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Why does the NHL not make a serious effort to market anyone but Crosby and Ovechkin? This HBO thing is just more proof of that. I know they're the two best players in the league and are the only household names in hockey amongst the general public. However, in other sports, it's more than just 2 players who are household names, and it's because those leagues try to make a real effort towards marketing those players. The NHL refuses to do so and I don't understand why. Isn't it better for the league if more players are marketed to the general public, instead of just showing Crosby and Ovechkin commercials all the time? I remember last year after the Caps and Pens were eliminated, I heard many sportswriters complaining that they stopped caring about the playoffs because the two best players were gone, and I was infuriated by their stupidity and lack of knowledge about hockey. At the same time, I realized the league was responsible for this indifference, because it wasn't trying hard enough to market any other players. I'm not saying the league should lay off these two superstars, but they need to acknowledge that there's other great stars in the game. That's what all the other sports leagues are doing and I think it will be better for hockey in the long run.

He's really playing himself off the roster. In his defense in this case, though, that was a weak call.

Tremendous wheels from Flip. And he shot the puck! What a revelation.

I cannot believe I am reading people complaining about OZZY out of all people tonight.. If it wasn't for him we would be down 3 or 4 to zip... he was by far the best wings player on the ice. Sure his rebounds were not perfect but how about we give him a few games to get rebounds together, meanwhile he stood on his head period 1... Ericson is to blame on the goal, not ozzy

He hit Ozzy so hard I could have sworn for a second that Ozzy was a cab driver.

Ericsson doesn't deserve to play in the big club this season, give his spot to janik, there would be no need to panic if that was the case.

.. Thats not what Orpik said.

The NHL has a Marketing department? News to me.

O.K. I have to ask this. Are you Patrick Sharp by any chance?

Kindl will win his spot this year, no doubt.

Serioously Ericsson, go away. If it wasn't for his size, he would've been ditched by now. No wonder he was pick 291.

Am I the only one who doesn't think this is worth a suspension? They're hockey players, not tiddly-wink champions. Whatever.

Ozzie's playing like a backup from my view. (which is better than regular season Ozzie) and Ericsson was an idiot on the goal, already yelling at him before they even got out of the zone lol. But, 1-0 with the Griffin team we've put out there is not bad at all.

is it me or does stan bowman look like detective scrotes

Gary's poster boy immunity once again. Can't wait until he starts swinging at Osgoods package from behind.

Maybe someone should put a decimal in front of Miller's number. Then Kane will go for him. Too bad Downey isn't still wearing that number. That would work even better.

So both games have to be Hawks coverage? f*** off NHL network!!!!!!!! esteef

lmao whats criesbitch gonna do? Reminds me of this

The players should sell the game but the league handcuffs them and tapes there mouths shut!...NHL players are so god damn boring in interviews...it is unbelievable! Then a wild card like Avery starts calling his movie star ex-girlfriend a hoe...and the hockey media and league flip the f*** out! i call that ******* bulls*** ..they should have let him and phanuf take it to the ice, and made a big deal about it...pro wrestling style!...instead the league fines him and sends him to anger managment.... and also the NHL clothing sucks ass and look ugly 9 times out of 10...i could go on and on! They really should hire me as a marketing consultant, because the old ass dudes running the marketing department are waayyy out of touch with what is going on.

The NHL needs to take the "Hockey is for everyone" approach in their marketing. You've got all sorts of players out there. Market Duncan Keith to the "old-time, smashmouth, lose some teeth and keep fighting" crowd. Market Chris Pronger as a villain to the "watch to hope to see a dirty bastard get a beatdown" crowd. Market Pavel Datsyuk to the "watch for amazing skill and slick moves" crowd. Market Ovie to the "want an approachable, easily recognizable hero with an outgoing personality" crowd. Market Sid to the "teenage girls and NAMBLA members" crowd. In all seriousness, this isn't anything new. During the Era of the Great One, it was rare to hear Yzerman's name outside of Detroit, and the only time we heard about Super Mario was when he got cancer. That's a slight exaggeration, but to the average non-hockey fan, that's how it was. They knew Wayne. That's it.

-The NHL was already having labor problems before Bettman was hired. Bettman was hired to SOLVE THEM, and for the most part HE DID. Yes, it wasn't ideal, but the end justifies the means in many situations, including this one. The NHL has a CBA which protects teams doing poorly financially, and might have prevented the Jets, Nordiques, and Whalers from moving had it been in place back then. -So in other words, you have to get cable to watch games? ESPN, Versus. Wow, shocking difference. -The ESPN deal was $600m over 5 years, or $120m per year. It was followed by a one-year deal for the 2004-05 season which was $60m, with a $70m option for 2005-06. The Versus contract was $130m for two years, with a network-option third year. In other words, Versus offered more money than ESPN for fewer games and lower broadcast priority; ESPN would have demanded far more games, regular season and playoff, than Versus had. They would have demanded top priority for scheduling over NBC, also. -The 2009 playoff scheduling, as far as the finals which is what I know you are referring to, is because of the television contract with NBC. -Better reffing than 1992 and prior. -Bettman doesn't just say "Hey, let's have a team in Atlanta/Nashville/Phoenix/Raleigh!" The team owner decides where they want the team to play, and the NHL Board of Governors either approves or denies that. -The NHL's talent level is higher than it has ever been. In 1990 there were 20 teams' worth of Canadian players. Now there are 16. Also NHL teams typically have more skill players now rather than having a bunch of goons populate the bottom lines. This is a significant INCREASE in average talent, and based on the percentage of Canadian players in the NHL the league has actually UNDER-expanded. Of course, getting much larger would be ridiculous, so it will probably not happen. -Playing in Europe to increase the global fan base for the NHL for a sport which is played globally? Terrible idea. -As far as the Phoenix situation, what exactly could Bettman do? Balsillie tried to circumvent league policy, and acquire the Coyotes from Moyes through bankruptcy while Moyes receives what basically amounts to a kickback. Bettman did nothing but stood firm on league policy, because folding would set a dangerous precedent of "well you did this for this guy" and Balsillie's inability to follow the standard league procedure prevented him from purchasing the team. -As stated before, the NHL's officiating has been of higher quality since the two-referee system has been implemented than it was before, and Bettman and co. have done work to improve the quality of new officials.

Bettman ruined this league! He fixes Penguins games! He hates the Wings! GET HIM!! No, you probably aren't. Personally I have neither respect nor disdain for the guy since he is only one member of a very large organization.

Real fans don't hang players on their team out to dry. These are your Red Wings, take em or leave em. Mistakes happen in the game. Players have bad seasons and a bad stretch of luck. Its hockey. This is why its a team sport. Win as a team. Lose as a team.

Do you even need to ask? There's only one element of the Pens that I don't hate and that's Dan Byslma. He seems like a stand-up guy and tells it like it is, unlike his predecessor. Everything else about that team - even Mario "I'm-Taking-My-Puck-And-Going-Home" Lemieux - just infuriates me.

Do you post on "letsgopens" under the same name?