Rumor: NHL On ESPN

[IceMunkee 15]

I like the idea of NHL on ESPN. I was really excited until I seen where the info came from. Eklund and his "sources"? Probably the guy that cleans toilets on the floor below the NHL.

Eklund has to be the biggest fraud in the NHL.

[syntax 359]

While I am a huge fan of Thorne and Clement doing the NHL games, on ESPN or otherwise, I am leery about ESPN getting back into hockey and here is why.

I am a big hockey fan, and I know memories are short here but does anyone remember how ESPN treated hockey back in the mid to late 90s and through till the NHL signed with Versus? There were games, both regular season and playoffs, that were cutoff because of other scheduled events. I remember at least once a month I would tune into a game and not see it because some golf thing was going into extra time or some other event was starting so they had to cut the game off in the 3rd period before OT started. There were even times where games they were going to televise were canceled in lieu of other events that were more popular.

ESPN treated the NHL like dirt and a last tier sport. Now, if ESPN wants to get back into the business of hockey, I applaud them, but this buffoonary of them preempting games or shutting games off early isn't going to fly with me. They won't fly with wings fans either who find themselves in a situation where ESPN has exclusive rights to a game and yet ESPN chooses not to put it on because some sports figure is coming out of the closet and that news is more important than hockey. Versus does not do that crap and thats why I do like them for hockey coverage so far. They do give the NHL more coverage than ESPN gave them, but they are a smaller network. I acknowledge that.

The more networks that hockey is seen on the better off hockey is. That means a bigger audience and hopefully more people will tune in. ESPN is bigger than Versus so I do hope that ESPN gets to air some games. With thousands of games being played, there is more than enough for every network to have a cut of the action.

Eklund is wrong and so are you.

About a month ago I had the unfortunate experience of viewing ESPN's SportsCenter for 45 minutes. Not one NHL highlight. NOT ONE! The night before seven games were played and not one highlight the next day.

People who think ESPN is objective are delusional. People who think that things would change if the League went back to the four-letter network are delusional. It won't happen because the Disney networks don't want the NHL. They had a chance to get the League back immediately following the lockout, but didn't. Nothing I've seen has changed.

Today I watched SportsCenter, and there was only one highlight. Three games yesterday, and only one highlight today.

The other day Steve Levy said this, "Only in the NHL is Detroit in the West."

Were there any snide comments made toward ANY other sport? Not that I heard.

Another day, or maybe the same one, ESPN showed David Letterman's Top Ten List featuring baseball players at the World Baseball Classic. Number 1: "What else are you going to watch? Hockey?"

ESPN is bad for the NHL any way you slice it.

These two posters are 1000% correct (If there is such a thing).

BUT,

NHL = McDonalds (advertising deal)

ESPN loves McDonalds

Therefore, if NHL = McDonalds and ESPN loves McDonalds,

THEN,

ESPN LOVES NHL.

I mean McDonald's advertising revenue.

PERIOD.

[Hank 0]

These two posters are 1000% correct (If there is such a thing).

BUT,

NHL = McDonalds (advertising deal)

ESPN loves McDonalds

Therefore, if NHL = McDonalds and ESPN loves McDonalds,

THEN,

ESPN LOVES NHL.

I mean McDonald's advertising revenue.

PERIOD.

You're right. ESPN won't help hockey at all. All it will do is help the few thousands that love hockey but can't get VS. That's the reason why a minority of hockey fans want this to happen. And I can't blame them for that. I'd be livid if I lost my TSN feed.

But the truth is VS treats the NHL far better than ESPN ever did and while hockey was on ESPN it didn't help grow the sport. Nothing will really. It is what it is.

I'm still of the mind that the NHL should make it's own network and show 1 game of the week.

Since I'm ignorant to tv broadcasting and distributing I'll continue believing it's easy and will question the NHL's decision not to do this.

[Booster313 138]

I love this!

[IceMunkee 15]

You're right. ESPN won't help hockey at all. All it will do is help the few thousands that love hockey but can't get VS. That's the reason why a minority of hockey fans want this to happen. And I can't blame them for that. I'd be livid if I lost my TSN feed.

But the truth is VS treats the NHL far better than ESPN ever did and while hockey was on ESPN it didn't help grow the sport. Nothing will really. It is what it is.

I'm still of the mind that the NHL should make it's own network and show 1 game of the week.

Since I'm ignorant to tv broadcasting and distributing I'll continue believing it's easy and will question the NHL's decision not to do this.

Your exactly right. I think people need to get over ESPN making jokes and treating the NHL like crap, only reason being is ESPN network will improve the fan base of the NHL, no doubt. Instead they throw the NHL Network out there with some of the worst commentators. Think of it this way: Remember that ex-girlfriend that was really s***ty to you when you broke up? Also remember how great she was in bed? You take what is gonna benefit you the most. The ESPN will make the NHL better, period.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

I know this won't happen also, but I want it to go back to ESPN because it would be more hockey to watch. With VS just showing games on Monday and Tuesday, isn't going to get the NHL back on the charts.

