No. Just no. Im not trying to combative, but its not even really all that close

We care way too much. It's intrinsic to being Canadian.
America just doesn't have that level of interest overall
- HB77

They did put up a stat that during one of the NHL games that this is the first year that Canadians have made up less than 50% of NHL players. Hockey is becoming more of a popular sport to play in the US, and with more colleges getting programs and more scholarships available, that's going to continue to increase for a while. Combine that with the fact that more players are playing in more countries, Canada isn't going to be the dominant nation it once was. It will still be King up there, and it will never be better than #4 in spectator sports here, but the gap will close simply because we have more people here.

They did put up a stat that during one of the NHL games that this is the first year that Canadians have made up less than 50% of NHL players. Hockey is becoming more of a popular sport to play in the US, and with more colleges getting programs and more scholarships available, that's going to continue to increase for a while. Combine that with the fact that more players are playing in more countries, Canada isn't going to be the dominant nation it once was. It will still be King up there, and it will never be better than #4 in spectator sports here, but the gap will close simply because we have more people here.
- buffalofan19

They've said that for awhile now.

Couple things- those main euro nations were already factors. They've peaked in interest and not a lot of space any more. These are fairly small northern nations.
Even the switzerlands that have come along way- you're talking like a 20 year process to even be a factor. But still a much lesser one.

America already has that base in those northern communities. But Massive swaths of the states will never care.
I'm not saying there's no room to grow - but I think it's closer to the plateau for many of those nations than you think.


I'm not trying to come off as cocky. It just is what is. And buddy naming eichel and Matthews is a weak indication.
For every star yank/ there's 3 Canadians. You say eichel. I say mcdavid, strome, marner.

They did put up a stat that during one of the NHL games that this is the first year that Canadians have made up less than 50% of NHL players. Hockey is becoming more of a popular sport to play in the US, and with more colleges getting programs and more scholarships available, that's going to continue to increase for a while. Combine that with the fact that more players are playing in more countries, Canada isn't going to be the dominant nation it once was. It will still be King up there, and it will never be better than #4 in spectator sports here, but the gap will close simply because we have more people here.
- buffalofan19

http://www.tsn.ca/canadia...yers-this-season-1.380861

Current break down, Canada is 49.7% of the league, a lot has to do with just its becoming even more of a global game, with European nations like the Swiss, German plus more American content coming into the mix now.

They've said that for awhile now.

Couple things- those main euro nations were already factors. They've peaked in interest and not a lot of space any more. These are fairly small northern nations.
Even the switzerlands that have come along way- you're talking like a 20 year process to even be a factor. But still a much lesser one.

America already has that base in those northern communities. But Massive swaths of the states will never care.
I'm not saying there's no room to grow - but I think it's closerbto the plateau for many of those nations than you think.


I'm not trying to come off as cocky. It just is what is. And buddy naming eichel and Matthews is a weak indication.
For every star yank/ there's 5 Canadians.

- HB77[img][/img]

Don't forget that New York, Mass, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin have a population nearly the size of Canada. Plus California has a record # of kids playing.

I love how let me clear my throat became the goal song at the Jr's

Don't forget that New York, Mass, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin have a population nearly the size of Canada. Plus California has a record # of kids playing.
- Buffalo--Sabres

That are drawn to multiple other sports as well.

You just named the biggest hockey states. And still, is hockey the most popular sport in any of them?

That are drawn to multiple other sports as well.

You just named the biggest hockey states. And still, is hockey the most popular sport in any of them?
- HB77

Don't forget hockey is in decline in playership in Canada as well. I read a couple years ago Canada had 30,000 less registered jr hockey players in one year. Canada is changing with years if influx of people from different parts of the world.

Don't forget hockey is in decline in playership in Canada as well. I read a couple years ago Canada had 30,000 less registered jr hockey players in one year. Canada is changing with years if influx of people from different parts of the world.
- Buffalo--Sabres

I see no scenario where "America takes over the nhl" as buddy said, anytime in the forseeable future

350 000 registered in Ontario alone in 2014 .
I'd like to see the numbers in the states. Had a quick look but no results.

I see no scenario where "America takes over the nhl" anytime in the forseeabke future
- HB77

Until the CHL is not longer prospect factory that it is, Canada will still have the strongest presence in the league. Teams have to have a set Canadian content to it and will continue to fill those rosters with promising to elite Canadian content.

