Re: The NHL Thread
 

If Babs sticks around past this year.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Very much so. I need moar.

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No way there was truly 7k people at that Panthers game last night. Looked like maybe 2,000 tops

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yea i hear ya

the "assault on the league" is in full force already

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:lol

didn't they average 16k per game last year? why would they do anything to change that? including the free tix thing....they had to be making more $ giving away tix than getting 3-6k per game like they are now

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Don't know if it was talked about here (been out of town), but I just came across the RNH fight from a few nights ago. Was it his first? Good for him, win or lose.

And good on Hamhuis wrapping up RNH's head and going down slow on the take down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf4gXf5N9OU

EDIT: According to hockeyfights.com it's his first NHL fight.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I don't think Ovechkin even knows what back checking is

Re: The NHL Thread
 

One of the FLA beat writers I follow said he thought closer to about 5500 was his guess.
Just looked it up, avg around 14k. Now maybe that was an embellishment too, not sure. But I'm with you, I don't understand the concept, maybe someone with a business background can explain it. Wouldn't a few thousand more people there be better for them, even if they didn't pay? Concessions and merchandise could be purchased.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

yea that's my thinking behind it

i also just think it's a florida thing

Tampa Rays don't draw at all, even when they're good they typically don't sell out

Miami Heat fans show up in the 2nd quarter and are in the clubs before the game is over

Dolphins are just bleh

Lightning attendance is very up and down

lol Marlins

lol Bucs & Jags

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Could be. To be fair I only saw a picture from near the start of the first where you could only see the lower bowl. So not the best gauge. But it looked BAD. Like 2005 Verizon Center bad.


Yeah exactly. Let them in for free so they can buy a $30 t shirt and 2 or 3 $8 beers, win-win.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

:lol @ the Heat line. Perfect

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Sure he does. To him, it's this. :lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0Wjs-Q3S_Y

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Yikes. Embarrassing, man.

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I remember I was watching this game with a dude who kept feeding me the tired line of "Ovie doesn't have to play defense because he helps his team with his offense" and such. I just turned and looked at him after that goal was scored. Didn't say a word.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

lol florida is a weird place

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Yeah it's hard for me as a Caps fan to see this so much. And you run into that a lot with Caps fans. Bandwagon people who don't really understand how winning hockey is played, and are completely mesmerized by 50 goal seasons regularly. Obviously, 50 goal seasons are great, but when you're so non-participatory on the defensive side that you are actually a liability to your teammates...that can't be saved by 50 goals, half of which are on the power play anyway. And he's supposed to be the captain of this team?! Give me a break. "It's my job to score goals, that's what I'm paid to do. Not play defense". Most cringe worthy line ever spoken by an NHL captain.

I know I'm just preaching to the choir in here, but damn it I just can't stand the guy.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

You get it. :thumbsup

And your point about the captaincy is the same one I come back to as well. Yeah, you'll get some divas in the NHL who think they only have to score goals. Whatever. But when you're wearing the C?! There's gotta be a higher standard that you hold yourself to.

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It's the most important point in the whole thing I think. If he was just another high priced Russian winger who pots 50 regularly, then it's fine. But when you're supposed to be the leader of the whole team, the standard absolutely has to be higher. One has to at least try to play defense. Ovie just simply doesn't even try anymore.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

I haven't watched any Caps games yet this year. Has there been a noticeable difference in regards to Ovie under Trotz? Still same old? Too early to tell?

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I think it's too early to tell with Ovie still, he hasn't had any glaring mistakes but they've actually played two pretty strong games as a team. He's still definitely floating a little in the D zone, but he's at least putting himself in good spots to receive break out passes instead of just hanging in the middle. I will say the team's attention to detail in the D end is noticeably better through two games. Especially once they get the puck back, they break out much crisper and smarter than in the past. Small sample size, but it's a start. They've also upped the physicality level pretty dramatically, they were really frustrating Boston the other night. So we'll see.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Had a long overdue spinal fusion/fixation surgery with a bone graft and screws on Thursday morning. They kept me until sunday morning. Thanks for asking.

Haven't called for center ice package yet and was surprised the free preview isnt on. Until disability goes thru, I feel like I can't call.

If JT stays healthy this year, he will be a Hart candidate once again. He seems to be on another level so far.

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Oilers are going to lose tonight. Not that they stood much of a chance anyway, but both Eberle and Nuge are out :(

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I've honestly never understood why that state has SO MANY professional sports teams. I mean, just in general, there are way too many.

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2 per sport, aside from basketball.
shocked, SHOCKED, they don't have an MLS team

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completely agree

i don't get it

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I think it widely assumed with all the transplants from everywhere that there are lots of sports fans. And there are but that's why Yankees and Red Sox fans pack TB when they are in town.

The teams have be good to be successful and pack their stadiums, which isn't unlike many place in the US

Re: The NHL Thread
 

Forgot Orlando ?

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i stand corrected

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Exactly. A lot of Michiganders in Arizona and Florida. The game against the Lightning a few years ago was amazing how many Wings fans were there.

This one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2NJTSZX55s

Re: The NHL Thread
 

That is good to hear. Despite my Ovechkin hate, there are plenty of guys on the team I'd like to see do well. Hopefully it sticks.
Ouch. Best wishes on a speedy recovery.