posted by Arankys

cant understand why some of you bought center ice

Tell me about it... every friggin channel I change to, doesn't matter what game is on... the teams are on a power play or someone is going to the box... every friggin game!!

I go from game to game... ah, whats the friggin use anymore.. this game is ruined, man...

[Flames_Suck44]

I don't like the new rules much at all. I do though like seeing more goals in games. That's why I can't stand watching Calgary play; they barely score any goals! I, myself, think that my style of play is a lot more defensive, but I like the new offensive aspect to the NHL.

The shootout is really the only groundbreaking change in the new game. I love it, and wonder why it was never used before. It is horrible to go to a game, pay the ridiculous amounts of money for everything, and see a 1-1 tie. I'll take a 7-6 shootout game anyday above the 1-1 game, thank you.

The penalties, however, are too weak. Even in the minor hockey level. Last year, I had 140 PIM in 40 games, and we don't even fight! In an 82-game season, with fighting, it would be a Tiger Williams or Dave Schultz scene out there.

...brutal these penalties!