Expand on this expertise of yours - name me the teams who are sucking at the revenue sharing trough at the end of every season. I think you will find almost all of them are located in the USA and none of them are in Canada (apart from maybe Ottawa). And all of those Canadian teams pay their bills in U.S. Funds so the exchange cost hurts them too.

Phoenix and Florida probably don't pull in $250K in gate revenue nightly, they are a f'n abortion that Bettman will never admit he was wrong about - that is until he really becomes so desperate that he has to put a team in Quebec City or a 2nd team in Toronto.
- RickJ

Phoenix and Carolina will stay on while there is any chance NBC will carry the NHL nationally.

I bet the Hawks could keep Richards for 1.0 m even
- mrpaulish

I think that the Hawks will give him a low-ball take it or leave it offer. Something like 2 years at 3 million and a chance to play with Kane/get more cups.

Phoenix and Carolina will stay on while there is any chance NBC will carry the NHL nationally.
- paulr

Agreed. It's why expansion is more likely than relocation. That is, unless, Arizona is kicked out before next season.

I don't expect the Hawks to take a run this coming season, with the new players getting mixed into the lineup I hope the following year they can make another run for the cup. That gives Danault and others to become "beasts".
- paulr

The Hawks, even after their 2010 cap dump, were game 7 in OT in Vancouver from (potentially) making a run to meet Boston in the Finals. In 2012 only Mike Smith's deal with the devil prevented them from going on a long playoff run. What exactly makes you think that losing a few complementary players is the difference between a Stanley Cup championship team and missing the playoffs??

The Hawks, even after their 2010 cap dump, were game 7 in OT in Vancouver from (potentially) making a run to meet Boston in the Finals. In 2012 only Mike Smith's deal with the devil prevented them from going on a long playoff run. What exactly makes you think that losing a few complementary players is the difference between a Stanley Cup championship team and missing the playoffs??
- EnzoD

MUCH better competition than in 2011.

I wasn't disagreeing - I was saying (in effect) there SHOULD be teams in Ottawa, Hamilton, etc. INSTEAD of in Phoenix, Miami, Charlotte - and there WOULD be if the league weren't trying to satisfy NBC.
- StLBravesFan

I was born in Hamilton, Ontario and there is no way there should be a team there and there won't ever be. The city isn't wealthy enough to support NHL hockey. Watch the Hamilton Tiger Cats play CFL football instead.

Easy solution to Arizona or Florida - move one as a 2nd team in Toronto. But Bettman won't risk the trillion $ lawsuit he gets from MLSE for territorial infringement.

I wasn't disagreeing - I was saying (in effect) there SHOULD be teams in Ottawa, Hamilton, etc. INSTEAD of in Phoenix, Miami, Charlotte - and there WOULD be if the league weren't trying to satisfy NBC.
- StLBravesFan

There's still a team in the Phoenix market because it's a much larger market than Hamilton, Quebec City, etc. And as idiotic as it may seem to all of us, the league is hell bent on being patient and waiting for that market to take hold, because in the long run it means more money for the league than one of those smaller markets.

I doubt it. Guy played for 2 million last year. It will cost at least that much maybe slightly more. Who's to say another team on the verge of a cup wouldn't offer him the same chance the Hawks did this year?

I also think Richards will wait to see who Bowman boots off the island.
- SteveRain

Assuming he is ok with the changes made by Bowman, my money is the same deal - $2 million.

NHL has a problem. Six teams provided 76% of the NHL’s 2013-14 operating income. Tor, NYR, Mont, Chi, Van and Bos. Half the league plays to sellouts. Attendance since '09 has gone from 95.1% of capacity to 95.5%.

A handful of big market teams are carrying the NHL and those teams are topping out on potential. The bottom teams are killing the NHL.

The cap could be very static for the next few years. So, MexicoHawk is dead on about aggressively cutting salaries.
- KingB
PS - Winter Classic ratings declined this year - with the Hawks. The bloom could be off that rose.
- KingB

Especially if all of the other markets are tired of watching the same teams play in it year after year.

