The Ditch part deux

EDM, OTT, NAS

Gary is going to strangle a toddler, the ratings are going to be murderously bad in the states.
League losing millions by the day. Should have deterred Ottawa's existence, cancelled the Weber trade, and implemented anti tank rules (spoken "OIL rulz") to prevent this monetary disaster.

Great for hardcore hockey fans, great for those small market towns, but absolutely terrible for the NHL product on the whole. Shaping up to be the worst postseason for the league since 2006.

 

The voices and I can't wait for that WCF though. Can't wait to see all that skill up front in EDM against that blueline in Nashville. I don't think there's been a matchup anywhere close to that this decade other than maybe Minnesota's blueline (really good skaters) against Chicago in 2014..but that team was Yeo'd and not allowed to do what Laviolette does.

 

I don't mean it was the best matchup, just that type of matchup. Elite skill with forward groups against 2+ pairs of high end skating and sticks at the blueline.

 

Oilers still have to win one more.

 

The regionalization of hockey in America will continue as is.

 

whoa, whoa whoa there hbob. edmonton didn't win YET!

you just put the whammy on them! Now I'm really pulling for Anaheim!

 

gents - today is a big day for me. i am 1 year sober today! i'm giving a small speech tonight as well! it's been a great journey this year and i'm happy i lived through it and changed my ways! *DANCE* *YAHOO* *HI*

 

what do you mean?

 

Just that most of the ratings are regional, nationally, most hockey fans tune out after their team is out.

 

doesnt surprise me at all. US hasnt been clued in that hockey is the best sport quite yet.

 

Yep, when they talk about new york or chicago being good for tv ratings, they sure aren't referring to some croc hunter in the bayou swamps lol.

 

Right on, Catfish. Congratulations, bud. Enjoy, and keep it up!

As for ratings, I should point out that the NFL and NBA are in way more trouble. The NFL has had gradually declining ratings, despite what one could sum up as ideal circumstances and unabridged intervention from the commissioner, and the NBA shares the same fate, with the sport proving that, if you're not one of two teams, you don't matter.

The MLB might actually be looking at a sustainable bump, but I don't think the NHL, if indeed this post-season does see a ratings dip, should be worried - they'll be among the other major sports, and, I believe, they've seen well-received playoffs for the last handful of years. So hopefully that continues. The biggest impact on NHL ratings is having it on NBC Sports, rather than a major nightly network...

(I should point out, I love NBCSports's coverage - being able to watch the game for free on my phone while I'm out for an hour or so this evening is an absolute blessing. But they're not helping any effort for mass coverage and reception of the playoffs, being a less-prominent channel/network)

 

Not to say there aren't hockey fans that don't stop watching right until the last game. If you put the nhl's playoff numbers next to the nfl or nba, it's a big difference. In canada, the cbc sees a drop when a canadian team isn't there but I could only imagine nbc's ratings if its a sens and oilers final.

 

Its cool that the hockey fans on this site are in it for the long all, favorite team or not.

I can honestly say I havnt missed watching a hockey game on any given day this season... some would say I need to 'get a life'... I am living the life.

Hockey REWLZ!!!

 

damn right Will.

 

Congrats... the first year is the toughest, but everyday is tough when your an alcoholic. I'm fighting all my demons too.

Kinda ironic that I just got home from a 12-step rehab meeting and read your post... awesome. Keep up the good work, Cat.

 

thanks Will. My 12 step meeting is tonight at 8. i can't make daytime meetings with work. i am giving a quick 4 page speech on my year's journey. i may have some buddies there as support. 1 is sober 5 yrs! Good for you Will and keep up the good fight and great work!

 

Good for you guys.

 

I can appreciate the scenario Bob laid out, but I've got to imagine that any series with PIT is going to have solid ratings. You throw them in a Final with Edmonton, or Anaheim, and I've got to imagine that's a fine matchup for ratings purposes.

Edit: I say that without knowing what kind of ratings Nashville draws. They're sure playing awesome hockey, right now. I'd hope they'd have a big draw, too.