haroldsnepsts

Actually I have a degree in marketing. Of course they need to market to existing customers. But by virtue of the fact that the people you're referring to are on NHL forums, they're likely already hardcore fans. Not to mention a handful of posts saying they would've watched is hardly a valid representation. Especially considering the people who have a strong opinion about the suspension are more likely to make a post about it. So you're using a tiny sample of already hardcore fans commenting on the game to somehow show that it would've attracted a lot of positive attention to the game. Though I'm sure some of them really did want to watch the game tonight because of Avery's mouth. But the NHL had to make a decision whether to cater to that segment at the risk of alienating a lot of existing and potentially new viewers. Because the reality is, Avery calling his ex-girlfriends "sloppy seconds" is probably going to offend more potential fans than it's going to win over. And while you need to market to current fans, the goal is ultimately to grow the fanbase while preserving the integrity of the sport.

The statement is usually to the effect of "there's no such thing as bad publicity." That's not true. Of course there's bad publicity. I'm sure a lot of people watched Bert's first game back. Were they new fans to the game? probably not. But I bet a lot of people who don't watch hockey got to see Bert chase Moore down and suckerpunch him when they showed the clip on the evening news, including Moore being carted off the ice. That's bad publicity. The one thing it seems we can agree on is hatred of watching basketball. Though I'd be curious to know what Shaq and Kobe said that was more off color than one of them calling the other ones girlfriend sloppy seconds. I remember a lot of yapping about each other, but that's different. A lot of places carrying the Avery story won't even print the phrase he used.

Probably. That also happened on the ice and created a great rivalry. Ok, so I go to an NHL forum and a bunch of people who are already hockey fans say they were going to watch the game. That proves what exactly? People who already love the sport were going to watch a specific game? That's still not luring new fans. IT's one thing to yap on the ice. I'm guessing the NHL just doesn't want Avery's agitating to go through the press. He asked if there was a camera present before he said anything. It's not like someone happened to catch an offhanded comment.

That's a commonly heard statement that's just not true. The Bertuzzi incident was great for the sport, no? Most people watch those massively popular sports in spite of those incidents, not because of them. The NHL is already largely viewed as a fringe sport. I guess I don't see how Avery referring to sloppy seconds translates into more viewers. And as for the suspension, I'm guessing it had a lot to do with the person in question. If some other player with no previous incidents had spouted off, it probably would've just been a fine or even handled by the team.

So the two times a year you'd see the NHL on national news would be when Avery talks about sloppy seconds, and then when someone gets brained on the ice. Those aren't exactly great strategies for attracting more fans. A lot of people already think hockey is just some weird sport where Canadians beat the crap out of each other.

Who cares who dumped who? Referring to an ex as "sloppy seconds" says a lot about what kind of man he is. I'm a little surprised, but glad they suspended Avery. His antics are getting old and taking away from the game. While it's a bit of an extreme measure, I think the league is drawing the line so a few years from now they don't have players legally changing their name to Ocho Cinco. One of the things I love about hockey is that there's great rivalries and things to talk about that actually involve the game. Then watch pregame shows for the NFL and NBA and there's usually at least one story about a player who's done something stupid off the playing field that has affected his team.

:rotflmao:

More evidence of how great he is for team chemistry:

The Ducks were definitely tired. I think the Wings did a better job defending the real estate in front of their own net though. Usually it's a free ride to the crease. The puck possesson looked better. They didn't make a lot of cute passes that led to turnovers. Though they were losing an awful lot of battles along the boards, the Ducks often turned the puck right over after winning it. All in all a solid win, but there's still plenty of room for improvement.

did you say pinch you? or punch you? oh. just reread it. never mind.

Right now he's won 12 lost 3. Wow.

Yeah. I think it was Kronwall doing a great job tying up Selanne around the net.

Wow these Ducks announcers are homers. Subtler than most, but still homers. Even the play by play guy works it into his verbs Kronwall "interferes with.." "Franzen hooks.." according to him the Wings commit a penalty just about every shift.

Hiller was in net last night.

I wonder how the Ducks management feels about paying Giguere 5.5 million to play two-thirds of a game.

Nice pinch Niedermayer!

I swear Perry could be called for a slash every shift on the ice. He's such a little *****.

Maybe his pads deflated.

I finally caught up on the DVR. That first goal was on a bad turnover by Stuart, but Ozzy also looked asleep at the wheel there. He was awfully casual tracking the puck considering two forecheckers just blew past him. Franzen has really been throwing his weight around tonight. It's great to see. It hasn't led to a great scoring chance yet, but holy crap Dats has had the puck on a string tonight.

How about you spend more time talking about hockey and less time policing people who dare say anything remotely critical about the Red Wings. I see very few people in this thread who are claiming they knew better all along about Quincey.

Agreed. People are talking about him here because of his stats, but honestly it's not the points. Those may go away and he certainly wouldn't be getting those opportunities on the Wings. But even if he weren't on the PP and his minutes were down to 15, he's just playing good solid hockey for the Kings. He's still learning but usually makes the solid play, and has even had some nice up ice rushes. Then I look at Lebda and think how bad he would look if he were playing those kinds of minutes for the Kings right now. Not to mention Quincey is 3 years younger, plus he's bigger and more physical.

I know Lebda's playing like crap when I find myself saying things like "*whew* thank god Lilja has the puck."

Agreed. He's had several great poke checks and other Lidstrom-caliber defensive plays.

It's kind of baffling. Quincey must've had an awful camp to somehow not look better than Lebda. Right now I'd take Quincey over Lebda in a heartbeat.

I think it's gonna end up Hudler's. They showed a replay that showed it go past Franzen's stick and deflect in off Savard's (I think) skate.