There's still a team in the Phoenix market because it's a much larger market than Hamilton, Quebec City, etc. And as idiotic as it may seem to all of us, the league seems hell bent on being patient and waiting for that market to take hold, because in the long run it means more money for the league than one of those smaller markets.
- MartiniMan

So when is the long run - 2175 approx.?

And the city fathers just amputated their lease with the useless Coyotes. Where they going to play now - on a frozen section of the Gila River?

MUCH better competition than in 2011.
- paulr

True but the Hawks have an infusion of "Experienced Youth" like Saad, Shaw, TT(after this playoff run). As long as we find a competent #4d, we will be in the top 8 in the West no doubt in my mind

There's still a team in the Phoenix market because it's a much larger market than Hamilton, Quebec City, etc. And as idiotic as it may seem to all of us, the league is hell bent on being patient and waiting for that market to take hold, because in the long run it means more money for the league than one of those smaller markets.
- MartiniMan

If the NHL moves Phoneix to another city be it in Canada or the U.S, NBC will NEVER televise the NHL nationally ... that is the real reason certain teams in bizzare location in the U.S will not be moved. That NBC deal is what Bettman and the NHL governors are holding out for.

True but the Hawks have an infusion of "Experienced Youth" like Saad, Shaw, TT(after this playoff run). As long as we find a competent #4d, we will be in the top 8 in the West no doubt in my mind
- EnzoD

You may be right but what I said was I did not expect them to take a serious run at the cup next year not that they wouldn't or couldn't. I think they'll need a year to become a serious contender.

Excuse me, Mr. Wiz,

I'd love to get your opinion here...

http://www.draftsite.com/...r/gabriel-carlsson/22579/ Lefty. Defensive defenseman. Swede.

Could this be a late 1st rounder the Hawks could be thinking about when going after a 1st round pick in a trade? Is he NHL-ready?
- puckandweirdo

Let me say first to all:

It is free.
If you want to see what I think about any player, just go to Draftsite.com and click on the player's name.
http://www.draftsite.com/...r/gabriel-carlsson/22579/


I think based on what you see right now, Gabriel Carlsson is clearly a guy taken in the first round.
http://www.draftsite.com/...r/gabriel-carlsson/22579/
The rub is he is better when he doesn't have to skate it out under pressure, as he has been prone to mishandles, poor decison when he tries to do to much over the simple first pass out. He isn't a top quick footed transition guy right now, or maybe ever. Better when he plays within the strengths he has right now. Go read the profile more there.


It is interesting with the swedish defenseman options.

I had Oliver Kylington at one point as my second best defender, top four slot, based on the huge upside because to me he was so similar inskating ability, jump and attack as Ottawa's star offensiveman Eric Karlsson. But what happened quickly after making that initial judgement, because then I saw he seemed to have no hcokey head with which to channel the gifts...he seemed ove ran dover to make the gamble play, and actually looks either irresponsible when in control of the puck or just a kid who has decided as we all did that I am having fun, and crazy wild thing is more fun. He could be back guy for his team and STILL seems to disregard safe over flashy. Imagine the already in my opinion defensively suspect due to his "gambling" Karlsson doing what he does to make plays times FIVE...and that is what Ollie seesm to look like.
So the tale of two defenders.
One big and a bit less flashy in need of developing hsi feet, the other streamlined and ultrs top end skils in all facets except in his repitions on ice or I guess you say in his head.

Can you draft Oliver Kylington and see if smart coaching and develop can grow the game in his hockey IQ? I have a feeling Toronto gambles with their second 24th overall and Babcock does just that.

Yeah and I don't really think of Gabriel Carlsson as a defensive defenseman.

Now Meloche he is an intruiging defensive defenseman I like a lot...I wrote some on him in one of the last blogs here, probably after everybody left for the next blog.

http://www.draftsite.com/...er/nicolas-meloche/21694/

Eichel=Joe Thornton
- John Jaeckel

I think you guys are all wrong Eichel = Toews

as someone just said...we will see in a four-five seasons.


You know what else there are 28 teams wishing they were picking in that slot to take him.

F the interview, f what a kid says, what he does on the sheet is what wins it for me with him.

You think Shawzie thinks he cannot be better than McDavid?

