Andrew Ladd could still make it
- YuenglingJagr

Somewhere S2TP is smiling while reading this on the toilet

Geez that hit on Pascal was brutal...hope the kids OK, he's had a lot of adversity already for an eighteen year old kid.

I consider any player that made the HOF to be great. That's pretty much why they have a HOF.

Also, Rollins is no lock to make it and in his prime he was great.
- PhillySportsGuy

I agree that you should be "great" to be in the HOF. But I don't think that all great players make the HOF. I mean, Lindros had to wait over a decade to get in, yet Doug Gilmour got in quick. And Lindros was one of the most dominant players both before and during his prime years.

Which will make the "casual" fan from the USA more likely to go to a game:

"Come see them play the Edmonton Oilers."

"Come see them play NHL superstar Connor McDavid."

I'm gonna say #2.
- jmatchett383

Ty

Which will make the "casual" fan from the USA more likely to go to a game:

"Come see them play the Edmonton Oilers."

"Come see them play NHL superstar Connor McDavid."

I'm gonna say #2.
- jmatchett383

In that case yes. However, how about this scenario.

"Come see them play the New York Rangers."
"Come see them play superstar goalie Henrik Lundquist."

I'm taking option 1.

I don't think you can draw any comparison to hockey in regards to this
- YuenglingJagr

Sure you can. If you're selling tickets on StubHub, a game vs Pittsburgh will fetch more than tickets vs the Rangers. There's two hated rivals, but the Pens also have the allure of Crosby, Malkin or even Letang. The Rangers biggest star is the goalie.

Look deeper, a seat in section 221 vs Buffalo can be had for $19 right now on StubHub. The same seat in January vs Toronto is currently $28. Two rebuilding teams, not much of a recent rivalry with either. But Auston Matthews just had a 4 goal NHL debut & Jack Eichel is coming off a good not great rookie year.

VDV is just deemed too important to the core by the coaching staff to take a seat.

In that case yes. However, how about this scenario.

"Come see them play the New York Rangers."
"Come see them play superstar goalie Henrik Lundquist."

I'm taking option 1.
- mickel25

I don't think goalies and, for the most part, defensemen, are "marketable." Some are (Subban, Ghost, for example) but aside from maybe Hasek and Roy, it's rare.

Geez that hit on Pascal was brutal...hope the kids OK, he's had a lot of adversity already for an eighteen year old kid.
- Slipperypickle

https://twitter.com/walsh...status/787696305409658880

I consider any player that made the HOF to be great. That's pretty much why they have a HOF.

Also, Rollins is no lock to make it and in his prime he was great.
- PhillySportsGuy

I do agree with your premise. However, I do not think that it is absolutely true.

Bottom line to me "great" is all-timers. Not just really good players. Giroux is really good. Has the most points in the league over the last six years. If I am being honest though I would probably take up to 20 players currently playing in the league over him.

Giroux continues his scoring pace he will have over 1000 points and would be a point per game playoff performer. Great?

Larry Brooks does make a point that the NHL and the people running the American side of the TV distribution (NBC) aren't exactly bringing the product to the people.

Sure the Rangers, Caps, Penguins, Flyers and Red Wings are some of the largest markets for hockey in the States but there is a ton of young talent sprinkled throughout the league that just won't see much light of day. He's the Rangers beat writer. Of course he's going to take pot shots at the Flyers.

I watched the Sabres Oilers game last night. Edmonton does not look like a playoff team. Like at all. Also McDavid has been taking a beating since the season started.

Would you rather watch a great Devils team play the Flyers live or a mediocre Panthers team with Pavel Bure?
- PhillySportsGuy

see bold

Larry Brooks does make a point that the NHL and the people running the American side of the TV distribution (NBC) aren't exactly bringing the product to the people.