[Nightfall 871]

Agree with ya on the bolded area; ESPN would air NCAA badminton over the NHL playoffs if they felt they'd get better ratings...It's been proven that VS will go the distance for the NHL while ESPN won't.

I wish people would realize this before they start cheering on ESPN.

The problem is that people don't remember the crap ESPN would pull. I remember playoff games being started late or pre-empted for other news. I remember a golf tournament that went into extra holes and the Red Wings coverage, which they exclusively had for this game, was pre-empted for an entire period. At least VS is willing to go the distance for the NHL. The only gripe I had about their coverage is when Brodeur won game 552. The Red Wings second period was cut a bit while they showed Brodeur live and then showed a commercial. Other Red Wing fans on this board were not so forgiving as many bitched and complained. If they are complaining about missing 5 minutes of the second period, how do you think they will feel when ESPN broadcasts a bowling tournament that goes into extra frames instead of the Red Wings game they have exclusive rights to?

I guess we will see if ESPN does get some games. I hope they do and I equally hope they redeem themselves by giving priority to the NHL.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

I remember a golf tournament that went into extra holes and the Red Wings coverage, which they exclusively had for this game, was pre-empted for an entire period.

They did that for the NCAA hockey games, I remember because lacrosse was going on ESPN2 and the game went into 6ot. They showed all of the lacrosse overtimes when they were suppose to be showing the North Dakota Fight Sioux vs New Hampshire Wildcats. Once the lacrosse game ended, the hockey game was around 10 minutes left in the SECOND PERIOD! They didn't show half the hockey game when it was tournament time just for a regular season lacrosse game.

I still think though with that happening, I want the ESPN to show hockey. I think even though if ESPN does treat the NHL like s***, it will be more hockey and get the NHL popular in the long run

Edited April 12, 2009 by HadThomasVokounOnFortSt

[MotorCityMadness 388]

if Versus was smart they would find a way to spread the wealth of what teams get shown and that way they can show more hockey to the whole country as opposed to the atlantic and northeast division and then throw Detroit in every 5 weeks or so...it just doesnt work that way. If you wanna increase the exposure, make it a priority to put every team on versus at some point in the year. I'm pretty sure that the NFL does this when it comes to primetime games? Don't they make sure every team does get a chance to play on MNF or Sunday Night? You do something like that for the NHL and it will help the exposure (even though it may be minor, but continue to do it) even more.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

if Versus was smart they would find a way to spread the wealth of what teams get shown and that way they can show more hockey to the whole country as opposed to the atlantic and northeast division and then throw Detroit in every 5 weeks or so...it just doesnt work that way. If you wanna increase the exposure, make it a priority to put every team on versus at some point in the year. I'm pretty sure that the NFL does this when it comes to primetime games? Don't they make sure every team does get a chance to play on MNF or Sunday Night? You do something like that for the NHL and it will help the exposure (even though it may be minor, but continue to do it) even more.

Agree, or do some doubleheaders.

[lacrossekid2 5]

Do any of you realize the reason ESPN never shows NHL highlights is because they don't show hockey. Why would they show a sport they don't really cover.

As for that lacrosse game they showed instead of the North Dakota v New Hampshire game you have to understand that lacrosse was the longest in history so you'd have to show the end just because it was so long and had tons of drama. Also they still were showing the hockey game on the alternate. Just think if they would have cut over to the hockey game the lacrosse fans would have the same argument many of you have now.

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

if Versus was smart they would find a way to spread the wealth of what teams get shown and that way they can show more hockey to the whole country as opposed to the atlantic and northeast division and then throw Detroit in every 5 weeks or so...it just doesnt work that way. If you wanna increase the exposure, make it a priority to put every team on versus at some point in the year. I'm pretty sure that the NFL does this when it comes to primetime games? Don't they make sure every team does get a chance to play on MNF or Sunday Night? You do something like that for the NHL and it will help the exposure (even though it may be minor, but continue to do it) even more.

The NFL does not make sure every team gets on primetime on Sunday or Monday night. They put teams in the schedule they think will be good matchups or are popular teams.

Versus would be stupid to try to put every team on the schedule. They are not running a soup kitchen, they are running a business. I am a hockey fan, and I am not going to tune in to see a Coyotes vs. Thrashers game. You put the teams on tv that will draw ratings and advertising $$. Same with ESPN, they are only going to put the NHL back on their network if they think they can make $$.

[auxlepli 17]

Do any of you realize the reason ESPN never shows NHL highlights is because they don't show hockey. Why would they show a sport they don't really cover.

Ummm .... maybe because the SportsCenter show is supposed to be objective. Maybe because hockey fans watch ESPN. Those are two reasons.