How do you think these guys get here with push, barshness and hard work, and Eichel is not lazes.

and teams and fans were pissed. It should have been released at least 2 or 3 days before that.

The NHL needs to get their heads out of their asses and start acting like a professional organization.
- Lido_Shuffle

maybe Rocky can take over the NHL also

This is my opinion but the best thing to happen to the NHL was the invention of high definition TV. The popularity of hockey will continue to growth because of improvements in television technology
The NHL in my opinion just needs to focus on enforcing the rules of the game to allow it to be played at a fast level
I had a number of friends who watched the stanley cup for the first time this year and they all told me how much they enjoyed it even though they did not totally understand the game
The speed and flow of the game is enjoyable to watch for our
A D D society unlike baseball
Popularity of hockey will continue to grow and revenues should continue to increase plus the fact that the NHL players are likable

Agreed. Most of them all are cocky and punks when they are drafted. I'm sure Eichel will be very good.

At what point does an Oiler fan give up? My lord. How many top picks do you need before you reload? RNH, Yakupov, Hall, and now McDavid?
- SteveRain

I've always felt American hockey players are a little more cocky in general then Canadians, but Canadians are more confident and more soft spoken because of it.

Just my $.02

McDavid is a shy little boy. Eichel oozes confidence. Not to mention, kind of ironic coming from a Blackhawks fan/writer who roots for Patrick Kane.

Without Vermette? I doubt the Hawks do win the cup. I'm sure Kane and all Hawk fans will take the cup over the Hart any day and any year.
- paulr

I agree this was a team coaching staff win

I think you guys are all wrong Eichel = Toews

as someone just said...we willsee in a four-five seasons
- wiz1901

Idk Wiz, I was watching him in the NCAA tourney and in a few national games throughout the year and he didnt look to have the compete level and intensity that 19 does...

NHL has a problem. Six teams provided 76% of the NHL’s 2013-14 operating income. Tor, NYR, Mont, Chi, Van and Bos. Half the league plays to sellouts. Attendance since '09 has gone from 95.1% of capacity to 95.5%.

A handful of big market teams are carrying the NHL and those teams are topping out on potential. The bottom teams are killing the NHL.

The cap could be very static for the next few years. So, MexicoHawk is dead on about aggressively cutting salaries.
- KingB
PS - Winter Classic ratings declined this year - with the Hawks. The bloom could be off that rose.
- KingB

>King, you point out a very big problem
>And why I have also been in the camp that the cap won't grow much
>Big picture -- Bettman was an NBA guy who went for the TV dollars at the beginning of his regime and couldn't deliver the #s -- then or now
>Not sure the NHL has the right kind of people in its mix
>So often in hockey you find people whose DNA originates from "one-strain" only: a sports executive (like Bettman) who "learns" what hockey is or a "hockey-guy" who has trouble balancing his own checkbook
>You would think by now the NHL could be run by smart people who know, love, and understand how to grow hockey
>But this is a league that can't even tell its teams what the cap will be -- WHEN teams really need the information

Vets like Evander Kane are more likely to take him to Vegas.

Buffalo could use some more solid vets in that room for the kids IMO.
- tredbrta

Hey that could be a REALLY FUN TRIP though, I would go haha

Idk Wiz, I was watching him in the NCAA tourney and in a few national games throughout the year and he didnt look to have the compete level and intensity that 19 does...
- nickmo2699

I always try to separate what a player can do and what he does with his linemates, and garnted he was asked to make them better and be the man, in a system. He is how old again?

I saw the tourney, but it didn't turn me.

I saw Mcdavid drop the gloves and it didn't change my opinion of him.

Both are special - see you all in four years to eat humble pie or gloat.

Idk Wiz, I was watching him in the NCAA tourney and in a few national games throughout the year and he didnt look to have the compete level and intensity that 19 does...
- nickmo2699

I think its hard to compare 19 and Eichel at those stages because their a bit different players along with the fact 19 is the best player in hockey.

That said I did not like Eichel's performance in the WJC. He seemed to lack the intensity McDavid had. I think he made up for it decently in the NCAA tourney and especially in the World Championships. Of the two McDavid seems to be on ice the one who goes a little harder.