True. I'll give you that.
Whatever the deal, my point was that you can get a struggling financial team with no name to sell to fans to overpay for him. As good as Letang is, he's not a marquee name the same as Malkin is.

As for the team winning the SE 2 seasons ago, the lockout killed whatever momentum that built. My wife's aunt/uncle had season tix there for 3 years and had renewed for this past year. As soon as games were cancelled, they cancelled their tix and asked for their $$ back.
- jmatchett383

Nothing against the relatives but that is the mind set of the Florida fanbase as a whole. One thing goes wrong and the wheels fall off. Getting Malkin won't change that.

Nothing against the relatives but that is the mind set of the Florida fanbase as a whole. One thing goes wrong and the wheels fall off. Getting Malkin won't change that.
- dadeadhead

If that's the case, the only solution is to eliminate/relocate all (professional) Florida sports teams.

Gretzky was also "THE" name player. Malkin is just one of the names.
- dadeadhead

They don't necessarily need a "Gretzky" down there,
But they do have some nice young pieces
If they can get MacKinnon then he could be the "name" they build around

A trip back to the playoffs next year isn't out of the question
They still have most of the core vets that won them the division two years ago, and now they young guys like Huberdeau that are performing for them
MacKinnon should at least be decent right away for them

I'm guessing Weiss isn't back, they made a mistake not trading him when they could've gotten something decent, but he's been declining for them anyways

If they can figure out their goalie situation, maybe Nabakov or Backstrom for a year or two & ease Markstrom into the starting role, then they could be right back in the hunt

If that's the case, the only solution is to eliminate/relocate all (professional) Florida sports teams.
- jmatchett383

No, they just need to build a team that consistently gets in the playoffs
Dallas, Tampa & Nashville are better hockey markets than Florida, Atlanta & Phoenix because those franchises built WINNING teams!

Florida did alright back when they had Bure & went to the cup...
They just need to get back to winning

Nothing against the relatives but that is the mind set of the Florida fanbase as a whole. One thing goes wrong and the wheels fall off. Getting Malkin won't change that.
- dadeadhead

Not just Florida though...
Even here in Buffalo, where hockey is loved, ticket sales weren't so hot in the years before the lockout...
Ppl will find other ways to spend $$$ when your team is a consistent stinker, ESP in a non-traditional market...
But IMO, it's more a product of the team not doing well than it is where the team plays...
If u win, fans will come and support the team

Not just Florida though...
Even here in Buffalo, where hockey is loved, ticket sales weren't so hot in the years before the lockout...
Ppl will find other ways to spend $$$ when your team is a consistent stinker, ESP in a non-traditional market...
But IMO, it's more a product of the team not doing well than it is where the team plays...
If u win, fans will come and support the team
- jdfitz77

We've supported a losing team 4 of the past 6 years.


Just saying.