They didn't just leave ESPN for more money. They left ESPN not to lose money. When the league's contract with ESPN/ABC expired in 2004, ESPN tried to negotiate that the league itself would have to pay the production costs, which is unheard of for a major sport. ESPN pushed the NHL out the door because it was hemorrhaging money at the time. Ironically, ESPN is now in very rough financial shape because of the albatross of TV deals it has with the NFL and the NBA.

The NHL's biggest mistake wasn't cutting ties with ESPN. It was signing an exclusive TV deal with one company (NBC Comcast), something none of the other major sports leagues do. When Fox Sports launched FS1, it would have been a perfect time to negotiate another, albeit smaller TV deal. Hockey can, and is, surviving without ESPN.
- buffalofan19

I really don't think the NHL not being on ESPN anymore is a problem. 13 years ago, yes, today, no. I'm not sure what TV providers have a package with ESPN and without NBCSN, it has to be few, or none.

They didn't just leave ESPN for more money. They left ESPN not to lose money. When the league's contract with ESPN/ABC expired in 2004, ESPN tried to negotiate that the league itself would have to pay the production costs, which is unheard of for a major sport. ESPN pushed the NHL out the door because it was hemorrhaging money at the time. Ironically, ESPN is now in very rough financial shape because of the albatross of TV deals it has with the NFL and the NBA.

The NHL's biggest mistake wasn't cutting ties with ESPN. It was signing an exclusive TV deal with one company (NBC Comcast), something none of the other major sports leagues do. When Fox Sports launched FS1, it would have been a perfect time to negotiate another, albeit smaller TV deal. Hockey can, and is, surviving without ESPN.
- buffalofan19

Did they get more money out of nbc by agreeing to have an exclusive deal with them?

I really don't think the NHL not being on ESPN anymore is a problem. 13 years ago, yes, today, no. I'm not sure what TV providers have a package with ESPN and without NBCSN, it has to be few, or none.
- Mentalorgasm5

i dont know the landscape as well as you guys but is there really another network out there that could make this work?

one that would actually be interested, generate enough revenue and be available to a lot of people?

I really don't think the NHL not being on ESPN anymore is a problem. 13 years ago, yes, today, no. I'm not sure what TV providers have a package with ESPN and without NBCSN, it has to be few, or none.
- Mentalorgasm5

The issue isn't about the TV providers. It's still merely the fact that ESPN is still the go-to channel for sports when "nothing else is on". I just don't think it makes that much of a difference, just as I also don't think soccer really benefits from it that much either. Soccer is more popular among a certain segment of the population, of which there also happens to be more people than the segment that hockey appeals to.

Did they get more money out of nbc by agreeing to have an exclusive deal with them?
- Sabresfan-365

I would assume so, but I wasn't privy to the negotiations.

I just don't see how a league that is the lowest revenue generator in its class among its peers by a mile thinks that is a good idea, though.

I would assume so, but I wasn't privy to the negotiations.

I just don't see how a league that is the lowest revenue generator in its class among its peers by a mile thinks that is a good idea, though.
- buffalofan19

my theory is that they wanted(needed?) money up front or something and the only way to make it happen was basically being nbc's female dog.

1. a. Brunettes
b. Blondes
c. Red Heads
*There's always exceptions to the rule

2. a. Latinos
b. Russians
c. Asians

3. a. Lagunitas Maximus
b. Russian River Pliny The Younger
c. Tree House Julius
d. Bell's Two Hearted
e. Ballast Point Sculpin

4. a.Whiskey
b. Tequila
m. Vodka

5. Trick question. Tits.
- TheSabresTaco

well done

one thing I do not like


sour beers

my theory is that they wanted(needed?) money up front or something and the only way to make it happen was basically being nbc's female dog.
- Sabresfan-365

They did it with Rogers in Canada to, which makes zero sense to me considering you could have a game on every night of the week up there and dominate ratings on most nights.

They did it with Rogers in Canada to, which makes zero sense to me considering you could have a game on every night of the week up there and dominate ratings on most nights.
- buffalofan19

This ones different though, rogers has their hand in all the cookie jars cable wise so going exclusive with them is probably better.

This ones different though, rogers has their hand in all the cookie jars cable wise so going exclusive with them is probably better.
- Sabresfan-365

Does Rogers really have that much more reaching power than Bell though? If I'm Rogers, I absolutely want that deal. However, if I'm the league, I just don't see how limiting my revenue stream is a good idea.

There are a few parents like that here
- Stripes77

Plus the child plays Football. Oh and just made Black Belt in Karate. Amazing.

