Flyers Season thread

[MURP]

lol.  so stupid.

[rjs246]

Of course, the sad thing at this point is that they could change the color of the ice to Flyer-orange  if they wanted and I would watch it. I can't handle having nothing but the NBA and spring training baseball to fill my time.

[MDS]

No sale: ESPN made it official Tuesday. It won't pay to carry NHL games next season.

"We're done negotiating," ESPN executive vice president Mark Shapiro says. "We do not anticipate carrying the NHL next season. ... The only thing we see doing today is a no-fee rights deal."

NBC got an NHL deal last year, including Stanley Cup Finals games, without a rights fee. But ESPN, before a lockout wiped out this season, had paid an average of $120 million for the previous four NHL seasons.

ESPN cobbled together a makeshift lineup that produced ratings comparable to those for the NHL games it had replaced. Now, Shapiro says, ESPN will begin planning replacement programming that includes extra college sports and wants to avoid "last-minute hole-filling" in its scheduling.

It's hard to even guess who would pay to show the NHL, which gets tiny national TV ratings. Shapiro's guess: "I don't think anybody will step up to carry it."

"We appreciate ESPN's continued interest in our product," NHL spokeswoman Bernadette Mansur says. "We have no further interest in devaluing that product" below $60 million.

This league continues to sink further and further into oblivion. If ESPN won't shell out $60 mil for the NHL, who will? When (and if) they come back, their not goin have a national TV network? How sad is that.

[PhillyGirl]

 

[Geowhizzer]

  Bettman actually makes Bud Selig look like a genius.

The NHL is killing itself.   

[MDS]

Just read an article by Ed Moran on the subject, and it mentioned that ESPN would still be willing to carry NHL games....but not for anywhere close to $60 mil.

The only network I can see shelling out 60 mil is FSN, as their trying to be challenege ESPN. But since there isn't one FSN for the entire country (its CSN here), they would have to have exclusive rights to games like TNT does with the NBA.

[Sgt PSN]

This league continues to sink further and further into oblivion. If ESPN won't shell out $60 mil for the NHL, who will? When (and if) they come back, their not goin have a national TV network? How sad is that.

It's terrible.  Terrible I say.  I'm all shook up inside.  I can't even focus on my work now.  I think I need a comp day or something.  Maybe some counseling.  Oh, how will I ever move on?  Oh, look.....a fly keeps trying to fly through a window and hasn't figured out that he can't.  Hahahahaha.  Stupid fly. 

[Philly_Crew]

Some more news that can go into the contract negotiation......"yeah, we lost the ESPN contract and $60 million so we've got to lower the cap by $X million".  Would love to be a fly on the wall in the negotiation room.

[PhillyGirl]

When hockey is back, it comes with smaller goalie pads and shootouts...no ties

Thoughts?

[MDS]

Yes. Tough to make up for a lost season, but necessary rule changes are helpful. Shootouts are so much fun, and it would just be for the extra point. Ties are sissy. I hate them.

[Father Demon]

The most likely changes in NHL play for next season are shootouts, smaller goalie equipment and tag-up offsides. Some of the radical stuff being tested is too over the top for many GMs.

OK, yes, and yes (in order).  Shootouts are OK, but if they are to get rid of ties, I would rather they keep suiting up for period after period in sudden death play.  I'd hate to see a game decided by a shootout goal after two goalies battle against 30 to 40 shots each in a shut-out tie.  That's a terrible way to lose a game.  Let it be by a mistake on defense, or a spectacular offensive play. 

The no-tolerance obstruction scrimmage saw a parade of players to the penalty box after they interfered even in the slightest ways with opponents who didn't have the puck. There were constant whistles throughout the game.

Oh God no.  Stoppage in play is the worst thing for hockey.  Fans like it for it's speed, athleticism, and toughness.  If they are blowing the whistle every 40 seconds for the tiniest infraction, I'm not watching.  Add that to the differences between referree groupings, and you got a terrible sport that will never regain the fans.

[PhillyGirl]

I want to see the 5 minute sudden death overtime lead to shootouts if no game is decided.

But the playoff OT system HAS to stay.

[Wingspan]

if they are going to a shootout...then the OT should be a full period of 20 minutes. not the 5.

that is of course there is actual games to be played.

the NHL may be the only "major" (term used loosely) sport where their championship rounds may not be shown on national television, only local markets.

the NHL has no national television contract, and there is not a major network willing to step up and pay for it. espn said it wasnt renewing, as it's poker nights get higher ratings. the NHL is in major major major trouble. no one will come out and say it...but there is a small chance the NHL will go away. which is why these "buy out" offers arent completely discounted and tossed aside.

[rjs246]

I want to see a 25 minute shootout where both benches pile onto the ice with each player getting a puck. Everytime someone scores they get a new puck and at the end of the 25 minutes the team with the most pucks in the back of the net wins. Then all of the players' wives wander around the stadium drunk and naked and horny. Especially horny. But especially drunk.

[BigEd76]

jerk, you rule