Potential Disaster for the NHL in this Playoff Round?

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

When this playoff round began, I thought the best bet for the NHL was to have the Wings, Blackhawks and Bruins advance to the semis. Original 6 teams, big markets and possibly good TV ratings especially with a heated rivalry in there with the Wings and Hawks. I was actually excited at the prospect of such a scenario.

Right now, all 3 of these teams are behind in their series. So I have to wonder, how bad would it be for the league if Carolina, Anaheim and Vancouver advance to the next round?

Can you imagine the TV ratings in the U.S. for a Vancouver vs. Carolina Final? That would be a disaster in my book after the success last year for the NHL having the Wings going against the Penguins.

I know it's still early to tell who's going to advance, but I was wondering if anyone else shares my outlook on this?

[egroen 384]

Anaheim or Vancouver VS. Carolina would get pretty darn low ratings.

I am spiteful right now - so that is what I wish upon the NHL should the Wings lose

[Pavrik Zettersyuk 4]

I don't really know how it would affect TV ratings, but I was kinda hoping the remaining original six (well for the Wings it's more than 'kinda') move on to round 3. Wings and Hawks would make an amazing semifinals, and Boston would probably be our most exciting opponents in the finals.

That being said I don't care who we have to defeat to get the cup again, just make it happen boys grrrrr.

Edited May 7, 2009 by Pavrik Zettersyuk

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

Anaheim or Vancouver VS. Carolina would get pretty darn low ratings.

I am spiteful right now - so that is what I wish upon the NHL should the Wings lose

THis is where the NBA is smarter than the NHL.

The NBA rigs it so that certain teams will advance to the Finals through officiating help (Lakers). The NHL does the opposite and allows the referees to screw over its best teams (Wings last game).

Bottom line is that Bettman needs to make sure the Wings, Blackhawks and Bruins advance. Pens/Capitals is a wash either way so the league would benefit either way for either of those teams to make it.

[Pavrik Zettersyuk 4]

In all seriousness if we're talking about consiracy theories, then I wouldn't want there to be one at all... No matter what team they help out.

[Opie 308]

I have to assume that a Ana/Van vs Carolina/Was/Pit would garner about the same ratings as ANA v. OTT got. And the SC parade would probably be about 10,000 again!

The only thing saving the league with these matchups would be Pit or Was due to the faces of AO, Crosby, Malkin.

But those series will bore me to death, I watch games 1 & 2 of ANA and OTT, then turned the series off, it held very little interest for me, and I am an avid fan!

[YoungGuns1340 1]

When the Ducks won the cup, 15,000 people showed up to their Cup Rally.

When the Canes won the cup, the people in NC were unsure why there was even a parade.

Like egroen, I'm spiteful, and I would love it if Anaheim-Carolina were the teams to make it if the Wings and Bruins/Caps don't.

I want to see Bettman tell everyone how great parity is, and how much the Sun Belt loves its hockey, as he explains away decade-low TV ratings and porous media coverage.

[YoungGuns1340 1]

I have to assume that a Ana/Van vs Carolina/Was/Pit would garner about the same ratings as ANA v. OTT got. And the SC parade would probably be about 10,000 again!

The only thing saving the league with these matchups would be Pit or Was due to the faces of AO, Crosby, Malkin.

But those series will bore me to death, I watch games 1 & 2 of ANA and OTT, then turned the series off, it held very little interest for me, and I am an avid fan!

Me too. I only watched that series off and on. I can see myself doing the same if a series like Anaheim/Vancouver vs Carolina comes up again. Like you said - I'm an avid hockey fan - but thats not the type of series I'm going to put off doing other things for just to watch.

[Mors 201]

I watch hockey pretty regularly (~including 75+ out 82 Wings' games), and I'll tell you right now if it ended up being Anaheim vs. Carolina I wouldn't watch. Just not interested...

[Guest mindfly]

Best would be DET-BOS but it ain't gonna happen I think.