NCCA is a great route to the NHL, but until they change their eligibility rules (which will be never) I can't see NCCA over taking the CHL has the league that produces the most prospects

I see no scenario where "America takes over the nhl" as buddy said, anytime in the forseeable future

350 000 registered in Ontario alone in 2014 .
I'd like to see the numbers in the states. Had a quick look but no results.
- HB77

I never said the US would overtake Canada in hockey. I'm just citing factors as to why Canada doesn't mow through the tournament like they did 10 years ago.

I see no scenario where "America takes over the nhl" as buddy said, anytime in the forseeable future

350 000 registered in Ontario alone in 2014 .
I'd like to see the numbers in the states. Had a quick look but no results.
- HB77

Gerbe is full of hyperbole... Never take anything he says seriously.

I see no scenario where "America takes over the nhl" as buddy said, anytime in the forseeable future

350 000 registered in Ontario alone in 2014 .
I'd like to see the numbers in the states. Had a quick look but no results.
- HB77

The US is never going to "take over the NHL", but the number of Americans are going to continue to grow. You have more athletes playing than ever before, and not just in your traditional states. They have draft eligible from states like Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona. This is for a few reasons. The main one, like I said earlier, is like lacrosse, more people are enrolling their kids in the sport because it's an untapped scholarship area for college. There are also an unheard of amount of sons of professional athletes playing the sport (i.e. NBA, NFL, etc.) as well. Socioeconomics probably have a lot to do with it, but more of our better athletes are being exposed to and playing the sport in this generation than ever before. Will it ever dominate as a spectator sport? Probably not, but the gap between Canada and the US isn't widening anytime soon.

I never said the US would overtake Canada in hockey. I'm just citing factors as to why Canada doesn't mow through the tournament like they did 10 years ago.
- Buffalo--Sabres

rest of the world caught up in developing talent and Hockey Canada has had a bad habit of pandering to CHL leagues now, trying to have "equal representative" from them all instead of always icing the best team.

Plus their cycling through coaches from different leagues. Lowry was a terrible decision from the beginning, he built and coached his team that was not built for international ice

The US is never going to "take over the NHL", but the number of Americans are going to continue to grow. You have more athletes playing than ever before, and not just in your traditional states. They have draft eligible from states like Florida, California, Texas, and Arizona. This is for a few reasons. The main one, like I said earlier, is like lacrosse, more people are enrolling their kids in the sport because it's an untapped scholarship area for college. There are also an unheard of amount of sons of professional athletes playing the sport (i.e. NBA, NFL, etc.) as well. Socioeconomics probably have a lot to do with it, but more of our better athletes are being exposed to and playing the sport in this generation than ever before. Will it ever dominate as a spectator sport? Probably not, but the gap between Canada and the US isn't widening anytime soon.
- buffalofan19

Atlanta had a nice core of hockey kids when the thrashers were in town

IMO if they had improved their product, they would have sustained a nice fan base if they had given it 5 more years

I see no scenario where "America takes over the nhl" as buddy said, anytime in the forseeable future

350 000 registered in Ontario alone in 2014 .
I'd like to see the numbers in the states. Had a quick look but no results.
- HB77

if you had beaten the USA team earlier this week, you would still be playing instead of going for a long plane ride today

Gerbe is full of hyperbole... Never take anything he says seriously.
- jochfr

puppy is driving me crazy today

full of piss and vinegar

puppy is driving me crazy today

full of piss and vinegar


- homiedclown

They've been known to do that

They've been known to do that
- cabin

(frank)er is going to be huge

I bet he breaks 110 lbs

puppy is driving me crazy today

full of piss and vinegar


- homiedclown

Put some Benadryl in his puppy chow.

Put some Benadryl in his puppy chow.
- Der Kaiser

lol, no need to drug him



yet

Really wish the Sabres and Jr game would have been tonight. I have nothing to f-in do tonight.

Can anyone please give me a recap of todays game?
Did they keep Girgensons and Gionta on Eichels wings? Reinhart looked good? Ennis? Were Jacks goals highlight reel? Anything notable that I missed.

Really wish the Sabres and Jr game would have been tonight. I have nothing to f-in do tonight.
- Buffalo--Sabres

Really wish the Sabres and Jr game would have been tonight. I have nothing to f-in do tonight.
- Buffalo--Sabres

- homiedclown

Do you have a hidden camera outside my house?