The Random Hockey Thoughts Thread

[Obst]

The NHL's quest for a major U.S. television deal could decide the future of the Winter Classic, said Glenn Healy on this week's Hotstove segment on Hockey Night in Canada.

Over the next year, the NHL will begin negotiating a major television deal with the biggest networks in the US, and Healy said the league is in a great position.

"The No. 1 property in sports that is up first [for negotiations] is the NHL," Healy said. "Then it's the Pac 10 and then it's the NFL, but they're going to have labour strife."

Nevertheless, whichever network lands the NHL, the future of the Winter Classic is not certain.

"If ESPN gets the deal, they might not even want a New Year's Day game to go up against some of their bowl games; and if NBC gets it, they love Jan. 1st. So a lot has to happen before the next spot is picked," Healy said.

Even though major network executives could decide the future of New Year's Day extravaganza, several U.S. cities have already told the NHL they want to host the next Winter Classic.

Contributor Pierre LeBrun said Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia — home of the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles — is the front-runner. Colorado and Minnesota are other interested cities.

"The NHL prefers the NFL stadium model compared to the baseball stadium," LeBrun said.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2011/01/01/sp-hotstove-winterclassicdate-jan1.html

 

[NAHSTE]

NYC seems like a good choice but with how terrible the Devils are I don't know if the NHL will put them front and center like that.

Yeah, but with it being likely Brodeur's farewell tour it'd be a nice send off for him.

Sounds like Philly is the front runner though. Don't mind that, I just love this event and hope it continues.

 

[Ravin]

They could do it in Minny with the wild.

I hear they have a new open concept stadium available :lesmug:

 

[leaffan]

For the flyer fans here.

Leighton was put on waivers today. Will be interesting to see if he gets picked up.

 

[leaffan]

LOL WUT:

BREAKING: Post has learned that Rangers are sending Del Zotto to AHL and recalling Ryan McDonagah.

 

[wr50l]

He's been shit this season.

 

[wingsfan77]

The Flyers apparently wanted Del Zotto the year they picked Giroux and Clarkie was pissed that the Rangers took him.....yay.

 

[wr50l]

2 and a half years younger and not French. You still lose.

 

[Ravin]

 

[Woy]

Sounds like Philly is the front runner though. Don't mind that, I just love this event and hope it continues.

It wouldn't happen for a while, but I really want to see a Flyers/Pens Winter Classic at Beaver Stadium. 110,000 to watch a hockey game would be incredible.

 

[wingsfan77]

For the flyer fans here.

Leighton was put on waivers today. Will be interesting to see if he gets picked up.

That's what he gets for hiding his back injury until AFTER he signed a new contract. :club:

 

[leaffan]

It wouldn't happen for a while, but I really want to see a Flyers/Pens Winter Classic at Beaver Stadium. 110,000 to watch a hockey game would be incredible.

Quite honestly by what I'm reading people are tired of the whole penguins/crosby thing. He's good to market but I think people have had just enough of him for a few years.

I'd love to see a Colorado vs Vancouver/Los Angeles/San Jose

 

[killgod]

Umm yes. Completely fucking sick of him and that team at this point.


As you mentioned, the league needs to stop ignoring the West like it always has. This 2nd rate Eastern hockey is cool and all, but start showcasing the good half of the fucking league already.

I think it'll be a tough sell to put a hot weather team like LA or SJ in this event, but a game in Vancouver would be cool. Maybe at the newly renovated BC Place? Inclement weather gets the boot via retractable roof and then you have a domed game for 55K. Seems like a good choice for a western host, if not at Invesco in Denver.

Despite my previous comments, SJ/LA would probably be the best opposition based on current talent and rivalries. Even Dallas makes a good fit @ Colorado for all the playoff matchups they had this past decade.

 

[leaffan]

And fan voting fails like normal.

Your 6 players voted in by fans for #NHLAllStar - #Pens Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Fleury & #Hawks Keith, Toews. #NHL

Good job you bunch of idiots.

 

[leaffan]

Leighton cleared waivers.

Apparantly they were shopping him around and there was simply no interest in a trade for him and barely any interest in him on waivers.

He's being sent to the Phantoms and wasn't happy about it.

 

[Obst]

That fan voting is freaking terrible. How Malkin makes it in instead of Stamkos is beyond me. Toews in over either Sedin? Fleury over Tim Thomas? Come on.

 

[calgaryballer]

Happens in every sport with fan voting. Baseball, NBA, etc, fans make decisions on who they like the most, not who deserves it

 

[Ravin]

Yeah thought that was fairly obvious. Hence how one year, Mike Komisarek got voted into the all-star game and a starter over players who should have been there, as well as Carey Price. I wish they would just announce the team and let the fans select the lines. Like do it by position, and have fans pick a starter, second line, etc. I am really waiting for a year where a guy who has played one game gets into the all-star game by fan voting. Then the NHL will do something.

 

[sraczk2011]

I am really waiting for a year where a guy who has played one game gets into the all-star game by fan voting. Then the NHL will do something.

They already dumped mass amounts of votes for Rory Fitzpatrick in 2007 when HF Boards ran a campaign to get him in to the ASG, so they'll never let it happen.

 

[Ravin]

I never understood the attraction to fan voting. It's that type of shit that pisses people off. Yes, Crosby should very well be the first line centre for the Easten conference, but then he should have Martin St.Louis and Steven Stamkos (or Alex Ovechkin for the next winger in stats) on his wings. And the West should be Sedin - Richards - Sedin. Richards is having an amazing season and should be honoured with it, but he wont because he is no longer a big name, and guys like Towes and Kane will always get picked before him.

I wish in every sport they picked he best at their position. In baseball, you pick the best 3 players from each position and they play 3 innings each. In hockey, you pick the best 3-4 guys per position and run with that. The only reason someone who should be there would be left out is because of the "every team must have one person" rule, which I am fine with.