Vegas has got nothing of a hockey town BUT: -Its arena was built entirely out of private funds -13,200 season tickets have been pre-sold, I'm assuming to hotels and casinos who will give/sell them to tourists, who will make up most of the crowd. Vegas may not have local fans, but I'm confident they'll do better than, I don't know, the Hurricanes? Phoenix? http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance (And I'm Qc City-born and raised, but am glad the Nordiques aren't coming back, due to the aforementioned arena financing reasons. The "admission fee" for a new franchise is $500M?! Craziness.)
And that's all well and good Oli, and I am not arguing there is a business model there to make, but I am just so skeptical of even venturing in this direction, when the league is already (and has been for years) in 'difficulty' (obviously not losing money, but sustained on the backs of the profitable franchises). I don't think expansion should really even be an option, anywhere. If anything I think retraction is the way to go. fewer teams and a shorter regular season [also, less players wouldn't hurt any]. So taking on any new venture, no matter the promise is a risk. And let's be clear, it is a risk because nothing at this point is definite. Hockey is a small market, but of course with tourists they could potentially make it work. But the other issue I have is that in all of these projections based on tourist dollars, population, etc., they are not accounting for the fact that people flock to Vegas to visit casinos, shows, <ahem> 'entertainment', fights/MMA, dancers, singers, magicians, etc., etc. That is already a city completely saturated IMHO, and is a lot of competition for people to go see a hockey game, particularly if it is not their home team, or worse still, they have little interest in the sport. Momentarily appeal/drunken impulse will only get you so far. And with a 'new' team, you also have to face a lot of growing pains both on the team and getting support from a fanbase. Heck, even Winnipeg went through this, getting crucified at times, when that was an already established team in a strong hockey town used to it. I am just saying, it might work, or it might not. Why take the risk on such shakey ground at this point?
Thanks David. That was actually a somewhat interesting listen. I might take issue with someone calling anyone out for being a hipster, whilst simultaneously claiming to be a big fan of extinct hockey, while knowing nothing about extant hockey, though. Whalers and 'diques forever, and fuck Lindros!
I was just got back from Vegas and some of the locals were ripping on the idea of the hockey team. It's in a good location but I'd imagine a lot of empty seats after the initial honeymoon.
People thought hockey in California was a crazy idea, or Nashville, Carolina, Florida, and Dallas. Say what we want, truth is, we really don't know if it will work till it gets running. It's not like Vegas is new to hockey either. They've had their share of minor league teams and have kids programs up and running for a number of years now. I have a few friends that are excited to have an NHL team in Vegas. Well, one of them is excited cause he hopes property value will skyrocket, then he can sell his place and move out...but that's a different story. The one thing I don't like, I think the NHL is big enough as it is. Unless a team is really failing financially, the NHL really doesn't need for expansion...but at least the Oilers won't get the #1 pick when Vegas comes in. Hahahaha!
Finally healing from the Sharks loss.... Couldnt be more proud of that squad. Definitely looking for the season to start again. Crosby getting the Conn Smythe is such a joke, followed by hockey in Vegas.... So does that mean Nashville to the East?!
They kept talking about Subban that you could almost be sure he was going to be traded. I was really bummed when they traded Koivu (years ago) to the Ducks but then I thought this might be his chance to win a cup. Also, on a similar note, I ordered a jersey online and when I saw the receipt in my email, I tried to cancel it (mandy-sales@hotmail.com...if that doesn't bring up a red flag then I don't know what does). Long story short, I ordered a Beliveau jersey and they sent me a Subban jersey. At least it is a real jersey (I read stories of people getting fakes from that email). They won't take it back and I'm about to call the bank to reverse the payment...but yeah...I laughed when I opened the package.
In a long history of terrible trades, might as well add this one to the list. Fuck Bergevin and Therrien.This is just dumb; like him or not, Subban brought a whole lot to the game and the team. His popularity alone, warranted or not, helped drive the fanbase - and rivalry - around the league, and ultimately, isn't that what the sport is supposed to be all about? The Koivu trade was harder to take, but you are right with the parallels. Not to take anything away from Weber, but not what I would have gone for at all. Heck, Lucic is on the block, so if you are going to court controversy like this, might as well go all out. Man, this sport continues to show how little it actually cares about the people who support it. Also hard to hear, "I am going to a team that wants me." He went on to qualify that later, and express his excitement for Nashville(?), but still, if that's true then double-f to Montreal management. @gatchabert Hahahahaha, oh man, sorry for laughing at you, but man, what an experience. Honestly, buying jerseys online is such a crapshoot, I wouldn't even really pay anything above thinking that it was a fake. Probably 5-10% of resold jerseys are actually 'licensed.' But honestly, at this point, the fakes are reaching as near quality as the real ones in an effort to pass for them, it is almost the same thing anyhow. Yeah, I would love a professional quality jersey, but the prices are getting equally ridiculous as for attending games (in Canada at any rate) and the NHL doesn't really need any more of my money. But still, sending you a Subban instead of a Beliveau, what-the-ever-living-fuck?!! It is funny because it is so bad. Anyways, hope you get your money back timely (I don't see why you shouldn't), and and least you will get a good laugh from it each time you look at it.
The jersey cost me $60 including shipping from China. It was still a good deal. I'm not upset after reading all the crap that other people went through (some people got fakes and some got nothing at all and were still charged). At this point, I'm really just replying back to them saying I want my money back but I'm going to call the bank cause I know they won't do it. I'm laughing too. I told my family about it and my brother said "Hey, maybe those Chinese kids can't read." I said "...but they can match shapes and count the number of letters " I took the name plate off and the "A" in the front but keeping the numbers (mainly cause they're a I FART A LOT to remove). I like Subban but not enough to wear a jersey with his name on it. Koivu is the only player jersey that I have.