Sure the Rangers, Caps, Penguins, Flyers and Red Wings are some of the largest markets for hockey in the States but there is a ton of young talent sprinkled throughout the league that just won't see much light of day. He's the Rangers beat writer. Of course he's going to take pot shots at the Flyers.

I watched the Sabres Oilers game last night. Edmonton does not look like a playoff team. Like at all. Also McDavid has been taking a beating since the season started.
- Pixote Andolini

It's tough for NBC. They need to get good ratings. The teams you referenced get ratings for the most part. That's why they show them all the time. Can't consistently put on games that no one is watching.

No team wins a championship without great players, but I think his point was that in the NHL you can win a championship without a generational superstar like Orr, Gretzky, Lemieux etc... In the NBA, while not always, it's much more like that the team who has the Michael Jordan, Magic, Bird or Lebron is going to win the title.

It's no guarantee in the NHL though: just look at how many championships the Sabres won with the most dominant goalie in the game (Hasek), the Flyers with most dominant player of his era (Lindros) or the Bruins with the best all around Dman in his prime (Bourque).
- BiggE

Exactly, which is why I said few teams have marquee players worthy of league wide marketing.

Great ≠ marquee

I don't think goalies and, for the most part, defensemen, are "marketable." Some are (Subban, Ghost, for example) but aside from maybe Hasek and Roy, it's rare.
- jmatchett383

Ok change Lundquist to Derek Stepan? Vesey? Nash? Still taking option 1.

John Tortarella has been a coach for over a decade.

Therefore, John Tortarella is a good coach.
- jmatchett383

Well, for whatever reason, he's better than the currently unemployed options.

It's tough for NBC. They need to get good ratings. The teams you referenced get ratings for the most part. That's why they show them all the time. Can't consistently put on games that no one is watching.
- mickel25

You're right, that's call Primetime NFL. Those ratings have been down significantly and when you look at the games, they've been a lot of weak team match ups.

I don't think goalies and, for the most part, defensemen, are "marketable." Some are (Subban, Ghost, for example) but aside from maybe Hasek and Roy, it's rare.
- jmatchett383

Somewhere, there is a New Jersey Devils marketing associate nodding in agreement.

A noble, yet futile, effort. Best of luck, though.
- tangent_man

Thank you, sir. I figure if I keep throwing, some of it will eventually stick.

https://twitter.com/walsha/status/787696305409658880
- jmatchett383

I'd like to see the reverse angle of this hit. It was definitely a charge, and almost certainly "predatory".

Larry Brooks does make a point that the NHL and the people running the American side of the TV distribution (NBC) aren't exactly bringing the product to the people.
- Pixote Andolini

What, playoff(!) games on CNBC doesn't scream accessibility to you?

Heck, if my remote didn't have a button on it to take me directly to the game I wouldn't know how to find that channel. lol

Ok change Lundquist to Derek Stepan? Vesey? Nash? Still taking option 1.
- mickel25

I don't think those particular players are marketable. I don't think every team has one. Guys who are really good N-S players won't excite the casual hockey fan. Guys like Crosby, McDavid, even Ghost and Giroux, guys who have some flash, are marketable.

Well, for whatever reason, he's better than the currently unemployed options.
- Scoob

We were all told that, if a person has been performing in a certain position for a long time, then he is good at that position.

Therefore, John Tortarella is a good coach.

Yes, the 2015/2016 Pittsburgh Penguins. They do not have a HHOFer on their roster. It's not like every team can have a Frank Mahovolich.


- jmatchett383

You don't think Crosby makes the HHOF?

I don't think those particular players are marketable. I don't think every team has one. Guys who are really good N-S players won't excite the casual hockey fan. Guys like Crosby, McDavid, even Ghost and Giroux, guys who have some flash, are marketable.
- jmatchett383

I agree to a point. Just feel like some teams do not to have "marketable" players for me to watch them. The Flyers rivals come to mind. Some markets need a draw. Teams like the Flyers do not. People watching and attending the games almost regardless.