I have been tooting this horn for years. The nhl should be 70/72 games, with more time off between games and to recover from injury scoring wouldnt take a dip imo
- BeadyEyedDouche

If you take away 10 games per season, you're looking at shaving off about $6 million in ticket revenue per team per year.

Not to mention what that does to the TV and ad revenue.

If you take away 10 games per season, you're looking at shaving off about $6 million in ticket revenue per team per year.

Not to mention what that does to the TV and ad revenue.
- BINGO!

To be clear, I am not advocating reducing the # of games. I am talking about biting the bullet and making your top players a healthy scratch once every 8 games or so. It's a revolutionary way of thinking and the first coach to actually do it is going to need some beach ball sized man parts to face the heat, but I think it will eventually happen.

I stayed at a holiday inn express last night.
- ImThatGuy

That's at least three legs up on me.

I got three hours of sleep and didn't even eat a continental breakfast at home.

To be clear, I am not advocating reducing the # of games. I am talking about biting the bullet and making your top players a healthy scratch once every 8 games or so. It's a revolutionary way of thinking and the first coach to actually do it is going to need some beach ball sized man parts to face the heat, but I think it will eventually happen.
- buffalofan19

I doubt a coach will ever do it in the NHL.

Basketball has super teams which is why it happens there.

You already have the mandatory week break.

Make back to back games go away instead of game 5 days off then 3 in 4 nights do a game every 2 days. Same number of days for 4 games but more rest time in between each game.

To be clear, I am not advocating reducing the # of games. I am talking about biting the bullet and making your top players a healthy scratch once every 8 games or so. It's a revolutionary way of thinking and the first coach to actually do it is going to need some beach ball sized man parts to face the heat, but I think it will eventually happen.
- buffalofan19

Top players in the NBA play 35-40 minutes a game per night on their 82 game schedule. Top players in the NHL play 25-28 minutes a game per night in their 82 game schedule.


I don't see NBA vs NHL being a good comparison tool here. Sure the NHL is more physical but in terms of flow, cardio, etc... it's a semi-similar toll on the players.

To be clear, I am not advocating reducing the # of games. I am talking about biting the bullet and making your top players a healthy scratch once every 8 games or so. It's a revolutionary way of thinking and the first coach to actually do it is going to need some beach ball sized man parts to face the heat, but I think it will eventually happen.
- buffalofan19

Given how thin profit margins are with NHL teams and that it's still a gate driven league, I don't think we'll see this any time soon.

Given how thin profit margins are with NHL teams and that it's still a gate driven league, I don't think we'll see this any time soon.
- Sabresfan-365

Right.

People pay a premium to attend sporting events. Benching the best players reduces the entertainment.

I guess one way to combat that is to say "player x will be sitting this game, and we have reduced ticket prices for said game"

So what if you have more than one star? Why does said star deserve to sit while the other players need to play? Who says that starter is willing to sit? Every single pro athlete has spent a good portion of their lives being, or trying to be, the best. They won't settle for being benched just cause.

Given how thin profit margins are with NHL teams and that it's still a gate driven league, I don't think we'll see this any time soon.
- Sabresfan-365

Top 5 Average Home Game Attendance:
Chicago
Vegas
Minnesota
Toronto
Winnipeg

NOTE: Besides the 5 listed above, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Boston, Tampa, & Wash have a 100%+ attendance at home games.

Bottom 5:
Ottawa
Carolina
Florida
NY Islanders
Arizona

NOTE: Buffalo is 23rd/31 with a 93.9% home attendance.

To be clear, I am not advocating reducing the # of games. I am talking about biting the bullet and making your top players a healthy scratch once every 8 games or so. It's a revolutionary way of thinking and the first coach to actually do it is going to need some beach ball sized man parts to face the heat, but I think it will eventually happen.
- buffalofan19

Ralphie-boy was getting close when he spoke if using advanced player tracking and the resulting data to help guide them in player usage from a TOI perspective. not quite there yet, but headed down a tributary that could lead in that direction.

John Vogl
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@BuffaloVogl
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The house cleaning has started with the Sabres' coaching staff. According to the staff listing, Davis Payne, Chris Hajt and Andrew Allen are out.
This lends additional credence to the rumors that goalie coach Mike Bales could be on his way.

Given how thin profit margins are with NHL teams and that it's still a gate driven league, I don't think we'll see this any time soon.
- Sabresfan-365

Does it become less of one, though, when the league's US TV deal expires in 2 years (and the Canadian one expires three years later), though?

John Vogl
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@BuffaloVogl
Following Following @BuffaloVogl
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The house cleaning has started with the Sabres' coaching staff. According to the staff listing, Davis Payne, Chris Hajt and Andrew Allen are out.
This lends additional credence to the rumors that goalie coach Mike Bales could be on his way.
- Stripes77

Pretty much a formality right?
Didn't Botts tell those guys to start looking around, or were ok with them looking?
Except Smith.
I thought I heard/read that somewhere.