[Opie 308]

Best would be DET-BOS but it ain't gonna happen I think.

That would be awesome games 3-4-6 45 minutes from my house!!! No 10:30 starts!

[VM1138 1,921]

When this playoff round began, I thought the best bet for the NHL was to have the Wings, Blackhawks and Bruins advance to the semis. Original 6 teams, big markets and possibly good TV ratings especially with a heated rivalry in there with the Wings and Hawks. I was actually excited at the prospect of such a scenario.

Right now, all 3 of these teams are behind in their series. So I have to wonder, how bad would it be for the league if Carolina, Anaheim and Vancouver advance to the next round?

Can you imagine the TV ratings in the U.S. for a Vancouver vs. Carolina Final? That would be a disaster in my book after the success last year for the NHL having the Wings going against the Penguins.

I know it's still early to tell who's going to advance, but I was wondering if anyone else shares my outlook on this?

You are absolutely right. My God, imagine a Vancouer/Carolina final. Or an Anaheim/Washington final. That's a whole lot of "who the hell cares?" going on in that potential matchup.

[lfd250 1]

As a hockey fan, I want to see the best two teams. That said even if it's a Anh/Car final, I would have to leave a tv on the games just so the NHL gets ratings. I'm tired of hearing the NHL sucks.

[Ozzie30 170]

That would be awesome games 3-4-6 45 minutes from my house!!! No 10:30 starts!

Hooray for no 10:30 starts, but games 1,2,5, and 7 would be 45 from you. Wings being 4pts behind Boston and all.

[Chairman Maouth 97]

You are absolutely right. My God, imagine a Vancouer/Carolina final.

Seriously? No one cares about Vancouver?

[Ozzie30 170]

Seriously? No one cares about Vancouver?

Not in the States, and that's all Bettman is worried about...growing the NHL here.

[Chairman Maouth 97]

Not in the States, and that's all Bettman is worried about...growing the NHL here.

So I'm not sure what you guys are suggesting then. Are you suggesting that you would possibly prefer different teams going to the finals other than the first two that win twelve games?

And what would be wrong with Vancouver/Pittsburgh? Or Vancouver/Boston? or Washington?

Edited May 7, 2009 by One of the Few

[Z Winged Dangler 2,082]

I had a nightmare last night that there was a Canucks - Penguins final! Woke up in a cold sweat and realized the Wings are only 1 game down. If the Wings, Hawks, Bruins and Caps get knocked out i've lost all interest in the remainder of the playoffs. it would be really sad to have to cheer for the "cardiac canes" pfft...give me a break! and for s***'s sake someone get rid of those ******* neidermayer clowns!

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

Has anyone watched any Carolina games this playoff? They have been far from boring... f*** the ratings. The NHL still has Pitt/Wash moving to the conference final and those are the two most marketable teams in the league.

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

So I'm not sure what you guys are suggesting then. Are you suggesting that you would possibly prefer different teams going to the finals other than the first two that win twelve games?

And what would be wrong with Vancouver/Pittsburgh? Or Vancouver/Boston? or Washington?

Dumb ass, casual American sports fans don't want to see markets like that in the finals.

People who want to see hockey succeed in the states realize that any team other than Detroit or Chicago to advance out of the West would not draw ratings for the league.

[Chairman Maouth 97]

Dumb ass, casual American sports fans don't want to see markets like that in the finals.

People who want to see hockey succeed in the states realize that any team other than Detroit or Chicago to advance out of the West would not draw ratings for the league.

Dumb ass?

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

It's a real shame what Bettman has done to the marketability of Canadian markets.

I agree that Vancouver would generate 0 interest in the States.

[vladdy16 2,154]

Dumb ass?

The casual fans, not you.

[Chairman Maouth 97]

The casual fans, not you.

Ahhh okay. I zoned on that so maybe I am a dumbass.

So sorry GMRwings1983.

[Never_Retire_Steve 35]

I don't care who is in the finals (obv exception) I will still watch