I agree. I don't think the "casual fan" ever will exist for the NHL on a large scale. But that's what the NHL keeps trying to do. Every now and then, people will get excited because of the playoffs, or the Olympics, because of a great local team, or even the John Scott ASG fiasco. But for the most part, people would rather watch The Bachelor or its male equivalent than hockey.
- jmatchett383

The sport has grown in the US. Just keep doing what they are doing. Get young people interested by playing the sport. More people who play will translate to interest in the NHL.

Not sure force feeding Connor McDavid will help all that much. Especially when a majority of his games start at 10:30 or later.

The sport has grown in the US. Just keep doing what they are doing. Get young people interested by playing the sport. More people who play will translate to interest in the NHL.

Not sure force feeding Connor McDavid will help all that much. Especially when a majority of his games start at 10:30 or later.
- mickel25

I think the limitation will quite frankly always be money. Hockey is an expensive sport to get into, or keep playing if you have growing kids.

Hell for a lot of other main stream sports all you need is a damn ball. I think the focus should be on making the current product better, instead of shoving it up a casual fan's ass.

-Improved and consistent officiating
-Improved and consistent DOPS
-Improved scholarships/hockey camp opportunities for lower income players

You don't think Crosby makes the HHOF?
- MJL

They could very well have a couple of HOFers on that squad

They could very well have a couple of HOFers on that squad
- jak521

I think teams retire too many numbers.

Doing so during poopty seasons to keep the fans coming with "nostalgia". Dont want to see the HOF put too many guys in.

I think the limitation will quite frankly always be money. Hockey is an expensive sport to get into, or keep playing if you have growing kids.

Hell for a lot of other main stream sports all you need is a damn ball. I think the focus should be on making the current product better, instead of shoving it up a casual fan's ass.

-Improved and consistent officiating
-Improved and consistent DOPS
-Improved scholarships/hockey camp opportunities for lower income players
- flyer_nutter

I think teams retire too many numbers.

Doing so during poopty seasons to keep the fans coming with "nostalgia". Dont want to see the HOF put too many guys in.
- flyer_nutter

Guys like Malkin, Crosby, and if Letang continues through mid 30's at an elite pace, will all be in and deservedly so.

can't wait for the book, bill. congratulations to you, jay, and whomever else helped pull this together. there is no doubt it was a labor of love and i'm sure the finished product will be a testament to that. i'll certainly be picking up a copy.

as for the yotes game. they could have just as easily won that game in regulation, and probably should have in OT, but it didn't go their way. biggest take away for me was that they were very undisciplined and really that cost them the game. pp goal against, sh goal against, and a virtual pp goal for the winner on the delayed call. don't think they scored on their own man advantage.

mason was ok. he had no chance on the doan pp goal. the 2nd as a tough break as it lodged under his pad and then came loose on that bounce off the back boards and he couldn't find the puck. i hated the sh breakaway goal. he was too deep, and on the goal line when the puck was fired. he's just not very good on breakaways. i also did not like the OT goal. he played that very strangely and looked like a bad 80s goalie. i expect Neuvirth in for Chicago.

nice to see G and simmonds get on the board, as well as read. he's done a nice job so far. and raffl chipped in too. can't underestimate the value of those bottom 6 guys chipping in (gordon too in game 1). that's a good sign.

really look forward to getting schenn back.

gost doesn't seem to be quite himself.

on to game 3.

Guys like Malkin, Crosby, and if Letang continues through mid 30's at an elite pace, will all be in and deservedly so.
- jak521

Not if they get a few STD's and cant play.

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

agree

can't wait for the book, bill. congratulations to you, jay, and whomever else helped pull this together. there is no doubt it was a labor of love and i'm sure the finished product will be a testament to that. i'll certainly be picking up a copy.

as for the yotes game. they could have just as easily won that game in regulation, and probably should have in OT, but it didn't go their way. biggest take away for me was that they were very undisciplined and really that cost them the game. pp goal against, sh goal against, and a virtual pp goal for the winner on the delayed call. don't think they scored on their own man advantage.

mason was ok. he had no chance on the doan pp goal. the 2nd as a tough break as it lodged under his pad and then came loose on that bounce off the back boards and he couldn't find the puck. i hated the sh breakaway goal. he was too deep, and on the goal line when the puck was fired. he's just not very good on breakaways. i also did not like the OT goal. he played that very strangely and looked like a bad 80s goalie. i expect Neuvirth in for Chicago.

nice to see G and simmonds get on the board, as well as read. he's done a nice job so far. and raffl chipped in too. can't underestimate the value of those bottom 6 guys chipping in (gordon too in game 1). that's a good sign.

really look forward to getting schenn back.

gost doesn't seem to be quite himself.

on to game 3.
- hammarby31

Regarding Mason.