Anyway, say what you will about the Skinner contract ---
I like what Botts has done so far, including this move.
Now, hopefully Ralphie-boy and he get some stud coaches for O, PP & goalie

John Vogl
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@BuffaloVogl
Following Following @BuffaloVogl
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The house cleaning has started with the Sabres' coaching staff. According to the staff listing, Davis Payne, Chris Hajt and Andrew Allen are out.
This lends additional credence to the rumors that goalie coach Mike Bales could be on his way.
- Stripes77

Joe Yerdon
‏Verified account @JoeYerdon

Joe Yerdon Retweeted John Vogl

With this out News there, sources tell me that Mike Bales will be the new goalie coach in Buffalo.

Right.

People pay a premium to attend sporting events. Benching the best players reduces the entertainment.

I guess one way to combat that is to say "player x will be sitting this game, and we have reduced ticket prices for said game"

So what if you have more than one star? Why does said star deserve to sit while the other players need to play? Who says that starter is willing to sit? Every single pro athlete has spent a good portion of their lives being, or trying to be, the best. They won't settle for being benched just cause.
- TheSabresTaco

It's going to take a major culture shift for sure, and the players themselves will have to buy into it. The first team or teams to do it will face some intense scrutiny, but if they're successful, others will copy. That's just how sports, especially professional sports, work. I think the major roadblock, other than revenue, is the culture of the sport. Hockey players (and fans) tend to take this macho approach to the game compared to other sports (playing hurt, etc.). However, the fact of the matter is that these players' high salaries are making them expensive assets, and they have to take steps to protect those assets.

Top 5 Average Home Game Attendance:
Chicago
Vegas
Minnesota
Toronto
Winnipeg

NOTE: Besides the 5 listed above, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Boston, Tampa, & Wash have a 100%+ attendance at home games.

Bottom 5:
Ottawa
Carolina
Florida
NY Islanders
Arizona

NOTE: Buffalo is 23rd/31 with a 93.9% home attendance.
- JVince11

okay?

Is Steve Tasker an idiot?

He proposed an 18 games schedule where players can only play 16 games and have to sit out 2.
When challenged his response.

“What’s the difference between a guy sitting out because he slaps his wife in the face or he is forced because of the schedule.”

It’s in the rules.

Top players in the NBA play 35-40 minutes a game per night on their 82 game schedule. Top players in the NHL play 25-28 minutes a game per night in their 82 game schedule.


I don't see NBA vs NHL being a good comparison tool here. Sure the NHL is more physical but in terms of flow, cardio, etc... it's a semi-similar toll on the players.
- JVince11

Hockey players more or less do wind sprints for 35-45 second shifts (not universally true, but largely)

NBA players trot or walk the ball upcourt. (Also largely).

Does it become less of one, though, when the league's US TV deal expires in 2 years (and the Canadian one expires three years later), though?
- buffalofan19

Rogers is having a meltdown over this years TV numbers in Canada, particularly the playoffs. It's hard to say with a new CBA on the horizon, but unless the product changes dramatically I don't think it becomes less of one. It's still what the fourth most popular TV click in the US behind football, baseball and basketball?

And it fell behind a cooking show in Canada when all the Canadian teams were gone.

Is Steve Tasker an idiot?

He proposed an 18 games schedule where players can only play 16 games and have to sit out 2.
When challenged his response.

“What’s the difference between a guy sitting out because he slaps his wife in the face or he is forced because of the schedule.”


It’s in the rules.
- ImThatGuy

I happened to hear that as well. He's horrible at making a good argument for it, but I think the idea itself has merit. Fans WOULD love 2 more games.

All Tasker had to say was "it's like baseball where you bought a ticket and Vlad Jr. has a rest day, or basketball where curry has a rest game"

John Vogl
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@BuffaloVogl
Following Following @BuffaloVogl
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The house cleaning has started with the Sabres' coaching staff. According to the staff listing, Davis Payne, Chris Hajt and Andrew Allen are out.
This lends additional credence to the rumors that goalie coach Mike Bales could be on his way.
- Stripes77

Those first two were chumps. Andrew Allen did some good things in Chicago and maybe with Chad Johnson.. but the success seems to have ended there.

Rogers is having a meltdown over this years TV numbers in Canada, particularly the playoffs. It's hard to say with a new CBA on the horizon, but unless the product changes dramatically I don't think it becomes less of one. It's still what the fourth most popular TV click in the US behind football, baseball and basketball?

And it fell behind a cooking show in Canada when all the Canadian teams were gone.
- Sabresfan-365

Makes sense

Makes sense
- jochfr

In all fairness, it was women's topless cooking.

Makes sense
- jochfr

The "Canadians love hockey so they'll watch no matter what" bit is my favourite myth.

We love to play it, but when our teams aren't in it, its just two american teams likely playing a boring brand of defensive hockey. Who the (frank) is going watch that? Id rather learn to make stuffed pepper.

Joe Yerdon
‏Verified account @JoeYerdon

Joe Yerdon Retweeted John Vogl

With this out News there, sources tell me that Mike Bales will be the new goalie coach in Buffalo.
- mattmoulson

Welp. I wonder who will resign from Carolina next year.

The "Canadians love hockey so they'll watch no matter what" bit is my favourite myth.

We love to play it, but when our teams aren't in it, its just two american teams likely playing a boring brand of defensive hockey. Who the (frank) is going watch that? Id rather learn to make stuffed pepper.
- Sabresfan-365

I'd rather stuff Pepper Potts