65 replies to this topic

[FireCaptain]

As someone who attends games in Nashville, this statement isn't very true anymore.

 

When I first started going to Nashville for games in the early 2000s, it was easily a sea of Red and White fans - better than 75% most times. 

 

Fast forward to the games I've attended in the last few years and the percentages have almost completely flip-flopped. It's not unusual to see less than 30% DRW fans. (granted, not everyone that attends games does so in their team's colors, but you can usually tell who most people are rooting for)

 

Wings fans used to be able to drown out any Let's Go Predators chants by Chanting Let's GO Red Wings... not so much anymore. 

 

And to all that, I say, good for them! Having their own fans outnumber their (arguably) biggest rival's fans is a badge of honor that depicts the growth of the fan base. 

 

 

 

wow! thanks a lot! good luck with the franchise in Nashville, it'll probably be tougher business now without Wings games driving up media and fans.

[beachwing]

Im not looking ahead past this season BUT damn do we ever need to add bulk, mass and some industrial grit sandpaper.

Wheres the Beef!!!!!

[GMRwings1983]

If you contract the two Florida teams, the divisions will all have equal amounts of teams.  

[PredsFanTheBayouState]

As someone who attends games in Nashville, this statement isn't very true anymore.

 

When I first started going to Nashville for games in the early 2000s, it was easily a sea of Red and White fans - better than 75% most times. 

 

Fast forward to the games I've attended in the last few years and the percentages have almost completely flip-flopped. It's not unusual to see less than 30% DRW fans. (granted, not everyone that attends games does so in their team's colors, but you can usually tell who most people are rooting for)

 

Wings fans used to be able to drown out any Let's Go Predators chants by Chanting Let's GO Red Wings... not so much anymore. 

 

And to all that, I say, good for them! Having their own fans outnumber their (arguably) biggest rival's fans is a badge of honor that depicts the growth of the fan base. 

The Preds had 25 sellouts last season,only of three 3 of the 25 were against the wings

[Buppy]

So....three years or so before the league expands (or Phoenix moves) to Quebec and we're pushed right back to the west. What do you think? Over/under?

[Rivalred]

I think having 14 teams in the West and 16 in the East is just dumb

[GMRwings1983]

Will they think of names for these divisions?

 

Like Smythe, Patrick, Norris and Adams?  

[Holmstrom96]

I'm so glad to be in the east!

[Ally]

I've been dreading this a little bit. More games in the east means more games with early starts that I have to miss because of work. That said, I'll figure out a way to make it work because playing I can't wait for all the original 6 games!

[number9]

Eastern conference too scary. Red Wings entire roster retires. 

[Resetti]

The new schedule matrix is confusing to me.  So now you will play teams within your own division either 4 or 5 times, teams within your conference 3 times, and the other teams 2 times... and with wild cards in place, you may move through the playoffs (and conceivably win a banner) out of your own division?  Are the Stanley Cup Finalists necessarily from the East and West conferences, or did they carry over the idea the division winners are re-seeded?

 

You know, I'm cool with all of this as long as we at least get the classic division names back (although I heard that they will be 'sensible geographic names').  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to see what the next couple seasons look like, but I'm just curious how it will actually shake out.

[cusimano_brothers]

Uncle Gary is the "man with the plan". He's hoping that in three years time the Players will still agree with this arrangement.

His real plan: to freeze Quebec City out. With two possible openings in the Western Conference "available", he could be considering Seattle and here:

 

 

They'll be fine once the casino is up and running.

[Z Winged Dangler]

Yes, I can't wait. This will be a great new beginning, hopefully the league will enjoy it enough to keep it.

 Maybe the "Wednesday night rivalry" will actually have some old rivalries.

Will they think of names for these divisions?

 

Like Smythe, Patrick, Norris and Adams?  

 But A, B, C and D is so original.  It's easy to Alphabetize....

 

I like Gretzky, Orr, Howe, and Richard divisions.

[Nev]

Will they think of names for these divisions?

 

Like Smythe, Patrick, Norris and Adams?  

 

I'm all for history and tradition, but no.  Confusing even for the hockey fan, even worse for the casual fan.  At least make them more contemporary - Orr, Lemieux, Gretzky, Hull (Bobby).  Gives you an all-time great from a team in each division.

Edited by Nev, 15 March 2013 - 01:06 PM.

[RedWingsDad]

Time to get bigger.

 

That's what she said.

[RedWingsDad]

I'm all for history and tradition, but no.  Confusing even for the hockey fan, even worse for the casual fan.  At least make them more contemporary - Orr, Lemieux, Gretzky, Hull (Bobby).  Gives you an all-time great from a team in each division.

 

I don't think they will do that because of the favouritism that it would seemingly show to certain teams. I can just see other GM's bitching about the Lemieux division and how it promotes the Penguins brand.

Edited by RedWingsDad, 15 March 2013 - 01:59 PM.

[GMRwings1983]

I'm all for history and tradition, but no.  Confusing even for the hockey fan, even worse for the casual fan.  At least make them more contemporary - Orr, Lemieux, Gretzky, Hull (Bobby).  Gives you an all-time great from a team in each division.

 

Most of those players aren't that contemporary, though.  

 

A lot of casual sports fans around America (believe it or not) don't know several of those names you listed above.  

[Adidarw]

Most of those players aren't that contemporary, though.  

 

A lot of casual sports fans around America (believe it or not) don't know several of those names you listed above.  

The better reason to name divisions after them.  The "casual fans" who don't know the names will ask their buddies who they are, they will share the knowledge, and hockey will slowly prosper.  More and more people will become familiar with who is who in hockey.

 

There really is no better way for people to be introduced to hockey than to ask questions like "Who is that?" and then having someone explain who it is.  Then they can proudly share their new hockey knowledge with someone else.

[evilmrt]

 
I'm all for history and tradition, but no.  Confusing even for the hockey fan, even worse for the casual fan.  At least make them more contemporary - Orr, Lemieux, Gretzky, Hull (Bobby).
Gives you an all-time great from a team in each division.

Swap Lemieux for Howe and you might be onto something.

[Hockeytown0001]

Still don't like.