mjlegend 155 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AsZC...o&type=lgns Despite the fact the teams split against each other during the regular season, and despite the motivation Pittsburgh would have to avenge last spring’s outcome, it’s still a feeling of been there, done that. He actually expecting a Wings victory in the finals if the two teams meet, but somehow says familiarity is a bad thing for the NHL. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snazzy 0 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AsZC...o&type=lgns He actually expecting a Wings victory in the finals if the two teams meet, but somehow says familiarity is a bad thing for the NHL. I can agree with his points. I can understand why seeing the same two teams again wouldn't be exciting, unless you have some kind of investment into them. (like pens fans wanting to get even/prove a point and Wings fans wanting to prove Crosby / Malkin is over hyped.) To be honest, I didn't/don't want to see them in the finals. I was hoping to see Boston or Caps represent the east, and I was hoping for either Detroit or Chicago to represent the West. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NeverForgetMac25 483 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 Hmm....lets see. Detroit (the best media market in the West) in a rematch against the leagues' poster boy (not a shot on Crosby for those that think it was) along with the added interest of Hossa facing the team he left for a team he thought had a better chance of winning a Cup. Yeah, I'm sure most teams could match that script. What a moron. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowingsgo 3 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 The SCF should be a ratings bonanza with Detroit v Pittsburgh. Not too sure anyone outside of Chicago or Carolina would tune in to see those two playing for the Cup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RedWings 79 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 In tennis grand slams, we see Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal all the time, year after year and everybody loves it... Before it was Sampras and Agassi... Do you remember any finals with M. Nobody ? I think people would enjoy more to see Detroit / Pitt 5 years in a row than a crappy final like in 2004.. That journalist must be a Coyote or a Panthers fan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
YoungGuns1340 1 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 People will watch regardless, because it makes for a good story. But hes right. Its definitely got a "been there, done that" feel to it. I'm guessing that the majority of non-Wings and Pens fans are going to be tuning in simply because they either 1) want to see Detroit lose; or 2) want to see Crosby lose. The ratings will be high - can't deny that - but it might have a lot to do with hate for this teams than love for hockey. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b.shanafan14 733 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 I can understand his opinion regarding it not being the greatest for non-Penguins, non-Red Wings fans to see the rematch of last season's final. I understand Bettman's plan for parity is to encourage every fan that their team has a chance every year. But its a moot point: these are the two teams that earned their spots in the Final again. Thats life. Go Wings! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 But its a moot point: these are the two teams that earned their spots in the Final again. Thats life. True, but I'm a bit annoyed that the Pens managed to avoid the Devils and Bruins, imo the two most "western" teams in the East, and the teams that I think would have given them the most trouble. If the Pens win the cup they should give the Conn Smythe to all the players in the Canes. They took care of the two best teams in the conference and then rolled over in the ECF. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hiei 192 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 How about Islanders/Oilers? Not too many finals in the 80's happened without them, and look how popular it was! or the familiarity with the Bulls in the 90s? Patriots and Steelers in the 00's.. Face it, Familiarity works. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hockeymom1960 5,107 Report post Posted May 26, 2009 Hmm....lets see. Detroit (the best media market in the West) in a rematch against the leagues' poster boy (not a shot on Crosby for those that think it was) along with a the added interest of Hossa facing the team he left for a team he thought had a better chance of winning a Cup on. Yeah, I'm sure most teams could match that script. What a moron. QFT Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 Hmm....lets see. Detroit (the best media market in the West) in a rematch against the leagues' poster boy (not a shot on Crosby for those that think it was) along with a the added interest of Hossa facing the team he left for a team he thought had a better chance of winning a Cup on. Yeah, I'm sure most teams could match that script. What a moron. This. I'm not sure how it'd be bad for ratings. One of the more popular teams across the country/teams you love to hate from a non-Wings fan standpoint depending on how you look at it (i.e. NY Yankees, New England Patriots, etc.) and two of the best young talents in the game today a year older and perhaps a year better on the ice, tearing it up in the playoffs so far, and one of those guys being one of the current faces right now of the NHL, whether you or I personally like it or not. A rematch of last year. Not sure why anybody would be wanting anything different, at least from a general hockey fan standpoint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 I thought the NHL was toast when I had to watch Calgary-Tampa, then Edmonton-Carolina. Although I'm biased, this is a much better match-up than what we could have gotten (if indeed we get there...). Plus, if other teams have something to say about it, than they can just beat Detroit or Pittsburgh. It's a level playing field - do something about it instead of complain about it..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
under_par_00 45 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 People will watch regardless, because it makes for a good story. But hes right. Its definitely got a "been there, done that" feel to it. I'm guessing that the majority of non-Wings and Pens fans are going to be tuning in simply because they either 1) want to see Detroit lose; or 2) want to see Crosby lose. The ratings will be high - can't deny that - but it might have a lot to do with hate for this teams than love for hockey. Ahh but within the hate for teams lies the love for hockey....don't you see? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