Well Canadien fans welcome to the salary cap era! Subban and his agent paved his way for a first class ticket out of town by his insane salary! Couple that with the complete breakdown this season and well there you go. Bruins fans know this all too well. You think I liked seeing Boychuck, Lucic, Seguin all traded due to the salary cap and underwhelming seasons? Nope! Fucking salary cap sucks. Once a player becomes part of the team identity they should not be allowed to be traded till they are past their prime peak. Just my opinion.... I say this as I just got home (my Firday) from work and found out the Bruins made two good moves today buying out Seidenberg and signing Krug! I'm so behind on things working 10 hr days. Wait who is the assclown here that think's I'm lying about where I work?
I don't think it is just the salary cap though, to be fair. Sure, Weber takes us a little under compared to Subban, but he is also signed for a ridiculous 10-year contract; something so stupid even if he wasn't already in his later years. I don't think Subban's hit really factored all that much into it, ultimately. We've be living under the reality of the salary cap for some time now, and sure it is a factor in building a powerhouse team, but not something that has really handicapped us in the long run - management does that plenty without its interference. And Habs fans - I think if anyone - know well that the city has established a very obvious trend for giving away key players. (Bags of pucks anyone? Send 'em here, we need 'em!) Short of the Gretzky trade, I don't think any other NHL franchise comes close to consistently following such bonehead moves. So yeah, not something new. Alas, that doesn't make it any easier to take as a fan though.
See ultra you're completely wrong about Montreal being the worst NHL franchise for bonehead moves giving key players away. That honor definitely belongs to the Boston Bruins. This is a team that traded away Orr, Esposito, Oates, Thornton, Kessel, Seguin, Boychuck, Hamilton, I mean I could go on and on and on listing star players they lost for a bag of pucks. Today we lost Eriksson for just about the same amount (minus a year on term) we signed Backes for! I like Backes but man Eriksson was one of the better Bruins last year with 30 goals and an excellent two way player.
Haha, Pigmon is definitely an NHL fan, that is just natural, but I have to say, I want so much to see (and watch) the whole kaiju team lineup. Especially as they crush the 'Hawks. I want to live in the 'verse where this exists.
...and so the season has begun! Highlights from yesterday: Auston Matthews scores his first goal on his first shot Auston Matthews get by a bunch of Senators to get his second goal Austom Matthews gets the hat Oh wait...there are other games as well! Hahahaha! I wonder if the league is going to complain about low scoring games again.
Highlight for me was Marchand's filthy goal where he made the entire Bluejackets team look like a bunch of pylon cones. Fucking hell does that guy have stick handling moves that make me dizzy: http://www.espn.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400884404 Of course the crap NHL media/ reporters jump all over this and use playing with Crosby in the World Cup as the only reason Marchand could possibly be doing this in Game 1 of the season, where as Bruins fans have seen him do this for years! Same jackasses that keep saying lets get rid of fighting. Nope not going to happen.
Merchand's goal was pretty awesome (you mean he didn't pick up those moves when he was with Crosby? Hahaha.). If the scoring holds up, this could be a pretty exciting season...unless you are a goalie. I have a feeling the scoring will drop as the season goes because the goalies will be more in tune and so will the players.
I'm all for more scoring. Nothing worse than watching a game where one team is up by two goals and neither team is doing anything in the scoring department. I think you're right though, once the goalies shake off the dust it will go down. Wait did they make the pads smaller for this season or is that next? I'm just happy the Sabres are hit with the injury bug right away with two key players down. They didn't bother me as a team when I lived there I was kind of neutral towards them as long as their fans would not say anything about Boston- which they did all the time, but I'd counter with yeah but your team sucks and they are not getting any better. Now that I'm officially out of there and I hate Buffalo with a passion, and knowing how the fans there always have unrealistic expectations of the Sabres (and the stupid Bills- hate football) it's even more fun to see them suffer. Fuck you Buffalo!
I don't think they did anything with the goalie equipment. If they did, the commentators would be talking about it all the time. On a side note, I just now clicked on your Soundcloud link. Pretty cool. I haven't listened to that type of music in a long time.
Ha thanks Bert! 92-95 jungle uk breakbeat hardcore or whatever anyone wants to call it will always be my fave. I mix crusty old dance music just like I like my crusty old toys. Seriously though I hear the oldskool jungle is making a comeback. Glad I kept my tunes.
Very happy to finally have the new season back under way. The World Cup was pretty excellent too though, and I was sort of surprised no one brought it up here. Some amazing and skilled hockey on showcase, even if I thought a lot of the format was trying much too hard (not unlike the All-Star games these days). You can see the influence of NHL 'management' there. Anyways, always a bit wary of the Habs front office moves, and the depth of our team, but you got to have faith, right? Go Montreal! Oh, and it will be interesting to see Lucic in an Edmonton shirt, I would love it if the - ahem - rebuild finally takes hold there this year.
Hey, I am completely ready. And to be honest, Edmonton fans have really suffered a long while, unfairly by my reckoning, but remain a die-hard fanbase. Not sure if this was some kind of hockey karmic payback for the dynasty years, but it has been unfortunate, whether due to mismanagement of the team, bad moves, or whatever. A ten-year post-season drought, in today's era of parity, is not something any team would claim as normal. Though, that run to the finals was something.