Plus the child plays Football. Oh and just made Black Belt in Karate. Amazing.
- burner087

He'll end up hating his parents for the rest of his life.

He'll end up hating his parents for the rest of his life.
- jochfr

From what the Mother says. It is his doing. He wants to do all this. Kid is a bundle of energy and only 9 at the moment.

I'm in the minority, but I actually don't think the officiating is that poor. It can definitely use improvement and consistency, as can every sport, but the comparisons to the pre-lockout "dead puck" era are way off base. Everyone points to 2005-2006 as the officiating standard because the Sabres benefited from it greatly. I often jokingly call it the "Leave Room for the Holy Spirit" standard, because it got to a point where just about any contact was penalized. However, the reality is, in the grand scheme of things, it was overkill. The league needs to find a happy medium between that era, and what goes on in college now.

Tweaking the goalie pads standard will help some, but the reality is these players are all so damn big right now, that the officiating gets a worse wrap than it deserves.
- buffalofan19

This...100% this and not just because I am an official.

We all loved the post lockout seasons because the Sabres were good but it wasn't hockey. It was a constant whistle every 3 minutes for a penalty that really wasn't.

A penalty should not be called with a stick touching another stick. It should only be called if there is a change of possession or it negates a scoring chance.

In reality the clogging of the neutral zone is the biggest component of why a hockey game can put people to sleep. The trap sucks.

This...100% this and not just because I am an official.

We all loved the post lockout seasons because the Sabres were good but it wasn't hockey. It was a constant whistle every 3 minutes for a penalty that really wasn't.

A penalty should not be called with a stick touching another stick. It should only be called if there is a change of possession or it negates a scoring chance.

In reality the clogging of the neutral zone is the biggest component of why a hockey game can put people to sleep. The trap sucks.
- Stripes77

I really wonder if you could implement an illegal defense. Something like only 2 defensive players allowed in the neutral zone while the puck is in it or something like that. If you are forced to give the offense the blue line, perhaps it opens things up. Of course, then you could just line up five across the blue line as well...

Soccer is no joke when it comes to needing to be fit.
- Matthews_Auston

*******************************************************

Soccer is one of the biggest jokes when it comes to being fit and the biggest joke when it comes to being tough. Bunch of Sallies . . .

Rugby >>>>>>>>soccer & one of the most physically and fitness demanding sports around. Both 7s and 15s formats, Union or League styles.

Give it a go; very popular in Canada and growing quickly in US. Huge in Europe, S. Africa, SE AUS, NZ, and Polynesian Islands. Growing in S. America (particularly Argentina), Central America, as well.

well done
- homiedclown

1. Blondes
2. Redheads
3. Brunettes

1. White girls (racist)
2. Asians
3. Black girls
4. Indian girls

Flames signed Curtis Lazar 2x $1.9 million

I really wonder if you could implement an illegal defense. Something like only 2 defensive players allowed in the neutral zone while the puck is in it or something like that. If you are forced to give the offense the blue line, perhaps it opens things up. Of course, then you could just line up five across the blue line as well...
- buffalofan19

Yeah the illegal defense would be a nightmare to enforce.

I just don't like it when all 5 guys are skating backwards in the neutral zone.

Yeah the illegal defense would be a nightmare to enforce.

I just don't like it when all 5 guys are skating backwards in the neutral zone.
- Stripes77

I bet it could be done with enough training. It would definitely be something you would have to test out with the competition committee.

Enroth signs overseas

KHL‏Verified account @khl_eng 23h23 hours ago

Dinamo Minsk signs 1-year deal with goalie @JEnroth125.

I bet it could be done with enough training. It would definitely be something you would have to test out with the competition committee.
- buffalofan19

Idk man, the two linesmen have enough to watch when play is in the neutral zone

I really wonder if you could implement an illegal defense. Something like only 2 defensive players allowed in the neutral zone while the puck is in it or something like that. If you are forced to give the offense the blue line, perhaps it opens things up. Of course, then you could just line up five across the blue line as well...
- buffalofan19

I really don't think the lack of goals is that much of an issue.

Yes, I want more scoring. But I also don't really want games that are 8-5 every night.

I think the 82 game schedule just lowers the intensity and desperation of each game. Especially for Sabre fans who haven't seen a meaningful game in years.

Holding and interference need to be called more. Period. That has to change

I really don't think the lack of goals is that much of an issue.

Yes, I want more scoring. But I also don't really want games that are 8-5 every night.

I think the 82 game schedule just lowers the intensity and desperation of each game. Especially for Sabre fans who haven't seen a meaningful game in years.

Holding and interference need to be called more. Period. That has to change
- sbroads24

I agree