Thanks to Mickey Mouse networks' lack of hockey coverage I don't voluntarily watch ESPN anymore. Today for instance I watched NBC and Versus. Three hockey games and the IRL race. ESPN is totally off my radar. I have zero reason to watch that network anymore. Zero! Especially now that they don't show hockey highlights either.

When I go to sports bars I immediately ask for the station or stations in my vicinity to be changed to either Versus, the NHL Network, or Fox Sports.

All those reasons is why ESPN should show highlights.

[HadThomasVokounOnFortSt 878]

The NFL does not make sure every team gets on primetime on Sunday or Monday night. They put teams in the schedule they think will be good matchups or are popular teams.

Versus would be stupid to try to put every team on the schedule. They are not running a soup kitchen, they are running a business. I am a hockey fan, and I am not going to tune in to see a Coyotes vs. Thrashers game. You put the teams on tv that will draw ratings and advertising $$. Same with ESPN, they are only going to put the NHL back on their network if they think they can make $$.

Your right, the NFL does not make sure everyone gets on primetime. They look for the good matchups, the divison rivals, playoff matchups from year before, etc.

Versus would be very stupid, but I do got to say they need to put in a couple rivals in the west. They just need to show more games that are out west (rivals). Like I said a couple posts before, they just need to start doubleheaders. If they did that I would be fine.

Ummm .... maybe because the SportsCenter show is supposed to be objective. Maybe because hockey fans watch ESPN. Those are two reasons.

Thanks to Mickey Mouse networks' lack of hockey coverage I don't voluntarily watch ESPN anymore. Today for instance I watched NBC and Versus. Three hockey games and the IRL race. ESPN is totally off my radar. I have zero reason to watch that network anymore. Zero! Especially now that they don't show hockey highlights either.

When I go to sports bars I immediately ask for the station or stations in my vicinity to be changed to either Versus, the NHL Network, or Fox Sports.

All those reasons is why ESPN should show highlights.

Yeah, I don't watch ESPN much also but I really think it would be great to get ESPN back. With Versus just showing hockey Monday and Tuesday, and having NBC showing games Sunday. There just ain't enough hockey, and if your trying to get hockey back on track I think you need to get NHL on ESPN. With me living in Minnesota, it is very hard for me to watch the Red Wings. I don't get FSDetroit, TSN, CBC. The only stations I get is Versus, NBC, and FSNorth (stuck watching the Wild ), it just gets old.

[MotorCityMadness 388]

The NFL does not make sure every team gets on primetime on Sunday or Monday night. They put teams in the schedule they think will be good matchups or are popular teams.

Versus would be stupid to try to put every team on the schedule. They are not running a soup kitchen, they are running a business. I am a hockey fan, and I am not going to tune in to see a Coyotes vs. Thrashers game. You put the teams on tv that will draw ratings and advertising $$. Same with ESPN, they are only going to put the NHL back on their network if they think they can make $$.

I wasn't suggesting that every team in the NFL gets a primetime game, I was leaning on the fact that they try to include a larger pool of teams they put on the networks for those slots...Cowboys, Pats, Packers, Bears, Vikings, Chargers, Colts, Panthers, Saints, etc. They make an effort to include more teams to choose from than what the NHL does with having primarily the Pens, Rangers, Flyers and Bruins

[South Dakota wings fan 7]

I wasn't suggesting that every team in the NFL gets a primetime game, I was leaning on the fact that they try to include a larger pool of teams they put on the networks for those slots...Cowboys, Pats, Packers, Bears, Vikings, Chargers, Colts, Panthers, Saints, etc. They make an effort to include more teams to choose from than what the NHL does with having primarily the Pens, Rangers, Flyers and Bruins

Ok, dually noted.

I just don't think the NHL is popular enough to broaden the teams that they show unless there is one team with a national following. We all love hockey, that is why we are on this board, but the NHL is never going to be the NFL in the U.S. It's just not going to happen. Hopefully we can see labor/management peace for the foreseeable future, and continue to grow slowly as to not have a boom and bust.

Hating on ESPN doesn't do any good either, they are simply showing what people want. Maybe not everybody, but the majority.

[SoDakWing 8]

quite honestly i'm glad the NHL won't be like the NFL. Those players are turning into *******. Hockey is a real mans sport and if thats keeping it from getting back on ESPN then so be it. I wouldn't mind seeing NHL on ABC again someday. Mostly the only team with a real national following is our wings. Granted there are other teams with fans all over but the wings def. have that locked down, every away game the wings have there is around 200+ wing-nuts in the building. Maybe if their was another team like this and they built a rivalry with the wings we could see something like NHL on ESPN again. but doubtful.

[aflac9262 211]

CBC talked about the prospect of ESPN returning. The discussion starts at 7:10.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/ondemand/?maven_p...ject=1131937057

Edited May 25, 2009 by aflac9262