As much as I like a good conspiracy theory, the truth is that the NHL spaces out their "special events."

https://www.nhl.com/events/

Two US teams played in Australia in September.

Two Canadian teams played in the Heritage Classic in October.

Two Canadian and two US teams play in Sweden in November.

Nothing in December because it's a bad month to try for media attention.

All-Star Weekend in Toronto in February.

Two outdoor games (4 US teams) in February.

Nothing in March or April, because that's when poop gets real for the playoff races.
- Atomic Wedgie

What!!, no winter Classic and Jan 1st?

well the Angels had Trout.
- drexel

I thought you were talking about fishing.
Where's Lucas when you need him.

As much as I like a good conspiracy theory, the truth is that the NHL spaces out their "special events."

https://www.nhl.com/events/

Two US teams played in Australia in September.

Two Canadian teams played in the Heritage Classic in October.

Two Canadian and two US teams play in Sweden in November.

Nothing in December because it's a bad month to try for media attention.

All-Star Weekend in Toronto in February.

Two outdoor games (4 US teams) in February.

Nothing in March or April, because that's when poop gets real for the playoff races.
- Atomic Wedgie

Fair enough, but I still think it’s safe to say the NHL worries more about bending their schedule to meet up with American timing over Canadian. Unless it’s two Canadian teams of course (heritage classic).

Roughly 30% of Canadians watch hockey routinely, which is about 12 million people, the US has 2.6 million per game, so 6 games down in the states is already more than the viewership in Canada.

What!!, no winter Classic and Jan 1st?
- dmnted

My bad. Definitely a Winter Classic Jan 1st. Golden Knights @ Kraken.

The absolute best part of Sandbanks:

Some kid will wade out 200 metres, the mother will inevitably scream at their child that he/she is out too far, and the child will reply "I'm standing, and the water's not at my shoulders."

Every franking time.
- Atomic Wedgie

No doubt - I'm lucky to not have to go to actual Sandbanks as my 79 year old father in law lives right on the water. Biggest concern there is he walks out like 150/200 Meters and some moron who has no clue is ripping around on a jetski or boat and is WAY too close to him for comfort.

I've had a couple 'animated' conversations with people over it - they are generally not people who live on the water and are there for the day and have absolutely no clue what they are doing.

It's a direct result of the fact anyone can buy a boat or jetski and take a silly 45 min online course (cheating at will of course on the final test) and then take that watercraft out on the water and be a moron.

Fair enough, but I still think it’s safe to say the NHL worries more about bending their schedule to meet up with American timing over Canadian. Unless it’s two Canadian teams of course (heritage classic).

Roughly 30% of Canadians watch hockey routinely, which is about 12 million people, the US has 2.6 million per game, so 6 games down in the states is already more than the viewership in Canada.
- Dozzer

Well, I don't think Gary Bettman is evil over this one. They want to maximize viewership.

The truth is US fans don't like watching Canadian teams. Ratings are slightly higher for a US team vs. the Habs or Leafs, but still not good. Winnipeg or Calgary? Dreadful.

At the end of the day, the NHL is in the entertainment business, and they need to give the fans what they want.

Well, I don't think Gary Bettman is evil over this one. They want to maximize viewership.

The truth is US fans don't like watching Canadian teams. Ratings are slightly higher for a US team vs. the Habs or Leafs, but still not good. Winnipeg or Calgary? Dreadful.

At the end of the day, the NHL is in the entertainment business, and they need to give the fans what they want.
- Atomic Wedgie

Exactly what I’m saying, the leafs and habs get decent viewership because they’re original six teams, Vancouver did well but it’s died off since they gave Seattle a team. Also willing to imagine the leafs are bumped up a bit due to having an American superstar.

However your argument regarding maximizing viewership isn’t too big a deal for Canada. Leaf fans will still watch the games at 2pm and 8am without the league even trying to promote it. US teams however are likely getting pushed with hopes it will work.

Bettman isn’t stupid, he knows the “safe” money comes from Canada, but the opportunity for “massive” earnings lies in the states. I’m still willing to bet the Winnipeg only got their team back because the league wanted a Canadian team in the central time zone. That way the only time zone in Canada without a team is the Atlantic, and that area simply isn’t populated enough to support one.

#LeafsForever  prospect Easton Cowan with 3 secondary assists, all on the powerplay. He's up to 8 goals and 27 points in just 14 games. That should bump him up into the top 5 of the OHL points leaderboard with the highest point per game pace.


I wondered why they picked him so high, kinda making sense so far.

Dreger
"What I'm hearing on Kane are teams seem more interested in giving him a 1 yr deal around 2M-show it to me deal, teams preferring not to give term, Kane market isn't as high as he'd maybe like."


No poop, at this point just sign 1M to the team you want to go to most...no team is signing him with term or significant salary.

NOV 20th.
Dreger
"What I'm hearing on Kane are teams seem more interested in giving him a 1 yr deal around 2M-show it to me deal, teams preferring not to give term, Kane market isn't as high as he'd maybe like."


No poop, at this point just sign 1M to the team you want to go to most...no team is signing him with term or significant salary.
- Santo_44

Yeah, I understand him wanting term but it does feel like he'll need a good comeback year before he gets that.

Well, I don't think Gary Bettman is evil over this one. They want to maximize viewership.

The truth is US fans don't like watching Canadian teams. Ratings are slightly higher for a US team vs. the Habs or Leafs, but still not good. Winnipeg or Calgary? Dreadful.

