Now What Can the NHL Do For You, the Fans

[WingsFan19 5]

http://thehockeywriters.com/now-what-can-the-nhl-do-for-you-the-fans/

Have a read

[ogreslayer 1,069]

As a counterpoint...

What the NHL will do for fans.

Jack & squat.

[WingsFan19 5]

I think you are probably right but I am holding out hope

[Hiei 192]

What can the NHL do for me?


If you fired Bettman tomorrow, I would buy season tickets. Doesn't matter if Detroit is 1100 miles from here, i'll buy em!

[Nightfall 871]

Seriously, the fans will return. The hockey fan is one of the most loyal fans out there. I am a hockey fan, but I am speaking with my wallet. I have typically spent around $1500 a year on NHL tickets, merchandise, NHL center ice package, transportation, food, and so on. Now, I am not going to attend a NHL hockey game for the next 2-3 years. I will watch and support the Wings on TV. I will attend bars and restaurants around the area and spend my money there to support the community. I will not spend a dime on NHL merchandise or tickets though.

What can the NHL do for the fans? Make Gamecenter Live for free for next season. Have NHL clubs drop ticket prices by 20% across the board. Those would be signs that the NHL cares about the fanbase.

[St. Michael (the Red Wing) 422]

Something should be done but like someone said in another thread. Highly unlikely. The best thing would be for Bettman to go tbh. I could settle on that.

[GMRwings1983 8,803]

Free Center Ice

Contract a few teams from the league

Force goalies to play standup goaltending

Get rid of ads on the boards (yeah right)

Remove the instigator rule

[heretic69 10]

I know it won't happen but free CI is what it would take to retain my full engagement. I'll watch Dats highlights on YouTube, and I will still come here because it's just habit when I'm online. But other than that it isn't happening for me. I'll spend that money to watch the Tigers this year.

I was so upset when we lost the season last time, but now I'm just bitter.

[Guest The Axe]

Im just going to stream games. It looks like we are in for some chop anyways.

[Nightfall 871]

I just saw a video on TSN that involved 4 reporters talking about the fans and what the league should do. One of the reporters asked why fans would be willing to not attend games and say it was a "self imposed punishment". As if watching the NHL on TV was more of a punishment than going to the games. I disagree. To not watch the games at all would be a punishment. To make a conscious choice to not attend the games is going to be slightly painful, but not as painful as it was to see Fehr and Bettman whine, *****, and pontificate for the media. I will remember that exchange for a long time to come. Which is why I won't be watching the Wings live for a couple years.

[chances14 229]

there are several things the league and players could do

-lower ticket prices by at least 20%

-lower merchandise prices 30%

-lower concessions prices 50%

-open up practices to the public for free with free autograph sessions after practice

-free center ice and gamecenter live packages

-game worn jersey and stick giveaways after every home game

-every player takes a 10% paycut and gives the money to charities, etc

Edited January 8, 2013 by chances14

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

I'd love to see it....doubt it will happen (Free Center Ice, that is).

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

This was another contract negotiation between two sides of a game/business. In the end, the fan shouldn't expect anything in return.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Lower the ticket prices, like was promised after the last lockout and never happened.

I'm already bitter and can just attend Tigers games for a heck of a lot less money anyways.

[55fan 5,133]

No more strikes/lockouts. Ever.

If the players/owners can't agree, it gets arbitrated whether they like it or not. Fehr and Bettman will probably have retired by the next deadline, so we'll have two new pattooties who want to show the world how big their weenies are.

If they want to have us work with them to support and grow the sport, they need to work together and with us.

[Jaymister 71]

No way in hell they give us free center ice, although it had better be half price for a shortened season. Either way i will pay for it because i'm a hardcore fan and it's the only way i get to see all the Wings games.

[stevkrause 1,247]

I will be boycotting live games for at least 2 years and will not buy NHL merchandise either.

[ogreslayer 1,069]

I'm about "this" close myself to canceling my Center Ice for the season. Even if I don't, I'm going to be watching far less NHL hockey than I have in the last couple of decades & the only live games I'll consider is when the Wings make the SC Finals in June....hopefully. I want to be there to see if I can boo Bettman the loudest.

[Seraph 240]

They have a product, we want it, and we have collectively paid millions for it in the past. We'll inevitably do the same in the future. They are the ones jockeying for position in the driver's seat to use us to their advantage. Trust me, they don't feel like they owe us anything.

[akustyk 84]

it's not the die hard fans which they need to address now, as those are pretty much lock for the teams with solid fanbase.

it's about attracting non-regular hockey fans outside of big hockey center. so, yes, free or cheaper center ice might do it, but don't expect it in Motown, NY or PA, and most certainly north of US borders. FL, TN, OH, AZ on the other hand... and yes, that would, as usual, be the money of the owners in traditional hockey states/provinces... those who orchestrated lockout...

[Jaymister 71]

I'm in the same boat my friend.

I've missed out on half the season...I'll be honest - unlike many I won't show my displeasure by not watching games, or not buying merchandise...I've been a fan of the game of hockey, and the Detroit Red Wings for many years...Like the child who draws on the wall with crayons - you're frustrated, but you get over it, and embrace/cherish them...I will do the same with the NHL.

I know, I feel like many others that they should pay for putting us through all this crap again, but I've missed it so much, there's just no way I could boycott.

[LGATL 0]

I will be boycotting live games for at least 2 years and will not buy NHL merchandise either.

Same here on the boycott of games and merchandise. Also I have been a Center Ice subscriber for at least 5 years and have cancelled it. Not buying it again for at least two years. Will watch the games on free TV but that's it. I love the game and sport but I am pissed at the NHL and I'm letting them know with my wallet.

[Behind Enemy Lines in CO 11]

I'm trying to figure out what I will do here in the Denver area. My family just dropped its DirecTV service because no one in the house was watching any tv, and I now have an antenna in my attic which provides 20 local HD channels for free. However, the Avalanche/Nuggets NBA games are only shown on cable/satellite so I have no broadcast avenue at the moment. I will probably look into the NHL GameCenter Live option, and even then only if it is offered at a discount for the shortened season.

[cusimano_brothers 1,655]

Remember: "20% off" means you're still paying 80%.

[puckbags 863]

I will be boycotting live games for at least 2 years and will not buy NHL merchandise either.

I agree, it does kinda suck that I won't be getting my Tootoo jersey this year though.