Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

I am pulling for the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Shocking!


Thanks for stopping by!

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Smart man

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

hey I know no offense was meant and you're generally a big-J type guy but "thanks for stopping by" is my bit and I need you to step off before my lawyer sends you a cease and desist letter

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Noted hockey expert here just sharing my knowledge

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

a big J jouno?

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

yeah big-J journo

**big-J Journo**

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Bottom line is that there are elite teams in sports. Those teams find ways to win titles. Fans like to see the surprise team sneak up there and win one every now and then. For the most part, in a 5-10 year period, it is the same teams with those elite players making the finals over and over again.

NBA is the most obvious about this. West: Warriors right now, was Spurs and Lakers before that. East: What ever team James plays for. Surprise: Mavs getting it done that one year.

NFL: Pats are obvious, but the Giants, Pitt and Packers and what ever team Payton was on.

Nascar: Jimmy Johnson and Smoke won all of the titles in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 & 2016 with the ones in bold being Johnson. Before that Gordon won 4 and before that Earnhardt won 7 and before that Petty won 7.

NHL: The list is above in the quote.

Honestly, as a hockey fan it can be depressing if you are not a fan of an elite team. You are basically hoping that your team can be that surprise and win just one cup randomly or you hope that they suck hard enough to draft themselves into becoming one of the elite teams.

The Rangers were that surprise team in 1994. They were close to being one of the surprises in 2014, but they lost to an elite team. The Rangers have been good for about 10 years, but they were never elite and that makes all the difference.

The Caps are unfortunately the same. Ovi is maybe one the "goodest" players of all time, but Crosby is elite. The difference it that one is about to play in his 4th Cup final with chance of winning his 3rd and he shits gold internationally, whereas the other has always been an arms-length away from success.

I also think this is why teams have such long championship droughts. It is really hard to become elite in the salary cap era. You literally have to either already be elite or suck hard for along time. Being good is honestly the worst thing that can happen to a franchise. It prolongs droughts because you will never break through the wall to greatness with what you have, but what you have will prevent you from drafting and rebuilding.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

I've never seen so many people in Tennessee act so crazy about hockey. It's awesome. I'm glad the bandwagon is overflowing currently. Hopefully many of them stick around. Going to Nashville for Game 3!

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Have a blast! Going to be a fun 10-15 days in that city! I really hope they get it done for those fans!

The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

The arena was electric last night

Pretty much perfect other than the lack of replay on the Kessel shot and the towels on the ice

Place was shaking during the air raid siren


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Lame...

http://www.wtae.com/article/predator...g-area/9936073

Any Kroger's in Nashville?

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Not lame. It's their first Cup and an invasion of bandwagon Penguins fans is unwelcome. Yea, I said it :)

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Lol Nashville knows how pittsburgh can travel...ever seen a Steelers v Titans game in Nashville? More black and gold than baby blue

Such a dumb move though. First Tampa not allowing penguins sweaters to be worn last year and now this...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

:rolleyes

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

It's not going to work for a couple of reasons.

1. Scott Paulsen said this once on an NFL network documentary about traveling Steelers fans...

The collapse of the steel industry in Pittsburgh happened as the same time as the Super Steelers of the 70's. As families left western PA for other jobs they took their Steelers (and Pirates, and Pens) fandom with them and their kids grew up as Pittsburgh fans.

The great myth is that Pittsburgh fans travel well. That's not it all.... (and this is Paulsen's quote), "We're already there!"

It's true. I worked with a guy who lived in Chicago. His family moved away from Pittsburgh when he was ten years old. He's as big of a Steelers and Pens fan as they come.

2. Hardcore fans that do "travel well" will hit up stub hub.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

yeah I mean if you wanna go to nashville theres really no stopping you. tons of tickets on the secondary market.


I dont really care about them restricting ticket sales.

The jersey thing was super ridiculous last year though

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

If the pens win, and its a big if still, matt murray will have technically won 2 cups as a rookie.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Craig Custance out at ESPN NHL

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Does anyone outside of the DC area care about the Capitals?

Hockey is largely a regional sport. You don't have many fans of teams outside of their local area like you might see a fan of the Cowboys outside of Texas or Yankees outside of NYC.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

I'm so tired today :lol

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

I didnt end up going to bed until 3. What a night

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Yes, there are a lot of Caps fans outside the DC area. Ovi's star power did help with that.

They are not on the level of the original six though

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

What non O6 teams are though, with the exception of Philly and Pitt?

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

This may be true for places like Nashville, California and Florida, but places like cincy, Cleveland, Baltimore/DC, Philly and Columbus usually have tons of pittsburghers that actually travel.

Myself included.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

What a strange and fully unrelated question to ask

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

In the ultimate losers bracket the Grand Rapids Griffins (Wings) and the Syracuse Crunch (TBL) are in the Calder Cup Finals. Hey I gotta be excited about something.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

Caps are gonna get an outdoor game against TOR at the Naval Academy next season.

Also sounds like Oshie is very close to a new deal with the Caps.

Re: The NHL Thread (where the Presidents Trophy matters!)
 

This is only cool and exciting if the NHL is in a lockout. #2005Phantoms4lyfe