At the end of the day, the NHL is in the entertainment business, and they need to give the fans what they want.
- Atomic Wedgie

Outside of a particular group of my friends, I couldn’t name one person that watches out of market NHL games.

#LeafsForever  prospect Easton Cowan with 3 secondary assists, all on the powerplay. He's up to 8 goals and 27 points in just 14 games. That should bump him up into the top 5 of the OHL points leaderboard with the highest point per game pace.


I wondered why they picked him so high, kinda making sense so far.
- Santo_44

Doing way better than Foudy or Formenton after going up to the top line. Nice development. Picking a 2nd liner on a CHL team hoping to explode is always a risk.

Yeah, I understand him wanting term but it does feel like he'll need a good comeback year before he gets that.
- Scabeh

Maybe the Sabres would...but Kane would be dumb to go there.

Detroit is probably pretty happy with their cap space, keep accruing and have that advantage over teams come TDL if they are in it.

at this point in the season any cap hit Kane signs will be 20% more than it is due to when he signs.

Sign 1M to your top choice, get your bag after you play good.

Outside of a particular group of my friends, I couldn’t name one person that watches out of market NHL games.
- RickJames77

I thought I watched a lot, but looking at my Puckdoku scores apparently I only watch Leafs games.

If one of the categories is Minnesota or Columbus, I don't even bother playing.

NOV 20th.
Dreger
"What I'm hearing on Kane are teams seem more interested in giving him a 1 yr deal around 2M-show it to me deal, teams preferring not to give term, Kane market isn't as high as he'd maybe like."


No poop, at this point just sign 1M to the team you want to go to most...no team is signing him with term or significant salary.
- Santo_44

If I was GM, I'd give him $2M X 2 all franking day long.

This is a no brainer.

Doing way better than Foudy or Formenton after going up to the top line. Nice development. Picking a 2nd liner on a CHL team hoping to explode is always a risk.
- AdamFrench

I would think he is even exceeding what the scouting staff expected of him so far.

Leafs may have 2 Canadians at the WJs.

Maybe 4 if Mouldenhauer sneaks in, was projected 4th line wing in the summer.

If I was GM, I'd give him $2M X 2 all franking day long.

This is a no brainer.
- Atomic Wedgie

Don't think Kane would though...

I would imagine he is looking for Giroux money this offseason.

If I was GM, I'd give him $2M X 2 all franking day long.

This is a no brainer.
- Atomic Wedgie

Oh for sure. If he's willing to accept that, you give it to him in a heartbeat.

It's barely more than what Ryan Reaves makes, for less time.

Oh for sure. If he's willing to accept that, you give it to him in a heartbeat.

It's barely more than what Ryan Reaves makes, for less time.
- Scabeh

I think if money was the goal he played his hand wrong.

Should have signed in the offseason when there was money to go around. Probably would have gotten 3-4M.

Bettman isn’t stupid, he knows the “safe” money comes from Canada, but the opportunity for “massive” earnings lies in the states. I’m still willing to bet the Winnipeg only got their team back because the league wanted a Canadian team in the central time zone. That way the only time zone in Canada without a team is the Atlantic, and that area simply isn’t populated enough to support one.
- Dozzer

Probably more to do with a failing Atlanta team, no viable alternatives in the US for relocation, and Canada's richest man saying he's willing to lose gobs of money on the team.

Oh, and IIRC, he was dating Sarah McLachlan at the time, who was really rocking the "I'm not trying to look hot, which makes me all the more hotter" look.

So it’s not about getting extremely drunk before playing a game on it?

Guess I’ve been wrong since the original one came out *sighs while double checking when the beer store opens*
- Dozzer

nothing better for a young buck in his mid thirties than dropping a dex, going on a job then getting poopfaced on 8pm whiskey and krombachers during the team halo and call of booty wars😍👊🏿

Leafs to John Shannon: nope we didn’t meet with him (Kane)

Probably more to do with a failing Atlanta team, no viable alternatives in the US for relocation, and Canada's richest man saying he's willing to lose gobs of money on the team.

Oh, and IIRC, he was dating Sarah McLachlan at the time, who was really rocking the "I'm not trying to look hot, which makes me all the more hotter" look.
- Atomic Wedgie

Would that be based on lack of arenas at the time for cities? For instance Seattle seems to be working out now.

I’ll openly admit that the time to build something elsewhere in the US would take longer than they could last in Atlanta surprising. That being said I know very little about what collapsed there as well.

As for the dating, do you really think the billionaires find “not trying” an enjoyment? One that influences financial choices? I mean, I realize my gf could do that and I would fold but them too?

nothing better for a young buck in his mid thirties than dropping a dex, going on a job then getting poopfaced on 8pm whiskey and krombachers during the team halo and call of booty wars😍👊🏿
- Skalapy

I won’t dispute this statement except for the bolded

Would that be based on lack of arenas at the time for cities? For instance Seattle seems to be working out now.

I’ll openly admit that the time to build something elsewhere in the US would take longer than they could last in Atlanta surprising. That being said I know very little about what collapsed there as well.

As for the dating, do you really think the billionaires find “not trying” an enjoyment? One that influences financial choices? I mean, I realize my gf could do that and I would fold but them too?
- Dozzer

The average value of NHL franchises increased by 29% over the last year. Even the Coyotes increased by 45% to $650M. The Jets showed the smallest increase (15%). All the stuff that goes with owning a team, especially real estate is going to increase in value. All you have to do is not lose too much year-to-year. Winning isn’t essential.