I really like the guy. Like the puck handling ability. For whatever reason it might be, them riding him too hard during the injuries or Reese departing.

I am starting to question his long term future on the club. I hope he pulls it together. Would prefer if he was the #1 guy but for me the questions are starting to come up a little. Neuvirth may beat him out this season. I dont see both men back next year.

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 think most people, esp casual fans, look at positional players as players they want to see more than a goalie. and what more I would even say a star forward than a dman.

for me its more about wanting to see a dynamic generational type player esp one who doesn't come to town often. We will see McDavid once a year so that one time I would like to see the game live (i saw him last year). honestly there isn't a goalie and has never been a goalie that i've said wow I need to see that goalie.

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

jesus that is just ridiculous.

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

none of those guys are star quality players you just HAVE to see.

none of those guys are star quality players you just HAVE to see.
- nastyflyergirl

I think Nash is quite average to be honest.

Glad they are stuck with him.

Regarding Mason.

I really like the guy. Like the puck handling ability. For whatever reason it might be, them riding him too hard during the injuries or Reese departing.

I am starting to question his long term future on the club. I hope he pulls it together. Would prefer if he was the #1 guy but for me the questions are starting to come up a little. Neuvirth may beat him out this season. I dont see both men back next year.
- flyer_nutter

Why are you questioning his long term future on the club? Way too much was made of the injuries, and Reese departing.

Regarding Mason.

I really like the guy. Like the puck handling ability. For whatever reason it might be, them riding him too hard during the injuries or Reese departing.

I am starting to question his long term future on the club. I hope he pulls it together. Would prefer if he was the #1 guy but for me the questions are starting to come up a little. Neuvirth may beat him out this season. I dont see both men back next year.
- flyer_nutter

i am not questioning his ability to be the #1 guy down the road. certainly not because of game 1, and he was a rock down the stretch that got them into the playoffs. i also thought he looked razor sharp in the pre-season, puckhandling miscue aside.

i think they're both #1s and will get ample playing time. we'll just have to wait and see how it turns out after the season. a big part of hextall's decision will be to factor in the kids on the farm. he may not think stolarz is ready, and lyon is a first year pro. that could cause him to lean to offer mason and neuvirth both new contracts. but that doesn't mean they'll sign them. they have options too.

i love our goaltending for the first time since hextall in the early going, and that was really about him only. the backup didn't even matter. you really need both guys now, imo.

Again, HOF does not mean great. Jimmy Rollins is going to make the HOF. Really good....but great?

Probably not a team without a HOF. That is probably due to the fact that winning is part of the equation when establishing worthiness of making the HOF.
- mickel25

No he isnt.

I think most people, esp casual fans, look at positional players as players they want to see more than a goalie. and what more I would even say a star forward than a dman.

for me its more about wanting to see a dynamic generational type player esp one who doesn't come to town often. We will see McDavid once a year so that one time I would like to see the game live (i saw him last year). honestly there isn't a goalie and has never been a goalie that i've said wow I need to see that goalie.
- nastyflyergirl

i don't even know you anymore, man. you're dead to me.

i don't even know you anymore, man. you're dead to me.
- hammarby31

correction the only goalie that was a must see was you

i am not questioning his ability to be the #1 guy down the road. certainly not because of game 1, and he was a rock down the stretch that got them into the playoffs. i also thought he looked razor sharp in the pre-season, puckhandling miscue aside.

i think they're both #1s and will get ample playing time. we'll just have to wait and see how it turns out after the season. a big part of hextall's decision will be to factor in the kids on the farm. he may not think stolarz is ready, and lyon is a first year pro. that could cause him to lean to offer mason and neuvirth both new contracts. but that doesn't mean they'll sign them. they have options too.

i love our goaltending for the first time since hextall in the early going, and that was really about him only. the backup didn't even matter. you really need both guys now, imo.
- hammarby31

Going to be nearly impossible to re-sign both IMO, it will simply cost too much. My guess is that if they don't think Stolarz is ready to be the back-up, they go out and sign a vet to fill that role next year. I'd really be surprised if both of our current goalies are back next season.

Last year when I had a partial season ticket plan I was deciding between 2 plans. What ended up helping me choose the plan I ended up getting? Believe it or not Calgary was one of the draws. I'll let you figure out the reasoning.

correction the only goalie that was a must see was you
- nastyflyergirl

Last year when I had a partial season ticket plan I was deciding between 2 plans. What ended up helping me choose the plan I ended up getting? Believe it or not Calgary was one of the draws. I'll let you figure out the reasoning.
- dragonoffrost

Your the last die hard Atlanta Flames fan still standing?

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.
- Jsaquella

Eichel won't make that Buffalo game

Your the last die hard Atlanta Flames fan still standing?
- BiggE

They had one hell of a logo.