under_par_00 45 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 True, but I'm a bit annoyed that the Pens managed to avoid the Devils and Bruins, imo the two most "western" teams in the East, and the teams that I think would have given them the most trouble. If the Pens win the cup they should give the Conn Smythe to all the players in the Canes. They took care of the two best teams in the conference and then rolled over in the ECF. Isn't that kinda like what Dallas did last year??? Zetterberg got the Conn Smythe....lol. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tweekvp 0 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 I don't really get this guys point of view. Some of the greatest sports memories are when you get two perennial contenders who meet year after year. Like the era of Magic and Bird in the NBA. Michigan and Ohio State football would not be nearly as storied a rivalry if one or both of them sucked every year for the history of that match up. I think it it were any other sport everyone would be thrilled to see two powerhouses go at it in back to back years. Since it's hockey though, it is just another thing for ******* sports writers to ***** about. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Echolalia 2,961 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 Geez, not ANOTHER McKeon column... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dat's sick 1,002 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 Isn't that kinda like what Dallas did last year??? Zetterberg got the Conn Smythe....lol. Atleast Dallas put up somewhat of a fight. They won 2 games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VM1138 1,921 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 This series will be great. It's gota ll the storylines. The "been there, done that" feeling won't happen until the third meeting in a row. I understand some fans don't like it. I know I would've hated to have the Oilers and Islanders win every year for a decade since I'm not a fan, but ratings wise it doesn't seem to hurt. Having two teams consistently go at it only allows casual fans and new fans to identify with these teams as a gateway. Like others have said, having a Chicago-Carolina matchup would have been disastrous. The Pittsburgh-Detroit final was huge ratings and money last year. This year, we have return viewers plus all the ones who heard great things about the last one. This will be hyped as a "rivalry in the making" and be plastered all over SI and ESPN (well, by "plastered" I mean it'll be mentioned more frequently than usual). So, in short, bad for some fans, good for the league. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Heroes of Hockeytown 694 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 I thought the NHL was toast when I had to watch Calgary-Tampa, then Edmonton-Carolina. Even though Flames-Bolts was all clutch grab, it had some good drama. And from a totalyl neutral, non-Wings fan standpoint, Oil-Canes was easily the best, most competitive Final of the last few years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Ryan 1 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 Anybody who isn't absolutely GEEKED about a Red Wings/Penguins final is NOT a hockey fan. These are 2 teams are in the top 5, if not the top 2, in all of hockey. What's there not to like? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Johnny Diamonds 25 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AsZC...o&type=lgns He actually expecting a Wings victory in the finals if the two teams meet, but somehow says familiarity is a bad thing for the NHL. This says it all right here in his bio Ross McKeon Ross McKeon covered the San Jose Sharks and the National Hockey League for 17 years at the San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner. A chapter chairman for the Pro Hockey Writers' Association, he also has experience covering Major League Baseball and pro tennis. Ross graduated from California State University Hayward with a degree in Mass Communications. "WAAAAAAAAAAH the Sharks aren't in it." Edited May 27, 2009 by Johnny Diamonds Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theophany 110 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 This says it all right here in his bio Ross McKeon Ross McKeon covered the San Jose Sharks and the National Hockey League for 17 years at the San Francisco Chronicle and San Francisco Examiner. A chapter chairman for the Pro Hockey Writers' Association, he also has experience covering Major League Baseball and pro tennis. Ross graduated from California State University Hayward with a degree in Mass Communications. "WAAAAAAAAAAH the Sharks aren't in it." He's actually just saying that any fan of hockey already knows the result of a Wings/Pens SCF: Wings win. The Pens are a worse team this year; hardly the contender they were last year, especially with no Hossa to keep them in games they should have outright lost. It would be a lot more interesting were we to face a team like the Bruins with some actual depth beyond Malkin and Crosby walking all over the s***ty defenses in the East before they get stonewalled by Lids/Rafalski/Kronwall/Stuart/Lebda/Big Rig. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,232 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 (edited) He's actually just saying that any fan of hockey already knows the result of a Wings/Pens SCF: Wings win. The Pens are a worse team this year; hardly the contender they were last year, especially with no Hossa to keep them in games they should have outright lost. It would be a lot more interesting were we to face a team like the Bruins with some actual depth beyond Malkin and Crosby walking all over the s***ty defenses in the East before they get stonewalled by Lids/Rafalski/Kronwall/Stuart/Lebda/Big Rig. This. I don't deny that a Wings-Pens rematch will be great for the league, great for hockey. But personally, I was hoping for a Wings-Bruins/Rangers matchup. I don't know, maybe I'd feel different if this Pens team wasn't just a diluted version of its 07-08 incarnation. And if they weren't the NHL and national media's lovechild. Edited May 27, 2009 by Dabura Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Theophany 110 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 This. I don't deny that a Wings-Pens rematch will be great for the league, great for hockey. But personally, I was hoping for Wings-Bruins/Rangers matchup. I don't know, maybe I'd feel different if this Pens team wasn't just a diluted version of its 07-08 incarnation. And if they weren't the NHL and national media's lovechild. I agree. Were they deep like other teams are, I'd be much more enthusiastic about the finals. Anaheim/Detroit was the SCF this year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yzefan 2 Report post Posted May 27, 2009 I think what blows me away about alot of the posts in this thread is how you are so quick to dismiss the pens. I am more concerned with the pens from this year then i was last year.. different team different year yes.. but these pens are firing on all cylinders... and we are hobbling into the SCF ( if we can beat chicago *wink*) With so much uncertainty in regards to injuries.. we should be concerened!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
